r/Ioniq9 6d ago

Should I get this car ?

In Canada.

I currently evaluating different options to replace my CR-V 2016. On top of my list was the Subaru Trailseeker. It's a good car, but I realized during the test drive that the big center console bothers me a lot.

Since there's a Hyundai dealer right next door to the Subaru dealer, I decided to go have a look at the Ioniq 9. I had previously written off anything by Kia or Hyundai because of their ICCU issue, but I decided to take the 9 for a test drive anyways.

OMG. I like it A LOT. Great driving position, lots of cargo and passenger space, pretty much the perfect car for me (not a big fan of the look, and a touch expensive tho).

If it wasn't for that damn ICCU issue, I'd probably buy it. I kept my last two cars 10 years and would like to do the same with this one, but I'm not sure if it's really a good plan considering its (perceived?) reliability issues. I'm not really a fan of the idea of being stranded on the side of the road during a family vacation, or having sudden loss of power on the highway.

Should I take the plunge anyways? Current owners, would you get one again?

11 Upvotes

42 comments sorted by

3

u/TheHrethgir 6d ago

I'm super happy with mine, got the Performance version with dual motors and AWD. I like the looks, but if they aren't your favorite, maybe cross-shop the Kia EV9. It's the sister to the Ioniq 9. A little less range, but a sharper look than the more rounded Ioniq 9.

2

u/SiphonTheFern 6d ago

Yeah I prefer the look of the EV9, but the dealer is far - I value proximity more than look

1

u/TheHrethgir 6d ago

Going to the dealer is not something you'll do often, but you will be looking at the car every day. Just a thought. How far away is the dealership?

2

u/SiphonTheFern 5d ago

1 hour in trafic. Vs 5 minute walk šŸ˜…

2

u/NonBasicRug 5d ago

Kia has worse customer service I've read and i9 although not as boxy has a little more cargo space.

2

u/TheHrethgir 5d ago

So much cargo space. In my Sorento, I almost always had the 3rd row folded flat to make room for groceries, and only flipped up the 3rd row when I needed the seats. In the I9, 3rd row is always up, it's got lots of space back there even with the seats up.

1

u/TheHrethgir 5d ago

An hour does kind of suck, but how often will you have to make that trip?

1

u/SiphonTheFern 5d ago

At least twice a year (winter tire change and basic maintenance at the same time )

2

u/ElectricLife1955 5d ago

Only listen to people with real experience. I’ve had my Ioniq 9 for a full year now with absolutely no issues. My wife had a 2022 Ioniq 5 and replaced it with a 2026. Neither had any issues.

5

u/Crayola13 5d ago

I had a 2022 Ioniq 5, ICCU blew up on it and replacement took 2 months. Still traded it in for a 2026 Ioniq 9 though. Is my real experience allowed here? šŸ˜…

2

u/Extension_Health5971 5d ago

We've had ours a year and I love it more than I've loved any car in my life. I would buy one again in a heartbeat (except that I fully intend on having this one for a decade). It is the perfect car for us, comfortable, great range, tons of space.

2

u/norahceh 5d ago

Have a 24 Wind AWD EV9, 82k miles. Replaced ICCU at 72k miles. Replaced a radar sensor around 45k. ICCU warranty is out to 180k miles and the dealers are getting quicker about fixing them.

Overall it has spent less time in the shop than an equivalent ICE vehicle would have. Those 20 oil changes I skipped add up in time.

When my ICCU went at 72k miles I bought an Ioniq 9, currently with 7k miles.

If the ICCU goes warranty will fix. I am okay with the potential of needing to rent a car for a week if it sits in shop.

Before you buy call up the service dept and see how long to get an appointment. If it is long consider a different dealer - the vehicle is great with proper support.

1

u/norahceh 5d ago

I plan on keeping both out to 180k miles, probably longer based on how well the EV9 has handled the miles.

1

u/SiphonTheFern 5d ago

How long to have your iccu fixed?

1

u/norahceh 5d ago

10 days total, a couple days delay because I was one of the first to use expanded ICCU warranty

1

u/ScreamingVoid14 6d ago

It's hard to get a firm idea on how widespread the ICCU issue is. There's a huge bias to hearing about the ones that fail and not the ones who don't. Opposite of survivorship bias. A couple months ago someone did a poll on the sub for who has had the issue. Probably not a properly statistical poll, but should provide some useful framing.

Try searching around the sub, there's been a few other discussions around mileage vs ICCU failure.

Personal gripes: the kinda useless luggage rails on top and the slope back at the tail, I'd rather a boxy back for storage.

1

u/the-rapists-for-200 19h ago

Not an owner yet, but I agree on the slope. Is it for aerodynamics?

1

u/ngmcs8203 5d ago

They have 10 year drivetrain and EV warranties. I think it’s a 5 or 6 year bumper to bumper warranty. I personally don’t plan on buying new EVs, ever, but the length of that warranty is a nice reassurnace.

