• Game-changing three-row electric SUV picks up prestigious award from TopGear.com
• Judges praise IONIQ 9’s appealing blend of design flair, clever packaging and smart tech
• Eagerly awaited IONIQ 9 will be available in the UK later this year

Leatherhead, 07 May 2025 – The keenly anticipated Hyundai IONIQ 9 electric SUV has made a fast start to life in the UK by picking up its first major award already, being crowned Best Seven-Seat EV at the 2025 TopGear.com Electric Awards.

The annual awards, now in their sixth year, are a celebration of the top choices in the rapidly evolving world of electrified vehicles, recognising impressive innovation across a number of diverse categories. An expert panel of judges voted the IONIQ 9 as a clear winner as the Best Seven-Seat EV thanks to its practicality, sharp styling and smart technology, underscoring Hyundai’s continued leadership in the field of electrification.

Jack Rix, Top Gear Editor-in-chief, said: “Hyundai’s IONIQ 9 is both accomplished and clever. Its people carrying, quasi-minibus remit means its design is less ‘out there’ than the IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6, but the result is still cool. More importantly, it’s another Hyundai with design flair that is backed up by some genuinely useful thinking.”

Since it was first revealed in Los Angeles in December, the IONIQ 9 has attracted plenty of praise thanks to its classy, clean and stylish design, with a premium, high-quality and beautifully executed cabin that provides a spacious, airy feeling. There’s a major focus on comfort, with the cabin’s lounge-like ambience offering exceptional roominess and innovative seating features for enhanced flexibility. There’s generous storage room, too, with up to 1,323 litres of luggage room with the rearmost row of seats folded, or 620 litres with all rows in place.

Although UK specification has yet to be finalised, all models are powered by a 110.3 kWh long-range battery, with three motor configurations possible and a range of up to 620 km (WLTP est.). Charging is convenient and ultra fast with 800V charge capability and with Vehicle.-to-load (V2L) it makes EV life easier than ever.

The driving experience is luxurious and refined, thanks to a smooth, comfortable ride, courtesy of a suspension set-up that has been specially designed for electric SUVs, featuring a MacPherson multi-link front and multi-link rear set-up, plus self-levelling dampers.

The UK model line-up and pricing for the IONIQ 9 will be confirmed later this year.

Ashley Andrew, President of Hyundai & Genesis UK, said: “The excitement that is building towards the arrival of the Hyundai IONIQ 9 in the UK is tangible, and Top Gear’s award of Best Seven-Seat EV bolsters our confidence that this is a car which will hold very strong appeal for customers. Our electric offering is getting ever more comprehensive across the range, from small crossovers to performance cars to large SUVs, ensuring that whatever your need, we have an exceptional Hyundai that fits the bill.”

A full list of TopGear.com Electric Awards winners will be available in the current issue of Top Gear magazine, on sale from 7 May, and online at TopGear.com

For more information on all the cars in Hyundai UK’s award-winning range, visit www.hyundai.co.uk

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About Hyundai Motor Company
Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Company is present in over 200 countries with more than 120,000 employees dedicated to tackling real-world mobility challenges around the globe. Based on the brand vision ‘Progress for Humanity,’ Hyundai Motor is accelerating its transformation into a Smart Mobility Solution Provider. The company invests in advanced technologies such as robotics and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) to bring about revolutionary mobility solutions, while pursuing open innovation to introduce future mobility services. In pursuit of sustainable future for the world, Hyundai will continue its efforts to introduce zero emission vehicles equipped with industry-leading hydrogen fuel cell and EV technologies.

More information about Hyundai Motor and its products can be found at: https://www.hyundai.com/worldwide/en or https://www.hyundai.com/worldwide/en/newsroom

About Hyundai Motor Europe HQ
Hyundai Motor Europe HQ was formally established in 2000 with its main office in Offenbach, Germany. It is the regional headquarters responsible for selling vehicles in 47 European countries through 2,279 sales outlets, holding a 4.2 per cent market share in the first three quarters of 2023. More than 70 per cent of the vehicles Hyundai sold in the region are models engineered, tested, and built in Europe to meet the needs of European customers, served by the company’s Czech and Turkish production plants.

In the third quarter of 2023, around 16.1 per cent of Hyundai cars sold in Europe were zero-tailpipe-emission vehicles (BEVs and FCEVs), including respective World Car of the Year 2022 and 2023 winners IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6. This makes Hyundai one of the leading manufacturers in terms of fleet share as well as total sales of zero-tailpipe-emission vehicles in Europe, as the company transitions to becoming a Smart Mobility Solutions Provider.

More information about Hyundai Motor Europe HQ and its products is available at www.hyundai.news. Follow Hyundai Motor Europe HQ on Twitter @HyundaiEurope and Instagram @Hyundai.Europe

About Hyundai Motor UK
Hyundai has sold vehicles in the UK since 1982 with its UK HQ based in Leatherhead, Surrey. As of February 2024, Hyundai has one of the youngest product ranges of any manufacturer, with almost all models younger than a year old. Hyundai is a pioneer in zero-emission mobility, including the fully electric, multi-award winning IONIQ 5 N, IONIQ 5, IONIQ 6, and KONA Electric ranges joined by the All-New INSTER, Hyundai’s latest EV offering launched in 2024, and second-generation fuel cell electric vehicle NEXO, as well as its advanced hybrid and plug-in hybrid Tucson and Santa Fe models. All new passenger cars come with Hyundai’s unique Five Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty package, providing customers with a five-year warranty with unlimited mileage, roadside assistance package, five years of vehicle health checks and an EV High Voltage battery warranty of 8 years or 100,000 miles. Buyers of used Hyundai models are also protected by the industry leading Hyundai Promise Approved Used Cars program.

Hyundai Motor UK sales grew 8.3% year-on-year during 2023, selling 87,100 vehicles, with TUCSON leading the surge, as both the best-selling Hyundai model and the 2nd best-selling hybrid in the UK. 75% of Hyundai Motor UK’s 2023 sales were of SUVs and 48% electrified Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid or full battery Electric. Hyundai Motor UK achieved its best-ever September market share of 5.4% in 2024, with a year-on-year growth of 20.1% supported by strong sales for Hyundai’s SUV and alternative fuel vehicle offerings.

Further information about Hyundai and its products is available at www.hyundai.co.uk and media information at: https://www.hyundai.news/uk/Follow us on Twitter @Hyundai_UK_PR

For more information, please contact:
Natasha Waddington, Head of PR – natasha.waddington@hyundai.co.uk
Robin Hayles, Head of Product & Technical PR – robin.hayles@hyundai.co.uk
Lauren Prema-Dale, Brand PR Manager – lauren.prema-dale@hyundai.co.uk
Emma Illman, Product Press Officer – emma.illman@hyundai.co.uk
Harriet Ward, Press Office Coordinator – harriet.ward@hyundai.co.uk