Hyundai releases teaser images of Ioniq 9 as first cars spotted in the wild

Nearly three years since South Korean automaker Hyundai debuted the first teaser images of its electric SUV concept, Seven, the now rebranded Ioniq 9 has been spotted in the wild, giving the best look yet at the SUV’s size and interior.

Debuted at the 2021 LA Auto Show, Hyundai’s Seven SUV concept built on the company’s 45 concept unveiled in 2019 and the Prophecy concept of 2020, presenting the next iteration of Hyundai’s “dedicated battery electric vehicle showcase.”

Though a long time between drinks, a raft of spy shots of the Ioniq 9 in various degrees of camouflage have begun peppering car blogs.

The latest images come by way of South Korean car YouTube channel Shorts Car, which managed to get a hold of some photos of an Ioniq 9 parked on a street in its home country.

Hyundai responded by releasing more images, though not the full detail of what to expect.

Based on the same E-GMP platform as the company’s current midsize electric SUV, the Ioniq 5, the Ioniq 9 is reportedly much bigger, and is expected to be around the same size as the Kia EV9, with a length of 5015mm, a height of 1780mm, and a width of 1980mm.

Hyundai says the Ioniq 9’s ‘Aerosthetic’ design is a “unique blend of aerodynamic performance and aesthetic appeal”, and says it  draws inspiration, apparently, from the sleek exteriors and spacious, cozy interiors of boats. “Its single-curved roofline, coupled with an elongated wheelbase, ensures ample space for all passengers, including those in the third row,” it says.

It promises to reveal more in coming months, although images of the Ioniq 9 – albeit in camouflage – have been released on the NewCarScoops platform.

The Ioniq 9 has been scheduled to reach Australia in the second quarter of 2025.