2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 Debuts in the Hollywood Hills

Recently, I had the rare and always appreciative opportunity to indulge in one of the few perks of being an automotive journalist, which was being invited to attend the launch of a new vehicle. Sometimes, these invitations involve being flown out and put up by an automotive manufacturer to ensure that we, the media, get a front-row seat when it comes time for the big unveiling.

This trip involved flying to Los Angeles, California, to witness the unveiling of Hyundai’s latest addition to its successful all-electric brand, the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9.

The event was held at a rather impressive venue: the James Goldstein mansion, an over 4,000-square-foot residence built between 1961 and 1963 with an 11,000-square-foot nightclub perched on a branch of the Hollywood hills. It’s a great location for private parties, weddings, or electric SUV unveilings. Fun fact: This mansion had a supporting role in the 1998 Colen Brothers film The Big Lebowski, starring Jeff Bridges. But I digress.

As the hor d’oeuvres were being passed with the city of angels in the backdrop under the spotlight of a setting sun, I couldn’t help but feel impressed by how far the once humble South Korean automaker has come in the US car market.

Hyundai first introduced the Ioniq nameplate in 2016 as a small compact sedan available in hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric variants. However, with the retro-futuristic design of the 2021 Ioniq 5 electric crossover hatchback and, more recently, the high-performance 2025 Ioniq 5 N, enthusiasts and consumers began to take notice.

The Hyundai Ioniq brand has passed milestone after milestone with consecutive World Car of the Year awards for the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6. The new Ioniq 9 is designed to fill the role of a large, family-sized electric SUV serving as an EV alternative to the three-row passenger Hyundai Palisade.

When the silk cover was pulled from the SUV, the crowd was treated with the slight of a handsome design that reminded me of something John Z. Delorean would have drawn on a sketch pad in the 1980s if his Delorean DMC-12 had survived long enough to reap the publicity of the Back to the Future film franchise.

Genesis and Hyundai’s design departments have been on a hot streak of exciting vehicle designs in this post-pandemic era. I like the Ioniq 9’s pixelated checkered pattern headlamp styling and the air stream sculpted silhouette. In addition, the rear styling closes in at the end, creating a teardrop effect at certain angles. Part of me would like to see it sporting a set of old-school fender skirts, but then I wouldn’t be able to enjoy looking at the jet-turbine-inspired 19-inch wheels.  

Inside, the Ioniq 9 emphasizes the luxury of space with flat floors and second-row captain’s chairs. One unique feature that may not be available in the US market as of right now is the second-row swirl seats, allowing them to rotate 360 degrees to create a lounge atmosphere. Another feature that stands a better chance of making it stateside is the “Relaxation” seats, which allow the first and second rows to fully recline with leg support and massaging functions.

As of the time of this publication, Hyundai announced three powertrains for the Ioniq 9: Long Range rear-wheel drive (RWD), Long Rang all-wheel drive (AWD), and Performance all-wheel drive (AWD). Starting with the entry rear-wheel drive model which uses a single, rear-mounted 214 horsepower electric motor developing 258 pound-feet of torque.

Models with AWD gain a second electric motor on the front axle, increasing power output to 308 hp and 446 lb.-ft. The Ioniq 9 Performance AWD comes out on top, making a rapid 429 hp and 516 lb.-ft utilizing a 110.3-kilowatt-hour battery pack.

Performance aside, the key selling point in Hydundai’s announcement was that every trim level of the Ioniq 9 offers over 300 miles of range and is equipped with a charging port compatible with Tesla Superchargers. That’ll come in handy when proving the Ioniq 9’s claim of charging from 10-80 % in 24 minutes using a 350 kW charger.

Those interested in seeing the Hyundai Ioniq 9 in person can expect these 2026 models to arrive during the second quarter of next year. Pricing will be announced before it goes on sale in spring 2025.