In a significant move towards enhancing its electric vehicle lineup, Hyundai has been spotted putting a prototype of its Seven electric SUV concept through its paces. This concept initially made a splash at the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show.
While initially expected to be named the Ioniq 7, this upcoming three-row SUV will now be marketed as the Ioniq 9. Hyundai has announced that the vehicle will make its debut later this year and will enter the U.S. market as a 2025 model.
The latest spy shots reveal that the production model’s design is notably more conventional compared to the Seven Concept. However, it retains key design elements such as a curved roofline and a near-vertical tailgate. The production version features traditional rounded wheel arches with squared-off wheel arch cladding, as opposed to the squared-off design seen in the concept. Moreover, the concept’s rear-opening coach-style doors have been replaced with conventional rear doors.
Hyundai Seven Concept – 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show
Comparable in size to midsize SUVs, such as the Hyundai Palisade (due for a redesign in 2026), the Ioniq 9 will leverage the space-efficient EV platform to offer interior space closer to that of a full-size vehicle. While the Seven concept boasted a generous 126.0-inch wheelbase, the production version may feature a slightly reduced wheelbase.
The Ioniq 9 will share similarities with the 2024 Kia EV9, which has already made its debut. There’s also a possibility that the Genesis GV90, currently undergoing testing, could share its underpinnings with the Ioniq 9 and EV9. The newly unveiled Genesis Neolun concept may give us a glimpse into GV90’s future design language.
Specific powertrain details for the Seven concept’s production variant are still under wraps. However, it’s likely that the specifications will mirror those of the EV9. The latter offers a base model with a 76.1 kWh battery and rear-wheel drive, as well as a 99.8 kWh battery variant available in both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive configurations. The optimal range is achieved with the 99.8 kWh battery and rear-wheel drive, boasting an EPA-estimated 304 miles. Additionally, a high-performance EV9 GT is in the works.
Hyundai has ambitious plans for its EV portfolio, aiming to launch nearly a dozen electric vehicles within the next decade. These new models will be built on advanced EV platforms featuring standardized batteries and motors.
Stay tuned to Automotive.fyi for the latest updates on Hyundai’s electric vehicle offerings and more cutting-edge automotive news.
— Donald Smith, Editor of Automotive.fyi
