The Ioniq 9 was recently announced, and there are videos detailing its features. Since Kia and Hyundai share drivetrains, there seem to be a lot of similarities between the EV9 and Ioniq 9. I’m curious about what sets them apart for consumers.
Based on what I’ve seen, the obvious differences are price and range (based on early estimates), and the Ioniq 9 has a built-in NACS port. They both appear to share:
The same drivetrain
Similar infotainment systems
Bi-directional charging
Reclining seats and headrests
Heated/Cooled seats
Similar safety features
Are there other major reasons to pick one over the other aside from price and range? The EV9 comes with a free NACS adapter, so that might level the playing field a bit. Any insights?
Like the Ioniq 5 and EV6, they’re going to be very similar with differences in interior layout and styling. EV9 will eventually transition to NACS too, so that won’t be a long-term differentiator.
Why do you think they have the same drivetrain? The Ioniq 9 has a 110 kWh battery, while the EV9 has a 99 kWh. The Ioniq 9 is also slightly longer—199 inches vs. 197 inches for the EV9.
It’s like comparing a BMW 3 Series to a 7 Series. They may share some tech, but the Ioniq 9 is larger and has a bigger battery. Personal preference will likely drive the decision—similar to how people choose between the Kia Telluride (sleek) and Hyundai Palisade (family-focused).
Hyundai doesn’t own Kia outright. They acquired a 51% stake in 1998 but now only hold about 1/3. Kia also owns shares in Hyundai’s subsidiaries. This relationship allows them to share platforms like the E-GMP.