Road test | Hyundai Ioniq 9: which we end and call it electric van

(Seoul, South Korea) van. A word hated among all. So much so that this niche is almost exclusively occupied today by SUVs at six or seven places. Hyundai, who assumes himself as a leader in industry, may be the key to success for his new ioniq 9 electric.

The daring design of its most recent models is an indication of confidence in its means that Hyundai these days. We can guess it in the uninhibited attitude of its Luxury brand Genesis.

And that is confirmed with the ioniq 9, the electric SUV at six or seven places (depending on the version) which will be on sale with us before the summer.

Star

The strange silhouette of this full format SUV is inspired by these boats which are called, although rarely, “stars”. If you allow the Calemberdaine, it probably presages the role of star that the Ioniq 9 will want to play within the Hyundai electric range…

We elected the KIA EV9 vehicle of the year two years ago, because he had the same family claims as his compatriot. Ioniq 9 refines the concept. It is more aerodynamic. His drag coefficient (CD) is 0.259. Its autonomy benefits, since its consumption is around 24 kilowatts-hours per 100 kilometers per winter day at 5 degrees Celsius. It is reasonable.

The Ioniq 9 inherits the second generation of the EV9 Modular Platform from the EV9 modular platform. Its 110.3 kilowatts-hour battery is good for 620 kilometers, according to the WLTP evaluation cycle, known to be 20 to 25 % more generous than the autonomy you will get on Quebec roads.

Three mechanics are in the catalog: basic, a 215 horsepower engine and 258 pound-feet will only train the rear wheels. There will be, it will be said, a version with two engines (303 hp and 446 LB-PI) and four-wheel drive, and a performance version of 442 horsepower and 516 pounds. The EV9 has a heating pump for its battery, it is presumed that the ioniq 9 will also have it.

In any case, we can fill up from 10 to 80 % in 24 minutes to a quick terminal. On the roads that separate Seoul from Busan, rapid 350 kW terminals form a network that belongs to Hyundai. They barely gave us time to buy coffee.

In addition, Ioniq 9 has a bidirectional charge. You will find a 110-volts inside.

By car

It is immediately written: the third bench is the main defect of the ioniq 9. The expression “the knees in the forehead” came to our mind by trying it. It penalizes the trunk, which goes from 620 to 1320 liters when it is folded down. If you have three children, it is suspected that it will be monopolized by the child in the middle, that which is too often sacrificed in favor of the other two.

Otherwise, Hyundai thought of everything else. USB-C ports are 100 watts. The central console opens towards the front and rear. The finish is impeccable, and above all, the cabin is eminently silent. A Korean engineer explained to us that soundproofing materials have even been integrated into the wheels, to minimize tire bearing noise. Without displacement under the hood, this is what we hear most on the electric SUVs, normally.

Not here. We hear the radio even at the lowest volume. It must be said that the optional sound bose at 14 speakers of the Calligraphy model, it spits like a ton of bricks, if you allow perronism.

On the road, the acceleration is striking, typical of electric motors with high and instant torque. Braking too. You can customize driving according to the conditions (road, earth, snow) or your mood (from sporting to driving to a pedal). It's the biggest Ioniq, and it seems. Its high belt penalizes lateral and rear visibility. We must (too) often trust the cameras.

In… balance?

The IONIQ 9 basic price in Korea is equivalent to CAN $ 60,000. Without resorting to government assistance for purchase, he will compare himself advantageously to vehicles like the Grand Highlander or even Sienna, sold by Toyota at a similar price, but both with petrol. If it is sold at this price in Canada, it would be cheaper than the Kia EV9! To follow, therefore.

Ioniq 9, EV9, and why not, the expensive id. Buzz de Volkswagen, embody an emerging vehicle market that will make families forget the very existence of stale, dirty and oh so costly petrol pumps.

But they are not vans!

Transport and accommodation costs for this report were paid by Hyundai Canada, who had no right to look at it.