The Hyundai Ioniq 9 looks like an alien landed in your driveway. Love it? Maybe. Hate it? Probably. It is polarizing. Even after a week behind the wheel I am still on the fence. I respect the boldness though. Someone had to try it.
Open the door. It gets comfortable fast.
The cabin rejects the current trend of touchscreen obsession. Two screens. Actual buttons. Physical knobs for things that should not be digital. The Calligraphy trim tested here throws every comfort feature at you. You survive the week easily. You might even enjoy it.
Pros
Spacious cabin
Quiet ride
Real storage
Cons
Door handles pop out
Design divides opinions
Heavy But Composed
Power? It has enough. 422 horsepower from dual motors moves the mass with little hesitation. Torque is instant. But physics remains physics. You can feel the weight.
6,000 lbs sits low to the ground thanks to the 110.3 kWh battery pack. The SUV tracks true on Michigan’s battered winter roads. No tire roar enters the cabin. Laminated glass and active noise cancellation do the work.
Hyundai could have pushed more speed. That would have killed the range.
The sticker says 311 miles. Freezing air stole some juice. I got closer to 280. Still plenty for most days. Why drive more anyway?
No Gimmicks Just Space
The exterior shouts. The interior whispers. It feels like a standard Hyundai. That is a compliment. Familiarity breeds confidence. Two 12.3-inch screens sit up high. They are readable.
Flat floor. Big console storage. Space under the dash where feet usually get cramped. Six 100W USB-C ports. Two per row. Fast charging for every device. That matters more than cup holder shape.
Physical buttons rule the audio. Capacitive touch handles climate control and heated seats. I accept the compromise because the dial spins fast. Frigid to toasty takes two seconds. No hunting through sub-menus.
Infotainment? Standard Hyundai fare. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto work without fuss. The interface disappears when not in use. Good.
Steering wheel buttons change displays and activate driver aids. Left knee buttons manage brightness. Parking brake. Liftgate. Fuel door. Logical placement. Simple actions stay simple. This is rare. Thoughtful engineering feels special when everything else feels complicated.
Worth The Price Tag
Is it for real families? Yes.
The 2026 AWD Performance Calligraphy costs $79,545. Steep? Absolutely. The materials justify the cost though. Quiet ride. Composed handling. No gimmicks. Just a large electric vehicle that works.
Not ready to plug in? Buy a Palisade. It fills the same role but runs on gas. Your call.
Competitors include the Cadillac Escalade IQ. Kia EV9. Rivian R1S. Tesla Model X. Each has a cult. The Ioniq just asks to be used.
The design is risky. The experience is safe. That combination works better than you’d think.
