GMC Yukon vs Hyundai Ioniq 9

The 2022 GMC Yukon was a chrome lover's dream, with even the base SLE model featuring enough shiny elements to give it a premium appearance. As one moved up the trim levels to the Denali, the chrome became even more pronounced, with the front of the Denali almost entirely constructed of chrome. The oversized grille, reminiscent of an industrial cheese grater, gave the vehicle a unique and commanding presence. The Denali's 22-inch bright machined aluminum wheels, part of the optional Ultimate package, stood out against the dark Redwood Metallic paint. Inside, the Yukon offered a spacious cabin with standard seating for eight, or seven with the available second-row captain's chairs. The Denali trim boasted four exclusive interior designs, with our test vehicle featuring the Teak/Light Shale colour combo, adding a premium touch with contrasting colours and natural wood details.

In contrast, the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 presented a distinctive design that divided opinions. Inspired by smooth pebbles and midcentury modern sofas, the Ioniq 9 aimed for a sleek, aerodynamic shape to house seven passengers comfortably. Measuring 5,060 millimetres in length with a 3,130 mm wheelbase, it offered impressive interior volume. Despite its size, the Ioniq 9 achieved a 0.27 drag coefficient, making it more aerodynamic than larger SUVs. The design featured a swooping roofline and a stubby rear end, with LED taillights wrapping around the rear. Available in seven paint colours, the Ioniq 9's interior was spacious and airy, with flat floors and a sliding centre console. The interior featured high-quality plastic and a dashboard insert with a hammered aluminum look, though the seats lacked thigh support.

The 2022 GMC Yukon offered a choice of three engines, including a 5.3-litre V8 with 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, standard on all trims except the Denali. The Denali and AT4 trims featured a 6.2-litre V8 producing 420 hp and 460 pound-feet of torque. A 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine, available on all trims except the AT4, delivered 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Yukon had a maximum towing capacity of 3,810 kilograms with the 5.3-litre engine and Max Trailering Package. The independent rear suspension improved handling and ride quality, though some bouncing was noted over rough surfaces.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 came with a 110.3-kWh battery pack on the e-GMP platform. The base Essential trim featured a single rear-mounted 160-kW motor with 215 horsepower, while other trims had dual-motor AWD systems. The Preferred AWD produced 303 hp, and the Preferred AWD+ generated 422 hp. The Ioniq 9 offered impressive energy efficiency, often exceeding the estimated 500-kilometre range. The ride was smooth and quiet, thanks to the soft suspension and active noise cancellation. The Ioniq 9 had a towing capacity of 1,587 kilograms for RWD and 2,268 kilograms for AWD models. Charging options included NACS superchargers and CCS-port Level 3 chargers, with varying charge times.

The 2022 GMC Yukon provided ample space for passengers and cargo, with a redesigned third row offering 886 mm of legroom. Cargo space behind the third row increased to 722 litres. The wheelbase stretch and independent rear suspension contributed to the additional space. The second-row seats folded flat, and power-folding options eased access to the third row. The Denali trim featured a power-sliding centre console with hidden storage and power-retractable assist steps.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 focused on family-friendly dimensions, seating seven with a middle-row bench or six with captain's chairs in the Ultimate Calligraphy Package. The sliding centre console improved access for middle-row passengers. The Ioniq 9 offered 1,086 mm of legroom in the middle row and 813 mm in the third row. Cargo space was 620 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,323 and 2,462 litres with seats folded. The Ioniq 9 featured dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and optional heated second-row seats.

The 2022 GMC Yukon featured a 12-inch reconfigurable driver information centre and a 15-inch head-up display on the Denali trim. The 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system included Google Built-In, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Bose 14-speaker audio system. The Denali Ultimate Package added a rear-seat media system with dual 12.6-inch touchscreens.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 had dual curved 12.3-inch displays for infotainment, with SiriusXM, wireless Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. A wireless charging pad and six USB-C ports were standard. The 14-speaker Bose audio system in the Luxury package provided a crisp soundstage. The Ioniq 9's infotainment interface was user-friendly, though prone to fingerprints and glare.

The 2022 GMC Yukon came with GMC's Pro Safety suite, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Pro Safety Plus added blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert. The Yukon received a four-star overall rating from NHTSA, with five stars for side crash protection.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 included advanced driver assistance systems, such as collision avoidance, lane-guidance, and Highway Driving Assist 2. The Luxury package and Preferred AWD+ trims added a surround-view monitor and blind-spot view monitor. Crash-test ratings were not yet available.