The keenly anticipated Hyundai IONIQ 9 electric SUV has made a fast start to life in the UK by picking up its first major award already, being crowned Best Seven-Seat EV at the 2025 TopGear.com Electric Awards.

The annual awards, now in their sixth year, are a celebration of the top choices in the rapidly evolving world of electrified vehicles, recognising impressive innovation across a number of diverse categories. An expert panel of judges voted the IONIQ 9 as a clear winner as the Best Seven-Seat EV thanks to its practicality, sharp styling and smart technology, underscoring Hyundai’s continued leadership in the field of electrification.

"Hyundai’s IONIQ 9 is both accomplished and clever. Its people carrying, quasi-minibus remit means its design is less ‘out there’ than the IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6, but the result is still cool. More importantly, it’s another Hyundai with design flair that is backed up by some genuinely useful thinking."

Jack Rix

Top Gear Editor-in-chief

Since it was first revealed in Los Angeles in December, the IONIQ 9 has attracted plenty of praise thanks to its classy, clean and stylish design, with a premium, high-quality and beautifully executed cabin that provides a spacious, airy feeling. There’s a major focus on comfort, with the cabin’s lounge-like ambience offering exceptional roominess and innovative seating features for enhanced flexibility. There’s generous storage room, too, with up to 1,323 litres of luggage room with the rearmost row of seats folded, or 620 litres with all rows in place.