Nearly three years after the Kia EV9 arrived in Israel, its Hyundai twin is now launching locally. The electric Ioniq 9 will be the brand’s most expensive model in Israel, offered as a 6- or 7-seat crossover.
The Ioniq 9 is larger than the EV9, with a length of 5.06 meters (+5 cm), greater height (1.79 meters, +3.5 cm), and a longer wheelbase (3.13 meters, +3 cm). The width, at 1.98 meters, remains identical. Curb weight stands at 2.6 tons. Its dimensions are similar to Hyundai’s hybrid crossover for the American market, the Palisade, which is expected to return to Israel after the previous generation saw brief success here. Even the trunk offers 338 liters of capacity with all seats in use.
The base Excellence version, priced at NIS 355,000 with seven seats, comes with rear-wheel drive and 214 hp, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.4 seconds, reaching a top speed of 210 km/h, and offering a combined range of 620 km from a 110 kWh battery.
Equipment includes 20-inch wheels, a 12.3-inch multimedia and control screen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, an instrument cluster of the same size, electrically adjustable front seats with ventilation and heating, and a BOSE system with 14 speakers. It also features a panoramic roof and a power tailgate.
The Calligraphy version, priced at NIS 410,000, adds a front motor for a combined output of 422 hp. The classic 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time drops to 5.2 seconds, while range decreases to 600 km. The specification includes 6 captain’s chairs, along with a head-up display, 21-inch wheels, and Nappa leather upholstery.
The Ioniq 9 received a 5 out of 5 star rating in the European crash test, and its safety equipment includes autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping and correction, blind spot detection and collision prevention, automatic high beams, and more. It can even be parked remotely into tight spaces while the driver stands outside the vehicle.
The price is lower than its two direct electric competitors: The EV9, which starts at NIS 400,000, and the retro-styled Volkswagen ID. Buzz, whose 7-seat version starts at NIS 398,000.