Hyundai Ioniq 9 flagship SUV global debut this year

Hyundai will unveil its flagship electric SUV, the Ioniq 9, later this year. The new electric seven-seater, twinned with the Kia EV9, is a development of the Seven concept shown three years ago. This new SUV will be a direct rival to the likes of the Volvo EX90 and the BMW iX.

1. Hyundai Ioniq 9 to sit on e-GMP platform
2. Likely to get a hotter N variant later
3. Will get three row layout as well

The flagship SUV was originally pegged to be badged as the Ioniq 7, but our sister publication Autocar UK understands it was renamed because ‘7’ would have implied it was lesser than the EV9. 

The Ioniq 9 will use the same extended version of the e-GMP platform as its twin and is also likely to have the same 99.8kWh battery pack. As with the EV9, 203hp single-motor and 383hp dual-motor set-ups will be offered. It is likely that the SUV will gain a hot N variant, given that a ‘GT’ version of the EV9 has already been spied testing at the Nürburgring. This makes a case for the Ioniq 9 to use the 650hp dual-motor, four-wheel-drive powertrain that propels the Ioniq 5 N.

The Ioniq 9 will be a production version of the Hyundai Seven concept from three years ago.

As far as looks go, the Ioniq 9 will have a rounded look which will be less blocky than the EV9. The overall design will have a lot of resemblance with the Hyundai Seven concept but it won’t get the frameless windows and rear suicide doors from the concept. Just like the EV9, it will be safe to expect the Ioniq 9 to get a three row layout as well.

Expect the interior bits to be similar to the newer Hyundai models like the Santa Fe SUV and the upcoming all-new Palisade. It will have multiple screens, soft touch materials and faux wood and aluminum spread across the cabin. In keeping with other Hyundai models, physical controls will be retained for audio and climate. Less important functions such as the air direction will be mapped into a touch panel between the climate dials. The gear selector is expected to be the same as that in the Santa Fe: a twisting dial on the steering column.

Expect more details on Hyundai’s upcoming flagiship electric SUV to be revealed closer to its global debut by end of this year.