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    The 2026 Ioniq 9 Calligraphy’s Biggest Threat Is Hyundai Itself | Review

    5 days ago

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    PROS ›› Superb interior, excellent performance, bold design CONS ›› Expensive, heavy, hard-sell over Palisade Electric SUVs have come a long way in a short time, but in the three-row space, progress has been surprisingly slow. Hyundai made a big impression on the EV market when it unveiled the striking Ioniq 5 in early 2021. A month later, Kia unveiled its related EV6. However, following the debut of the Ioniq 5 and the later arrival of the Ioniq 6, Hyundai’s rollout of next-generation EVs has slowed, especially compared to Kia. In the same span, Kia has steadily grown its lineup, recently adding the EV3, EV4, EV5, and EV9 to its expanding electric stable. Review: The New Nissan Qashqai e-Power Drives Like An EV But Doesn’t Need Charging This makes the launch of the new Hyundai Ioniq 9 all the more important. You see, it’s related to the three-row Kia EV9, but that model was launched more than 18 months before it, meaning Hyundai has to catch up ground. Working in Hyundai’s favor is the fact that not much has changed in the three-row electric SUV segment since the EV9 launched. Few contenders have emerged in this particular bracket, especially at the price point where both the EV9 and Ioniq 9 are playing. We recently had the opportunity to spend a full week living with the Hyundai Ioniq 9 in Calligraphy trim, putting it through its paces not just to see how it stacks up against the EV9, but also to ask a tougher question: can it justify its position as the most expensive Hyundai ever sold? What Does it Cost? While Kia offers several versions of the EV9 in Australia, Hyundai has only launched a single trim variant of the Ioniq 9, known as the Calligraphy. Buyers can choose between six or seven seats, and pricing starts at AU$128,413 (equal to US$84,000 at current exchange rates) including on-road costs. There’s no denying that’s a lot of cash for a Hyundai. However, it’s surprisingly good value compared to the Kia EV9 GT-Line, the nearest equivalent to the Calligraphy, which is priced from AU$138,915 ($90,700). Read: Americans Just Sent Hyundai EV Sales Through The Roof But Trouble’s Brewing Shoppers in the US looking to pick up the keys to the new Ioniq 9 can purchase it for as little as US$58,955. The flagship Performance Calligraphy Design tops out at the range, starting at US$76,490. Although Australia’s Calligraphy model lacks the word ‘Performance’ in its name, it has the same powertrain as the American model. Beneath the concept-car-like looks of the Ioniq 9 is a huge 110.3 kWh battery, larger than the flagship 99.8 kWh pack in the EV9. This battery feeds a pair of electric motors, each rated at 157 kW (210 hp), or a combined 314 kW (421 hp) and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque. That gives it a healthy edge over the EV9 GT-Line’s 283 kW (380 hp), although torque remains identical. A High-Class Cabin As you’d expect for a vehicle at this price point, the Ioniq 9 Calligraphy’s cabin is exceptionally plush and feels more premium than the EV9, which has too much plastic for our liking. Like other Hyundai models, there are two 12.3-inch screens in front of the driver, housed within a single curved display that supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Whereas Kia insists on continuing to employ an inconveniently located third screen on the dash for the climate controls, the Ioniq 9 uses a dedicated display under the dash with a touch panel and physical temperature dials. Review: New Fiat Grande Panda Hybrid Makes Budget Look Cool Again Our Ioniq 9 was equipped with the eye-catching Dark Wine and Dove Grey two-tone Nappa leather, one of three available two-tone options for those not interested in the standard Obsidian Black trim. The Ioniq 9 is available with digital wing mirrors, but fortunately, our car didn’t have them. By comparison, the EV9 GT-Line is sold exclusively with cameras instead of mirrors. There are plenty of luxuries found within the cabin, making the Ioniq 9 perfectly suited to any kind of journey. This includes a heated steering wheel, heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats and a wireless phone charger. There’s also a panoramic sunroof, tri-zone climate control, configurable ambient lighting, and a head-up display. Tech enthusiasts will be pleased to know that in addition to having two high-powered 100-watt USB-C ports in the dash, there are also 100-watt USB-C ports on the backs of the front seats for rear passengers. Those seeking the ultimate in comfort would be wise to opt for the six-seat version, as it replaces the second-row bench seat with a pair of captain’s chairs, which are very similar to the front seats. Review: BYD Sealion 6 Makes Plug-In Hybrids Feel Seamless But Fun Is Optional  However, even in 7-seat guise, the Ioniq 9’s second row is more than large enough to carry three adults in comfort. Even the third row is surprisingly practical. I’m 6’2” (189 cm) and my hair only brushed the headliner, but I did have to slide the second-row seats forward to get any leg room. There’s no question this ranks among the most premium interiors Hyundai has ever put together. Even so, it doesn’t feel dramatically more upscale than the far more affordable Santa Fe. It shares quite a few components too, including the dual screens, steering wheel, and HVAC controls. Cabin space is only slightly more generous as well. The latest Palisade, for that matter, feels every bit as polished as the Ioniq 9. Performance and Comfort Despite not being marketed as a performance vehicle in Australia, that’s exactly what the Ioniq 9 feels like, at least in a straight line. It can hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.2 seconds, an impressive figure considering the seven-seater weighs a portly 2,721 kg (5,998 lbs). Pin the throttle and it lurches forward, squatting at the rear and leaving hot hatches for dead. However, show the Ioniq 9 a set of corners, and it doesn’t match the surprising agility of the EV9 GT-Line. That isn’t to say it can’t be hustled through corners at impressive speeds, as it can, thanks in part to the Continental PremiumContact tires. But the Ioniq 9 clearly prefers a calmer approach, and with the massaging seats doing their thing, it feels most at ease settling into a smooth cruise. Hyundai has done a good job of calibrating the steering of its new flagship SUV and it is beautifully light, perfect for a vehicle of this size, ensuring it’s easy to park. While driving the Ioniq 9, I quickly forgot about its weight, although it was a little harder to forget about the sheer size of the thing. Measuring it at 5,060 mm (199.2 inches) long, it’s 50 mm (1.9 inches) longer than the EV9, and matches the Kia’s 1,980 mm (77.9-inch) width. It’s even 8mm (0.3 inches) longer than a full-size Range Rover.
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