Hyundai’s larger IONIQ 9 SUV spotted with big body and spacious interior [Images]

The three-row electric SUV we’ve been waiting for is almost here. Ahead of its debut next month, the Hyundai IONIQ 9 was spotted parked in Korea, giving us a closer look at its impressive size and spacious interior.

Hyundai IONIQ 9 shows off spacious interior

It’s been almost three years since we got our first look at the IONIQ 9 three years ago at the 2021 LA Auto Show.

Although it was called the SEVEN concept, Hyundai has since confirmed that the larger electric SUV will go by the IONIQ 9.

We will finally see the production version next month. Hyundai will officially unveil its first three-row electric SUV, the IONIQ 9, at the 2024 LA Auto Show.

The IONIQ 9 will be a cornerstone of Hyundai’s plans to secure leadership in the North American EV market. As it approaches its debut, the larger electric SUV has been spotted out in the wild several times, revealing its impressive size and bold design.

Earlier this month, we got our closest look yet at the new electric SUV after new photos revealed the IONIQ 9 with less camo.

New design elements, like the LED light bar, are now clear. You can also see that Hyundai is fine-tuning the design to give it a more sculpted look.

What to expect from the new electric SUV

The latest images from ShortsCar give us an even better look at the upcoming model. Hyundai’s IONIQ 9 was spotted parked on a street in Korea, revealing the SUV’s size and spacious interior.

From the side view, the IONIQ 9 is much bigger than Hyundai’s current IONIQ 5. Since it will be based on the same E-GMP platform, the IONIQ 9 is expected to be around the size of Kia’s EV9, at 197.2″ long, 77.9″ wide, 70.1″ tall, and a wheelbase of 122″. It’s about the size of a Telluride.

The interior images reveal what appears to be plenty of legroom in the second row. If it’s any indication, Kia’s EV9 has over 42″ of rear legroom, which is more than a Cadillac Escalade and Range Rover P40. It also has more headroom than the Tesla Model X.

Hyundai’s larger SUV is expected to start at around $55,000, about the same or slightly more than the EV9. More expensive trims could cost upwards of $75,000 to $80,000.

Like the EV9, the IONIQ 9 is also expected to get over 300 miles of driving range on a full charge. It will be built alongside Hyundai’s updated 2025 IONIQ 5 at its new Metaplant America in Georgia.

Hyundai’s new IONIQ 5 has more range, a sleek new design, and an NACS port for charging at Tesla Superchargers. The IONIQ 9 will likely also include one, as it is a US-made model.

New EVs built at the facility will initially qualify for a partial $3,750 tax credit. However, once the battery plant opens, Hyundai expects US-made electric vehicles to be eligible for the full $7,500. Check back soon for more info leading up to its official debut next month.

Electrek’s Take

Hyundai is already gaining market share in the US with some of the most affordable, efficient EVs on the market.

Including Kia and Genesis, Hyundai Motor Group sold more electric models in the first three months of 2024 in the US than Ford and GM.

Although Hyundai slipped behind GM in Q3 with new models like the Chevy Blazer and Equinox EVs gaining momentum, the Korean automaker expects sales to accelerate with local production.

With US production kicking off, the new 2025 IONIQ 5 rolling out, and the larger IONIQ 9 launching later this year, Hyundai is betting big on the US as a growth driver.