Two of the market’s newest electric vehicles face off
The Kia EV9 made its entry into the full-size three-row electric SUV segment in 2023 for the 2024 model year, and the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 followed in 2025 from Kia’s parent company, Hyundai Motor Group. Shoppers looking for a full-size SUV might be more familiar with pure internal combustion engine models from each brand, such as the Kia Telluride or Hyundai Palisade, so the newness of the EV9 and Ioniq 9 can lead to unfamiliarity and, subsequently, greater difficulty in determining which is the better buy. Below you’ll find a comparison of the 2026 Kia EV9 and Hyundai Palisade, prioritizing features and in-cabin amenities, to help inform your buying decision.
Kia
Hyundai
Hyundai
The 2026 Kia EV9 starts at $54,900 and is a carryover model with limited changes from its predecessor. These changes include adopting the NACS charging port and a new Nightfall Edition package with black detailing, which we’ll explore later. The all-new Ioniq 9, starting at $58,955, emerges from Hyundai’s recently opened Georgia electric vehicle (EV) plant with a spacious interior, futuristic styling, quality range, and more. Discover which vehicle is the better buy with the rest of our guide below.
Upper Ioniq 9 trims offer the most horsepower
Depending on your trim level, Kia’s EV9 is equipped with either a single motor and 76.1 kWh battery producing 215 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, a single motor and a 99.8 kWh battery delivering 201 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, or dual motors and a 99.8 kWh battery providing 379 horsepower and up to 516 lb-ft of torque, with Wind and Land trims offering 443 lb-ft of torque.
In comparison, all 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 trims have dual motors, except the base grade, which produces 215 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Dual-motor Ioniq 9 trims have horsepower ranging from 303 to 422 and torque from 446 to 516 lb-ft. Regarding drivetrains, the EV9’s two single-motor trims, Light and Light Long Range, come in rear-wheel drive (RWD), with AWD for the remaining variants. All Ioniq 9 trims are AWD, except for the entry-level S, which is standard RWD. Additionally, each Ioniq 9 comes with a 110.3 kWh battery. The EV9 posted an average 0-60 mph time of 6.58 seconds across its trim, compared to 6.53 seconds for the Ioniq 9.
The Ioniq 9 has better range and home charging
Kia’s EV9 posts real-world ranges of 230 miles for its Light trim, 305 miles for its Light Long Range, 283 miles for Wind and Land trims, and 280 miles for its GT-Line. In the Ioniq 9, you’ll get 335 miles of maximum range in the S, 320 miles in the SE and SEL, and 311 miles in Limited, Calligraphy, and Calligraphy Design grades.
Charging a Kia EV9 from 10% to 100% takes:
- 11 to 14 hours and 15 to 35 minutes (AC Level 2 Standard @ 240V/11 kW)
- 63 to 83 minutes (Level 3 – 50 kW)
- 20 to 24 minutes (DC Fast – 350 kW)
- 27 to 34 minutes (DC Fast NACS)
In contrast, charging a Hyundai Ioniq 9 from 10% to 100% takes:
- 9 hours and 40 minutes (AC Level 2 Standard – 240V)
- 1 hour and 49 minutes (DC Fast Charging CCS adapter – 50 kW)
- 40 minutes (DC Fast NACS Supercharger)
- 25 minutes (DC Fast Charging CCS adapter – 350 kW)
Kia
Hyundai
The EV9’s standard interior comfort features shine
Kia’s EV9 establishes an edge in seating materials with its standard synthetic leather across all trims in four color options. Hyundai’s Ioniq 9 uses stain-resistant cloth in its S and SE trims before graduating to synthetic leather, and there are three total color choices throughout the lineup, with most grades limited to two. Eight-way power driver and passenger seats are standard on both models, but the EV9 is exclusive in its ability to offer standard ventilated front seats. You’ll need to select an Ioniq 9 SEL, starting at $66,320, or higher, to receive ventilated front seats. If you’re prioritizing comfortable daily cruising, the Ioniq 9’s quieter interior will help fulfill your driving needs, but the EV9’s cabin style is ideal for drivers seeking sporty styling. Still, it’s worth noting that interior plastics are more noticeable in the EV9.
The Ioniq 9’s interior spaciousness enhances its lounge-like feel. You’ll receive greater cargo capacity in this Hyundai at 21.9 cu ft behind the third row, 46.7 cu ft with a folded third row, and 86.9 cu ft with a folded third row. In comparison, the EV9’s cargo capacity measures 20.2 cu ft, 43.5 cu ft, and 81.7 cu ft, respectively, between rows. First and second-row passenger legroom is equivalent between these models at 41.4 inches and 42.8 inches, respectively, but the Ioniq 9 offers 1.2 inches of additional third-row legroom at 32 inches.
Fewer touch controls in the Ioniq 9 are a bonus for many
You’ll find standard 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreens with navigation, 12.30-inch digital instrument clusters, and head-up displays in the EV9 and the Ioniq 9. Still, you may prefer Hyundai’s decision to utilize more physical buttons for key vehicle functions below the central display instead of a reliance on haptic feedback buttons in the EV9. Some may feel comfortable sacrificing some physical buttons for EV9 features like a 5-inch dedicated climate display.
These three-row EVs also contain standard eight-speaker or available 14-speaker audio systems, with the only difference being the EV9’s use of a Meridian-branded audio upgrade compared to the Ioniq 9’s use of Bose sound technology. You’ll also receive wireless phone charging, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto in each model.
It’s a tie in safety
The 2025 Kia EV9 received the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s highest crash protection award of Top Safety Pick+, and the 2026 EV9 will receive the same designation since it’s a carryover model with no significant structural changes. Hyundai’s Ioniq 9 also received a Top Safety Pick+ designation for its debut, and both models have comparable standard and available driver-assist aids.
The Nightfall Edition package gives the EV9’s exterior an edge
Kia distinguishes the EV9’s exterior from the Ioniq 9 with an angular, boxy profile featuring more rugged cladding, whereas this Hyundai has accentuated curves and smoother lines, helping form its more contemporary look. Both SUVs’ wheel sizes range from 19 to 20 inches, and each model offers LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED taillights, power-folding heated side mirrors, and roof rails. However, the EV9 has a more upright grille and a larger maximum ground clearance that’s 0.9 inches higher than the Ioniq 9’s at 7.8 inches. If you’re on the fence about which exterior you prefer, the EV9’s Nightfall Edition package is worth considering. This blacked-out styling package, which carries over into the interior, features 20-inch alloy wheels with a black finish, black Nightfall badging, low-profile gloss-black roof rails, and an exclusive Road Rider brown color. In comparison, the Ioniq 9 doesn’t offer a dedicated blacked-out styling package.
Final thoughts
The competition between the 2026 Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9 is close, but the EV9 is the better buy. Since both these vehicles are Hyundai Motor Group-owned three-row full-size electric SUVs that share the same platform, they’re going to have several similarities, with the final decision coming down to small but impactful standard features.
The EV9’s standard ventilated front seats and synthetic leather upholstery across its lineup motivate me to sacrifice some of the Ioniq 9’s interior upsides, such as slightly higher maximum range and horsepower, and the EV9’s athletic feel is more engaging on curves while keeping charging competitive. Additionally, the EV9’s Nightfall Edition package makes its exterior more distinctive from its Hyundai counterpart, apart from overall shape. Still, if you regularly take extended drives and prefer a smooth ride over an athletic one, the Ioniq 9 may be a better fit. Be sure to test drive each vehicle before making a purchase.
About the author
Cody Carlson
Contributing Writer, Autoblog