Hyundai’s latest electric SUV, the Ioniq 9, was a key vehicle debut at the 2024 Los Angeles Auto Show, with the company positioning it as a practical yet forward-thinking addition to its growing EV lineup. The Ioniq 9 is a large three-row SUV that brings the versatility of impressive cargo and passenger space to the EV marketplace. We caught up with Andre Ravinowich, Senior Manager of Hyundai Product Planning, who shared some insights into how the Ioniq 9 fits into Hyundai’s broader strategy—and why it might stand out in a crowded market.
The Ioniq 9 introduces what Hyundai calls an “Aero Aesthetic Lounge” design. It’s a balance between aerodynamic efficiency and interior usability, according to Ravinowich. “With an EV, it’s always about finding the perfect compromise between efficiency and functionality,” he explained. The exterior is sleek, with a sharply raked windshield, a flowing roofline, and a tapered rear end. While this design isn’t groundbreaking in the EV space, Hyundai has worked to maintain passenger comfort, particularly in the second and third rows. The late roofline peak ensures headroom that rivals boxier SUVs—a subtle but practical touch.
Inside, Hyundai is leaning into the idea of the car as more than just transportation. The Ioniq 9’s cabin is designed to function as a “third space,” bridging the gap between home and work. Ravinowich talked about the concept of creating a lounge-like atmosphere, though some of the more interesting features—like swiveling second-row seats—won’t make it to U.S. models due to regulations. Even so, the interior is clearly built with flexibility and comfort in mind, making it a potentially good fit for families or long road trips.
On the technical front, Hyundai is targeting over 300 miles of range for the Ioniq 9, which is very competitive for a modern EV SUV. Built on an 800-volt platform, the SUV supports ultra-fast charging, going from 10% to 80% charge in just 24 minutes on a fast charger.
An interesting feature of the new Ioniq 9 is the bidirectional charging capability. This technology allows the Ioniq 9 to power a home during an outage, store excess solar energy, or even send electricity back to the grid. Ravinowich described this as one of his favorite features.
Hyundai has made it clear it’s serious about EVs in the U.S., with a new production facility in Georgia and plans to take full advantage of federal EV tax incentives. The Ioniq 9 shares its platform with Kia’s EV9 but differentiates itself with a longer wheelbase, larger battery, and more spacious interior. Ravinowich hinted at future variants but stayed tight-lipped on details.
In the end, the Ioniq 9 feels like Hyundai playing it safe while addressing the growing EV market. It has the right mix of features—good range, fast charging, and a practical interior—but doesn’t stray far from what’s expected. For traditional SUV buyers dipping their toes into the EV world, that might be exactly the point.
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