Hyundai revealed the Seven concept back in 2021, a large three-row electric SUV that it promised would be revealed in production form in 2024. Well, now we’re almost done with 2024, and that day is almost here. Hyundai released the first teaser for its new Ioniq 9 that will be debuting next month (it was gonna be called Ioniq 7, hence the Seven concept’s name, but Hyundai changed its mind to leave room for more future Ioniq models), and it looks extremely close to the design promised by that concept three years ago.
In fact, it’ll look even better, I think. How do I know that? I got to see the Ioniq 9 in near-final form at Hyundai’s design studio in South Korea back in 2022, and it blew me away. This big SUV is the Hyundai equivalent of the Kia EV9, riding on the same E-GMP platform as nearly every other Hyundai Motor Group EV, and where the Kia has a super angular design, the Ioniq 9 is all about the curves. Hyundai calls its design language “Aerosthetic,” saying it takes inspiration from “the sleek exteriors and spacious, cozy interiors of boats,” and it will boast a seriously impressive drag coefficient as a result.
From the main teaser, we can see the Ioniq 9 has the same nicely curved roofline and side window shape as the concept, and the side glass is nearly flush. The pixel headlight strip at the top of the nose and pixel taillights that wrap all the way around the tailgate remain as well, with the main headlights being in large pods lower in the front bumper. We can also see a crisp line that runs the whole length of the body, which Hyundai says evoke traditional Hanbok Korean clothing, and there’s a nice bulging rear shoulder and interesting flared wheel arches. The Ioniq 9 will have flush door handles, but unlike in the teaser image, U.S-spec models will certainly have side mirrors.
Nothing of the interior has been released yet, but Hyundai promises it will be “spacious and comfortable.” Despite the curve of the greenhouse, it does seem like there will be plenty of room even for third-row occupants. While Hyundai isn’t yet saying exactly when in November the Ioniq 9 will make its debut, it seems like a safe bet that it will be during the Los Angeles Auto Show later in the month. More teasers will be released before the full reveal.
