Honda HR-V vs Hyundai Ioniq 9

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 presented a polarizing design that drew both admiration and criticism. Its unique styling, inspired by smooth pebbles and midcentury modern sofas, aimed to create an aerodynamic shape capable of comfortably seating seven passengers. Measuring 5,060 millimetres in length with a 3,130 mm wheelbase, the Ioniq 9 offered impressive interior volume, comparable to larger SUVs. Despite its size, it achieved a remarkable 0.27 drag coefficient, enhancing its aerodynamic efficiency. However, the design was not universally praised, with some finding the swooping roofline and stubby rear end less appealing. The rear view, with its distinctive LED taillights, was particularly recognizable. The Ioniq 9 was available in seven paint colours, with options varying by trim, and featured wheels ranging from 19 to 21 inches. Inside, the Ioniq 9 boasted a spacious and airy interior, with flat floors and a sliding centre console. While the interior featured high-quality plastic, the seats lacked thigh support, and the dashboard insert felt somewhat underwhelming.

In contrast, the 2026 Honda HR-V, available in LX, Sport, and EX-L trims, offered a more conventional design. The test vehicle, an EX-L with Nordic Forest Pearl paint, featured a blobby grille and a forward-leaning profile. Despite its unremarkable exterior, the HR-V's green paint and 18-inch alloy wheels added a touch of style. The interior was more appealing, with grey upholstery and trim creating an upscale contrast against the black interior. The EX-L trim featured genuine leather seats with perforated surfaces and Z-pattern stitching, along with upgraded cabin lighting and detailing. The HR-V's interior showcased Honda's attention to detail, with metal mesh dashboard trim, padded surfaces, and satisfying control operation. However, the HR-V lacked some features found in competitors, such as a panoramic sunroof and rear climate control vents.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 was equipped with a 110.3-kWh battery pack on Hyundai's e-GMP platform. The base Essential trim featured a single rear-mounted 160-kW electric motor, producing 215 horsepower. Other trims had a dual-motor AWD system, with power outputs of 303 hp for the Preferred AWD and 422 hp for the Preferred AWD+. Despite its weight, the Ioniq 9 delivered impressive energy efficiency, often exceeding the estimated 500-kilometre range. The vehicle's soft suspension provided a smooth ride, though it lacked agility in corners. The Ioniq 9 was exceptionally quiet, thanks to active noise cancellation and sound-absorbing features. Towing capacity ranged from 1,587 kilograms for the RWD model to 2,268 kilograms for AWD models. Charging options included Tesla-style NACS superchargers and CCS-port Level 3 chargers, with charging times varying based on the charger type.

The 2026 Honda HR-V featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. The engine struggled to provide sufficient power, especially during acceleration and overtaking. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) worked well in urban settings but revealed the powertrain's limitations on highways. Fuel economy was disappointing, with the HR-V averaging 9.5 L/100 km, falling short of expectations. The HR-V's dynamic tuning was commendable, with a multi-link rear suspension and Agile Handling Assist providing a lively driving experience. The steering was not particularly quick, but the brakes performed well, and the EX-L's 18-inch wheels offered good grip. The HR-V's ground clearance allowed it to handle minor obstacles with ease.

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 1,086 millimetres of legroom in the middle row, though the third row felt tight for adults. The rear doors were large, facilitating easy access. Dual-zone climate control, air vents in all rows, and a standard heat pump enhanced comfort. However, the driver's seat lacked adjustability, and the glove compartment's placement was awkward. Cargo space was generous, with 620 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,462 litres with seats folded.

The 2026 Honda HR-V, once innovative, now lacked standout features. The rear "Magic Seat" was replaced with a standard fold-down design. The HR-V missed opportunities to enhance practicality, lacking a fold-flat front passenger seat and a 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat. The cargo area offered 691 litres of space, comparable to the Honda Civic Hatchback. The HR-V's interior storage was reasonable, though surfaces were prone to scratching. The seats were comfortable, with the EX-L offering an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat. Heated front seats were standard, but a heated steering wheel required higher trims. The back seat provided adequate space but lacked support and amenities like air conditioning vents and USB ports.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 featured a dual curved 12.3-inch display infotainment system, similar to higher-level Hyundai models. The screens offered good visuals but were prone to fingerprints and glare. Standard features included SiriusXM Satellite Radio, wireless Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. A wireless charging pad was included, though it struggled to keep up with high-demand devices. The Ioniq 9 boasted six USB-C ports, providing ample charging options. The test vehicle's 14-speaker Bose audio system delivered impressive sound quality, rivaling higher-end systems.

For 2026, the Honda HR-V received a larger 9-inch touchscreen with a faster processor. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a wireless smartphone charger. However, it lacked built-in navigation and SiriusXM satellite radio. The base LX had four speakers, while the Sport and EX-L had six and eight, respectively. HondaLink offered basic app-based services. The EX-L's eight-speaker audio system performed well, and the 7-inch digital instrumentation panel was user-friendly. The HR-V's technology was straightforward but lagged behind competitors like the Hyundai Kona.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 had not yet received crash-test ratings from NHTSA or IIHS. However, it came equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Standard features included collision avoidance, lane-guidance technologies, driver attention warning, safe-exit assist, and Highway Driving Assist 2. The latter combined lane-keeping assist with adaptive cruise control for supervised hands-free driving. Higher trims added a surround-view monitor and blind-spot view monitor, enhancing safety.

The 2026 Honda HR-V featured Honda Sensing, a suite of driver assist features. These included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centring assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic-jam assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. In Canada, blind-spot monitors and rear cross-traffic alert were standard. The EX-L trim added front and rear parking sensors with low-speed automatic braking. While Honda Sensing generally performed well, the adaptive cruise control occasionally required driver intervention. The HR-V received favourable safety ratings from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS for the 2025 model year.