2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 Review Australia: The Full-Size Electric SUV

Discover the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9, Australia’s latest luxury electric SUV boasting 600km range, ultra-fast charging, advanced safety tech, and family-friendly features. Explore our deep dive into design, performance, pricing, pros, cons, and why it’s a game-changer in the EV market.

A New Chapter in Hyundai’s Story — From Value Leader to Luxury Innovator

It’s difficult to credit that Hyundai, once famous for no-frills, cheap motor cars that lined Australian driveways like lamingtons at a school fair, has now leaped by a quantum into the world of luxury electric cars. The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 is not only a new vehicle — it’s a statement of intent from a company that has remade its own history, accelerated its electric vehicle goals, and now takes on Tesla, Mercedes, and BMW on their own terrain.

If you remember the early 2000s, the Australian Hyundai lineup was unassuming and functional — think Elantra and Tucson models that were dependable, sure, but far from show-stoppers. Fast forward to today, and Hyundai’s investment in cutting-edge EV technology, epitomized by the E-GMP (Electric-Global Modular Platform), has resulted in a family of vehicles that are not just electric but electrifying. The Ioniq 9 is the flagship — a full-size SUV with a soaring price tag, impressive specs, and the kind of tech and refinement that would have seemed unimaginable a decade ago.

First Impressions: Design That Makes You Look Twice Without Screaming

The instant you lay eyes on the Ioniq 9, you know that this is no run-of-the-mill prehistoric SUV. It’s more than 5.2 metres long — nearly the same as an old-school Aussie ute, but Hyundai has somehow achieved a streamlined, high-tech design without the boxy, chunky appearance that tends to characterize large EV SUVs.

Hyundai’s signature “Parametric Pixel” LED headlights and taillights give the car a digital-age identity, the kind of lighting pattern that looks equally at home on a sci-fi movie set or a posh Sydney suburb street. The flush door handles, aerodynamically sculpted side panels, and vast panoramic glass roof Togather createsanfelling of modern elegance mixed with muscular capability.

Unlike some electric SUVs that scream “Look at me, I’m electric!” the Ioniq 9’s design balances subtlety with presence. It says, “I’m sophisticated and smart” rather than “I’m trying too hard.”

Step Inside: An Interior That Feels Like a First-Class Jet

Open the door, and you’re greeted by an interior that rivals premium European brands for quality and innovation. The craftsmanship is immediately noticeable: eco-friendly leather alternatives that feel buttery soft, genuine wood and metal accents that avoid the “plasticky” trap, and an expansive curved dual-screen setup that flows seamlessly across the dashboard.

But it’s not all about appearance. Hyundai has evidently put effort into ergonomics and user experience. The all digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen provide razor-sharp graphics, clear menus, and quick response times — a whole world away from legacy systems in some rivals.

The true show-stopper is in the back seats. Equipped with luxuriant captain’s chairs that recline, ventilate, and even swivel around to turn toward the second-row passengers, this is a vehicle designed for socializing in transit or just relaxing in luxury. Ambient lighting makes the mood, and a Bose premium 14-speaker sound system is like interior with concert-hall sound. Even the third row, usually cramped in large SUVs, offers reasonable comfort for adults on shorter trips — a nod to Australian family needs.

Performance: Smooth, Powerful, and Surprisingly Nimble

Under the bonnet — or rather, beneath the floor — the Ioniq 9’s electric powertrain is built on Hyundai’s advanced E-GMP platform, which promises not just efficiency but dynamic handling thanks to a low centre of gravity and balanced weight distribution.

Its twin-motor all-wheel-drive configuration churns out a robust 314 kW of power and 700 Nm of torque, good for a rapid 0 to 100 km/h in only 5.2 seconds. For its size and heft, that’s commendable without being over-the-top or gimmicky. The ride is civilized courtesy of adaptive air suspension, which sensibly adjusts firmness and ride height based on road surface — ironing out the coarse Australian bitumen with aplomb.

Drive modes enable drivers to customize the experience from laid-back Eco mode (which offers maximum range) to enthusiastic Sport mode, where throttle response is quicker and suspension firms up for a more dynamic drive. The steering is accurate and communicative, surprising expectations of a full-size electric SUV.

