Hyundai IONIQ 9: A Tech-Heavy Electric Flagship Wrapped in Quiet Luxury

Hyundai has unveiled its most ambitious electric vehicle yet: the IONIQ 9. Stretching over five meters and offering three rows of seats, this SUV stands as the brand’s new electric flagship. Prices start at €70,000 and climb to €88,100, depending on trim and options.

The IONIQ 9 promises up to 620 kilometers of range (WLTP) and, thanks to its 800V architecture, can charge from 10 to 80 percent in just 24 minutes when hooked up to a 350 kW fast charger. In ideal conditions, this is an EV built for long-haul journeys.

Design-wise, the IONIQ 9 leans into futurism, with pixel-style LED lights, digital side mirrors, and turbine-inspired wheels. Yet its structure is firmly rooted in practicality, featuring a flat floor that accommodates a sliding center console, rotating second-row seats, and generous legroom throughout.

Acoustically, Hyundai aims for concert-hall quiet. The car uses active noise control (ANC-R), acoustic glass, and specially designed tires to keep road noise at bay. A 14-speaker Bose system handles the soundtrack when silence isn’t enough.

But the headline act is the GPT-4-based artificial intelligence—the first time this technology appears in a production car from an automaker. The system responds to “Hey Hyundai” commands and can control navigation, in-car functions, and even connected home devices.

Technically, the IONIQ 9 comes in rear- and all-wheel-drive variants, with the most powerful version delivering 435 horsepower and accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds. The high-end Performance trim even simulates a gearshift and engine sound—for those still nostalgic for combustion.