Overview

THE IONIQ 9 is the most expensive model in Hyundai’s Australian portfolio.

At just a smidge under $120K, it’s about the same price as 10 original Excels, a car that, in 1986, the now-owner of GoAuto said, “posed very little threat to any existing cars because there is very little incentive to buy”.

Nowadays, there’s a lot of incentive to buy a Hyundai…

The company has grown to become a mainstay of the local market, producing not only quality, affordable models like the Venue and i30, but sophisticated, cutting-edge battery electric models like the Ioniq 9.

This full-size, seven-seat SUV is offered locally in just one trim grade, the Calligraphy tested here. It rivals the likes of the (related) Kia EV9 and perhaps the Volvo EX90, and features a 110.3kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery pack that promises a single-charge driving range of up to 600km.

Powered by dual 157kW electric motors, the all-wheel drive Ioniq 9 produces a total system output figure of 314kW and a torque value of 700Nm. Hyundai claims a 0-100km/h time of 5.2 seconds, and an 80-120km/h overtaking time of 3.4 seconds.

Built on Hyundai Motor Group’s ubiquitous 800-volt Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the flagship SUV is said to charge from 10 to 80 per cent in as little as 24 minutes when connected to a 350kW DC charger.

AC charging (up to 10.5kW) can recharge the Ioniq 9 from empty to full in 10 hours.

The Ioniq 9 introduces several Australian firsts for the Hyundai brand, including Digital Key 2.0 technology and Google Places Search integration, joining Hyundai’s Bluelink smartphone-enabled connected car services and over-the-air update capability.

The interior combines a 3130mm wheelbase and flat floor to create what Hyundai describes as the most spacious cabin in its class, accommodating up to seven occupants in “lounge-like” comfort.

A curved dashboard display combines dual 12.3-inch instrument cluster and infotainment interfaces, while Nappa leather upholstery, synthetic leather door panels and aluminium garnish promise to create a premium look and feel.

The six-seater configuration carries a $2000 premium and gains a Universal Island 2.0 Centre Console, which slides up to 190mm fore and aft to provide access to storage for both first- and second-row occupants plus Relaxation Seats for second-row passengers, matching those at the front.

Front-row occupants get a claimed 1005mm of headroom and 1052mm of legroom, those in the second row have 996mm of headroom and 1086mm of legroom and third-row passenger space stats include 1000mm of headroom and 813mm of legroom, according to Hyundai.

Claimed cargo capacity also remains decent with all three rows occupied, offering 338 litres behind the third row and expanding to 908 litres behind the second row. Additional storage is provided by a front cargo area under the bonnet.

The Ergo Motion driver’s seat is designed to support optimal posture through air pocket control in the cushion, seatback and bolsters, while front occupants can adjust rear seat positions using the infotainment touchscreen.

Second-row seats feature one-touch tilting for easy third-row access, while the seven-seater configuration offers almost-flat rear-seat folding with inclines of just 7.5 degrees (second row) and 3.5 degrees (third row).

Third-row seats fold automatically with motorised headrests, accessible via buttons in the cargo compartment or side trim controls for recline adjustment.

The Connected Car Navigation Cockpit infotainment system incorporates artificial intelligence voice recognition for handsfree control as part of the primarily touchscreen user interface, which also features personalised settings that sync across multiple vehicles.

Hyundai’s Digital Key 2.0 debuts in Australia with the Ioniq 9, featuring both near-field communication (NFC) and ultra-wideband (UWB) technology for automatic unlocking from approximately one metre away using a smartphone.

The digital key can be stored on one device and shared with up to 15 others, functioning without mobile network signals and continuing to work even with a flat smartphone battery.

Google Places Search provides multiple destination search methods, including text-based searches like “restaurants near me” with type-ahead suggestions and detailed results including addresses, operating hours, and contact information.

The Ioniq 9 features comprehensive safety equipment including 10 airbags, with a driver’s knee airbag and front centre side airbag designed to prevent secondary collisions between first-row occupants.

Hyundai’s SmartSense technology suite includes second-generation forward collision avoidance, highway driving assist and lane following assist systems along with blind-spot monitoring, blind-spot camera views on the digital cluster, and key-operated remote parking assist.

Digital door mirrors are available for $3000 extra.

