2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9 First Drive Review: Luxury EV or $76K Mistake?
Plush Ride Quality
NEED TO KNOW
- The IONIQ 9 is Hyundai’s flagship three-row electric SUV: 422 hp, 516 lb-ft of torque, dual-motor AWD, 311 miles of EPA range, built at Hyundai’s new Metaplant outside Savannah
- The Calligraphy AWD as tested came in at $79,310 including destination; base S trim starts at $58,995
- Six-seat configuration with captain’s chairs across all rows enables genuine lounge functionality for every passenger
- 237 kW DC fast charging enables 10–80% in 24 minutes on CCS; V2L adapter allows powering external devices from the battery
- Writer notes they ‘can’t wait to live with one on our home turf’ for a full real-world test—impressions here are from a press event drive
– Thanks to its stretched wheelbase and low center of gravity, this thing floats like a luxury barge. Think “living room on wheels.”
✅ Tech-Filled Interior
– Dual 12.3″ screens, a head-up display with traffic sign recognition, and Hyundai’s excellent blind-spot cameras.
✅ Quiet Cabin
– Foam-lined tires and premium sound deadening make for a whisper-quiet ride, even on rough Georgia roads.
✅ Actual Buttons
– Praise be. HVAC and volume controls are tactile and right where you want them.
👎 Reflective Materials
– That center console might as well be a solar flare when the sun hits just right. Distracting.
👎 One Massage Seat
– Only the driver gets the Ergo Motion treatment? At $76K, we’re expecting more.
👎 Charging Port Placement
– NACS plug on the wrong side makes Supercharging awkward. It’s 2025, we can do better.
👎 Third Row Real Estate
– Usable, yes. Comfortable? Not for long hauls. Best left to the kids.
2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9 Calligraphy Design
I was recently invited out to beautiful Savannah, Georgia, where I got behind the wheel of the all-new, and I’ve got thoughts… a lot of them. Buckle up, gearheads.
What Is It?
The IONIQ 9 is Hyundai’s flagship three-row electric SUV, and it’s got all the specs to back that title up. Over 400 horsepower, 311 miles of range, dual-motor AWD, and a seriously premium cabin. Priced at just north of $76,000, it’s competing with the likes of the Rivian R1S and even a well-equipped Tahoe.
Built at Hyundai’s brand-new Metaplant just outside Savannah, this thing is as American-made as it gets.
Design That Turns Heads
Hyundai leans hard into its “parametric pixel” styling, and I’m not mad about it. The lighting across the front as well as subtle details in the “grille all pay homage to the humble pixel. From the Escalade-style taillights to the turbine-inspired wheels, this SUV makes a statement. It’s different, in a good way.
And the matte gold paint is another nice touch. Subtly elegant would be the best way to describe it, definitely not your father’s beige Hyundai of old.
Interior: Lounge Mode Activated
Every captain’s chair in this six-seater can recline into full lounge mode, complete with extendable leg rests. Need a nap? No problem. The dash design takes cues from art deco couches, while the ambient lighting and suede headliner dial up the mood.
Bonus: 100W USB-C charging ports in all three rows allow you to power a laptop and a Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) adapter allows you to plug in a TV or a coffee maker. Your call.
How Does It Drive?
It’s not a corner carver, but it’s not supposed to be. This thing soaks up bumps like a pro, and the instant torque makes merging and passing a breeze. The regenerative braking system gives you four levels, including full one-pedal mode. Hyundai’s paddle-activated regenerative braking is still the best in the business, in my humble opinion.
Thanks to the longest wheelbase of any Hyundai before it, as well as the added weight down low from the EV batteries, this IONIQ 9 does its best Range Rover impersonation without the use of adaptive-height air-ride suspension.
It’s quick. It’s smooth. It’s easy to live with. And yes, it will throw you back in your seat if you floor it.
