Volvo? No. It’s the Hyundai IONIQ 9

What you’re looking at is no Volvo wagon. In fact, it’s the latest electric SUV from Hyundai. Say hello to the Hyundai Ioniq 9.

This was unveiled in Los Angeles as the third model under the brand’s Ioniq line of fully-electric vehicles after the Ioniq 5 and 6.

Measuring at 5,130mm of length, 1,980mm of width, and 1,790mm of height, the Ioniq 9 is Hyundai’s largest full EV today. It also rides on a 3,130mm wheelbase, one of the longest in Hyundai’s lineup.

On the outside, it wears what Hyundai calls an Aerosthetic exterior. This mixes aerodynamic design cues with sophisticated and futuristic styling.

Noticeable are the shared design details from the different and latest Hyundai products with its full-width front light bar and Parametric Pixel lighting with small cube projector headlights. The side is very minivan-like and muscular with arched fenders and a high beltline.

Wheel sizes range from 19-inches on the entry-level model, up to 21-inches on the top-spec Calligraphy variant, all designed to be aerodynamic. At the back, it features distinct vertical taillights which also follow the Parametric Pixel theme. 

Inside, it also follows the same design language as other Hyundai products such as the Santa Fe with its sleek and horizontal lines. A single panoramic curved display panel houses the dual 12-inch screens for the driver’s display and infotainment system. It also gets a 14-speaker Bose premium audio system as an option.

Thanks to its EV platform, it’s able to have a flat floor and large amounts of space, offering seating for up to seven occupants. The six-seater version comes with Premium Relaxation Seats on the first and second rows which come with the option to fully recline and leg rests. 

An added bonus for second row occupants are the Swiveling Seats, allowing second and third row occupants to face each other when stationary.

Again, the Hyundai IONIQ 9 is fully-electric with its motor available in three different configurations.

The Long Range RWD variant gets a 160 kW rear electric motor while the Long Range AWD gets the addition of a 70 kW front electric motor. Meanwhile, the Performance AWD variant gets dual 160 kW electric motors on the front and rear.

Regardless of motor output, they are paired to a 110.3 kWh large capacity lithium-ion battery which allows for an estimated driving range of up to 620 km on a single charge.

As expected from a new Hyundai product, it is fully-equipped with the brand’s Smartsense suite of advanced driver-assist systems which gives it Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2 (FCA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA), and aBlind-Spot View Monitor (BVM), among others.

The Hyundai IONIQ 9 will begin sales within the first half of 2025 in South Korea and the United States with European and other markets to follow suit. Do you think this has potential in the Philippines?