Chevrolet Traverse vs Hyundai IONIQ 9

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 presented a bold and distinctive design that divided opinions. Its aerodynamic shape, inspired by smooth pebbles and midcentury modern sofas, was crafted to house seven passengers comfortably. Measuring 5,060 millimetres in length with a 3,130 mm wheelbase, the Ioniq 9 offered impressive interior volume, comparable to larger SUVs like the Chevy Tahoe. Despite its size, it achieved a remarkable 0.27 drag coefficient, 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, with LED taillights wrapping around the tail's circumference, was particularly distinctive.

The Ioniq 9 was available in seven paint colours in Canada, with options varying by trim. The interior was spacious and airy, featuring flat floors and a sliding centre console. While the interior materials included high-quality plastics, the seats lacked thigh support. The dashboard had a hammered aluminum look, but some elements felt underwhelming. The Ioniq 9's interior was practical, with cloth upholstery in the Essential and Preferred AWD+ trims, while other configurations offered leatherette. The panoramic sunroof in the Luxury and Ultimate Calligraphy packages added to the sense of space.

The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse resembled a smaller Chevrolet Tahoe with its upright design, high-set grille, and macho stance. Its nose featured eye-slit LED headlights and an air intake/fog light design integrated into the grille. The sides had a clean, semi-rounded shape, with a forward-angled pillar behind the rear door creating a semi-floating roof effect. The Traverse's grille varied by model, with chrome and black options, while the Z71 trim stood out with red front tow hooks and all-terrain tires. Wheel sizes ranged from 18 to 22 inches, and the Midnight/Sport Edition package on the base LT added black accents for a sportier look.

Inside, the Traverse boasted a 17.7-inch touchscreen and an 11-inch digital instrument cluster. The interior materials were smart, with soft-touch surfaces and contrasting stitching. The base LT trim offered cloth upholstery, power-adjustable seats, and heated front seats. The RS trim added leather upholstery, a power tilt/telescoping steering column, and heated second-row seats. The Traverse's interior was well-equipped, with a focus on comfort and convenience.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 featured a 110.3-kWh battery pack on Hyundai's e-GMP platform. The base Essential trim had a single rear-mounted 160-kW electric motor, producing 215 horsepower. Other trims had dual-motor AWD systems, with power outputs of 303 hp for the Preferred AWD and 422 hp for the Preferred AWD+. The Ioniq 9 impressed with its energy efficiency, often exceeding the estimated 500-kilometre range. Its chassis provided a smooth ride, though it wasn't agile in corners. The Ioniq 9's towing capacity ranged from 1,587 kilograms for RWD to 2,268 kilograms for AWD models. Charging options included Tesla-style NACS superchargers and CCS-port Level 3 chargers, with fast charging times.

The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse had a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The Traverse's towing capacity was 2,268 kilograms, similar to the Ioniq 9. While the turbo-four engine provided adequate power, its 0 to 100 km/h time was around eight seconds. The Traverse's ride quality was generally good, with light and direct steering. However, engine noise was a concern, and the AWD system required manual engagement. The Traverse offered various drive modes, including Normal, Sport, Off-Road, Snow/Ice, and Tow/Haul.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 focused on family-SUV practicality, seating seven with a middle-row bench seat. The Preferred AWD+ with the Ultimate Calligraphy Package offered ventilated captain's chairs and seating for six. The sliding centre console improved access for middle-row passengers. The Ioniq 9 provided 1,086 millimetres of legroom in the middle row, though the third row felt tight for adults. The rear doors were large, making access easy. Cargo space was 620 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,323 and 2,462 litres with seats folded. The Ioniq 9's interior featured dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and optional heated second-row seats.

The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse, at almost 18 centimetres shorter than a Tahoe, offered ample passenger space but less cargo capacity. The RS trim had second-row captain's chairs for seven-passenger seating, while the LT and Z71 trims used a second-row bench for eight. First-row occupants enjoyed comfortable seats with good adjustability. The centre console provided excellent storage, including a wireless charging pad. Second-row passengers had good space, but the third row was tight for adults. Cargo space was 648 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,603 and 2,764 litres with seats folded. The Traverse's flat load floor enhanced usability.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 featured dual curved 12.3-inch displays for its infotainment system, offering wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. A wireless charging pad was standard, though it struggled to keep up with high-demand devices. The Ioniq 9 had six USB-C ports for charging, and the test car included a 14-speaker Bose audio system, delivering impressive sound quality.

The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse came with an 11-inch digital instrument cluster and a 17.7-inch infotainment touchscreen with Google built-in. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with Google Maps for navigation. The Traverse offered a satellite radio trial, Wi-Fi hotspot, and OnStar Basics. The base audio system had six speakers, with an optional 12-speaker Bose system for enhanced sound quality.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 had not yet been rated by NHTSA or IIHS. It included advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) as standard, such as collision avoidance, lane-guidance, driver attention warning, and safe-exit assist. The Highway Driving Assist 2 provided supervised hands-free driving. The Preferred AWD's Luxury package and Preferred AWD+ versions added a surround-view monitor and blind-spot view monitor.

The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse offered a comprehensive set of standard safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. The Enhanced Driving package added GM's Super Cruise hands-free technology, automatic parking, and a driver attention monitor. The Traverse earned a Top Safety Pick from IIHS and a five-star rating from NHTSA.