The Hyundai IONIQ 9 outsold Kia’s three-row electrical SUV by greater than 5 occasions in Korea, however within the US, gross sales have been tougher to come back by.
Hyundai IONIQ 9 leads in Korea, not a lot within the US
Hyundai’s first three-row electrical SUV proved a success in its house market in its first yr in the marketplace. In line with new knowledge from the Korea Vehicle Mobility Trade Affiliation (KAMA), the IONIQ 9 ranked twenty ninth amongst home autos.
Hyundai offered 8,227 IONIQ 9s in Korea final yr, greater than 5 occasions the 1,549 EV9s offered by sister firm Kia.
The EV9 even outsold Kia’s extra inexpensive electrical autos, together with the EV4 (8,110), and midsize EV5 SUV (2,193).
Hyundai’s three-row EV is successful over patrons in Korea with a spacious inside, lengthy vary capabilities (as much as 532 km), and a aggressive price ticket beginning at 60 million gained ($41,500).
The IONIQ 9’s vehicle-to-load (V2L) perform has additionally been a success amongst fathers, in keeping with Korean media outlet Newsis. The perform allows it to function a cell energy supply for a campsite, workspace, or exterior electronics.
Wanting forward, Hyundai’s three-row EV is anticipated to compete with bigger inside combustion engine (ICE) SUVs in Korea, with gross sales exceeding 10,000 in 2026.
Within the US, Hyundai offered 5,189 IONIQ 9s final yr after launching it in Could. Kia, alternatively, offered 15,051 EV9s within the US in 2025, 32% fewer than it did in 2024. Hyundai offered one other 580 items within the US final month, which was nonetheless lower than the 674 EV9s Kia offered.
Within the US, the 2026 IONIQ 9 begins at $60,655 with as much as 335 miles of driving vary. With the second- and third-row seats folded, the electrical SUV provides 86.9 cubic toes of cargo house, barely greater than the Kia EV9’s 81.9 cubic toes.
Just like the up to date IONIQ 5, the IONIQ 9 has a built-in NACS port to cost at Tesla Superchargers. Utilizing a 350 kW DC quick charger, it may cost from 10% to 80% in as little as 24 minutes.
Electrek’s Take
Whereas the IONIQ 9 and EV9 are basically the one three-row electrical SUVs accessible in Korea (for now), it’s no shock they’re seeing sturdy demand.
Within the US, Hyundai and Kia are competing with the Volvo EX90, Lucid Gravity, Rivian R1S, Cadillac Vistiq, and different three-row EVs for market share. With the Toyota Highlander EV and Subaru’s three-row electrical SUV arriving later this yr, it’s going to solely get more durable.
It additionally helps that Korea ramped up electrical car subsidies earlier this yr to advertise home gross sales. The US went in the wrong way, killing off the $7,500 federal tax credit score on the finish of September.
Regardless of this, Hyundai North American CEO Randy Parker beforehand stated he’s assured the EV market will “reset” following a brief disruption as a result of Trump Administration’s coverage adjustments.
Hyundai is doubling down on native manufacturing with aggressive pricing promotions to take care of momentum in 2026. On EVs, together with the IONIQ 9 and IONIQ 5, Hyundai is providing as much as $10,000 in financial savings or 0% APR financing plus a further $3,000 off.
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