After Driving the Hyundai IONIQ 9 for Over 620 Miles, A Volvo EX90 Owner Says the Hyundai IONIQ 9 Is “Seriously Impressive,” Feels “Even Roomier Than the Kia EV9,” and Charges Better Than His Volvo EX90

After spending a full weekend and more than 620 miles behind the wheel of the Hyundai IONIQ 9, one Volvo EX90 owner came away with a conclusion that feels quietly disruptive in the large electric SUV space: Hyundai has built something that is not just competitive, but genuinely impressive. 

This was not a quick test drive or a first-impression lap around the block. This was real seat time, long stretches of highway, family miles, and the kind of use that reveals whether a vehicle is merely good on paper or actually good to live with.

The first thing that stood out was space. And not just “spec-sheet” space, but usable, noticeable room that everyone in the vehicle immediately felt. According to the owner, the IONIQ 9 feels even roomier than the Kia EV9, which is already considered one of the most spacious three-row EVs on the market. All three rows feel genuinely usable, with better legroom and a more open, airy layout that works especially well for families who actually use the third row instead of folding it down permanently.

“After spending the weekend with the Hyundai IONIQ 9 and covering just over 621 miles, one thing became very clear: this is a seriously impressive car.

Had I not jumped into the Volvo EX90 in May 2025, fresh out of an unhappy relationship with the Kia EV9, and instead waited for Hyundai to launch the IONIQ 9, I honestly think I would have been completely happy driving this car today.

The first thing that stands out is space. The IONIQ 9 feels even roomier than the EV9, and that’s saying something. For a big family, the interior space is simply excellent, open, airy, and genuinely usable in all three rows. Everyone in the family noticed it immediately. Comfort is also a strong point: the suspension is compliant, the ride is calm and confident, and it’s a car that feels made for long distances.

Interior fit and finish are very good for the money. Materials, assembly, and overall quality feel well thought out and solid. It doesn’t try to be flashy, but it feels honest and premium enough where it matters. Charging performance is another highlight: it’s consistently strong and, in real-world use, clearly better than the EX90, especially when it comes to maintaining high charging power over a useful SoC window.

The headlights are more of a mixed bag. Low beams are not great, the light pattern feels short and somewhat limited. The matrix LED high beams do a good job compensating and work reliably, but overall, lighting performance still falls short of what you’d expect in this class.

On the drive back to the dealer, I caught myself thinking: “I probably should buy this.” The whole family liked the car, the space, the comfort, the calmness, and on paper, it just makes a lot of sense. I even said as much to the dealer, who is now running the numbers for a lease.

But then I got back into my Volvo.

Immediately, the EX90 felt like a step up in several areas. Everything from steering response to overall road feel is just a bit sharper. The car feels lighter on its feet, quicker to react, and more engaging to drive. Seating comfort for me is comparable between the two, but my wife clearly prefers the Volvo seats. The EX90 also delivers that subtle premium polish that you notice more once you switch back.

So for now, my verdict is this: I’ll continue to enjoy my EX90, I already lease it, and it still feels special every time I drive it. That said, I’ll absolutely keep an eye on future IONIQ 9 deals. It offers outstanding value for money, and for a large family, it’s hard to argue against it.

Honestly, if space and comfort are top priorities, I struggle to see a strong reason why a big family would choose the EX90 over the IONIQ 9. The Hyundai just nails the family brief incredibly well.

And that alone makes it a car worth remembering.”

Ride comfort is another area where the IONIQ 9 made a strong case for itself. The suspension is described as compliant and calm, with a confidence that suits long-distance driving. Over hundreds of miles, the Hyundai never felt busy or unsettled. Instead, it delivered the kind of relaxed, composed ride that encourages you to keep driving. It feels engineered for road trips rather than short test loops, and that character became clearer with every mile.

Hyundai Ioniq 9: Three-Row Electric SUV

• The IONIQ 9’s three-row packaging focuses on interior volume and family usability, with a tall roofline and flat floor that prioritize passenger comfort over a sporty stance.
• Ride and handling are expected to lean toward stability and refinement, reflecting the tradeoffs of a large EV platform where mass management matters more than sharp agility.
• Cabin layout emphasizes a lounge-like atmosphere, using a wide screen-based dashboard and open console design to maximize perceived space and storage flexibility.
• Real-world efficiency will likely vary with wheel size and highway speed, as the vehicle’s size and frontal area place greater demand on the battery than smaller Hyundai EVs.

Interior quality also exceeded expectations for the price point. Materials and assembly feel solid and well thought out, without trying too hard to impress with gimmicks. 

The cabin does not scream luxury, but it feels honest and premium where it counts. Controls are intuitive, the layout makes sense, and everything feels designed for daily use rather than showroom drama. It is the kind of interior that grows on you the longer you spend time in it.

Charging performance is where the IONIQ 9 surprised the EX90 owner the most. In real-world use, the Hyundai consistently charged better than the Volvo, especially when it came to maintaining higher charging speeds across a useful state-of-charge window. While peak numbers matter less than sustained performance, the IONIQ 9 delivered where it counts on long trips, reducing charging stress and downtime compared to the EX90.

Not everything was perfect. Headlight performance was noted as a weak spot. The low beams felt short and limited in their spread, falling short of expectations for a vehicle in this class. The matrix LED high beams help compensate and work reliably, but overall lighting performance remains an area where the Hyundai leaves room for improvement.

When the weekend ended, and the owner climbed back into his Volvo EX90, the differences became clearer. The EX90 still feels sharper to drive, with more precise steering and a slightly more engaging road feel. It carries a subtle premium polish that is easier to notice once you step away from it. Seating comfort was comparable for the driver, though the Volvo seats won favor with his wife, highlighting how subjective some of these decisions can be.

The verdict was not a rejection of the Volvo, but a strong endorsement of the Hyundai. The EX90 remains enjoyable and feels special, but the IONIQ 9 left a lasting impression as an outstanding value. For families prioritizing space, comfort, and charging performance, the Hyundai makes an extremely compelling case. In fact, the owner admitted that if space and comfort were the top priorities, it would be difficult to justify choosing the EX90 over the IONIQ 9. And that alone makes the Hyundai a vehicle worth remembering.

Image Sources: Hyundai Media Center

Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.