IONIQ 9 – Crafted for comfort and companionship
6 minute read
What makes any ride more enjoyable and memorable? Companionship! It's the exciting mix of togetherness and shared adventures that turns every journey into something special. Hyundai's ground-breaking full-size electric SUV, the IONIQ 9, is unique in that it is designed not only to offer advanced electro-mobility, but to give people a cozy sense of belonging as soon as they step inside its welcoming, spacious, and lounge-like interior.
Ground-breaking design, outstanding performance
As the first-ever three-row SUV in the IONIQ lineup, the IONIQ 9 left a lasting impression during its global debut in Los Angeles. Guests and members of the international press were immediately impressed by the IONIQ 9's aerodynamic design, commanding presence, and outstanding electric performance.
The IONIQ 9 breaks boundaries in many ways: exterior design elements, such as its sleek silhouette, tapered boat-tail form, and smooth, single-curved roofline, demonstrate a new aerodynamic architecture and bold design step. But where the concept of bringing people together is most on display is IONIQ 9's cozy and interaction-enhancing interior. Once inside, both drivers and passengers are greeted with a roomy, harmonious space that feels more like a luxurious lounge than a car cockpit. Soothing colors, innovative materials, and ride-enhancing technology come together to create a unique atmosphere that people want to interact in.
We wanted to create a space that emphasizes openness for all passengers. Hyundai Senior Designer, Sung-jun Kim
Furnished space that feels like home
In crafting the interior of the IONIQ 9, Hyundai designers asked themselves the question, “what spaces are people most comfortable in?” The answer? “Home.” That realization was the starting point in creating an interior as inviting, relaxing, and familiar as one's own home. The result was a concept whose philosophy, aesthetics, and design language flow throughout IONIQ 9's interior. Its name? 'Natural Lounge.'
The interior of the IONIQ 9 was crafted to be more than just a static space it's designed as a versatile environment that adapts to customer needs. Hyundai Senior Designer, Sung-jun Kim
In bringing the Natural Lounge concept to life, Hyundai engineers and designers focused on three keywords: Natural, Smooth, and Spacious. The goal was to create a warm, minimalist space that would welcome all passengers with an open atmosphere, where they can interact effortlessly with the space, much like they would in their own home.
The SEVEN concept made IONIQ 9 a reality
Like any great model, the IONIQ 9 is a result of a bold concept car, whose engineering and design influences flowed throughout its creation. The Hyundai SEVEN, unveiled at the 2021 LA Auto Show, featured a visionary design that emphasized creating a space for both personal and family moments. The same sense of togetherness and shared moments is found in the IONIQ 9, which takes up SEVEN's lounge-like interior theme, offering a comfortable and inviting cabin made for interaction.
Additional design elements shared between the SEVEN and IONIQ 9 include a flat floor, rounded forms, swivel seats, and the universal island console.
Unique in its class
Individuality is a crucial aspect of any mobility experience. The IONIQ 9 shares many essential elements with its IONIQ lineup family, but also offering new perspectives and features. The IONIQ 9 is designed as a premium lounge for all occupants to enjoy together. To achieve this sense of community, the entire interior boasts a vast and spacious cabin. Its harmonic design landscape presents a comfortable and calming space where people want to be.
Make room for more space
IONIQ 9's customer-focused design philosophy, emphasizing user convenience, is evident throughout the interior. The sleek, organized cockpit, featuring a floating dashboard and center console, exudes a sense of spacious comfort. Ride-enhancing features such as the panoramic curved display, interactive pixel lights, and a Universal Island 2.0 console that conveniently slides between the driver and passenger seats, add to the immersive driving experience.
Smart seats, colossal colors
Driving involves sitting, which is why a lot of thought, design, and engineering finesse went into the IONIQ 9's unique seating layout. To enhance the at-home feel, both the front and second-row seats feature relaxation and massage functions for added passenger comfort. The second-row seats can swivel, allowing up to four passengers to relax comfortably while rearranging the interior layout to fit their personal preferences. To further enhance the sense of luxury, soft-touch paint and premium leather have been applied to areas that customers frequently see and touch.
The colors of the IONIQ 9 draw deep inspiration from nature, the fundamental essence of our lives. Hyundai Senior Designer, Jung-in Hong
The colors for the IONIQ 9's interior and exterior reflect a striving for absolute comfort and harmony in every detail. Exterior colors with names like Celadon Gray, Ionosphere Green Pearl, and Sunset Brown Pearl draw their inspiration from nature's hues. Inside, two-tone shades such as black, Dove Gray, and Cognac Brown, along with Creamy Beige, showcase a spectrum of hues that provide a soothing visual effect, encouraging interaction and a sense of belonging.
Circular in every corner
Sustainability is a key factor when choosing a car and, in that respect, the IONIQ 9 is a perfect choice. Both interior and exterior elements of the IONIQ 9 reflect Hyundai's approach to incorporating sustainable materials into its automotive design. This includes bio-based materials derived from natural byproducts, such as corn and rapeseed, as well as recycled materials created from synthetic byproducts, including PET bottles and discarded tires. With the IONIQ 9, the use of eco-friendly materials is taken one step further by incorporating additional sustainable materials, such as bio-based polyurethane (PU) finish on the crash pad and bio-based suede in the headliner.
Life needs room
Creating an all-electric SUV that positions itself as a premium lounge on wheels, designed for bringing people together, is just another facet of Hyundai's approach to new mobility. The IONIQ 9 transcends the usual and expected automotive roles to include human aspects such as belonging, community, shared joy, and acceptance. After all, there should always be enough room for good times spent in good company. That’s the direction we are headed in.
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