Hyundai Heavy Industries is the largest shipbuilding company in the world, pumping out bulk carriers, street-length oil and gas tankers and Lego-like Leviathan container ships, so it’s not out of the question that its skills should translate to producing road-going vehicles of prodigious dimensions.
Take, for example, the Korean company’s flagship Ioniq 9, a three-row all electric sports utility vehicle that delivers prestigious lounge-like space and comfort, plus a range of up to 600km on a single battery charge.
At the pinnacle of EV technology, the Ioniq 9 is offered in the single-grade Calligraphy, with a choice of six- or seven-seat configuration, priced from $119,750, plus on-road costs. (NB: fewer seats, more money, $121,750)
A lounge-like interior cossets occupants in relaxed comfort of premium Nappa leather bound seats, with access to Bluelink Connected Car Services with over-the-air updates, plus, for the first time in Australia, Digital Key 2 and Google Places Search.
Drive performance is not left behind, Ioniq 9 featuring a 314kW dual-motor all-wheel-drive system is powered by a 110.3kWh high-energy battery setting up a vehicle range of up to 600km. Fastest charging is claimed to span 10 to 80 per cent in as little as 24 minutes.
Safety is paramount with 10 airbags fitted and a Hyundai SmartSense Suite, with forward collision avoidance, lane following assist 2 and smart cruise control among a package of the latest technology.
The Ioniq 9 is covered by Hyundai’s five-year/unlimited kilometre vehicle warranty and eight-year/160,000km high-voltage battery warranty. The maker’s Lifetime Service Plan ensures owners can enjoy exclusive service pricing with no hidden fees, premium roadside assistance and satellite navigation updates.
STYLING
Appealing looks, aerodynamic design and generous interior space – the trifecta in terms of a thoroughbred on turf or high street. The Ioniq 9 Calligraphy announces itself as the new flagship of Hyundai’s advanced electric vehicle series.
Wide pixel lighting is in bold contrast to the sleek aero front with graphics presenting a refined and futuristic image. A crisp character line reinforces the car’s grand-car profile underpinned by 21-inch Calligraphy machined alloy wheels.
A ship’s stern rear design weighs in with further aerodynamic performance and space efficiency, complemented by parametric pixel tail lamps. A panoramic sunroof completes the open-air picture.
INTERIOR
Both seven-seat (on test) and six-seat variants benefit from a generous wheelbase and flat floor in making driver and passengers feel at home in the most salubrious surroundings. Seats are upholstered in supple Nappa leather and door panels finished in synthetic leather.
One let-down is an aluminium crash pad finish that unfortunately looks like it’s been attacked by grubby fingers. Matters are retrieved by the seating story, a real page turner.
Front seats recline at the touch of a button, the driver is supported by air pockets in the cushion, seatback and bolsters. Front passengers can adjust rear seats through the information touchscreen to help children or the elderly.
Third-row occupants can get in and out easily by using a one-touch tilt function for the second-row seat. Second and third row seats fold almost flat to take luggage etc.
Motorised third row folding seats allow access to cargo space.
Third-row people can control the reclining angle of the seats via buttons on the side trim, while third-row seats can be folded using cargo compartment buttons.
Cargo volumes range from 338 litres, through 908 litres to 2410 litres, depending on the rows in use.
INFOTAINMENT
Ioniq 9 makes use of the Connected Car Navigation Cockpit which, as the name suggests, supports car services and navigation. Incorporated are advanced technology such as AI voice recognition through a cutting-edge intuitive user interface.
Hyundai Bluelink now features state-of-the-art Connected Car Services and over-the-air updates of vehicle software. For safety, braking, performance and driver assist systems remotely, with a visit to the workshop, by following on-screen prompts.
ENGINES/TRANSMISSIONS
Ioniq 9 is driven by twin 157kW electric motors with power from a 110.3kWh battery delivering a maximum driving range of 600km. A combined 700Nm of torque puts in for prodigious performance, for its bulk, of a 5.2-second sprint to 100km/h from standstill and 3.4-seconds 80km/h to 120km/h.
Battery charging can be as swift as 24 minutes from 10 to 80 per cent when plugged into a 350kW fast charger.
SAFETY
Five-star standard is enhanced by 10 airbags, including knee airbag and front centre side airbag, which is designed to prevent secondary collisions between first-row occupants.
Ioniq 9’s side structure and reinforcement of the lower overlap minimise cabin deformation during side impacts.
Active safety is led off by Hyundai’s SmartSense which consists of forward collision avoidance, lane following assist 2 and smart cruise control among a long list of the latest technology.
DRIVING
The Ioniq 9 Calligraphy seven-seater on test set sail as a liner would leave the cruiseterminal. Setting course in a straight line the bulky vessel was ‘steady as she goes’ and produced only the odd list on faster bends.
The stability is in part the result of a long 3130mm wheelbase, plus MacPherson multi-link front suspension and multi-link at the rear. A self-levelling damper system reduced vehicle sagging when humping heavy cargo.
There was no problem with high-speed stability and efficient fuel economy, the curved roofline, corners, boat-tail profile and aero wheel design contributing to smooth airflow. Added to this, the underbody airflow was controlled by 3D undercovers, front and rear of the battery, while an active air flap minimised air leakage around the flap.
A vibration-limiting aluminium steering wheel topped off a motor-driven power steering system. Road noise was minimised by an optimised tyre tread pattern cut into innovative noise-absorbing material.
With energy consumption a claimed 20.6kWh per 100km the test Ioniq 9 Calligraphy turned in 17.2kWh per 100km on a motorway run, while regularly tipping over the claimed figure in the CBD and suburbs over a week.
I’m not a fan of digital mirrors. Refocussing the eyes from road to digital image and back is a chore and can be wearing in heavy traffic.
SUMMARY
Some might argue, but the luxury, technology and convenience do justify the six-figure price tag of the Hyundai Ioniq 9 Calligraphy. A genuine cruise liner for the road.
RATINGS
Looks: 8
Performance: 7
Safety: 7
Thirst: 8
Practicality: 7
Comfort: 8
Tech: 8
Value: 7
