2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 Review - The Best 3-Row EV In America. Did It Land Too Late
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Date: 2025-12-23
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Comments and reviews: 20
shethjones4494
Car reviewers have to start to wean themselves off of basing every aspect of charging on the Tesla network. Hyundai and others are thinking about the future, not the past- that is why they didn't worry about relocating the port. It is crazy to think that these automakers are waiting for Tesla to rollout V4 chargers in large numbers, that will take forever. Hyundai and Kia and MB and BMW are investing in IONNA for a reason, they are building out their own network of high voltage chargers that can work with 800v vehicles. They will be able to get critical mass on such chargers long before Tesla will be able to get V4s on the market. I was glad that after 5 minutes of discussing charging IONNA was mentioned- they have NACs at every single station as does BP Pulse and MB stations. So the reality is that anyone getting any 800v vehicle with nacs should seek out one of those stations as Plan A and then a high voltage CCS as Plan B- Tesla should be last resort. Considering the average lease is 3 years and the average financing period for a new car is approaching 7 years, Hyundai is playing the long term game here. I don't think they should have rushed for nacs, but I assume they did so largely because they are confident that there will be a steady stream of non tesla 800v chargers coming online every year. The situation in 2027 for example will be MUCH different than it is now and by then I don't think anyone with an 800v EV will be worried about a tesla station- even if they have NACS
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Car reviewers have to start to wean themselves off of basing every aspect of charging on the Tesla network. Hyundai and others are thinking about the future, not the past- that is why they didn't worry about relocating the port. It is crazy to think that these automakers are waiting for Tesla to rollout V4 chargers in large numbers, that will take forever. Hyundai and Kia and MB and BMW are investing in IONNA for a reason, they are building out their own network of high voltage chargers that can work with 800v vehicles. They will be able to get critical mass on such chargers long before Tesla will be able to get V4s on the market. I was glad that after 5 minutes of discussing charging IONNA was mentioned- they have NACs at every single station as does BP Pulse and MB stations. So the reality is that anyone getting any 800v vehicle with nacs should seek out one of those stations as Plan A and then a high voltage CCS as Plan B- Tesla should be last resort. Considering the average lease is 3 years and the average financing period for a new car is approaching 7 years, Hyundai is playing the long term game here. I don't think they should have rushed for nacs, but I assume they did so largely because they are confident that there will be a steady stream of non tesla 800v chargers coming online every year. The situation in 2027 for example will be MUCH different than it is now and by then I don't think anyone with an 800v EV will be worried about a tesla station- even if they have NACS
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naveenthemachine
I think it’s an impressive vehicle as a whole. I think that the fact that Hyundai can pull this off shows how serious they are
The people who have the audacity to laugh at this because of Hyundai are living in the past because their Hyundai had a bad experience and they refuse to acknowledge not just Hyundai but every brand improved significantly and the fact that every brand has recalls these days proves there’s not a lot of difference in the reliability.
Worry about how the car itself meets your needs. Don’t only look at the logo otherwise you’re gonna really miss out on a lot of comfort for you and your family and convenience features you never knew you needed until now.
I think the vehicle itself is very impressive all around. The fact that it’s made by Hyundai doesn’t mean this cars poorly made inside or out or uncomfortable. Just like if you took any ugly vehicle like the Nissan juke or Pontiac Aztec and put a Toyota or Lexus logo on it doesn’t make them perfect
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I think it’s an impressive vehicle as a whole. I think that the fact that Hyundai can pull this off shows how serious they are
The people who have the audacity to laugh at this because of Hyundai are living in the past because their Hyundai had a bad experience and they refuse to acknowledge not just Hyundai but every brand improved significantly and the fact that every brand has recalls these days proves there’s not a lot of difference in the reliability.
Worry about how the car itself meets your needs. Don’t only look at the logo otherwise you’re gonna really miss out on a lot of comfort for you and your family and convenience features you never knew you needed until now.
I think the vehicle itself is very impressive all around. The fact that it’s made by Hyundai doesn’t mean this cars poorly made inside or out or uncomfortable. Just like if you took any ugly vehicle like the Nissan juke or Pontiac Aztec and put a Toyota or Lexus logo on it doesn’t make them perfect
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benniewalker312
I’m really glad you made this video with a comparison to both the Gravity and Buzz, I’ve been seriously considering all three as my next everyday driver. The way I cross shop, cargo space is the most important box to check off. But so is value (bang for the buck) the Buzz would be perfect for every day city driving. For value. the lowest Gravity Touring (not Grand Touring) is about the same as the highest end Ioniq 9. Yeah Depreciation scares me on all 3 and whether or not any of these vehicles will still be around in a few years, so service and repairs, reliability, cost to own and insurance are all factors.
