Nissan Armada vs Hyundai Ioniq 9

The everyman’s version of the Infiniti QX80, Nissan’s Armada full-size SUV, gets an expanded range for 2025. It’s still offered in familiar SL and Platinum trims, but Platinum Reserve has joined the roster along with, for the first time ever, a PRO-4X trim. We tested both new trims on a first drive program hosted by the automaker.

Verdict: Nissan has undeniably improved the Armada with this new generation, and the PRO-4X and Platinum Reserve trim levels both bring something new to the table. The PRO-4X adds just enough adventure-ready content to make it worth a look to shoppers who find that space appealing, while the Platinum Reserve challenges the value of stepping up to an Infiniti.

Although the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 isn’t the first three-row electric SUV through the door, it may be the best choice for most shoppers. With a starting price of $59,999 before fees and qualifying for EV rebates where they still exist, it’s much more affordable than a Tesla Model X or a Rivian R1S. And its standard 110.3-kWh battery pack provides a long range compared to a base-model Kia EV9.

Verdict: The Hyundai Ioniq 9 isn’t a perfect vehicle, but it offers terrific passenger space, good tech, and family-friendly features. Shoppers may find its design polarizing — you could easily say the same about the Hyundai Ioniq 5 or the Ioniq 6 — but families interested in electric vehicles will do well to test drive this new option.