- Edmunds tested the new Hyundai Ioniq 9 against its cousin, the Kia EV9. Both are built on the same platform.
- Both are electric three-row SUVs with dual motors, over 300 miles of range and class-leading charging times.
- But they have their differences. Which is the better buy?
If you want an electric three-row SUV in America for under $75,000, you have two truly outstanding options right now. Both of them just happen to be made by the same conglomerate. But which one should earn your dollars?
I am, of course, talking about the Hyundai Ioniq 9 and Kia EV9. Both SUVs are made by South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Group and ride on the same electric platform. They have mostly similar dimensions, a lot of similar features, and excel in their classes with range and charging times.
Both of these SUVs are actually very good—in fact, they’re both office favorites here at InsideEVs. But they aren’t exactly identical twins, and there are some key differences between the two. And for a while now, I’ve been wondering what would happen if the two of them went head to head.
Thanks to our friends at Edmunds, I need no longer wonder. Their latest video is a comparison test between Hyundai and Kia’s large electric people movers. Let’s take a look.
Let’s start by laying out the differences between these two. While both cars use the E-GMP electric platform, they actually have differently sized batteries—the EV9 gets a 99.8-kilowatt-hour pack, while the newer Ioniq 9 gets a bigger 110.3-kilowatt-hour pack. Even though they’re similar in size, that means more range for the Hyundai. As tested here, it’s rated at 349 miles of range, while the Kia gets 306 miles of range.
Certainly, neither is a bad figure and both of these cars can go above and beyond their stated ranges. Almost 50 additional miles of range is a nice point in the Hyundai’s column.
Notice I said similar size—not identical. That’s because the Hyundai is a little bigger at 199.2 inches long, while the Kia is 197.2 inches long. The Hyundai boasts a bigger wheelbase, and it’s a couple of inches taller overall, too. Thus, it’s no surprise that the Ioniq 9 is a little more expensive, starting at $58,955 to the Kia’s $54,900. Both can be had in rear or all-wheel-drive configurations. (By the way, both are U.S.-made and qualify for the $7,500 tax credit while it lasts.)
But that’s what’s wild here: Overall, the two aren’t that far apart. The difference is gonna come down to style. And honestly, both of them look really sharp, but you might prefer the EV9’s angles to the Ioniq 9’s sleek streamliner looks. The vibes feel different inside, too, but both are surprisingly premium.
“This is Kia’s most expensive product, and they’ve pulled out all the tricks,” host Brian Wong said. This is the best that they’ve done when it comes to design. All the touchpoints feel great. This is a high-quality interior, something that you might not expect from Kia.” Then again, the Hyundai’s no slouch either, he said.
Photo by: Edmunds
“Hyundai has a different kind of aesthetic,” he said. “They’re a little bit allergic to straight lines. So if you look here on the doors, there’s just a lot of ovals and a lot of gentle curves.” If you’re cross-shopping these EVs, I’d recommend you spend a good amount of time in both to see which one better suits you.
There are some differences in driving dynamics, too. “The Ioniq 9 prioritizes comfort while remembering that the road isn’t always straight,” Wong said. But it’s not quite as athletic as the Kia.
“Now, this is going to sound nitpicky, and that’s because it is,” he said. “And that’s what we’re going to have to do to find a difference between these two vehicles because they’re so close. But for me, the Ioniq 9’s suspension, it’s just a touch too floaty. There’s a bit too much body roll, and it kind of bounces down the road ever so slightly.”
But nobody’s buying an EV like this for its athletic prowess. They are buying them for range and charging speeds, and both excel on 350-kilowatt chargers or at Tesla Supercharger stations using their native NACS ports.
Photo by: Edmunds
So which one do you buy? That’s a tremendously tough call. For Wong and the Edmunds editors, the EV9 is the sexier choice with better driving dynamics, but the Ioniq 9 pulls ahead on range, cabin comfort and overall value. In the end the Hyundai edges out the Kia by just one-tenth of a point.
I truly think you can’t go wrong with either of these EVs. I’ve driven both extensively and I like them both about equally. They’re the only three-row SUVs I don’t hate driving. My money would go to the Hyundai on looks alone, and I say that as the owner of a Kia, the EV6. My advice is to test both and get the one you like best—and can get the best deal on.
Contact the author: patrick.george@insideevs.com
