Hyundai Ioniq 9 vs Hyundai Palisade Hybrid

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 presented a polarizing design that some found appealing while others did not. 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, yet maintained a sleek 0.27 drag coefficient. Despite its effective design, the Ioniq 9's aesthetics were not universally praised, with its swooping roofline and stubby rear end drawing mixed reactions. The vehicle was available in seven paint colours, with trim-specific options, and featured wheels ranging from 19 to 21 inches. Inside, the Ioniq 9 boasted a spacious and airy cabin, with flat floors and a sliding centre console, although some found the seats lacking in support.

In contrast, the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid was noted for its stylish presence across all trims, with the Luxury and Ultimate Calligraphy trims standing out. The vehicle featured a massive grille, LED projector headlights, and distinctive LED daytime running lights. The Palisade's profile included body-colour, heated side mirrors with power-folding capabilities on the Luxury Hybrid trim. The rear view was equally handsome, with wide-spaced letters and LED taillights. Inside, the Palisade Hybrid impressed with its organic and natural shapes, offering a richer feeling of craftsmanship compared to competitors. The interior featured H-Tex synthetic leatherette upholstery, power-adjustable seats, and available Nappa leather upholstery on higher trims. The Palisade's storage solutions were thoughtfully engineered, providing a comfortable and well-crafted cabin experience.

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 producing 215 horsepower, while the Preferred AWD and Preferred AWD+ trims offered 303 hp and 422 hp, respectively. The Ioniq 9 demonstrated impressive energy efficiency, often exceeding the estimated 500-kilometre range. Despite its weight and soft suspension, the Ioniq 9 provided a smooth and quiet ride, with a towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms for AWD models. Charging options included Tesla-style NACS superchargers and CCS-port Level 3 chargers, with varying charging times depending on the method used.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid featured a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors and a 1.65-kWh battery, producing a total of 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The Palisade Hybrid's performance was enhanced by an advanced eight-speed automatic transmission and next-generation hybrid system, allowing for efficient power distribution and load leveling. The vehicle offered a quiet and comfortable ride, with noise-absorbing materials and acoustic glass minimizing road and engine noise. The steering was sharp and responsive, although the pedal feel was softer, creating a slight disconnect in driver inputs.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 focused on family-SUV 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 improved access for middle-row passengers, while the interior provided ample legroom and headroom. Dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and a heat pump were standard, with additional features available in higher trims. The Ioniq 9 offered 620 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,462 litres with seats folded, although the front trunk was limited in capacity.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid offered 2,455 litres of total cargo capacity, trailing some competitors but exceeding others. The battery's position under the front passenger seat slightly reduced second-row legroom, but the cabin remained comfortable and spacious. Dual-zone climate control, USB-C power outlets, and a second-row bench seat were standard, with captain's chairs available on higher trims. The Palisade featured numerous storage cubbies, enhancing its practicality for families.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 featured dual curved 12.3-inch displays for infotainment and instrumentation, with standard SiriusXM Satellite Radio, wireless Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. A wireless charging pad and six USB-C ports provided ample device charging options. The 14-speaker Bose audio system, available on higher trims, delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and digital instrument cluster, supporting HD and Sirius XM satellite radio, wireless Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. The Driver Talk intercom system facilitated communication between rows, while a 14-speaker Bose stereo was standard on most trims. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim featured a built-in dashcam and "Stay Mode" for running climate control and infotainment with the engine off.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 included a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) as standard, featuring collision avoidance, lane-guidance technologies, driver attention warning, safe-exit assist, and Highway Driving Assist 2. Higher trims offered a surround-view monitor and blind-spot view monitor.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid also came standard with a range of ADAS features, including blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic assist, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection. The blind-view monitor was standard on higher trims, and the rear doors featured a safe-exit alert indicator. The 2025 Palisade received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.