Hyundai has unveiled the Ioniq 9, marking a significant milestone in the large electric SUV market. The Ioniq 9 promises an impressive single-charge driving range of over 500 km (311 miles) and a spacious interior ideal for group camping. Priced at approximately 60 million won ($41,400), the Ioniq 9 offers a more affordable option than other vehicles in its class, positioning itself as a strong contender in a market still recovering from a temporary stagnation in EV demand. Hyundai aims to boost its market share by focusing on performance and price competitiveness.
At the Ioniq 9 Media Experience event, Hyundai highlighted the SUV’s standout features: 1) a 110.3 kWh battery offering a maximum range of 532 km (331 miles) on a single charge; 2) a spacious interior built on Hyundai’s electric vehicle-only platform, E-GMP; 3) an aerostatic design inspired by aerodynamic aesthetics; and 4) software-driven vehicle (SDV) functions that enhance the overall user experience.
Long Driving Range and Fast Charging
The Ioniq 9’s biggest selling points are its impressive driving range and rapid charging capabilities. Equipped with a 110.3 kWh battery, it offers a range of 532 km (331 miles) on a single charge (with 19-inch wheels). Additionally, Hyundai’s Ioniq 9 can be charged from 10% to 80% in just 24 minutes with a 350-kW fast charger, addressing one of the biggest concerns for EV drivers—charging time.
Yoon Dong Pil, the team leader of Hyundai’s MLV electric vehicle performance testing team, emphasized, “The Ioniq 9 was developed to minimize the stress and anxiety of charging by applying the largest capacity high-efficiency batteries available in South Korea.”
Spacious Interior and Unique Design
The Ioniq 9’s spacious interior sets a new benchmark for its class. With a length of 5060 mm (199.2 inches) and a wheelbase of 3130 mm (123.2 inches), the vehicle offers generous headroom and legroom in both the second and third rows. This design makes it one of the most comfortable electric SUVs available, especially for long drives.
Externally, the Ioniq 9 features an “Aerosthetic” silhouette inspired by boats and aerodynamic aesthetics. It’s the first vehicle in the world to feature a dual-motion active air flap on the lower front bumper, reducing air resistance and enhancing its dynamic, luxurious look. With a drag coefficient of just 0.259, the Ioniq 9 outperforms other large SUVs in its class, offering superior efficiency.
Pricing and Market Strategy
The sales price of the Ioniq 9 ranges from 67.15 million won ($46,400) to 79.41 million won ($54,800), depending on the trim model. If you combine national and local government subsidies for the exclusive trim model, you can expect to purchase the vehicle for around 60 million won ($41,400). This is cheaper than the Kia EV9 (base model 73.37 million won or $50,700), a competing model in the same segment.
Lee Cheol Min, managing director of Hyundai’s domestic marketing office, emphasized, “In the case of the Ioniq 9, many aspects, such as the large-capacity battery, advanced specifications, and largest space in its class, were applied differently from before, which increased the development cost.” He added, “Nevertheless, as a leader in electric vehicles, Hyundai set a reasonable price to overcome the recent chasm and lead the market with EV leadership.”
Additional Features and Services
Hyundai has set the target sales volume of the Ioniq 9 in South Korea at 6,500 units this year. Consumers can receive EV Everycare, a customized integrated care service for the electric vehicle life cycle from purchasing to possessing the Ioniq 9. In addition, customers can subscribe to various digital specifications, such as their desired lighting pattern and remote smart parking assistance, through the Blue Link Store.
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