Hyundai Ioniq 7? Nope: Ioniq 9! Here are the first official teasers

Will we still see an Ioniq 7? Jump ahead...

Hyundai Ioniq 9 revealed in first teasers

Hyundai has at last released the first official teaser images of the Ioniq 9, a three-row electric SUV that follows the'Seven' concept revealed in 2021.

If you thought the big new electric SUV might be called Ioniq 7 (as we did), you'd be easily forgiven. Instead, when it's unveiled in November, Hyundai's large family hauler will be called Ioniq 9.

The Ioniq 9’s design appears to carry forward the general look of the concept, which used a 3200mm wheelbase and Hyundai’s E-GMP electric architecture, shared across Hyundai and Kia EVs.

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Above: The Ioniq 9 teaser, below: the Seven concept

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Similar to the Seven concept and the related Kia EV9, Hyundai’s latest SUV is likely to offer three rows of seats with an estimated driving range exceeding 480 kilometres, based on its architecture’s capability.

The E-GMP platform enables 800V charging technology, with ultra-fast charging anticipated to take the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in about 20 minutes when using a 350kW charger.

While the Ioniq 9’s interior specifics remain under wraps, the Seven concept included unconventional features such as rear-hinged doors, rotating captain’s chairs, an L-shaped rear sofa, a mini fridge, and a dedicated shoe compartment, indicating a focus on adaptable and spacious design. However, the production model will likely adapt these concepts to a more practical layout.

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Above: Click for more views of the Seven and its incredible interior

Exterior sketches show the Ioniq 9 following Hyundai’s recent design language, featuring a sloping roofline, Hyundai’s “Parametric Pixel” lighting seen on other Ioniq models, and aerodynamically optimised wheels.

The LED light bar and distinctive lighting elements from the concept also seem to be retained, while the side profile hints at character lines inspired by traditional Korean Hanbok clothing.

With Hyundai aiming to achieve 2 million EV sales by 2030, the Ioniq 9 serves as a crucial addition to the line-up, joining other Ioniq models and building on Hyundai’s record-breaking EV production figures.

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Will there still be an Ioniq 7?

Probably. Why not? The gap between the Ioniq 5 and 9 SUVs certainly implies we'll see something bigger than the 5 but smaller than the 9 – that's just how these things go.

Of course, the design and size of the Ioniq 6 suggests we could see a model of similar dimensions but with a different shape, such as a 'coupe' SUV.

In terms of Ioniq-badged SUVs, the Ioniq 5 is already a massive car on the inside, thanks to its 3000mm wheelbase, but its exterior length is much closer to the Australian-delivered midsize Tucson's 4630mm.

So, we could easily see an Ioniq 7 with an overall length closer to the Palisade's 4995mm, which is already 340mm longer than the Ioniq 5's 4655mm, despite having a 100mm shorter wheelbase.

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Could the Ioniq 7 just be a longroof Ioniq 6?

We'd expect the 7 to fall considerably short of the Palisade's length, however, as the Ioniq 9 – which never had its exterior length confirmed – would likely come in at around five metres itself, roughly matching the Kia EV9.

Such a model would give Hyundai an SUV – or, we may pray, a wagon – with a deeper boot than the very hatch-styled Ioniq 5 can offer. Or, perhaps, the Ioniq 7 could very literally be a stretched 5 or 6 on the same 3000/2950mm wheelbase but with a more conventional longroof rear.

A length in the neighbourhood of 4750 to 4800mm might then make sense for an Ioniq 7.

For now, we can only speculate, but we'll have fun doing it.

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