Until now, three-row electric SUVs have been hard to come by. Larger and heavier vehicles draw more battery power, so it’s taken some developments in battery technology for larger electric vehicles to become feasible. Now, some competitors are finally emerging for the Tesla Model X, which for a long time had the playing field to itself. The Kia EV9 debuted to positive reviews, and the Volvo EX90 launched in late 2024 after extended delays. And now, we’re on the verge of seeing the Hyundai IONIQ 9 on Canadian roads. Shown as a concept in 2021, the IONIQ 9 six-seat SUV is due for its Canadian first drive before summer arrives.
Originally, we discussed this vehicle under the monicker from its early rumours, Hyundai IONIQ 7. The automaker named the model IONIQ 9 instead to leave room for an electric crossover to slot between it and the Hyundai IONIQ 5. This also numerically aligns the new three-row’s designation with the closely related Kia EV9 from Hyundai’s sibling brand, with which it shares Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP platform.
2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9 in Canada: What we Know So Far
- 2029 Hyundai IONIQ 9 styling
- 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9 interior design and practicality
- 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9 motors and drive
- 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9 price and release date
2029 Hyundai IONIQ 9 styling
Photos of the Hyundai IONIQ 9 from its global launch in Korea show some styling cues lightly lifted from other Hyundai models that came before it like the IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6, alongside many newer ones that diverge from the SEVEN concept on which it’s based. A line of pixelated LED lights spans the entire front end of the vehicle, with additional lighting added at either end.
The side profile is distinct with a rounded roof line, flush door handles, a sharply squared-off rear end with an aerodynamic lifted rear overhang, a pronounced hip line, and a distinct black accent line that circles around the base. The wheel arches have an almost concave appearance, and the pixelated LED theme continues onto the rear to cover the liftgate on three sides. A prominent IONIQ 9 badge spans just beneath the rear glass.
2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9 interior design and practicality
Early units of the new IONIQ 9 from Korea show two-tone upholstery with a cream-coloured seat cushion and a darker seat back. There’s plenty of interior space thanks to the IONIQ 9’s 5,060-millimetre length, 3,130-mm wheelbase, and fully flat loading floor. These measurements make it slightly larger than the gas-powered Hyundai Palisade, which accounts for the IONIQ 9’s ability to house six or seven seats. These include a bench or captain’s chairs as the second row seats and two seating positions in the third row. Early reports suggest the third-row seats may not be spacious enough for adults but should be suitable for children.
The now-ubiquitous pair of 12.3-inch screens for the infotainment system and digital instrument cluster are housed behind a singular floating panel. Fortunately, not all functions have been moved to these screens as some climate controls remain on the centre stack.
Rear cargo capacities have not yet been declared by Hyundai, though in addition to the traditional cargo space the IONIQ 9 integrates an 88-litre front trunk (or “frunk”).
2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9 motors and drive
Unlike the related Kia EV9, which offers two batteries at 76.1 kWh and 99.8 kWh, the Hyundai IONIQ 9 will be sold in Canada with a single offering of a 110.3 kWh battery. In Canada, this will be distributed among three configurations: a base model with a single electric motor and rear-wheel drive (RWD) generating 215 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque with a Natural Resources Canada reported range of 539 kilometres; a dual-motor, all-wheel drive (AWD) version creating 303 hp and 446 lb-ft with a range of 515 km; and a higher-powered dual-motor Performance AWD model with 422 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque and a range of 500 km even. This most powerful powertrain is reported to have a 0 to 100 km/h time of 4.9 seconds.
The IONIQ 9 has a maximum Level 3 fast charging rate of 235 kW, which allows it to recover charge from 10 to 80 percent in just under 25 minutes. Towing capacity ranges from 1,587 to 2,268 kilograms (3,500 to 5,000 pounds) from the lowest to highest-powered trims.
2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9 price and release date
The 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 9 is due to arrive at Canadian dealerships by late spring 2025. As of this writing, pricing has not yet been announced by Hyundai Canada, though we expect it to be too expensive to qualify for the country’s remaining EV incentive programs.