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Fresh off the success of its popular IONIQ 6 electric vehicle series, Hyundai has decided to skip right over 7 and 8 and move into the big leagues of the three-row electric SUV. That may disappoint tiny car fans here in the US who were excited by the rumored appearance of Hyundai’s Casper downsized crossover. However, the IONIQ 9 does fit in with the desire for big multi-purpose vehicles in the US and elsewhere around the globe.
The Electric 3-Row SUV Of The Future, Soon
Hyundai is not disclosing too many details about the new electric SUV just yet. Along with a press release dated October 29, the company provided a handful of artist renderings showing parts of the exterior. What, nothing on the inside?
Hyundai does bill the electric SUV as setting the stage for a “New Era of Spacious EV Design,” but otherwise the company is keeping the details close to its vest.
“The ‘9’ in IONIQ 9 symbolizes the large vehicle class in Hyundai Motor’s IONIQ lineup, marking the company’s inaugural venture into the realm of large SUV EV models,” Hyundai explains.
“Building on the momentum generated by IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6, IONIQ 9 is set to redefine the EV experience, boasting a spacious and comfortable interior thanks to Hyundai Motor Group’s acclaimed Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP),” they elaborate.
For good measure, Hyundai also describes the interior as similar to the “spacious, cozy interiors of boats.”
“The future of EVs is here with the IONIQ 9, and it’s redefining what it means for an EV to be spacious and comfortable,” they repeat elsewhere in the press release, in case you need another reminder.
Hyundai Pitches “Aerosthetics” For The Electric SUV Of The Future
So much for the interior. As for the exterior, Hyundai is not the first company in the world to describe its design approach as “aerosthetic,” but it is probably the first to hitch high tech aerodynamic performance to the distinctive style of Hanbok.
“The teaser sketches reveal intricate details that enhance IONIQ 9’s overall design quality. The character lines on its side evoke the diagonal lines of the traditional Korean clothing, Hanbok,” Hyundai emphasizes.
“Hanbok has a long and rich history dating from pre-historic period to our contemporary times,” adds the cultural organization and hanbok museum directory Hanbok Heroes.
“Between eras and within dynasties, hanbok has continued to evolve in silhouette, material, and societal significance, but has always remained an integral symbol of Korean culture and identity,” Hanbok Heroes explains.
Everything You Need Inside A 3-Row Electric SUV
The world will have to wait a few more beats to get a closer look at the new electric SUV. Hyundai advises everyone to keep an eye on its social media channels for updates, in advance of a splashy reveal set for sometime in November. Meanwhile, as a fun guessing game, drop a note in the comment thread if you have some ideas about the interior.
Hyundai will likely aim to one-up other electric SUV makers on style. It also has an opportunity to beat the competition on functionality.
That could include seamless connectivity between the car battery, household electrical appliances, home charging stations, public charging stations, rooftop solar panels or on-board solar panels, the grid, other car batteries, and electric tools for work or recreation, such as we’re seeing with electric pickup trucks. In addition to taking full advantage of 21st century clean technology as a matter of routine, that flexibility provides drivers with plenty of options for procuring and deploying power during emergencies.
The reference to boating also hints at a flexible interior that converts an instrument of mobility into an emergency shelter, a hangout spot, or work station. That type of approach is already emerging in electric minivans and electric commercial vans.
One feature of particular interest is the dashboard. Some automakers, notably VW and its new Scout spinoff, are returning knobs, dials, and switches to the dashboards of their electric vehicles, having received lots of non-positive feedback about touchscreens from drivers.
Personally I have nothing against touchscreens in general, just not as the primary means of control for operating an electric vehicle, let alone a gigantic three-row electric SUV. So, I’m looking forward to more details.
What Is Hyundai Up To Next?
If you want to cheat a bit on a preview of the Ioniq 9, take a look at the renderings for the Ioniq 7 concept electric SUV. Back in 2021 Hyundai teased the 7 as an earlier version of a three-row EV, portraying a luscious, lounge-like interior.
Apparently Hyundai decided bigger is better, ditching the 7 (at least for now) in favor of the 9. Fans of Hyundai electric SUVs or crossovers can prowl among the carmaker’s model year 2025 EV lineup for other electric options.
As for that microcar rumor, a photo of the Hyundai Casper small crossover EV popped up on social media a week or so ago, reportedly sighted here in the US. However, I checked in with Hyundai USA and they confirmed there are no plans to market the car in the US. European car buyers may have better luck, where Hyundai is marketing the lookalike Inster EV.
On another note, don’t be surprised if you spot hydrogen fuel cells in Hyundai’s electric SUV lineup. The US market for fuel cell electric vehicles is vanishingly small, but Hyundai is among the global automakers that have persisted in pursuing FCEVs.
Yesterday Hyundai unveiled a preview of its concept INTIUM fuel cell SUV, endowing the new vehicle with its own design identity.
“This unique hydrogen fuel cell-powered SUV concept also marks the debut of Hyundai Motor’s new design language – called ‘Art of Steel’ – embodying the character of HTWO, Hyundai Motor Group’s dedicated hydrogen value chain business brand,” the automaker explained.
If you’re in California for the Los Angeles Auto Show in November, check it out. Hyundai is pitching the SUV with a hydrogen fuel station mapping tool, which would come in handy for FCEV drivers in California where a great effort has been made — with mixed success — to build out a public fuel station network for FECVs. Elsewhere in the US, though, hydrogen fuel stations for public use are still few and far between.
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Image: Hyundai is expanding its zero emission lineup into three-row mobility with the Ioniq 9 concept electric SUV styled along the lines of traditional Hanbok design (cropped, courtesy of Hyundai).
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