WCOTY LA Drives : Hyundai Ioniq 9 review

I previewed the Ioniq 9 at its global premiere, also in LA, last year, and will talk about how the vehicle is to the drive and the experience than the product. But as a recap, the three-row full-sized SUV has a 110.3kWh nickel, cobalt, manganese (NCM) battery pack that powers motors on the rear and both axles, depending on the variant. We are driving the Performance AWD variant that features two 160kW motors, one each on the front and rear axle.

This makes for an overall power output of 315kW as well as 700Nm of peak torque, which is great even for a vehicle of its size and weight. The 9 is rapid off the line, and it would be with a 5.2s 0–100kmph time. It feels very easy to drive despite its size, but one can feel its size in the narrow winding roads up the Angeles Crest Highway.

While on its own it is quite okay, the difference is perceptible if compared to some of the cars with rear wheel steering. On the motorway as well as on the city roads of Pasadena, the suspension feels good and the ride quality is pliant without being overtly so like some of the erstwhile American cars.

There is body roll though not disconcerting and the feeling of space is all-pervading. For its money, it does give a very superior in-cabin experience with a cool calmness inside the cabin with fantastic NVH to add to the unusual quietness of an EV.

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