Kia EV9 vs. Hyundai Ioniq 7: What’s the Difference?

The electric vehicles Kia EV9 vs. Hyundai Ioniq 7 showdown will eventually happen. The main question isn’t will the Kia EV9 and the Hyundai Ionic 7 compete for the same customer base? The main question is when will the Kia EV9 and the Hyundai Ionic 7 be available for a head-to-head competition.

The Kia EV9 is currently available for pre-orders in South Korea. US customers will be able to place pre-orders in the second half of 2023. The Hyundai is only available for pre-orders in some places.

It’s challenging to find any technical information from Hyundai about the Ioniq 7. In 2021, Huyndai said that the Ioniq 7 would be released in 2024. Mum’s the word from Huydai since that release update several years ago.

Ready to dig into the battle of performance specifications that aren’t verified performance specs? Let’s jump into our discussion of the Kia EV9 vs. Hyundai Ioniq 7.

Kia EV9 vs Hyundai Ioniq 7: Side-by-Side Comparison

Kia EV9 vs. Hyundai Ioniq 7: What’s the Difference?

Let’s take a quick look at the commonalities between the two EVs before we split them apart by their differences. Hyundai owns over thirty percent of Kia, so technical and developmental information is shared between the two EV groups.

Kia and Hyundai EV products use the same platforms, powertrain, chassis, and similar infotainment technologies. A common platform decreases manufacturing costs and improves product development timelines.

The Sizzle Versus the Steak

When marketing a product, especially a new one, high emphasis is placed on selling the “sizzle,” not the “steak” itself. That’s where we’re at when we look at the EV9 vs. Hyundai Ioniq 7.

The Kia EV9 is just beginning to leave the marketing sweet spot where anything is possible, and reality is just starting to peek from around the corner. The Hyundai Ioniq 7 is still cocooned in the marketing sweet spot. Anything is possible because there are no released product specifications.

With that in mind, let’s look at the differences between the Kia EV9 and the Hyundai Ioniq 7.

Availability

A glaring similarity between the Kia EV9 and the Hyundai Ioniq 7 is that neither EV is available for purchase today. The Kia EV9 should start rolling around the US highways in 2024. The Hyundai Ioniq 7, rumored to have a 2024 release, may start puttering around the US roadways in 2025.

Interior Space

The Kia EV9 and the Hyundai Ioniq 7 have differing approaches to the interior space.

Kia EV9

Kia’s Chief Brand Officer (CBO) said that they decided that the EVs should have a dedicated platform that’s separate from the internal combustion engine (ICE) one. The unique platform allows the designers to use the interior space in new and different ways. If Kia modified an existing platform from a current ICE design, choices that can’t be changed have already been made.

• Six or seven-seat configuration.
• Six-seat configuration allows second-row seats (option) to swivel 180 degrees when the vehicle is parked.
• Reducing and ultimately phasing leather products.
• Increasing the use of Polylactic acid (PLA) products based on corn, sugarcane, and natural oils.  
• Recycled fishing nets are used for manufacturing floor mats.
• Each EV9 has at least 70 recycled PET bottles incorporated into the manufacturing of the EV.

Ioniq 7

The available information on the Hyundai Ioniq 7 is extracted from the concept Ioniq 7 presented at the AutoMobility LA show in 2021. The design thinking revolves around drivers spending much more time in their automobiles than they have in the past. Hyundai tackles making the automobile’s interior more livable, “an innovative living space on wheels.”

• Universal Island that contains a Smart Hub-27″ monitor.
• Lounge bench seat to kick up your feet and relax.
• Vision roof display: an overhead panoramic OLED that can either display your content choices or switch up the interior illumination to match your mood. You can use it for meditation, fresh air, or as a panoramic air purifier.
• Dedicated shoe storage: a place for shoes that smell a bit and need air circulation.
• Bench storage: a good hiding place for nicknacks.
• Interior Hygenic Materials
  • Mineral Plaster
  • Copper
  • Bamboo wood
  • Hygienically treated fabrics
• Minifridge: cold beverages at your fingertips.
• Swiveling lounge chairs
• The control stick replaces the steering wheel.

Service on Demand

The Kia EV9 and the Ioniq 7 are venturing into the land of user-defined upgrades. You, as the driver, can determine which upgrades you want. The enhancements are ordered on your cell phone and delivered to your automobile.

Kia Connect Store

The EV9 introduces the Kia Connect store, which will allow users to purchase services or features with an Over the Air (OTA) upgrade at any time.

• Remote Smart Parking Assist (2)
• Acceleration boost: Unlocks an extra 100 Nm of torque
• Digital grill lighting patterns

Hyundai Ioniq 7

There needs to be a flashy name or specification for the Ioniq 7! Over the Air upgrades are possible on the Ioniq 6. It seems reasonable that this will carry over to the Ioniq 7.

• Electric powertrains
• Autonomous driving systems
• Battery

Free Charging Sessions

If they act before the end of 2023, Hyundai Ioniq 7 owners have the opportunity to snag two years of free 30-minute charging sessions at the Electrify America charging stations.

Warranty

Hyundai still needs to release warranty specifications for the Ioniq 7. Assuming that the Ioniq 7 will have the same warranty as the Ionic 6 seems like a safe conclusion.

As we can see, the Hyundai Ioniq 7 has a slightly better warranty than the Kia EV9.

Kia EV9 vs. Hyundai Ioniq 7: 5 Must-Know Facts

1. The Kia EV9 isn’t available for purchase today. The best odds are that the EV9 will be available for sale in 2024.
2. The Hyundai Ioniq 7 isn’t available for purchase today either! In a 2021 press release, Hyundai said that the Ioniq 7 would arrive on the market in 2024. If this remains accurate, it’s reasonable to expect it to arrive in 2025.
3. The Hyundai Ioniq 7 has all the appearances of overtaking the Tesla Model X as a true mid-sized SUV.
4. The interior space of the Ioniq 7 can upend how we think about the interior of our automobiles. The baseline (marketing) design concept of the Ioniq 7 is that the EV is heading toward full automation. While we may reach that point sooner rather than later, it won’t be achieved at a residential user level in 2024 or 2025.
5. Kia is rolling out a Kia Connect Store to allow drivers to upgrade features on the go. BMW and Tesla have gotten quite a bit of pushback from unhappy consumers. We’ll be interested to see how Kia fares.

Kia EV9 vs. Hyundai Ioniq 7: Which One Is Better? Which One Should You Use?

Neither the Kia EV9 nor the Hyundai Ioniq 7 have been released yet. Based on their expected availability, the Kia EV9 will reach the American automotive market at least a year before the Hyundai Ioniq 7. If you need an electric sport utility vehicle in 2024, go with the Kia EV9. If you can wait another year, the Ioniq 7 might provide many new and exciting features.