After several months with the Hyundai Ioniq 9, our writer is convinced it is one of the best electric vehicles on sale. The flagship seven-seat SUV has impressed with its combination of style, comfort and cutting-edge technology, while also proving that long-distance travel in an EV is no longer something to dread.
The Ioniq 9 is Hyundai's new top-of-the-range electric model, sharing much with the Kia EV9 but benefiting from the latest technology and a larger battery. It is part of a broader move upmarket by the Korean brand, which has seen the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 claim World Car Awards and the Ioniq 6 N named 2026 World Performance Car. The car's luxury feel has even led several people, including a current Range Rover owner, to compare it to that British icon.
Our writer has been particularly struck by the Ioniq 9's comfort and refinement. Hyundai's Highway Drive Assist adaptive cruise control takes much of the strain out of motorway driving, smoothly keeping the car in lane and changing lanes when prompted. The cabin is exceptionally quiet, thanks in part to active noise cancelling, and the Bose sound system offers impressive detail and separation. Passengers have been surprised to learn the car is doing much of the driving, though one found it a little disconcerting at first.
The test car is a six-seat version in top-spec Calligraphy trim, featuring heated captain's chairs in the second row. The centre console can slide backwards, allowing rear passengers access to the cooled storage compartment, which has a clever double-hinged lid. The two extra seats in the boot have also proved useful, especially for the writer, who is often the designated driver.
Leaving the Ioniq 9 in the car park at Heathrow, the writer found themselves looking forward to the return journey. Like the British Airways planes of old, the Hyundai seems to offer a sense of home on wheels. With several months still to go in the long-term test, it will be interesting to see if this electric SUV continues to impress in real-world use.
