Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs Hyundai IONIQ 9

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 presented a design that was both distinctive and polarizing. While some appreciated its unique aesthetic, others found it less appealing. The design team drew inspiration from various sources, aiming to create an aerodynamic shape that could comfortably accommodate 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 0.27 drag coefficient, enhancing its aerodynamic efficiency. However, the design was not universally praised, with its swooping roofline and stubby rear end creating a somewhat dissonant appearance. The rear view, with its LED taillights, was particularly recognizable.

The Ioniq 9 was available in seven paint colours in Canada, with options varying by trim. Wheel sizes ranged from 19 to 21 inches, with unique designs for specific trims. Inside, the Ioniq 9 offered a spacious and airy environment, thanks to its EV platform allowing for flat floors. The dashboard featured multiple storage options, and higher trims included a panoramic sunroof. Upholstery options varied, with cloth and leatherette available depending on the trim. While the interior featured high-quality plastic, some elements, like the dashboard insert, felt underwhelming. The seats, though soft, lacked sufficient support, particularly for the thighs.

The 2026 Land Rover Range Rover Sport maintained its distinctive and elegant appearance, characterized by a steeply angled windshield and rear window, a gently sloping roofline, and large upright body sections. The pop-out door handles and wide taillight strip added trendy styling elements. The clamshell hood, narrow lights, and small grille contributed to a tall and blunt front end, giving the SUV a narrow and tall appearance, beneficial for off-road driving and interior headroom. The SV Carbon trim stood out with its two-tone hood, exposed carbon fibre, and enormous 23-inch carbon wheels, showcasing exceptional performance credibility.

The Range Rover Sport offered a variety of paint colours and wheel options, with the SV Carbon trim featuring unique finishes. The interior design evolved from the previous generation, with a minimalist aesthetic that some found too minimal. Physical controls were replaced with touchscreens, affecting user-friendliness. Despite this, the interior featured top-notch materials, with options for Ultrafabrics and various headliners. The Range Rover Sport's interior was spacious, with ample legroom and headroom, and the seats offered extensive adjustability. However, the cargo space was limited compared to other midsize SUVs, and the narrow door openings posed challenges for rear passengers.

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+. The Ioniq 9 demonstrated impressive energy efficiency, often exceeding the estimated 500-kilometre range. Its chassis was softly sprung, providing a smooth ride, though it lacked agility in corners. The Ioniq 9 was quiet, with active noise cancellation and sound-absorbing tires. Towing capacity varied, with RWD models towing up to 1,587 kilograms and AWD models up to 2,268 kilograms. Charging options included Tesla-style NACS superchargers and CCS-port Level 3 chargers, with charging times ranging from 24 to 40 minutes for fast charging and 9 hours 40 minutes for Level 2 home charging.

The 2026 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered three powertrains, each with two states of tune. The standard engine was a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six with 355 horsepower, while the Dynamic SE added an electric supercharger for 395 hp. A plug-in hybrid powertrain provided up to 85 kilometres of gas-free driving and 454 hp in hybrid mode. A BMW-built V8 engine was available, offering 523 hp, while the SV trims featured a 626 hp version. Fuel consumption figures were incomplete, but the Range Rover Sport demonstrated impressive handling with adaptive dampers and air springs. The SV Carbon trim excelled in handling, with a revised air suspension system and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires. Towing capacity was 3,500 kilograms for gas-only models and 3,000 kilograms for plug-in hybrids.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 focused on family-SUV practicality, seating seven with a middle-row bench seat 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 millimetres of legroom in the middle row, though the third row felt tight for adults. The rear doors provided easy access, and dual-zone climate control was standard. Heated front seats were standard, with additional heating options available in higher trims. The driver's seat had limited adjustability, and the glove compartment was awkwardly positioned. Cargo space was generous, with 620 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,462 litres with seats folded.

The 2026 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered ample space with heated and electrically reclining seats. The cargo space was 592 litres behind the rear seats, with a cargo divider available. However, the 1,267 litres with seats folded was small for a midsize SUV. The narrow door openings posed challenges for rear passengers. The Range Rover Sport excelled in towing capacity, with 3,500 kilograms for gas-only models and 3,000 kilograms for plug-in hybrids. The lack of physical controls affected usability, with most functions hidden in the touchscreen.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 featured dual curved 12.3-inch displays for its infotainment system, offering a familiar interface. SiriusXM Satellite Radio, wireless Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay were standard, along with a wireless charging pad. However, the charging pad struggled to keep up with high-demand devices. Six USB-C ports provided ample charging options. The test car included a 14-speaker Bose audio system, delivering impressive sound quality.

The 2026 Land Rover Range Rover Sport's 13.1-inch display managed occasional features well, with apps for Wade Sensing and Terrain Response. Apple CarPlay and factory navigation worked seamlessly, and the instrument panel offered configurable layouts. The surround-view cameras were clear, and the Meridian Signature stereo provided good sound quality, though not as clear as in the full-size Range Rover.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 had not yet received crash-test ratings from NHTSA or IIHS. However, it included a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) as standard, such as collision avoidance, lane-guidance technologies, driver attention warning, safe-exit assist, and Highway Driving Assist 2. The Preferred AWD’s Luxury package and all versions of the Preferred AWD+ featured a surround-view monitor and blind-spot view monitor.

The 2026 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came with standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, a surround view camera system, and more. However, it lacked front knee airbags, a front central airbag, and rear side airbags. No crash-test ratings from IIHS or NHTSA were available, but Euro NCAP awarded it a five-star rating.