Mitsubishi Outlander vs Hyundai Ioniq 9

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 presented a polarizing design that drew inspiration from various sources, including smooth pebbles and midcentury modern sofas. Its aerodynamic shape was crafted to accommodate seven passengers comfortably, with dimensions that rivaled larger SUVs like the Honda Pilot and Chevy Tahoe. Despite its size, the Ioniq 9 achieved a remarkable drag coefficient of 0.27, enhancing its aerodynamic efficiency. However, its design was not universally praised, with some finding the swooping roofline and stubby rear end less appealing. The rear view, featuring LED taillights wrapping around the tail's circumference, was particularly distinctive. The Ioniq 9 offered a range of paint colours, with trim-specific options, and wheels ranging from 19 to 21 inches, adding to its visual appeal.

Inside, the Ioniq 9 boasted a spacious and airy interior, thanks to its EV platform that allowed for flat floors and minimal clutter. The dashboard featured multiple cubbies, and the panoramic sunroof in higher trims added to the sense of openness. The interior materials included high-quality plastics and leatherette upholstery, with options for cloth in lower trims. While the seats were soft, they lacked thigh support, and some elements, like the dashboard insert, felt underwhelming. Overall, the Ioniq 9's interior was designed for practicality and comfort, with a focus on maximizing space for passengers and cargo.

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander, available in six trims, featured a distinctive front design with a thin upper eyebrow and large square headlights. While the lighting design remained consistent, subtle changes to the grille and diffuser were made for 2025. Inside, the top GT Premium trim offered quilted leather seats and soft-touch surfaces, with physical controls for the HVAC system. The Yamaha speaker faces in the doors added a touch of elegance, although some plastic elements attempted to mimic high-end materials. The Outlander's interior was a mix of practicality and style, with a focus on comfort and convenience.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 was equipped with a 110.3-kWh battery pack on the e-GMP platform, offering a range of power outputs depending on the trim. The base Essential trim featured a rear-wheel-drive system with a 160-kW electric motor, producing 215 horsepower. Other trims came with dual-motor all-wheel-drive systems, with the Preferred AWD generating 303 hp and the Preferred AWD+ delivering 422 hp. Despite its weight, the Ioniq 9 demonstrated impressive energy efficiency, often exceeding the estimated 500-kilometre range. The vehicle's soft suspension provided a smooth ride, although it lacked agility in corners. The Ioniq 9's towing capacity ranged from 1,587 kg for the RWD model to 2,268 kg for AWD models. Charging options included Tesla-style NACS superchargers and CCS-port Level 3 chargers, with varying charging times depending on the charger type.

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. While the Outlander offered a plug-in hybrid option with more power, the standard engine struggled with acceleration, and the CVT exhibited a droning rubber-band feeling. The Outlander's fuel economy was not as competitive as some rivals, with a combined rating of 8.8 litres per 100 kilometres. The plug-in hybrid version offered 248 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, with a fuel rating of 3.6 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres and 61 kilometres of all-electric range.

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 added convenience for middle-row passengers. The Ioniq 9 provided ample legroom in the middle row, although the third row felt tight for adults. The vehicle's large rear doors facilitated easy access, and dual-zone climate control with air vents in all rows ensured comfort. Cargo space was generous, with 620 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,462 litres with the second and third rows folded.

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander included a third row of seating, but it was only suitable for small children due to limited legroom. With the third row in place, cargo space was restricted to less than 308 litres, but folding it down increased storage to 866 litres. The driver's seat offered easy access to physical controls for the HVAC system, and the top-line trim featured heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The cup holders, however, could have been deeper to prevent spills during sudden stops.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 featured a dual curved 12.3-inch infotainment display, offering a familiar interface found in other Hyundai models. While the screens were visually appealing, they were prone to fingerprints and glare. Standard features included SiriusXM Satellite Radio, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a wireless charging pad. The Ioniq 9 also came with six USB-C ports capable of charging laptops. The 14-speaker Bose audio system, available in higher trims, delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander boasted a new Yamaha premium sound system, with upper trims offering a 12-speaker, 1,650-watt system. The system allowed for sound customization and volume adjustment based on driving conditions. The Outlander featured a 12.3-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with physical controls for volume and camera system. Upper trims included a digital gauge cluster, rear camera mirror, and head-up display. Mitsubishi Connect and Remote Services were available with trial periods, offering features like remote start and live traffic information.

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) as standard, including collision avoidance, lane-guidance technologies, driver attention warning, and safe-exit assist. The Highway Driving Assist 2 provided supervised hands-free driving, while higher trims offered a surround-view monitor and blind-spot view monitor.

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander offered a limited set of ADAS features as standard, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and automatic braking. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and traffic sign recognition. The Outlander received a four-star rollover rating from NHTSA, with previous model years achieving high ratings in side and frontal crashes. IIHS rated the Outlander's headlights as "Good," with previous models receiving positive ratings for crashworthiness and front crash prevention.