2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 vs 2026 Ford Explorer

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 presented a polarizing design that some found appealing due to its unique and aerodynamic shape, while others were less impressed. Inspired by various elements such as smooth pebbles and midcentury modern sofas, the Ioniq 9 aimed to offer a spacious interior for seven passengers within its 5,060 mm length and 3,130 mm wheelbase. Despite its size, the Ioniq 9 achieved a commendable 0.27 drag coefficient, enhancing its aerodynamic efficiency. However, its design was not universally praised, with the rear end's ship stern inspiration and horizontal character lines creating a somewhat dissonant appearance. The vehicle's rear view, with LED taillights wrapping around a significant portion of the tail, was particularly distinctive.

Inside, the Ioniq 9 was a testament to spaciousness and practicality, featuring flat floors and a sliding centre console for enhanced accessibility. The interior offered a mix of cloth and leatherette upholstery options, with higher trims providing additional luxury features like a panoramic sunroof. Despite the presence of high-quality plastics, some elements, such as the dashboard insert, felt underwhelming. The seats, while soft, lacked adequate thigh support. Overall, the Ioniq 9's interior was designed with family comfort in mind, offering ample space and thoughtful features.

The 2026 Ford Explorer retained its familiar design from the previous year's facelift, which gave it a more rugged, truck-like appearance. The Tremor model further enhanced this ruggedness with all-terrain tires, a raised ride height, and distinctive Electric Spice accents. The Tremor's off-road capabilities were bolstered by a raised suspension, providing 22 cm of ground clearance and improved approach, breakover, and departure angles. Despite its rugged exterior, the Explorer's design remained somewhat generic, lacking significant flair.

Inside, the Explorer's interior remained largely unchanged from the previous year, featuring a new infotainment system and improved integration. While the materials in the Tremor test vehicle didn't quite match its price, the Explorer offered a range of options from basic cloth seats to luxurious leather upholstery. The interior design was functional but unremarkable, with a focus on practicality rather than luxury. Overall, the Explorer provided a comfortable and capable driving experience, both on and off the road.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 was equipped with a 110.3-kWh battery pack on Hyundai's e-GMP platform, offering a range of powertrains. The base Essential trim featured a single rear-mounted 160-kW motor producing 215 horsepower, while other trims boasted dual-motor AWD systems with varying outputs. The Preferred AWD delivered 303 hp, and the Preferred AWD+ offered an impressive 422 hp. Despite its power, the Ioniq 9 maintained energy efficiency, often exceeding its estimated 500-kilometre range. The vehicle's soft suspension provided a smooth ride, though it compromised cornering agility. Towing capacity ranged from 1,587 kg for RWD models to 2,268 kg for AWD versions, with charging options including Tesla-style NACS superchargers and CCS-port Level 3 chargers.

The 2026 Ford Explorer offered two powertrain options: a standard 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, and a twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 available on the Tremor and standard on the Explorer ST, producing 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD in Canada. The Explorer's platform, shared with the Mustang and Lincoln Aviator, contributed to its confident handling and comfortable ride. The twin-turbo V6 provided ample power for passing and towing, while the 10-speed automatic ensured smooth gear changes. The Tremor model's off-road capabilities were impressive, handling challenging trails with ease.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 focused on family-friendly practicality, offering seating for seven with a middle-row bench or six with captain's chairs in the Ultimate Calligraphy Package. The sliding centre console enhanced accessibility, while the spacious interior provided 1,086 mm of legroom in the middle row and 813 mm in the third row. The Ioniq 9's cargo space ranged from 620 litres behind the third row to 2,462 litres with the second row folded. Dual-zone climate control, heated seats, and a heat pump were standard features, though the driver's seat adjustability was limited.

The 2026 Ford Explorer accommodated up to seven passengers, with the option for second-row captain's chairs. While the Explorer offered reasonable space, it fell short of some competitors in terms of legroom. Cargo capacity ranged from 461 litres with all seats in place to 2,415 litres with the second row folded. The Explorer's interior featured practical storage solutions, including phone trays, door pockets, and a large centre console. Towing capacity matched the Ioniq 9 at 2,268 kg, though some rivals offered higher ratings.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 featured dual curved 12.3-inch displays for its infotainment system, offering wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, and a wireless charging pad. The system was user-friendly but prone to fingerprints and glare. Six USB-C ports provided ample charging options, while the 14-speaker Bose audio system delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2026 Ford Explorer came with a 13.2-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Google Maps, and SiriusXM with 360L. The infotainment system was responsive, though climate control icons could be more user-friendly. The Explorer's 360-degree camera system was particularly useful for off-road driving, and the available B&O audio system provided excellent sound quality.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 included a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems, such as collision avoidance, lane guidance, and Highway Driving Assist 2. While crash-test ratings were not yet available, the Ioniq 9 offered features like a surround-view monitor and blind-spot view monitor on higher trims.

The 2026 Ford Explorer boasted the CoPilot 360+ suite, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Higher trims added CoPilot 360 2.0 with a 360-degree camera system and BlueCruise hands-free highway driving. The Explorer received top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, ensuring excellent crash protection.