The Hyundai IONIQ 9 Calligraphy design trim costs $79,500 and makes a strong case for itself everywhere except its key fob. The vehicle reviewed here packs 335 miles of range, 350 kW DC fast charging that takes the battery from 10 to 80 percent in about 24 minutes, and 422 horsepower in dual-motor configuration. It does 0 to 60 in 5.2 seconds, tows 5,000 pounds, and offers 87 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded flat. The captain's chairs in the second row recline electronically and include an adjustable lumbar bolster system that works more like a Porsche than a mass-market SUV. The third row has dedicated air vents and a 100-watt USB-C port. For a three-row electric SUV at this price, the interior packaging is genuinely exceptional. The exterior drag coefficient is 0.25, which is better than the Rivian R1S and close to the Tesla Model X.
The IONIQ 9's main competition in the three-row electric SUV segment is the Kia EV9, which shares the same E-GMP platform. The EV9 starts lower and has a boxier, more angular design. The IONIQ 9 goes wider and longer, with a more rounded silhouette and a notably better interior, particularly at the Calligraphy level. The Lucid Gravity starts around $79,900 for a single-motor version and goes up sharply from there, offering more range and faster charging but no third-row practicality to speak of. The Rivian R1S at comparable price points runs adaptive air suspension, which the IONIQ 9 does not have, though the IONIQ 9 offers rear suspension leveling for heavy loads and a smoother highway ride than the Rivian in most configurations. The IONIQ 9 also qualifies for Tesla Supercharger access through Hyundai's NACS adapter integration, though the reviewer noted the charge port location on the right rear requires occupying two stalls at standard V3 chargers.
The biggest complaint in this review is button count, and it is a fair one. The Calligraphy is loaded with physical controls for nearly every function, which sounds like it should be a good thing, but the sheer density of them across the dash, steering wheel, and overhead console creates genuine information overload on first contact. Once learned, most owners will prefer tactile controls to touchscreen hunting, but the initial experience is overwhelming in a way that a cleaner layout would avoid. At 6-foot-3, the reviewer also found the headrest in the driver's seat hits at shoulder height at maximum extension, which is a real ergonomic miss for tall buyers. The IONIQ 9 earned a 2025 IIHS Top Safety Pick rating and comes with a 100,000-mile warranty. For a family buying their first electric vehicle and prioritizing interior space, usability, and charging speed, the base SE trim at $60,000 for 335 miles is probably the better story here than the $79,500 Calligraphy.
Bottom line: The IONIQ 9 is the most livable three-row EV in the segment for families who actually use all three rows regularly. It beats the Rivian R1S on interior refinement, the Kia EV9 on space, and the Lucid Gravity on practicality. The Calligraphy trim is priced correctly for what it delivers. Skip it only if you need air suspension or if a 6-foot-plus driver is the primary occupant.