Brand-New 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9: Electric, Sleek, Spacious, Smart, Yowzah!
The new darling on the electric SUV scene this season is the 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9.
He’s spacious but practical, smart but powerful, colorful yet subtle…. and all the car geeks can’t stop talking about him.
This car has been named Germany’s Premium Car of the Year. Top Gear names it the best seven-seater of the year (based on models available in 2025). Heck, even writers in Texas have named it Best Electric SUV of Texas.
That is a lot of praise from all over the world, where most countries are far ahead of the United States when it comes to electric cars.
The IONIQ 9 is in many ways just like the Hyundai Palisade, just in electric form. Both are considered midsized vehicles but truly present as much larger. The IONIQ 9 has a more uniformed, “buttoned-down” look, according to U.S. News and World Report, but I find it is still quite attractive (there will be a more bedazzled off-road version available later this year, as seen here in burnt orange with ‘Big Time’ written on the side).
It’s also 2.5 inches longer and has a wheelbase that is 9 inches longer than the Palisade.
This is a smooth car that truly is luxurious. It does not try to emulate to roar of an engine. For all you EV geeks who like to keep track of every kilowatt, you will lose your shite over this car.
Range on the IONIQ 9 is better than most EVs. The base S trim is Rear-Wheel Drive and can average 335 miles, which is impressive. If you climb up to the SE or SEL trims for All-Wheel Drive (which I would advise), your average range will drop to 320, which is still impressive, though as you stroll merrily along, you may still get what is known as range anxiety.
While there is a 3rd row of seats, I would stick with just the two rows so four Bears and an Otter can travel comfortably.
I really enjoyed driving this luxury electric beast. I still enjoy the roar of the engine, but the IONIQ9 is the joyride that delivers, assuming you have the $60K+ US that is the starting price (well, at least, that was the starting price a few months ago.)
(Important Note: tax credits for electric vehicle purchases are no longer available from the federal government in the United States, but they may still be available from individual states.)
Happy November to all our readers everywhere on the globe. Many of you will be stuffing turkeys later this month – or at least preparing some kind of feast.
Our very own Jonathan Bardzik has some recipes for your holiday feast, and here is one from just a few years ago.
As always, be sure to not drink and drive. I would tell you what the legal limit (or Blood Alcohol Content) is for driving drunk, but it will vary depending on where you live. More often than not, getting pinched just once will land you in the pokey and that can ruin your life for a few years (at least) as well as drain your bank account.
Plus, rideshares like Lyft and Uber are so cheap; getting your car towed after being parked illegally overnight will be cheaper.
Have fun, be safe, give thanks.
We need to see you again in 2026. Safe and sound.
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