Hyundai’s flagship electric SUV arrives in the UK with award-winning momentum
Leatherhead, 07 May 2025 – Hyundai’s all-new IONIQ 9 has hit the ground running, earning the prestigious title of Best Seven-Seat EV at the 2025 TopGear.com Electric Awards—months ahead of its official UK market debut. Recognised for its sophisticated design, advanced technology, and exceptional practicality, the IONIQ 9 is already being hailed as a transformative force in the large electric SUV segment.
Now in their sixth year, the TopGear.com Electric Awards celebrate the most compelling innovations in the rapidly advancing EV space. In a fiercely competitive category, the IONIQ 9 emerged as the judges’ unanimous choice thanks to its versatile packaging, bold yet tasteful aesthetics, and tech-forward approach to family travel.
Design-led with purpose
Top Gear’s Editor-in-Chief, Jack Rix, lauded the IONIQ 9 for striking a clever balance between utility and style. “Hyundai’s IONIQ 9 is both accomplished and clever,” Rix commented. “Its people-carrying, quasi-minibus remit means its design is less ‘out there’ than the IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6, but the result is still cool. More importantly, it’s another Hyundai with design flair that is backed up by some genuinely useful thinking.”
Having made its global debut in Los Angeles late last year, the IONIQ 9 has drawn widespread acclaim for its sleek silhouette, minimalist detailing and a cabin that feels more like a lounge than a traditional SUV. Inside, occupants are treated to a serene, spacious environment, where comfort takes centre stage. The versatile three-row layout is enhanced by innovative seating arrangements and generous cargo capacity—up to 1,323 litres with the third row folded, or 620 litres with all seats upright.
Performance with polish
While UK specifications are still to be finalised, all variants of the IONIQ 9 will benefit from a 110.3 kWh long-range battery, offering up to 620 km (WLTP est.) on a single charge. Hyundai’s cutting-edge 800V architecture ensures ultra-fast charging times, while Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability introduces an extra layer of everyday usability—whether powering a laptop on the move or plugging in leisure equipment at a campsite.
Underpinning its smooth ride is a purpose-built suspension system, tuned for electric SUV dynamics. The MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear set-up, enhanced with self-levelling dampers, ensures the IONIQ 9 glides over rough surfaces with quiet composure, offering a refined experience for driver and passengers alike.
Anticipation builds for UK arrival
Ashley Andrew, President of Hyundai & Genesis UK, welcomed the award with enthusiasm:
“The excitement that is building towards the arrival of the Hyundai IONIQ 9 in the UK is tangible, and Top Gear’s award of Best Seven-Seat EV bolsters our confidence that this is a car which will hold very strong appeal for customers. Our electric offering is getting ever more comprehensive across the range, from small crossovers to performance cars to large SUVs, ensuring that whatever your need, we have an exceptional Hyundai that fits the bill.”
With full UK pricing and trim details to be confirmed later this year, the IONIQ 9 is poised to become a game-changer in Hyundai’s expanding EV portfolio—delivering substance, style, and space in equal measure.
The full list of winners from the TopGear.com Electric Awards 2025 is available in the latest issue of Top Gear magazine, out now, and online at TopGear.com.
For more information on Hyundai’s award-winning range, visit www.hyundai.co.uk.
