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2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9: Luxury Meets Electric in a Full-Size Package · In Wheel Time Podcast

• 0:00
  Speaker 1: Time now for this hour's car review.
• 0:01
  Speaker 1: I had a chance to drive the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9.
• 0:06
  Speaker 1: This is a completely all-new full-size three-row SUV and it's all-electric the Ioniq 9.
• 0:16
  Speaker 1: Final assembly location Ellabelle, georgia.
• 0:19
  Speaker 1: Believe it or not, available trim levels include the S, the SE, the SEL, the Performance Limited, the Performance Calligraphy and the Calligraphy Design.
• 0:32
  Speaker 1: Our vehicle was the all-wheel drive Performance Calligraphy Very nice vehicle.
• 0:40
  Speaker 1: It's a standard SUV.
• 0:41
  Speaker 1: According to the government.
• 0:42
  Speaker 1: We call it a full-size three-row.
• 0:44
  Speaker 1: This can have up to seating for nine, believe it or not.
• 0:49
  Speaker 1: Wouldn't suggest that Perhaps a couple of captain's chairs in the second row?
• 0:54
  Speaker 1: I think that'd make it a lot more comfortable.
• 0:57
  Speaker 1: Exterior changes from the last model year.
• 0:58
  Speaker 1: Again, it's all new for 2026.
• 1:01
  Speaker 1: Exterior features Horizontal elements across all front fascia surfaces.
• 1:06
  Speaker 1: It's a minimalist design.
• 1:09
  Speaker 1: The side view same thing minimalist design.
• 1:13
  Speaker 1: Tall taillights that bookend, a very large rear hatch door.
• 1:18
  Speaker 1: All the lighting in the rear has a digital nod, little squares.
• 1:24
  Speaker 1: What I liked about it?
• 1:25
  Speaker 1: High marks for overall design.
• 1:27
  Speaker 1: It makes it unique.
• 1:29
  Speaker 1: It's very good looking and if you like to be unique on the block, this is your vehicle.
• 1:34
  Speaker 1: What could use improvement?
• 1:36
  Speaker 1: Nothing, love it.
• 1:37
  Speaker 1: Interior highlights include a spacious, comfortable interior with conservative colors.
• 1:44
  Speaker 1: Love the shift stalk with start-stop button included on that Elongated and integrated infotainment screen that includes the instrument cluster.
• 1:56
  Speaker 1: I don't know why they haven't done this before.
• 1:58
  Speaker 1: The six passenger versions with the second row captain's chairs can be had with a reclining feature that almost looks like a bed.
• 2:09
  Speaker 1: It folds so flat and it has footrests in it too.
• 2:12
  Speaker 1: This is luxury all the way.
• 2:14
  Speaker 1: Cargo room plentiful, what I liked.
• 2:17
  Speaker 1: Different configurations to customize it to your tastes, with all of those available trim levels.
• 2:24
  Speaker 1: What could use improvement?
• 2:25
  Speaker 1: I put a question mark on that because I really don't know this kind of does it all Engine?
• 2:30
  Speaker 1: Well, it's all electric, as I mentioned.
• 2:33
  Speaker 1: 422 horsepower, that's the top of the line it does on the entry level.
• 2:41
  Speaker 1: Come with a lot less horsepower.
• 2:42
  Speaker 1: You can get that, of course, at a much reduced rate.
• 2:44
  Speaker 1: 335 miles of range with 516 pound feet of torque, that's a lot, but let's not forget it's heavy.
• 2:51
  Speaker 1: It weighs three tons, I told you electric, and it's all-wheel drive.
• 2:56
  Speaker 1: Tow rating 5,000 pounds, not bad for an electric, but you know that really zaps the energy if you're towing something.
• 3:02
  Speaker 1: Miles per gallon MPGE rating is 91 city and 79 on the highway.
• 3:11
  Speaker 1: It's smooth and it's powerful.
• 3:14
  Speaker 1: What could use improvement?
• 3:15
  Speaker 1: Well, I spent $49 for about 20 minutes at the high-end charging station from 20% to 80% and it cost me $49.
• 3:30
  Speaker 1: Wow, it was the Shell Recharge Station in Sugar Land and they are proud of their electricity Ride and handling Smoothness Like a big limo.
• 3:41
  Speaker 1: What could use improvement?
• 3:42
  Speaker 1: More range, I think would be nice.
• 3:45
  Speaker 1: I'm sure they're working on that.
• 3:47
  Speaker 1: The base trim price is $74,990.
• 3:51
  Speaker 1: Remember, this is kind of top-of-the-line stuff here.
• 3:55
  Speaker 1: Price is tested $77,540.
• 3:57
  Speaker 1: Base model price $58,955.
• 4:03
  Speaker 1: Competitors include the Kia EV9, which is really its cousin.
• 4:08
  Speaker 1: It starts at $5,4900, so the Kia is a bit less expensive than the Hyundai.
• 4:14
  Speaker 1: The VW ID Bus I kind of threw this in there, but it is electric and it seats lots of folks.
• 4:19
  Speaker 1: That's $59,995, starting point.
• 4:23
  Speaker 1: And the BMW iX xDrive45, is up there at $75,150 for a starting point.
• 4:33
  Speaker 1: Well, that's my review of the 2026 all-new Hyundai IONIQ 9 all-electric SUV full-size three-row.