Audi Q3 vs Hyundai IONIQ 9

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 presented a polarizing design that drew inspiration from various sources, including smooth pebbles and midcentury modern sofas. Its aerodynamic shape was crafted to accommodate seven passengers comfortably, with dimensions that rivalled larger SUVs like the Honda Pilot and Chevy Tahoe. Despite its size, the Ioniq 9 achieved a remarkable drag coefficient of 0.27, enhancing its aerodynamic efficiency. However, its design was not universally praised, with some finding the swooping roofline and stubby rear end less appealing. The rear view, featuring LED taillights wrapping around the tail's circumference, was particularly distinctive. The Ioniq 9 offered a range of paint colours, with trim-specific options, and wheels ranging from 19 to 21 inches, adding to its visual appeal.

Inside, the Ioniq 9 boasted a spacious and airy interior, thanks to its EV platform that allowed for flat floors and minimal clutter. The dashboard featured multiple cubbies, and the Luxury and Ultimate Calligraphy packages included a panoramic sunroof. The interior materials, while high quality, included a fair amount of plastic. The seats, though soft, lacked thigh support, and the dashboard insert felt somewhat underwhelming. Overall, the Ioniq 9's interior was designed for practicality and comfort, with a focus on maximizing space for passengers.

The 2026 Audi Q3 aimed to enhance its SUV-like appearance with a tall front end, elongated hood, and the signature Audi "singleframe" grille. While it achieved a more SUV-like look, the design was not universally praised, with some finding the styling elements cluttered. The "UFO line" added a unique touch, casting shadows that made the upper section appear to float. The Q3 featured available headlights with programmable looks and OLED taillights on the Technik trim. The sportier S Line styling was standard, with black grille and rear diffuser, and wheel options ranging from 18 to 20 inches.

Inside, the Q3 offered leather upholstery as standard, with wood dashboard trim available. The cabin featured padded materials and concave surfaces, giving it a distinct look. While there was still some plastic, the overall quality was in line with its entry-luxury price point. The Q3's interior was designed to maximize space, with a reclining and sliding second-row bench seat and increased cargo space. The new control layout, with a bar across the steering column, added a modern touch, although it required some adjustment for drivers.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 was equipped with a 110.3-kWh battery pack on Hyundai's e-GMP platform, offering a range of power outputs depending on the trim. The base Essential trim featured a single rear-mounted 160-kW motor, delivering 215 horsepower, while the dual-motor AWD system in higher trims offered up to 422 horsepower. The Ioniq 9 impressed with its energy efficiency, often exceeding the estimated 500-kilometre range. Its smooth and quiet ride was complemented by active noise cancellation and sound-absorbing tires. The Ioniq 9 had a towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms for AWD models and offered versatile charging options, including NACS superchargers and CCS-port Level 3 chargers.

The 2026 Audi Q3 featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. It accelerated from zero to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds, thanks to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and standard AWD. While quicker than some competitors, the Q3's transmission and steering calibration made it less nimble at low speeds. At higher speeds, it offered a refined and composed ride, with new laminated acoustic glass reducing wind noise. The Q3's ride quality was good for its segment, even with larger wheels, and it provided a confident driving experience.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 prioritized family-SUV practicality with its spacious interior. Most configurations seated seven, while the Preferred AWD+ with the Ultimate Calligraphy Package offered seating for six with ventilated captain's chairs. The sliding centre console improved access for middle-row passengers. The Ioniq 9 provided ample legroom, with 1,086 millimetres in the middle row, although the third row felt tight for adults. The rear doors offered easy access, and dual-zone climate control with air vents in all rows ensured comfort. Cargo space was generous, with 620 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,462 litres with seats folded.

The 2026 Audi Q3, slightly larger than its predecessor, offered a well-utilized interior space. The second-row bench seat reclined and slid, maximizing legroom. Cargo space increased to 707 litres with the rear seat upright and 1,414 litres with it folded. While first-row headroom was mid-pack, rear-seat headroom trailed some competitors. The Q3 excelled in cargo space behind the second row, making it a practical choice for carrying passengers and cargo. The new control layout, with a bar across the steering column, added a modern touch, although it required some adjustment for drivers.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 featured a familiar infotainment interface with dual curved 12.3-inch displays. It offered wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, along with a wireless charging pad. However, the charging pad struggled to keep up with high-demand devices. The Ioniq 9 included six USB-C ports capable of charging laptops. The 14-speaker Bose audio system provided impressive sound quality, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2026 Audi Q3 introduced the Digital Stage screen setup, combining an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch touchscreen. The MMI infotainment system, based on Android Automotive OS, included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system featured a natural-language voice recognition system with ChatGPT integration. The Technik trim offered a head-up display and a 12-speaker Sonos audio system, although the latter lacked midrange in its sound profiles.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 came equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including collision avoidance, lane-guidance technologies, and Highway Driving Assist 2. The latter provided supervised hands-free driving without a subscription. The Preferred AWD's Luxury package and Preferred AWD+ versions included a surround-view monitor and blind-spot view monitor.

The 2026 Audi Q3 offered standard driver-assist features such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and blind spot monitoring. The Technik trim added a 360-degree camera system and a more sophisticated Adaptive Cruise Assist system. While crash-test ratings were unavailable, the outgoing generation's mixed performance indicated room for improvement.