Watch out Range Rover! Major car brand launches direct rival to hugely popular SUV with their most luxurious EV yet

HYUNDAI have set their sights firmly on Range Rover as they prepare to release an ultra-luxurious SUV.

The Korean brand’s upcoming Ioniq 9 is their largest electric car yet and is set to take on a host of premium brands.

Their ever-expanding Ioniq range of EVs, which includes the Ioniq 5 crossover and Ioniq 6 saloon, will now cater to the plush SUV market with the imminent Ioniq 9.

High-class across the board with a price tag to match, early suggestions claim drivers will have to fork out up to £80,000 for the very top-of-the-range version.

First unveiled at the Los Angeles Motor Show last week, the futuristic-looking EV has been referred to by Hyundai as an “aerosthetic lounge”, with a focus on aerodynamic efficiency and interior refinement with a spacious cabin.

It will feature three rows of seats with enough seating for up to seven passengers, as well as a tapered cabin, a heavily raked roof, and a bluff rear end.

The car’s debut in California highlighted Hyundai’s focus on the US market, thanks partly to their recent success there with the likes of the Tucson, and is where much of the car’s development occurred.

However, globally it is set to take on the likes of the Volvo EX90, Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, and Kia EV9 when it arrives in the UK.

Hyundai are even aiming to attract Audi, BMW, and Range Rover customers with the new model.

As well as seven seats, drivers can opt for the VIP-focused six-seater configuration, which provides substantial legroom and a versatile centre console.

The boot space can be as large as 1323 litres with the third row folded down – enough for a couple of bikes and maybe even a set of skis – while the space is a still-quite-generous 620 litres with the seats up.

There’s even 88 litres of ‘frunk’ space.

Expected to start in the low £60,000s, with the top-spec Performance model reaching £75,000, the Ioniq 9 will offer three powertrain options; a 215bhp rear-driven Long-Range model with a 385-mile range, a 308bhp dual-motor version with a 320-mile range, and a 429bhp AWD Performance model with a 311-mile range.

Ultimately, the Ioniq 9 has been designed for long-distance comfort and smooth handling – courtesy of its multi-link suspension, self-levelling dampers, and hydro-bushing components.

Noise levels are kept low with sound-absorbing foam, acoustic glass, and an active sound control system.

Customers in Korea and the US will be the first to get their hands on the Ioniq 9, with its release coming to these markets in the first half of 2025.

A subsequent rollout is then planned for Europe and other markets – with the UK likely to get it by mid-2025.

The luxury SUV EV market is becoming increasingly intriguing, especially with the Range Rover EV nearing its full reveal later this year.

The new Volvo EX90 is another exciting addition to the segment, which Sun Motors’ main man Rob Gill got behind the wheel of back in September – describing it as a fast, safe and smart SUV, highlighting its hovercraft-smooth air suspension, bi-directional charging, cinema sound system, and massaging seats.

This comes as Carwow revealed their coveted awards for the 2025 model year, with SunMotors getting an exclusive peek at the results.

And after assessing hundreds of motors from all major brands, the judges crowned the Hyundai Santa Fe as the nation’s best car.