Hyundai Ioniq 9: Eye-catching Design Revealed Ahead of Busan Mobility Show

Hyundai’s Ioniq 9
to be Unveiled in Busan in June
with its Eye-catching Design

Hyundai Motor Group’s first midsize electric SUV, the EV9, struggles to escape sluggish sales due to pricing failure. The new Ioniq 9, unveiled at the 2024 Busan Mobility Show, draws attention to whether it will avoid making the same mistakes as its predecessor.

Previously, the new car’s model name was presumed to be Ioniq 7, but recently, it was confirmed to be Ioniq 9, according to industry sources. However, only the name has changed, and there will be no changes to the layout of the Seven Concept Car, which served as the design basis. We took a closer look at the details and the recently released prediction.

Steeply Inclined A-Pillar
No Worries About Interior Space

The YouTube creator specializing in car predictions, KKSSTUDIO, released the final prediction of the Ioniq 9 on February 27. The front part stands out with the maximum use of the pixel lamp, a significant design feature of the Ioniq series. The horizontal pixel daytime running lights (DRL) emphasize a futuristic sensibility beyond what the prototype revealed.

The A-pillar of the SUV is steeply inclined. Looking at the driver’s window, it is almost triangular, raising questions about whether the first-row headroom is sufficiently secured. However, looking at the interior revealed through the prototype, the driver’s head is relatively low. It’s not a level to worry about livability; from the second row, where the roofline rises, a spacious interior is expected.

Expected Front Synchronization Rate
Level 3 Autonomous Driving Option Too?

Comparing it with spy shots, the actual car design is expected not to deviate significantly from the prediction. The necessary lidar sensor for the Level 3 autonomous driving option ‘HDP’ to be added in the future is located, and a front camera is confirmed between them. The vertical headlamps placed under the DRL are presumed to have a reflector added to increase luminance.

At the bottom of the front bumper, an air flap for cooling opens and closes actively according to the driving situation. Judging from the outline of the camouflage film, the outer line of this part is likely to fall diagonally. However, it remains to be seen whether the tile-type bumper fascia, which looks like a checkerboard, will be applied as is until the actual car is revealed.

Traces of the Seven Concept Car
Expected to be Bigger than the EV9

The side part draws attention, with the digital side mirror as an option. Like the previously released Ioniq series, the door handle will be equipped with an auto flush type. The DLO line borrowed the look of the “Seven” concept car that Hyundai unveiled at the 2021 LA Auto Show. The rear quarter-glass design, protruding at the bottom as it goes backward, adds a sense of speed.

The wheelhouse cladding is unique, with black applied to the bottom and body color applied to the top based on the horizontal edge. It’s an element that adds a tough image unique to SUVs, but there is a possibility that it will be unified into the body color depending on the specification. Meanwhile, it is known that the Ioniq 9 has a wheelbase of 3,200 mm, which is longer than that of the EV9. The vehicle will be unveiled at the 2024 Busan Mobility Show in June, and sales are expected to start in the second half of the year.