It’s February 2026, and the “Big SUV” landscape in Australia has just received a high-voltage shock. If you thought the Kia EV9 was a bold statement, wait until you see what Hyundai has parked in the executive bay. The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 has officially arrived, and it isn’t just another people mover—it’s a $120,000 lounge-on-wheels designed to take the fight directly to the European elite.

At EV evolution, we’ve been tracking the “Seven Concept” since it was a mere fever dream of pixels and wool upholstery. Now that the production units are hitting Aussie bitumen, the question isn’t just about the range—it’s about whether a Hyundai can truly justify a six-figure price tag. We’ve spent time with the flagship Calligraphy, crunched the 2026 telemetry data, and dove deep into the Reddit community to see how early adopters are finding life with this luxury 7 seat EV.

The Price: Entering the Executive Suite

The Ioniq 9 price in Australia marks a historic moment for the brand. This is officially the most expensive car to ever wear the “H” badge on our shores, nudging Hyundai into a bracket previously reserved for Genesis and BMW.

• Ioniq 9 Calligraphy (7 Seat): $119,750 (plus on-road costs).
• Ioniq 9 Calligraphy (6 Seat): $121,750 (plus on-road costs).

By the time you add metallic paint and dealer delivery, you’re looking at a drive-away figure near $130,000. While that might induce a bit of sticker shock, the Hyundai Ioniq 9 Australia launch includes a “want-for-nothing” specification. You aren’t just buying a car; you’re buying every piece of tech Hyundai currently knows how to build.

Performance & Range: The 600km Benchmark

Underneath that “Aerosthetic” silhouette lies a massive 110.3kWh battery—the largest ever fitted to a Hyundai. This is the heart of the evolution.

• Range: A claimed 600km (WLTP). In real-world Aussie conditions (110km/h on the M1), drivers are reporting a solid 480km to 520km, which is plenty for a Sydney-to-Canberra run with plenty of “buffer” left.
• Power: The dual-motor AWD system pumps out 314kW and 700Nm. For a 2.7-tonne machine, a 0–100km/h time of 5.2 seconds is enough to embarrass plenty of hot hatches at the lights.
• Charging: Thanks to the 800V architecture, a 10% to 80% top-up takes just 24 minutes on a 350kW ultra-fast charger.

Real-World Review: What Aussie Redditors are Saying

At EV evolution, we value “no-filter” feedback. We’ve been monitoring the threads on r/Ioniq9 and r/AustralianEV to see how the I9 handles the “real world.”

“The interior is almost erotic soft. The roof lining is a material I just want to touch constantly. The buttons feel like butter. It’s the most relaxed I’ve ever felt in a car during a 3-hour traffic jam.” — ElectroSpore, Reddit.

“The space is unbelievable. I’m 186cm and I can sit in the third row comfortably. I caught myself thinking ‘I should probably buy this’ despite already leasing a Volvo EX90.” — Vegetable-Ebb-9634, Reddit.

The Pros:

• Lounge Comfort: The 6-seat option with “Relaxation” captain’s chairs turns the second row into a business-class cabin.
• Silent Cruiser: Noise-cancelling tech and double-laminated glass make this “whisper quiet” even on coarse-chip bitumen.
• Massive Space: With a 3130mm wheelbase (longer than a Kia EV9), it offers genuine legroom for adults in all three rows.

The Cons:

• The “Shakes”: Some early owners have reported a slight vibration between 90km/h and 120km/h. It appears to be a balancing or tyre-foam issue on certain units, so a pre-delivery check is a must.
• Software Boot Time: The infotainment can take 20–30 seconds to “wake up” before Apple CarPlay becomes usable.
• Light Interior: The “Dove Grey” leather looks stunning but is a nightmare for families with kids and sticky fingers.

Strategise Your Ioniq 9 Luxury Experience

Is the Ioniq 9 the right “Electric Evolution” for your family? At EV evolution, we’ve built the tools to help you transition from the spreadsheet to the driver’s seat:

• EV Fuel Savings Calculator: Compare the running costs of this 2.7-tonne beast against a diesel Toyota LandCruiser. You’ll save thousands in GST and fuel every year.
• EV Charge Cost: See exactly what it costs to fill that massive 110.3kWh battery at home vs. a public fast charger.
• EV Charging Time Calculator: With 233kW peak charging, see how quickly you can get back on the road during a coastal run.
• The EV Vibe Check: This is a big car. Find chargers with enough “swing room” and the right amenities to suit a luxury SUV stop.

🤖 Start the Conversation with the AI Agent

Are you still torn between the Hyundai Ioniq 9 Australia launch and its Kia EV9 cousin? Do you want to know if the 6-seater or 7-seater has better resale value, or how the Digital Side Mirrors handle an Aussie rainstorm?

Don’t leave your $130k investment to guesswork—start a conversation with our EV evolution AI Agent. Our AI is updated daily with the latest Reddit owner reviews, dealer stock updates, and 2026 safety bulletins. You can ask:

• “Compare the Hyundai Ioniq 9 vs the Volvo EX90 for second-row legroom.”
• “What is the real-world range of the Ioniq 9 when towing a 2.5-tonne caravan?”
• “Explain the FBT benefits for a business leasing a Hyundai Ioniq 9 in 2026.”

The Verdict: Redefining the Flagship

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 is more than just a large SUV; it’s a statement of intent. By offering more space, faster charging, and a bigger battery than almost anything else in the luxury 7 seat EV market, Hyundai has leapfrogged the competition.

While it has a few early-production quirks like slow software and sensitive ADAS “bongs,” the sheer comfort and road presence make it the new benchmark for the Australian family.

Ready to see the real-world numbers? Use our EV fuel savings calculator to see the ROI, then chat with the AI Agent to plan your test drive today.

About EV Evolution

 EV evolution is Australia’s AI-powered hub for the modern driver. Through our signature EV Strategy Suite—including the EV Vibe Check and our real-time AI Agent—we provide the transparent, fact-based data you need to switch to an EV with total confidence. Our mission is to empower every Aussie to trade the petrol pump for a plug with zero guesswork. We are committed to delivering a high-fidelity knowledge base that enables young professionals and modern families to navigate their electric transition with data-driven precision.