Key Specs
Powertrain & Performance:
- Dual Electric Motors with HTRAC All-Wheel Drive
- 110.3 kWh Lithium-Ion Battery
- 422 hp / 516 lb-ft of Torque
- Five Drive Modes: Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow, My Mode
- 0–60 MPH: TBD
- EPA Estimated Range: 311 Miles
- 237 kW DC Fast Charging (10–80% in 24 min with CCS / 41 min with NACS)
- EPA-Estimated Charge Time (240V): 9 hrs 40 min
Chassis & Handling:
- 4-Wheel Independent Suspension
- MacPherson Strut Front Suspension
- Multi-link Rear Suspension
- 21” Turbine-Style Aero Alloy Wheels
- Michelin Primacy Tour 285/45R21 Tires
Interior & Tech:
- H-Tex™ Synthetic Leather-Trimmed Seating for Six
- Heated and Ventilated Front Seats
- Heated and Ventilated Second-Row Captain’s Chairs
- 8-Way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver Memory (2-person)
- Ergo Motion Driver’s Seat with Massage Function
- Heated, Power Tilt/Telescoping Steering Wheel
- Tri-Zone Automatic Climate Control
- Qi Wireless Phone Charger
- 12.3” Digital Driver Display + 12.3” Touchscreen Infotainment
- Head-Up Display
- Flush-Mount Power Door Handles
- Panoramic Glass Roof
- 360º Surround View Camera System
Safety & Driver Assistance:
- Hyundai SmartSense Suite Includes:
- Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist + View Monitor
- Surround View Monitor
- Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian, Cyclist, and Junction Support
- Lane Keeping & Lane Following Assist
- Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go + Curve Control
- Navigation-Based Smart Cruise Control
- Driver Attention Warning + Safe Exit Assist
- High Beam Assist
- Advanced Rear Occupant Alert
- Parking Distance Warning (Front & Rear)
Cargo Capacity:
- 21.9 cu ft Behind Third Row
- 46.7 cu ft Behind Second Row
- 86.9 cu ft Behind First Row
Pricing:
- Starting MSRP: $58,995 (Base S Trim)
- Price as Tested (Calligraphy AWD): $79,310 (incl. destination)
Warranty Coverage:
- 5 yr / 60,000 mi New Vehicle Warranty
- 10 yr / 100,000 mi Powertrain Warranty
- 10 yr / 100,000 mi EV System Warranty
- 7 yr / Unlimited mi Anti-Perforation Warranty
- 3 yr / 36,000 mi Complimentary Maintenance
- 5 yr / Unlimited mi Roadside Assistance
Final Verdict
Is the 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9 worth its $76K price tag? That depends.
If you’re comparing it to a base-model Tahoe, you’re getting way more tech, comfort, and future-proofing in the IONIQ 9. Plus, ZERO visits to the gas station.
But if you’re cross-shopping luxury EVs with a little more panache, you might want to peek at Rivian.
Either way, this is Hyundai’s boldest move yet, and it delivers on most fronts. We can’t wait to live with one on our home turf soon to get a better idea of what this SUV is like in real life.
Until then, stay charged.
2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9 Calligraphy AWD
PROS
- Plush, luxury-barge ride quality thanks to stretched wheelbase and low center of gravity from EV battery placement
- Every captain's chair reclines into full lounge mode with extendable leg rests; 100W USB-C charging ports in all three rows
- Instant torque makes merging and passing effortless; paddle-activated regenerative braking described as 'best in the business'
- Tactile HVAC and volume controls rather than touch-only—practical for daily use
- Whisper-quiet cabin from foam-lined tires and premium sound deadening, even on rough Georgia roads
CONS
- Reflective center console materials create distracting glare when the sun hits directly
- Only the driver gets the Ergo Motion massage seat—at $76K, the writer expected both front seats
- NACS charging port placement on the passenger fender makes Tesla Supercharger pull-through awkward
- Third row is usable for children but not comfortable for adults on long hauls