There's a certain logic to the expectation that both the new Hyundai Ioniq 6 and the Kia EV 9 would both be iterations of the current Ioniq 5 and the EV 6. Not so.
In fact, both are unexpectedly radical in their design and bear little if any resemblance to the models that have gone before. Already the Ioniq 6 has repeated the World Car of the Year success Hyundai achieved - with the Ioniq 5 in 2022 - by winning the World Car of the Year, EV of the year and design of the year for 2023. Mostly because of its "streamliner" design, which is reminiscent of designs created by Porsche and Mercedes.
The Kia, on the other hand, looks like it has taken its cue from a combination of Land Rover and original Kia Soul lines.
We won’t be seeing the EV 9 in Ireland until the last few months of this year but the Ioniq has already arrived. That "streamliner" design may not be to everyone’s liking bit it certainly looks like it will up the ante in the executive class. In the case of the Kia, it may be overly generous in its dimensions for some.
However, both companies have the advantage of having fresh and current alternatives in the shapes of the Ioniq 5 and the EV 6 so there’s a pretty comprehensive line-up to suit most requirements.
Both the new cars will doubtless be aimed at conquest sales, drawing in drivers of other brands looking for something different.
The Ioniq 6 entry-level Signature version comes with a 53 kW battery and a starting price of €48,295 but that will rise to €49,795 in July, when grant reductions for EV’s kick in. The claimed range for the 53kW battery with 18" wheels is 429 kilometres and, as usual, claimed ranges come with caveats. This is a rear wheel drive version. Another Elegance version on the same wheels comes in with a bigger 77.4 kW battery and a claimed range of 519 kilometres but there’s a commensurate price increase to €62,495, which is above the grant threshold. That price remains the same afterJuly, incidentally.
There’s a comprehensive safety package from entry level up and standard equipment also includes a rear spoiler with an integrated LED light, dual zone climate control, heated front seats, a driver’s lumbar support and LED lights all round. The Elegance adds extras such as leather seats, a blind spot camera feature and adaptive beam headlights.
The smaller battery takes 58 minutes to charge from a 10 to an 80 per cent charge on a 50 kW fast charger. The bigger 77.4 kW battery takes 66 minutes for the same charge on the same charger. Of course, you could be lucky enough to find a 350 kW super fast charger and reduce the charging time by two thirds, but there aren't many of those around.
The Kia EV 9 is offering a clever choice of either six or seven seats, which should make it appealing for families. The second row of seats can be swivelled 180 degrees. The long range version - with a 99.8 kW battery - has a target range of 541 kilometres and it can take a fast charge to give it a range of 239 kilometres in about 15 minutes.
It’s a big vehicle, coming in at a length of some 5 metres and it’s 1.75 metres tall. It also has Tesla-matching level 3 automatic driving capabilities.
Inside there are two 12.3" touchscreens and you can have a 360 degree field of view from the cameras.
Both the latest Kia and the Hyundai have a four wheel drive option available.
