Hyundai Tucson vs Hyundai Ioniq 9

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson, introduced in its current generation in 2022, continued to impress with its striking design. Its sharp angles and unique features, such as headlights that seamlessly blend into the grille, created a bold yet cohesive look. Even in a typically unflattering white, the Tucson maintained a sharp and contemporary appearance. Unlike some luxury brands that replicate designs across models, Hyundai ensured each vehicle had its own distinct style. The Tucson's interior mirrored its exterior's modernity, with a refined cabin that housed advanced technology in an approachable manner. While the absence of a volume dial was a minor inconvenience, the overall layout was intuitive, with controls conveniently placed near the shifter and cupholders. The Tucson offered a range of trims, each with its own set of features, from the base Preferred with 17-inch alloy wheels to the Ultimate trim, which boasted ventilated front seats, leather upholstery, and a suite of driver assistance technologies.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 presented a polarizing design, drawing inspiration from various sources to create a sleek, aerodynamic shape capable of accommodating seven passengers. Its dimensions, slightly shorter than a Honda Pilot but with a longer wheelbase than a Chevy Tahoe, allowed for impressive interior space. Despite its size, the Ioniq 9 achieved a commendable drag coefficient of 0.27. However, its design, with a swooping roofline and stubby rear end, was not universally praised. The rear view, with LED taillights wrapping around the tail, was particularly distinctive. The Ioniq 9 offered a range of paint colours, with trim-specific options, and wheels ranging from 19 to 21 inches. Inside, the Ioniq 9 was spacious and airy, with flat floors and a sliding centre console. While the interior featured high-quality plastic, some elements, like the dashboard insert, felt underwhelming. The seats, though soft, lacked thigh support, but the overall design prioritized space and practicality.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson in Canada came with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. While this powertrain was adequate for city driving, it struggled with highway acceleration and produced noticeable engine noise. For those seeking more power, the Tucson Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid offered 226 hp and 261 hp, respectively, though they featured a button-style shifter that required some acclimatization. The Tucson excelled in handling and ride quality, offering a comfortable and composed driving experience, though it wasn't as sporty as some competitors.

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 motor, delivering 215 hp, while other trims had dual-motor AWD systems with varying power outputs: 303 hp for the Preferred AWD and 422 hp for the Preferred AWD+. Despite its weight, the Ioniq 9 offered impressive energy efficiency, often exceeding its estimated 500-kilometre range. The ride was smooth and quiet, thanks to a softly sprung chassis and sound-absorbing features, though it lacked agility in corners. The Ioniq 9 could tow up to 5,000 pounds with AWD models, but towing reduced its range. Charging options included Tesla-style NACS superchargers and CCS-port Level 3 chargers, with varying charging times depending on the charger type.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson offered up to 2,119 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 1,097 litres with them in use, making it competitive in the compact SUV segment. The hands-free power liftgate, available on trims above the base Preferred, was intuitive, requiring only proximity with the key fob to operate. The Tucson comfortably seated five passengers, with ample headroom and legroom in both rows. The cabin featured numerous storage options, including deep cup holders and a centre tray with a wireless charging pad.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 focused on family-friendly practicality, 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, comparable to the Hyundai Palisade. The large rear doors facilitated easy access, and dual-zone climate control with air vents in all rows ensured comfort. Cargo space ranged from 620 litres behind the third row to 2,462 litres with the second and third rows folded, though the front trunk was limited to storing charging accessories.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with a fully digital instrument panel. While the interface was intuitive, it lacked wireless connectivity for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The volume control was a haptic toggle rather than a traditional dial. The touchscreen and buttons were glove-friendly, which was useful in cold weather. The remote start system was advanced, allowing drivers to start the vehicle remotely and drive off without pressing the start button once inside.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 boasted dual curved 12.3-inch displays, similar to those in higher-end Hyundai models. While visually appealing, the screens were prone to fingerprints and glare. Standard features included SiriusXM, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a wireless charging pad, though the latter struggled to keep up with high-demand devices. Six USB-C ports provided ample charging options. The 14-speaker Bose audio system, standard on higher trims, delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson came equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. The Ultimate trim added advanced features like a 360-degree parking camera and Smart Park remote-parking. The Tucson received high safety ratings from the IIHS, earning a Top Safety Pick+ designation, though its standard headlights were rated "Acceptable."

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 had not yet been rated by NHTSA or IIHS, but it included a robust set of ADAS features. Standard equipment included collision avoidance, lane-guidance technologies, and Highway Driving Assist 2 for supervised hands-free driving. Higher trims offered additional features like a surround-view monitor and blind-spot view monitor.