Range and Charging: Realistic Long-Distance Capability for Australia’s Vastness

Range anxiety is the elephant in the room for every EV purchase, particularly in a nation as vast and isolated as Australia. Hyundai has pushed back with a very sizeable 110.3 kWh battery that returns a WLTP-estimated range of up to 600 km — roughly 500–550 km in actual Australian usage.

This implies that long road trips such as Sydney to Melbourne or Brisbane to Byron Bay can be approached with only a single charge break. And talking of charging, the Ioniq 9 has ultra-fast 800V DC charging capability that can fill the 10 to 80% battery in around 24 minutes on a 350 kW charger.

Hyundai’s strategic adoption of the NACS (North American Charging Standard) plug provides Australian owners with access to Tesla’s Supercharger network, one of the most rapidly expanding and most dependable EV charging networks within Australia. Home charging is also convenient with a standard 11 kW AC charger able to completely recharge the vehicle overnight.

Safety Features: Protecting You and Your Loved Ones

In typical Hyundai style, the Ioniq 9 launches with a full suite of next-generation safety features. Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with cyclist and pedestrian detection foresees danger before you. Blind-Spot View Monitor incorporates a live video feed directly into your cluster screen for increased awareness, while Lane Following Assist and Highway Driving Assist 2 offer half-autonomous high-speed highway cruising — perfect for Australia’s lengthy, straight highways.

Ten airbags, including a front-centre airbag to break driver-passenger impacts, give complete protection around. Surround View Monitor with 3D view allows parking and maneuvering with precision. Remote Smart Parking Assist enables the vehicle to park automatically — useful in narrow urban conditions.

Capability: More Than Just a City SUV

Don’t confuse the Ioniq 9 with a flate boring town SUV. It’s braked towing capacity is 2,500 kg, capable of towing caravans, boats, or trailers .The ground clearance of the adaptive air suspension can be increased to 210 mm, and you can drive unsealed roads, light off-road courses, or wet dirt tracks with assurance.

The SUV also features Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) technology, which can charge camping gear, tools, or even be used to supply emergency power in cases of blackouts — a very useful feature for Australian off-grid lifestyles and country living.

Pricing and Availability: Luxury EV Without the European Premium

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 Calligraphy AWD arrives in Australian dealerships with a starting price of about AU$119,750 drive-away before road charges, which is approximately AU$137,000 depending on fees and charges in your state.

Though this cost places it in the premium category, it’s actually cheaper than most European competition with comparable amounts of technology and luxury. Hyundai supports the Ioniq 9 with a 5-year unlimited kilometre warranty, along with an 8-year/160,000 km warranty on batteries, which brings added assurance for first-time electric buyers.

Pros and Cons: The Ultimate Trade off

Pros:

Extended 600 km range with convenient fast charging

Luxurious, spacious interior with advanced tech and premium materials

Strong towing capability and family-friendly features

Access to Tesla’s Supercharger network in Australia

Comprehensive active and passive safety suite

Cons:

Large dimensions may challenge city parking and tight urban streets

Single, fully-loaded trim means no budget entry-level variant

Hyundai badge may lack luxury tag compared to German competitors

Final Verdict: Hyundai’s Ioniq 9 Is a Statement of Confidence

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 shows that Hyundai is more than a budget brand. It’s a serious player in the luxury EV SUV market, combining market-leading tech, staggering range, generous practicality, and upscale luxury in a package that appeals to contemporary Australian families and EV fans in general.

Whether it’s towing the caravan to the coast, cruising the school run in style, or simply enjoying the smooth swagger of an electric drivetrain on a long motorway cruise, the Ioniq 9 is a tempting alternative to more expensive German rivals.

It’s daring, it’s sophisticated, and above all—it makes a strong argument that the future of luxury SUVs is not only in the hands of traditional suspects, but also in those daring enough to disrupt.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the Australian real-world driving range of the Ioniq 9?

A: Realistically, around 500 to 550 km on one full charge on typical Australian highway driving.

Q: Does the Ioniq 9 have the ability to tow caravans or boats?

A: Yes, it has a braked towing capacity of up to 2,500 kg.

Q: Does the Ioniq 9 have semi-autonomous driving capabilities?

A: Yes, it features Highway Driving Assist 2 and Lane Following Assist for hands-on yet assisted highway driving.

Q: Is access to Tesla Superchargers an option?

A: Yes, the Ioniq 9 accommodates the Tesla NACS plug, allowing access to Tesla Superchargers in Australia.