The Ioniq 9 rides on MacPherson strut front and five-link rear suspension with vibration-minimising hydro bushings and a self-levelling system to prevent sagging under heavy loads.

Aside from a slippery exterior design, noise-reduction measures are special tyre tread patterns, noise-absorbing tyre materials, reinforced body panels, sound-damping insulation, three-layered wheel arch padding, tight door seals designed to minimise wind noise and double-laminated soundproof glass plus active road noise-cancelling sound waves generated by the audio system.

Ten exterior colours are available, including Serenity White Pearl, Abyss Black Pearl, Ionosphere Green Pearl, Biophilic Blue Pearl, Sunset Brown Pearl plus the matte options of Nocturne Grey, Celadon Grey and Gravity Gold.

Premium metallic or pearl paint costs $750, while matte finishes are $1000.

Hyundai provides a five-year/unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty and eight-year/160,000km high-voltage battery warranty. A Lifetime Service Plan with 30,000km service intervals is priced at $660 for 24 months and $685 for 48 months.

Driving Impressions

In a world of firm-riding electric SUVs we found the Ioniq 9 Calligraphy a very pleasant change. The suspension is clearly tuned toward offering passengers a comfortable ride, even if this does mean a little ‘head toss’ is evident over the bumpy stuff.

Still, it’s a compromise we’re prepared to accept. The level of ride comfort suits a family vehicle well and shows what can be achieved in tuning a less advanced suspension system correctly to its usage case.

Despite the softer ride, the Ioniq 9 retains its composure over peaks and troughs, keeping the body adequately supported when cornering and braking. It’s evident there is a lot of weight to keep in check, but this is a family vehicle, and not a sports car – meaning the ride and handling balance is a win for those who appreciate a softer ride.

The steering offers appropriate weighting as it is geared to ensure sufficient accuracy on winding roads. Feedback is acceptable, again showing how appropriate the chassis tune of the Ioniq 9 is when targeting family buyers.

While we did find some material selections a little out of place – including the ‘grippy’ horizontal bar that runs the width of the dashboard – the space and ergonomics of the Ioniq 9 are otherwise very well sorted.

The seating position offers an excellent relationship to the primary controls, and is positioned so as to offer a great view out while not feeling though you’re perched atop a kitchen chair.

The driver’s pew is particularly supportive, a blessing on longer trips. Given the Ioniq 9 had no trouble travelling 470km from a single charge, this is a very good thing. Rear seat space and comfort is very nearly as impressive, the second row a particularly pleasant place to while away the hours on a country road trip.

We found the level of acceleration on offer from the Ioniq 9’s four motors progressive – and brisk. It is less ‘neck snapping’ than some of the less refined electric offerings in this class, but still sufficiently quick (0-100km/h in 5.2 seconds).

Overtaking is handled dutifully, with plenty in reserve for when you need it. Couple this with easily adaptable regenerative braking and you’ll soon find just how agile this large SUV can be. In short, it’s faster and far easier to modulate than you would give it credit for.

Although the regenerative braking and one-pedal drive system are adequate in most scenarios, its reassuring that the Ioniq 9 offers strong friction braking for those times it’s required.

The brake pedal is well assisted and provides sufficient modulation for accurate stops, a further indication of how thorough Hyundai has been in tuning this car for a comfortable ride.

We also found the ride appreciably quiet. Save for a little wind rustle over the door mirrors, the Ioniq 9 is exceptionally quite. There’s no tyre thrum to speak of, and of course no driveline noise.

The active noise cancellation technology no doubt plays a role here, but we get the sense the vehicle is not reliant on the tech to keep things hushed.

Against the gauge, the Ioniq 9 Calligraphy consumed around the 22.5kWh per 100km mark on test. While that’s a little way short of the claim, it’s a good figure considering the heft of the vehicle, and the extended distances we covered at freeway speeds.

Depending on how the Ioniq 9 is driven, we would anticipate a range of between 450km and 530km – which is again a terrific result when viewed against many in this class.

And we guess that’s the real point behind the Ioniq 9. It might be a little pricey, and it mightn’t wear a premium badge. But it certainly delivers premium levels of comfort, technology, space, and driveability, which is really what most family buyers want when all is said and done.

If it’s not, you could always stump up more for a badge that suits your image – or consider buying 10 original Hyundai Excels. That’s a choice we’ll leave entirely in your capable hands.