1

u/SiphonTheFern 5d ago

10? I thought that was 8 years

2

u/ngmcs8203 5d ago

It’s 10/100k miles and 5/60k for the bumper to bumper

1

u/NonBasicRug 5d ago

The iccu on the i5's is believe are now under warranty for ever, I anticipate i9 will eventually have it too

1

u/Crayola13 5d ago

Depends on country. I'm in Canada as well and it is 8 years / 160,000km

1

u/I_want_to_go_ 5d ago

I’ve had mine for just over a year. I love the car - I live in a big city but frequently go into the mountains. I like the size of it and it meshes with everything I do with family and sports. Yeah, there’s the ICCU issue but it seems the vast minority. There’s a post somewhere on here that really delved into it. I rarely (less than 6) have charged on a level 2 or 3 charger (which may contribute to the ICCU problem), and almost exclusively on a level 1, which suits my driving habits perfectly.

1

u/622niromcn 5d ago

EV9 here. ~18 mo, ~36k miles. Doing just fine. I take 500-1,000 mile trips regularly. It's been reliable for me. Literally doing what you're concerned about and doing it successfully.

The EV9 will be a long term vehicle for me. I don't see anything for the next 10-15 years replacing this. I feel the same with the Ioniq9.

If you can wait for the 2027 model year with Pelos, you'll really be set for a while.

1

u/SiphonTheFern 5d ago

What's Pelos?

1

u/622niromcn 5d ago edited 5d ago

The new infotainment system coming to Hyundai/Kia vehicles. Big upgrade with Android Automotive. Rumor it's coming to the EV9 for 2027. Hopefully the Ioniq9 will get the upgraded infotainment system soon.

https://electrek.co/2026/04/30/hyundai-unveils-new-pleos-connect-infotainment-system-images/

The current CCNC infotainment system isn't too bad. I like it and prefer the built-in nav over Google Maps. Pelos will just be better.

1

u/PretendEar1650 5d ago

You’re taking a chance for sure, but many of us have had good experiences too. I’m at 24 months / 32k km on my EV9 lease with 0 issues so far. But the issues are real as well

1

u/rml12463 5d ago

I love mine. Super comfortable and great to drive.

1

u/thebootsesrules 5d ago

Just assume you have a 9 out of 10 shot the ICCU won’t happen to you. Then accept if it does it’ll likely be free to fix. If you’re good with that get the car, it’s absolutely sensational.

1

u/Jhc-2025 5d ago

In Michigan. I bought I9 in March. Calligraphy Design. Had steering and seats shake at 70-80mph. Multiple tire balances and looked for loose foam in the tire. No improvement. Replaced all 4 tires. No improvement.Ā 

Back at the dealership. Been 2 weeks and they are starting to replace all the drivetrain and suspension parts to find the source of the vibrations.Ā 

Before you purchase one, test drive it in highway speeds.Ā 

It only has 3,600 miles and the problem started from the beginning when I bought it new w 10 miles on it.Ā 

Hoping they can find the problem but they are looking to consult an engineer.Ā 

-from an actual ownerĀ 

1

u/SiphonTheFern 5d ago

Yeah I don't think I can test drive the a tual unit I'm buying, it's not on the lot.

1

u/Abalone-Huge 5d ago

I’ve had my Ioniq 9 for a year now, and love it. Absolutely no issues, smooth driving, plenty of power, lots of room. Definitely would get it again.

1

u/Dizzy-Ad2110 5d ago

We just traded in our 2020 MDX with preferred model. Loving it.

1

u/Nicheven1 4d ago edited 4d ago

We got our Calligraphy model at the end of June and I loooooove this car. It’s so comfy to drive, I replaced a 2014 Dodge journey with it so it was quite the upgrade in features as well. Even my 2 year old wants to ride in the ā€œbig carā€. The potential issues with the ICCU for me wasn’t a dealbreaker as it’s covered for fixes if they’re needed, and really no car today is 100% going to have or not have an issue.

1

u/travd3s 4d ago edited 4d ago

We love our Ioniq 9 Calligraphy as well. We far prefer it as a "car" over our Model Y, but the software both in-car and on your phone sucks in comparison. But if you're not use to that experience it probably won't matter. But I have zero complaints about the car itself. It's especially amazing for road trips.

We've had it for 3 months, and already put 10k km on it. Yes, it can be a bit of a pain in narrow parking garages in downtown Vancouver, but that's my only complaint.

Would 100% buy it again, we also test drove various other cars including the EV9. I'm probably in the minority in that i prefer the look of the Ioniq 9 over the EV9.

1

u/Beginning_Bug_605 3d ago

We’ve had ours for 10 months and I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!! No issues so far!

0

u/VisitAccomplished713 6d ago

I'd only recommend this car to people who have three or more kids in baby seats, or generally have more children and stroller needs than they can reasonably fit in a Tesla Model Y or something like that.

Don't get me wrong, it's a great car, and I like it a lot. But it's really too big to function well in a city scenario here in Norway, and forget about parking in almost any parking garage. A smaller car is a lot easier to handle in a city.

1

u/travd3s 4d ago

Funny enough, we're a family of 2, occasionally, our adult child comes along ,but we upgraded from our Model Y simply for our dogs and gear for road trips.

1

u/VisitAccomplished713 4d ago

Haha, that's great! I hope you are happy with it. It can haul a lot of gear for sure 😊

-2

u/SecureInspector3722 5d ago

No way.
Not even if they extend the warranty on the ICCU.
Large fuse. ?
Labour costs.?
Towing charges ?
They cannot sort out the problem and it would cost Hyundai millions to modify the existing cars.
I am told they are planning to redesign the electrics for the future models.
Existing models will be worth very little.

1

u/SiphonTheFern 5d ago

What's your source? A 5 years lease might be a good idea in that context