Hyundai IONIQ 9 Confirmed for UAE: 7-Seat EV from AED 249,000
Priya Mehta·3 May 2026·5 min read
Hyundai confirms the IONIQ 9 for Q1 2026 UAE launch. The 3-row electric SUV offers 480 km range, 800V fast charging and seats seven adults.
Hyundai has confirmed pricing and specifications for the IONIQ 9 in the UAE, with customer deliveries beginning in March 2026. The 7-seat electric SUV starts at AED 249,000 and represents a direct challenge to petrol 3-row SUVs from Toyota, Kia and Ford that dominate this price point.
What We Know
The IONIQ 9 is built on Hyundai's E-GMP platform — the same architecture that underpins the IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6. The 110.3 kWh battery delivers an estimated 480 km of real-world range in UAE conditions, according to GCC-specification testing. Official WLTP figure is 620 km.
The 800V architecture enables ultra-fast charging: a 10–80% charge takes 24 minutes at a compatible 350 kW DC charger. DEWA's newest fast-charge stations on Sheikh Zayed Road are 150 kW units, which add approximately 90 km of range in 10 minutes.
Powertrain Options
UAE receives two variants at launch: - Standard Range RWD: 215 hp, AED 249,000 - Long Range AWD: 303 hp, AED 289,000
A third Performance AWD variant (379 hp) is confirmed for H2 2026 at a price to be announced.
Key Specifications
| Spec | Standard RWD | Long Range AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 110.3 kWh | 110.3 kWh |
| Range (est. UAE) | 480 km | 460 km |
| 0–100 km/h | 8.7 sec | 5.8 sec |
| Fast charge (10–80%) | 24 min | 24 min |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Price (AED) | 249,000 | 289,000 |
Third-Row Space
Hyundai has emphasised the IONIQ 9's third-row dimensions — a critical metric for UAE buyers. Third-row legroom is confirmed at 970 mm — more than the Kia Telluride (917 mm) and significantly more than the Toyota Land Cruiser's third row (660 mm). This is adult-usable space.
What This Means for Buyers
The IONIQ 9 at AED 249,000 creates a genuinely new option in the UAE SUV market. For buyers currently considering a Kia Telluride (AED 175,000) or Toyota Highlander (AED 169,000), the IONIQ 9 asks them to pay AED 74,000–80,000 more for electrification. That premium buys: zero fuel costs (on DEWA free charging until end 2026), zero registration fees, and a 25% Salik discount.
A buyer driving 25,000 km/year in Dubai saves approximately AED 7,500/year in combined running costs vs a petrol Telluride. The IONIQ 9 break-even on its premium is under 11 years — which narrows significantly as petrol prices rise.
What Happens Next
Hyundai UAE dealers open order books in January 2026 with a AED 5,000 refundable deposit. First deliveries are scheduled for March 2026. CarsXT will publish a full UAE road test when press cars are available.