27.01.2026 Press release

Success for Hyundai IONIQ 9 at the UK Car of the Year Awards 2026

IONIQ 9 named Large Crossover of the Year at the UK Car of the Year Awards 2026
Praised for its practicality, six- or seven-seat versatility, and spacious, tech-rich interior
Moves forward for consideration as overall UK Car of the Year, to be announced at the end of February

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The Hyundai IONIQ 9 has been named Large Crossover of the Year at the UK Car of the Year Awards 2026, reinforcing Hyundai’s reputation for innovation, quality, and forward-thinking electric mobility.

Established in 2014, the awards recognise the finest new cars for UK drivers and are decided by a panel of 30 of the country’s most influential journalists, both in print and online, who collectively over the past 12 months have driven every new model launched on to the UK market. By being selected as the very best in its category, the IONIQ 9 now moves forward with the other class winners for consideration as the overall UK Car of the Year 2026, which will be announced at the end of February.

Practicality, performance and presence – the IONIQ 9 has it all. A fantastic interior makes for a thoroughly enjoyable driving experience, with the added choice of a six‑ or seven-seat layout.

John Challen Managing Director of the UK Car of the Year Awards

Masses of space, impressive levels of quality, a kit roster so generous Hyundai appears to be philanthropic, and bold styling. When motoring history books are written about the 2020s, I think we'll appreciate even more how cleverly Hyundai's designers managed to create a family of IONIQs which manage to look entirely different yet are clearly related.

Keith Jones UK Car of the Year Awards Judge

The IONIQ 9 earned its Large Crossover of the Year title thanks to a combination of practicality, commanding presence, and innovative EV technology. Its advanced 110.3 kWh battery delivers up to 385 miles (WLTP) of range, while Hyundai’s E-GMP platform underpins the IONIQ 9’s precise handling and aerodynamically optimised design, achieving a drag coefficient as low as 0.259 when equipped with digital side mirrors.

Inside, IONIQ 9 combines technology and versatility. It offers six- or seven-seat layouts, a flat floor for maximum comfort, and up to 1,323 litres of luggage room, when the seats are folded flat. The cabin is packed with advanced features, including the Hyundai AI Assistant for natural voice control, a panoramic widescreen digital cockpit, Active Noise Control, acoustic glazing, and the full SmartSense suite of safety technologies, creating an interior that is both luxurious and intelligently designed.

The IONIQ 9’s achievements have already been recognised by industry peers. It was awarded Large Car of the Year at the 2026 Company Car & Van of the Year Awards, Comfortable Cruiser of the Year at the Carwow Car of the Year Awards 2026, Best Seven‑Seater at the 2026 Parkers New Car Awards, and Best Seven‑Seat EV at the TopGear.com Electric Awards, establishing it as one of the most celebrated electric crossovers on the market.

The IONIQ 9 is a statement of Hyundai’s ambition in electric mobility – combining bold design, class-leading space, and pioneering technology to create an SUV that works for families, tech enthusiasts, and EV drivers alike. Winning this award is a fantastic endorsement of the innovation and quality that defines Hyundai today and underlines our commitment to pushing the boundaries of what electric vehicles can offer.

Ashley Andrew President of Hyundai & Genesis UK

For more information on the Hyundai range, visit www.hyundai.co.uk.

For more on the UK Car of the Year Awards, visit ukcoty.co.uk.

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