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I’m really glad you made this video with a comparison to both the Gravity and Buzz, I’ve been seriously considering all three as my next everyday driver. The way I cross shop, cargo space is the most important box to check off. But so is value (bang for the buck) the Buzz would be perfect for every day city driving. For value. the lowest Gravity Touring (not Grand Touring) is about the same as the highest end Ioniq 9. Yeah Depreciation scares me on all 3 and whether or not any of these vehicles will still be around in a few years, so service and repairs, reliability, cost to own and insurance are all factors.
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james2042
I understand that Hyundai, Kia, Genesis are all going to be Ev brands probably by 2035, as their internal combustion power trains are just weak. But I think a vehicle like this would still be better suited by a range extended electric powertrain rather than a full electric powertrain. A lot less battery and more range when needed, yet it's still does the same drive around EV task day to day. No transmission would be needed either so they can skip that and they can under tune the engine for max efficiency so it won't explode at 80k miles
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I understand that Hyundai, Kia, Genesis are all going to be Ev brands probably by 2035, as their internal combustion power trains are just weak. But I think a vehicle like this would still be better suited by a range extended electric powertrain rather than a full electric powertrain. A lot less battery and more range when needed, yet it's still does the same drive around EV task day to day. No transmission would be needed either so they can skip that and they can under tune the engine for max efficiency so it won't explode at 80k miles
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sprockkets
I cannot in good conscience buy this - more prefect union showcased how terrible worker conditions are at the Georgia factory and the supply chain.
And if you don't care about that, the usa made vehicles have terrible build quality and now some i5s are needing entire high voltage battery replacements already.
That's not even getting into the iccu issue where the ev3, an ev released this past year, still has failures.
Maybe hyundai can fix it. But after how the kona ev faired, don't count on it.
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I cannot in good conscience buy this - more prefect union showcased how terrible worker conditions are at the Georgia factory and the supply chain.
And if you don't care about that, the usa made vehicles have terrible build quality and now some i5s are needing entire high voltage battery replacements already.
That's not even getting into the iccu issue where the ev3, an ev released this past year, still has failures.
Maybe hyundai can fix it. But after how the kona ev faired, don't count on it.
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ayushmalpeddi2793
Really like this vehicle.
As for the price, expect it to drop around 10K. Ioniq 5 dropped by 10K so now it's pricing is in between 36-50K (I'm excluding the N version which has not dropped in price. Very reasonable IMO. Technically cheaper than a Model Y for certain trims. I expect the Ioniq 9 pricing to drop to 50-65K which is right where it should be. On the base models it is quite expensive, but the higher end models would be right in line with a loaded explorer, GH Max Hybrid, and CX-90.
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Really like this vehicle.
As for the price, expect it to drop around 10K. Ioniq 5 dropped by 10K so now it's pricing is in between 36-50K (I'm excluding the N version which has not dropped in price. Very reasonable IMO. Technically cheaper than a Model Y for certain trims. I expect the Ioniq 9 pricing to drop to 50-65K which is right where it should be. On the base models it is quite expensive, but the higher end models would be right in line with a loaded explorer, GH Max Hybrid, and CX-90.
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user-5gu78qo27i
This thing is EXPENSIVE!
And a pita on so many levels.
Most expensive driver's seat in town.
Charging For those whose lives strive to seek complication and inconvenience.
There's a another word for all this. hmmmm
Oh! It's masochism! This thing will satisfy those, whose hair just raised on the back of their necks a bit, perfectly! You're so fortunate the search ends here!
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This thing is EXPENSIVE!
And a pita on so many levels.
Most expensive driver's seat in town.
Charging For those whose lives strive to seek complication and inconvenience.
There's a another word for all this. hmmmm
Oh! It's masochism! This thing will satisfy those, whose hair just raised on the back of their necks a bit, perfectly! You're so fortunate the search ends here!
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lawrenceralph7481
Listened to your review. Which I don't usually do for cars that I can't afford.
It seems like a nice platform but with a lot of complexity. Also it is not likely to go from the East Bay to Long Beach without a mid-trip recharge.
I'll be interested when the 400hp version has a 400 mile freeway range at 75 mph and sells for the mid 40s. Thanks. Excellent Review.
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Listened to your review. Which I don't usually do for cars that I can't afford.
It seems like a nice platform but with a lot of complexity. Also it is not likely to go from the East Bay to Long Beach without a mid-trip recharge.
I'll be interested when the 400hp version has a 400 mile freeway range at 75 mph and sells for the mid 40s. Thanks. Excellent Review.
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Tokamak3. 1415
IoniqGuy reported yesterday that Hyundai/Kia have extended the warranty period for the ICCUs - but only for the Korean market. The entire Ioniq lineup usea the same ICCU with only different daughterboards for newer BMS/battery setups. I would consider this before purchasing. As a previous owner of a '24 Ioniq that got lemoned due to faulty ICCU.
