On the 21st, during the unveiling event of the ‘Ioniq 9’ in Los Angeles, USA, Hyundai Motor Company President José Muñoz poses for a photo. (Hyundai Motor)

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South Korea’s largest automaker Hyundai Motor Co. has unveiled its Ioniq 9, a large electric sports utility vehicle (SUV) tailored to the preferences of North American customers, at a global debut event in Los Angeles, California, the United States.

The Ioniq 9 was introduced at the iconic Goldstein House, a luxury penthouse known for its mid-century modern architecture and its location offering views of both the Pacific horizon and the American landscape on Thursday.

“The Ioniq brand reflects Hyundai’s ambition to become an iconic presence in the EV market,” Ji Sung-won, head of Hyundai Motor’s brand marketing, said during the event.

More than 300 people, including journalists from countries including Korea, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, India, Puerto Rico, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as well as influencers from various automotive and tech sectors, applauded and cheered when the veil was lifted from the Ioniq 9.

It was the first time Hyundai unveiled the ‘Aerosthetic’ design, which the company emphasized when it released teaser images in October 2024.

The term Aerosthetic combines aerodynamic and aesthetic, embodying both engineering and beauty, while the exterior design of the Ioniq 9 was inspired by the sleek, resistance-minimizing shape of boats.

A car influencer from Dubai noted that “large vehicles can sometimes look bulky, but the Ioniq 9’s streamlined design is impressive.”

A key highlight of the Ioniq 9 is its spacious and flexible interior. With a wheelbase of 3130 millimeters - the longest in Hyundai’s passenger lineup - and a flat floor enabled by its EV platform, the Ioniq 9 offers four seating configurations: a seven-seat layout and three six-seat options, delivering diverse interior experiences.

Its outstanding electrification performance is also an advantage. Built on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform, the Ioniq 9 is equipped with a 110.3 kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery, enabling a maximum range of 532 kilometers (rear-wheel drive) per charge. The motor delivers a maximum output of 160kW, a peak torque of 350Nm, and an energy efficiency of 4.3km/kWh. Its 400V/800V multi-ultra-fast charging system allows the battery to charge from 10 percent to 80 percent in just 24 minutes using a 350kW charger.

Hyundai also highlighted the Ioniq 9’s forward-thinking approach as a software-defined vehicle (SDV).

Ioniq 9 owners can purchase additional features post-purchase through the Features on Demand (FoD) service, which include forward and side parking collision-avoidance assistance and customizable cluster and navigation display themes tailored to driver preferences.

“The Ioniq 9 is truly the best vehicle we have ever created,” Hyundai Motor Chief Executive Officer José Muñoz said at the event. “We are confident that it will solidify Hyundai’s position in the EV sector.”