The long-awaited Hyundai Ioniq 9 is lastly on the best way, after months of ready for what many hope might be a true competitor to the Kia EV9. The electrical SUV is prone to be one of many go-to choices for many who desire a bigger EV at a lower cost than the likes of the Rivian R1S. However, whereas it’s bigger than the Tesla Mannequin Y, it’s additionally prone to be a bit of costlier.
The 2 automobiles are a bit totally different in terms of issues like efficiency, vary, and charging. Is the Hyundai Ioniq 9 price the additional money, or do you have to go for the cheaper, but smaller automotive? We put the 2 head-to-head to search out out.
Design
The general designs of the Hyundai Ioniq 9 and Tesla Mannequin Y are fairly totally different, and which may be sufficient to sway your shopping for determination. The Ioniq 9 is a real SUV; it’s massive and boxy, and whereas it appears a bit of sleeker than some SUVs because of its curved roofline, it’s clearly bigger than the Tesla Mannequin Y. On the entrance of the Ioniq 9 is an extended gentle bar separated into pixel-like blocks that helps give the automobile a singular design motif. On the rear of the Ioniq 9, you’ll additionally discover pixel lights curving across the sides and high of the trunk. The Ioniq 9 measures 199.2 inches lengthy, 78 inches broad, and 70.5 inches excessive.
Whereas the Tesla Model Y has been out for a while now and its design is arguably growing older a bit of, it’s nonetheless a classy automobile. The Mannequin Y is curvy and distinctive, at the least in comparison with automobiles from different manufacturers. To make sure, should you’ve seen a Tesla earlier than, you’ll instantly acknowledge the Mannequin Y. It appears like different Teslas, aside from the brand new Cybertruck, however it nonetheless appears sporty and fashionable. The Mannequin Y measures in at 187 inches lengthy, 76 inches broad, and 64 inches excessive.
In the end, design is subjective, so we’re not going to award a win right here — you’ll need to resolve for your self which automobile you just like the look of extra. That mentioned, as you possibly can inform, the Ioniq 9 is a good bit bigger.
Winner: Tie
Inside and tech
The bigger construct of the Ioniq 9 interprets to more room on the within. Each the Ioniq 9 and Tesla Mannequin Y can match three rows of seating. Nonetheless, whereas three rows come normal on the Ioniq 9, they’re solely out there as an possibility on the Mannequin Y. The third row in each automobiles can match two individuals — bringing the whole to seven seats within the Mannequin Y, and choices for six (with second-row captain’s chairs) or seven within the Ioniq 9. These two passengers within the again row of the Ioniq 9 can have extra legroom and headroom than these within the Mannequin Y.
The inside design of the Mannequin Y matches Tesla’s common design aesthetic. It’s minimalistic and smooth, with a largely empty dashboard that’s solely interrupted by the bigger infotainment show. That show is the way you’ll work together with all the things in regards to the automobile — together with precise infotainment, monitoring pace, gear, and so forth. In different phrases, there’s no instrument monitor behind the steering wheel. Fortunately, Tesla’s software program is essentially thought of to be among the many finest.
The Ioniq 9 takes a extra typical method, providing two shows — one for infotainment and one for instrument monitoring. Whereas Hyundai’s infotainment software program isn’t nearly as good as Tesla’s, the Ioniq 9 does assist CarPlay and Android Auto, which helps alleviate that a bit of.
In the end, the Ioniq 9 has extra room and helps CarPlay, whereas the Mannequin 3 is extra fashionable and has Tesla’s personal higher software program. Once more, you’ll must resolve what’s most necessary for you.
Winner: Tie
Efficiency
The general efficiency is a bit of totally different between these two automobiles. The Tesla Mannequin Y is constructed to be fast, even regardless of its lower cost, whereas the Ioniq 9 is constructed extra for consolation than pace.
That doesn’t essentially imply the Ioniq 9 is sluggish, however its acceleration isn’t as breakneck as that of some rivals. The Ioniq 9 might be out there in three totally different powertrains at launch. The bottom mannequin can have one 215-horsepower motor powering the rear wheels. Step up from there and there’s an all-wheel drive mannequin that provides a 94-hp motor on the entrance wheels. The Efficiency AWD variant replaces that lower-power entrance motor with a second 215-hp one. The bottom mannequin will have the ability to speed up from 0-60 miles per hour in 9.4 seconds, nonetheless, the Efficiency AWD variant has an acceleration time of a sooner 5.2 seconds.
The Tesla Model Y‘s efficiency is a bit more compelling. The automotive is available in three totally different powertrains on the time of this writing. The bottom mannequin is the Lengthy Vary Rear-Wheel Drive mannequin, which might speed up from 0-60 mph in 6.5 seconds. The Lengthy Vary All-Wheel Drive mannequin steps up acceleration time to solely 4.8 seconds. Final however not least is the Efficiency All-Wheel Drive mannequin, which is available in at 3.5 seconds.
Protected to say, the Tesla Mannequin Y is a bit more spectacular than the Ioniq 9 in terms of efficiency. It will get the win right here.
Winner: Tesla Mannequin Y
Vary and charging
The Ioniq 9 has been introduced, however it’s not but out there for buy, and we don’t know the precise vary of all fashions. We do know that Hyundai says that each one launch fashions of the Ioniq 9 will provide at the least 300 miles of vary, which is a superb begin. We additionally know that the Lengthy Vary RWD mannequin can have a 335-mile vary. On high of an honest vary, the Ioniq 9 also can cost shortly. It’s constructed on an 800-volt structure, and helps charging speeds of as much as 350 kilowatts, which is the quickest charging pace you will get at public chargers proper now.
The Tesla Mannequin Y’s vary is in the same ballpark. The bottom-range Mannequin Y is the Efficiency mannequin, which has a 277-mile vary, nonetheless the Lengthy Vary All-Wheel Drive mannequin has 311 miles and the Lengthy Vary Rear-Wheel Drive has 337 miles. The Tesla Mannequin Y helps charging speeds of as much as 250kW, which isn’t fairly as fast because the Ioniq 9.
Given the truth that the automobiles have the same vary, however the Ioniq 9 has a sooner charging pace, it will get the win right here.
Winner: Hyundai Ioniq 9
Pricing and availability
Solely certainly one of these automobiles is offered proper now — the Tesla Mannequin Y. Whereas the Ioniq 9 has been introduced, it’s not but out there for buy. It must be out there someday in early 2025. We additionally don’t but know precisely how a lot it’ll price, although it’ll possible have the same value because the Kia EV9, which begins at round $55,000.
The Tesla Mannequin Y has been out there for a while now, and it additionally begins at a lower cost. The bottom mannequin of the Tesla Mannequin Y prices $44,900. As a result of it’s cheaper and likewise truly out there, it’s the winner of this class.
Winner: Tesla Mannequin Y
General winner: Tesla Mannequin Y
The Tesla Model Y is the winner right here, because of its higher efficiency and the truth that you will get one proper now. That doesn’t essentially make it the higher automobile for everybody. For these with bigger households, or who need a bit of more room, the Hyundai Ioniq 9 will possible be a greater possibility, even though you’ll have to attend to get it, and must pay extra for it.