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IoniqGuy reported yesterday that Hyundai/Kia have extended the warranty period for the ICCUs - but only for the Korean market. The entire Ioniq lineup usea the same ICCU with only different daughterboards for newer BMS/battery setups. I would consider this before purchasing. As a previous owner of a '24 Ioniq that got lemoned due to faulty ICCU.
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directordave1
EVs are in huge trouble unless they can get price competitive. Depreciation is insane and the value just isn't there. Hyundai/Kia build some very nice EVs, but they are in the same ugly place the Ford and GM are. Sales are falling rapidly and they are turning into a niche market. (I love EVs and drive one)
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EVs are in huge trouble unless they can get price competitive. Depreciation is insane and the value just isn't there. Hyundai/Kia build some very nice EVs, but they are in the same ugly place the Ford and GM are. Sales are falling rapidly and they are turning into a niche market. (I love EVs and drive one)
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jasonhillgiant
Not regretting my ID. Buzz purchase. Seven seatbelts and still room for luggage. I’m not worried about extra stops (old man bladder, and that flat charging curve seems more practical. The silver painted plastic that Hyundai favors feels just a little too 90’s made in Taiwan if you get my meaning.
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Not regretting my ID. Buzz purchase. Seven seatbelts and still room for luggage. I’m not worried about extra stops (old man bladder, and that flat charging curve seems more practical. The silver painted plastic that Hyundai favors feels just a little too 90’s made in Taiwan if you get my meaning.
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ZekeBriarcliff
I never hated the looks, but it's still growing on me all the time. I have yet to see one IRL and I'm expecting to like it even more in the metal. The EV9 still wins the beauty contest, but the I9 brings more Luxe appointments, more power, and more range.
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I never hated the looks, but it's still growing on me all the time. I have yet to see one IRL and I'm expecting to like it even more in the metal. The EV9 still wins the beauty contest, but the I9 brings more Luxe appointments, more power, and more range.
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Wayneman50
CAUTION. This vehicle has the E-GMP platform which is notorious for ICCU failures. Buy at your own risk. Hyundai refuses to fix this issue and just keeps pumping out more vehicles that will have the ICCU fail. It's not a matter of if it fails, but when!
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CAUTION. This vehicle has the E-GMP platform which is notorious for ICCU failures. Buy at your own risk. Hyundai refuses to fix this issue and just keeps pumping out more vehicles that will have the ICCU fail. It's not a matter of if it fails, but when!
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lawrenceralph7481
I thought when I started this review that these would undercut the price of a base Highlander hybrid because they are less capable and involve significant owner inconvenience and sacrifices to own. I was wrong again.
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I thought when I started this review that these would undercut the price of a base Highlander hybrid because they are less capable and involve significant owner inconvenience and sacrifices to own. I was wrong again.
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lawrenceralph7481
For those of us who are not EV zealots, is this better than a base Highlander hybrid or base Grand Highlander hybrid when maintenance and durability are considered as part of the purchase decision
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For those of us who are not EV zealots, is this better than a base Highlander hybrid or base Grand Highlander hybrid when maintenance and durability are considered as part of the purchase decision
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LoveStallion
It's funny how much effort goes into designing for efficiency with EVs, yet why are they not taking this approach with ICE vehicles Would I not get better MPG if a Palisade was as slippery as an Ioniq 9
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It's funny how much effort goes into designing for efficiency with EVs, yet why are they not taking this approach with ICE vehicles Would I not get better MPG if a Palisade was as slippery as an Ioniq 9
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TheGerm24
How much cargo space is there with the third row folded down Looking for a minivan replacement at some point and that has tons of space behind the 2nd row.
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How much cargo space is there with the third row folded down Looking for a minivan replacement at some point and that has tons of space behind the 2nd row.
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Stetrain
There are non-Tesla J3400 chargers that are 800V capable. Walmart and IONNA have them out today, Electrify America and others have plans to roll them out.
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There are non-Tesla J3400 chargers that are 800V capable. Walmart and IONNA have them out today, Electrify America and others have plans to roll them out.
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GregP30
Not a fan of the back. Too many pixels. Also don't like the overall look of it. Too Mini-van like. It is the one of the reasons I bought the KIA EV9.
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Not a fan of the back. Too many pixels. Also don't like the overall look of it. Too Mini-van like. It is the one of the reasons I bought the KIA EV9.
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ichinichisan
20: 19 I feel like I want to take an ice scraper to clean that formica dash. It can't possibly look that bad in person, can it
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20: 19 I feel like I want to take an ice scraper to clean that formica dash. It can't possibly look that bad in person, can it
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