HYUNDAI SHOOTS HIGH WITH FLAGSHIP IONIQ 9

Korean giant targets premium Audi and BMW buyers with largest EV yet

- FELIX PAGE

The Hyundai Ioniq 9 is the firm's largest and most luxurious electric car yet, taking the fight to the Volvo EX90 with seven seats, up to 429bhp and a maximum range of 385 miles.

The flagship of Hyundai's expanding loniq range of bespoke EVs shares its E-GMP platform with the Ioniq 5 crossover and loniq 6 saloon, and will take the brand into new territory with a top-end price tag approaching £80,000.

It was revealed at the Los Angeles motor show last week, the same event where in 2021 Hyundai previewed its bold design cues, lounge-like interior and sleek, aero-optimised bodywork with the futuristic Seven concept.

Like its loniq range-mates, the 9 stays largely true to the show car that preceded it, retaining its unusual tapered cabin, heavily raked roof, bluff rear end and optionally swivelling middle-row seats.

Apart from the Seven's reverse-opening doors and rear sofa, though, one notable element the production car does not keep is the concept's name, having been rebranded as the 9 during development to make space for smaller Ioniq 7 and 8 models below - though Hyundai remains tight-lipped on what these will look like or when they will arrive.

The loniq 9's California launch reflects its focus on the American market, where much of its development has taken place, building on the success of the similarly positioned, ICEpowered Hyundai Palisade SUV, launched in 2019.

Nonetheless, the Ioniq 9 is a global car and will be a close rival to the similarly sized Volvo EX90, MercedesBenz EQS SUV and Kia EV9 to which it is closely related - when it lands in the UK around the middle of 2025.

As Hyundai's most premium-focused model yet, the loniq 9 will be tasked with winning over customers from established upmarket brands such as Audi and BMW.