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There’s something profoundly satisfying about a vehicle that doesn’t apologize for what it is, especially when that “what” is a fully electric, three-row SUV weighing two and a half tons and pulling off 0-60 runs with quiet confidence.
The Hyundai Ioniq 9 and even the Hyundai Ioniq 5 arrived as a purpose-built family hauler wrapped in the kind of sheet metal that would make a modern Volvo stylist pause. It’s not just South Korea’s shot across the bow of premium European automakers; it’s a reminder that good design and practicality don’t have to be mutually exclusive, even in an EV-dominated future.
And when one EV owner, Daniel Breton, recently took his Ioniq 9 for a real-world fast charge at an Electrify Canada station, the results were more than just compelling; they were a data-driven case study in how far we’ve come.
His full report, posted to the Canadian Electric Vehicle (EV) Owners Facebook group, was quite interesting:
“Fast Charging test of the Hyundai Ioniq 9 from 16% to 80% at a 350 kW = Electrify Canada fast charging station with a NACS/CCS adapter. The charging speed of this 7-passenger electric SUV is impressive. The charging efficiency of Electrify Canada’s new fast charging stations is also impressive.
Arrival at 16%: 44 miles range
Departure at 80%: 281 miles range
Peak charging: 218 kW
Charging time: 26 minutes
Energy delivered: 75 kWh (237 miles range)
Average: 173 kW
Charging price: 48 cents/kWh (before taxes)
Total cost for this charge: $35.52 + taxes = $40.84
Cost to add 62 miles of electric range at this fast charging station: $10.69
Cost to add 62 miles of range with gasoline in a Hyundai Santa Fe at $1.50/liter: $15.90”
At $10.69 for 62 miles of electric range compared to nearly $16 for gas, we’re looking at roughly 33% savings, and that’s using public charging. Factor in the 95% of EV charging that takes place at home, and that gap only widens. Of course, not everyone was convinced. One commenter, Klim Barabash, pointed out that his gas-powered Santa Fe costs closer to $10.94 per 62 miles if you factor in lower highway fuel prices. A fair rebuttal, but as another commenter, Yang Cheung, added, gas vehicles bring their own baggage:
“Hybrids need oil changes and filters, plus have parts that need repair or replacement eventually.”
The long game still favors EVs.
2025 Ioniq 9 Specs: 110.3 kWh Battery, 270–300 mi WLTP Range & 350 kW Fast‑Charge in 24 Min
- Powered by a 110.3 kWh NCM lithium-ion battery, the Ioniq 9 offers WLTP‑rated range up to approximately 270–300 miles depending on trim, wheel size, and drivetrain configuration
- The vehicle supports both 400 V and 800 V fast‑charging architecture, enabling charging from 10 % to 80 % in about 24 minutes when using a 350 kW charger
- Real‑world observed efficiency: testers report achieving just under 3.2 miles per kWh on mixed driving routes in the Calligraphy trim with large 21″ wheels
- Additional capability includes bi‑directional charging (V2L), allowing the vehicle to power external devices or serve as emergency backup power from both interior and external charge ports
Where the Ioniq 9 truly stands out isn’t just the economy, it’s the pace. This isn’t your older cousin’s slow-sipping Nissan Leaf. Breton’s session saw a peak charge of 218 kW and an average of 173 kW, pushing 237 miles into the battery in just 26 minutes.
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As Greg McKone noted in the same thread, battery fast-charging is most effective from low states of charge. His Tesla recommends stops at 10% and topping off around 60%. The Ioniq 9 slots perfectly into this new rhythm of shorter, faster, more frequent charging, an approach that’s increasingly mirrored in smart EV route planning apps.
This charging performance is not isolated. Owners on IoniqForum.com have echoed Breton’s experience, citing consistent peak rates over 200 kW on Electrify America’s 350 kW chargers during long-haul drives. One post described repeated, relaxed road trips along the I-5 corridor from California to Washington, with “~15 minute charging stops summer and winter (with preconditioning),”.
Hyundai Ioniq 9: 800 V E‑GMP Fast‑Charging & Free NACS Adapter for Tesla Superchargers
MotorTrend has validated these capabilities in independent testing, confirming that Hyundai’s 800V E-GMP platform delivers industry-leading charging speeds without needing exotic battery chemistry or bespoke charging locations.
Hyundai’s recent move to adopt the North American Charging Standard (NACS) further changes the game. As of this year, existing owners are being provided with free adapters, and future models will integrate NACS ports directly from the factory.
This gives Ioniq 9 drivers seamless access to Tesla’s Supercharger network, the gold standard in EV infrastructure, without locking them into a closed ecosystem. It’s a rare example of an automaker putting the user’s convenience over brand territorialism.
Hyundai Ioniq 9 Aerosthetic Design: 0.259 Cd Body, Pixel‑LED Lighting & Scandinavian‑Style Cabin
- Built under Hyundai’s “Aerosthetic” philosophy, Ioniq 9 sports clean, minimalist lines, active air flaps, low-resistance tires, and a sleek underbody cover, resulting in a drag coefficient of just 0.259 Cd
- The exterior presents bold, blocky proportions, pixel-themed lighting, and sharply squared surfaces, described as “chunky, squared, pixel-lit, unapologetically angular,” with a presence likened to an upscale architectural concept
- Inside, the cabin is expansive and serene: flat floor layout, floating surfaces, mood lighting, HUD overlay, and premium materials creating a calm, Scandinavian‑inspired space
- While specific names aren’t cited publicly, the design direction aligns with Ioniq brand pillars led by chief designer SangYup Lee, who established “Parametric Pixel,” “living‑space focused interior,” and sustainability as core tenets of the Ioniq family identity
And then there’s the design. The Ioniq 9 isn’t trying to be something it’s not. It’s not futuristic for the sake of novelty, nor retro for the sake of nostalgia. It borrows nothing from the overstyled cyberpunk school of thought. Instead, it leans into clean lines, squared shoulders, and calm restraint. The LED signature is modern without being flashy.
The overall silhouette could easily be mistaken for a premium Nordic SUV, only here, the badge reads Hyundai. Inside, the airy, tech-laden cabin features a floating console, panoramic glass, and a sense of space more often associated with luxury European brands. And it does all this without abandoning practicality or affordability.
What we’re witnessing with the Ioniq 9 is not just another entry into the crowded EV marketplace. It’s a statement of capability and design maturity from a company that was once known for budget sedans. This SUV offers not only competitive range and rapid charging, but also thoughtful styling and broad infrastructure compatibility. It serves as proof that the EV world has reached a turning point, one where charging a 5,000-pound, seven-seat SUV can be faster, cheaper, and more elegant than filling a gas tank.
The Ioniq 9 doesn’t exist in theory or in the shadows of boutique EV startups. It’s here, it’s working, and it’s very good.
Image Sources: Hyundai Media Center
Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.
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Source: torquenews.com
