A new three-row electric SUV is about to hit the U. S. market. Hyundai’s largest IONIQ nine will finally show its face in November, at the end of the latest quality tests and inspections.
It’s been almost 3 years since Hyundai unveiled its first 3-row electric SUV concept. The concept, called SEVEN, now goes through IONIQ 9.
With the number “9”, the new electric SUV is expected to play a bigger role as Hyundai’s flagship model. In the United States, Hyundai offers the IONIQ 5, IONIQ 6, and Kona Electric, but a larger electric SUV could gain even more market share.
Like Hyundai’s other committed IONIQ models, the SUV will be powered by its E-GMP platform. The EV platform already underpins Hyundai, Kia and Genesis models, providing long-range (360-mile range), fast charging (10% to 80% in 18 minutes) and plenty of interior space.
Before its debut, the IONIQ nine appeared several times in public testing. More recently, it got stuck driving in California ahead of its US release (you can watch the video below).
According to industry sources on August 12, Hyundai plans to unveil the IONIQ nine at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November.
Since March, Hyundai has been introducing nine IONIQ models at its plant in Asan, Korea. Lately, the company is carrying out extensive quality checks.
The timeline coincides with the finishing touch of Hyundai’s U. S. metafactory in Georgia. Hyundai would have to produce the electric SUV at the new plant to qualify for the $7,500 EV tax credit.
Hyundai has already said that the updated IONIQ Five will be the first vehicle to be assembled at the factory, but it would make sense to ramp up production of the IONIQ 9.
Kia’s first three-row electric SUV, the EV9, has had a hot run in the United States since its launch. Kia sold another 1,815 EV9 models last month, adding nearly 11,500 in the United States this year. The EV9 accounts for more than a third of Kia’s EV sales in the U. S. U. S. through July.
The EVnine is also on the E-GMP platform. Will the IONIQ nine find its market? Kia’s EVnine starts at $54,900, so the Hyundai will most likely be a bit more expensive. Would you pay more for the Hyundai? Let us know in the comments.
Updated: 8/13/24: Hyundai’s luxury brand Genesis will begin building the first GV90 models later this year. The GV90 is Genesis’ answer to ultra-luxury brands as Hyundai expands.
Source: Newsis, TheKoreanCarBlog
Peter Johnson covers the automotive industry’s step-by-step transformation to electric vehicles. He is a seasoned investor, money writer, and electric vehicle enthusiast. His enthusiasm for electric vehicles, basically Tesla, is one of the main reasons why he pursued a career in investments. . If he doesn’t tell you about his latest discoveries in the 10K, you can locate him enjoying the outdoors or exercising.