Latest news with #IIHS
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Experts warn summer 100 deadliest days on the road, especially for teens
DENVER (KDVR) — The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety sent out some information about what is referred to the '100 deadliest days' on the roads between Memorial Day and Labor Day. 'Immaturity and inexperience make for a high-risk combination behind the wheel, which is why teen drivers are involved in fatal crashes about 3 times as often as drivers over 20,' Joe Young the Media Relations Director at IIHS said in a statement. Home's door heavily damaged in what homeowner believes is a TikTok trend FOX31 caught up with Young via zoom, where he broke down information specific to Colorado teen drivers and conversations parents should be having with them to make sure they stay safe on the roads. 'In Colorado, there is a nighttime restriction which is midnight but that isn't early enough to limit your teens risk,' Young said. 'So, you might set something earlier like 8 p.m. or sunset or something that works better for your situation.' Young said the type of vehicle a parent buys their teen is super important as well. He suggested IIHS has resources that can help. 'We know teens are much more likely to crash,' Young said. 'They have fatal crash rates that are about three times of drivers who are twenty and older, so it's important they are in a vehicle that has those crash features.' He suggested teens don't drive something small or old and said teens shouldn't have a vehicle with a lot of power. Young mentioned newer cars with crash features can help reduce the risks. 'In 2022, there were 764 crash deaths in Colorado,' Young said. 'You look at that compared to vehicle miles traveled, it's a little higher than average.' There are also graduated driver licensing laws that differ by state. In Colorado, according to Young, new teen drivers can't drive with friends in the car. He said that is a good law to be in place because having other teens in the car can increase the risk of a crash. Driver clocks over 70 mph past elementary school: Sheriff 'Perhaps you have a teen who isn't mature enough yet for a license, just because the state says it's ok to have one doesn't mean they have to run out and get a license,' Young said. 'Do what is comfortable for you.' Young suggested parents also discuss the four big risk factors when driving, including distracted driving, impaired driving, failing to buckle up and speeding. '(In) Colorado you are required to log a certain amount of practice time, I believe it is 50 hours in that state,' Young said. 'But nationwide it's a little higher than that, its 70 hours, so we suggest adding more so they are prepped on other roadways.' Young shared a link that parents and teens can find more information at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Parent-Approved Car Features — Gear Up for Safer, Happier Drives
According to the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) guide to vehicle child safety, 'Motor vehicle crashes remain a leading cause of death for children,' but, 'The rate of child passenger deaths per million children also has fallen dramatically to 11.9 deaths per million children in 2022, a 61% reduction from 1975.' These reductions are due in part to modern safety features. As a parent, you want your children to be safe in a worst-case scenario, and you want them to have all the comfort and joy they can in your family car. Here are some features that parents should look for in their cars. While choosing what features to include on this list, safety was the main priority. Safety features lists compiled by car companies and organizations like AAA and IIHS helped inform the content included here. When it came to non-safety features, like entertainment and comfort, I relied on my own experience of owning a minivan for over six years now, as well as other parent reviews from places like Reddit. As always, the features included here are not meant to be a complete list but a solid overview of where to start your research. According to a list of family-friendly car features from Mazda, forward automatic braking will be standard in most vehicles by 2029. The automatic braking system stops your car if it detects you might hit something ahead of you. This is ideal for a family as it can help keep you and your family safe inside and outside the car. As explained by AAA's post explaining safety features, the Backup Collision Intervention system, like Automatic Emergency Braking, stops your car if it detects that you could run into something while going in reverse. Noticing small children behind your car can be difficult, but the inclusion of features like collision prevention and cameras helps to protect our little ones. I live in a busy neighborhood by a park that constantly has children running in and out of homes to play in the park. Our neighbor's kids even play street hockey regularly, making some sort of camera system feature essential, not just for my family's safety but the safety of others. Fortunately, this feature is easy to find as it has become standard in new cars since 2018, as pointed out by Universal Toyota. Blind Spot Detection is another essential feature for long family road trips. Family cars tend to get packed pretty full for road trips. You can't forget your toddler's favorite stuffie, shirt, or blanket! Blind Spot Detection is another important safety feature that helps you navigate as you drive. With Blind Spot Detection, you switch lanes safely and keep yourself and your little ones safe as you drive busy freeways. Another feature found in the US News article about family car features is a surround-view camera. Like the backup camera, surround-view provides you with just that much more visibility by offering a bird's-eye view of your vehicle. This camera is a family-friendly car feature that allows you to get a clear picture of any obstructions to your car as you back out of your driveway or pull into a parking spot. As included in the aforementioned Mazda list of family-friendly car features, some parents prefer to set up their phones to play music for their kids. Yes, you've heard Baby Shark a million times already, but being able to jump into your toddler's favorite song when they need a pick-me-up is a must for parents, especially when keeping kids happy on long road trips. I'm a big fan of the DVD player in my Honda Odyssey. Not only did it give a second life to my old DVD collection, which was gathering dust in a storage unit, but it also made long road trips so much easier. My Honda's entertainment system also comes with input hookups, allowing us to use the DVD screen for more than just movies. As seen on Reddit, you can even hook up a video game system! Long road trips are just made easier when your kids can watch their favorite movies and play their favorite games. The LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system is a simple feature but essential for families. The LATCH system consists of hooks installed in the middle and back rows of seats. These hooks allow car seats to securely attach to the car, without relying on seatbelts to keep the car seat anchored. This is a wonderful feature that likely already exists in your car; behind that, these hooks have been standard in most cars since late 2002, according to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. 'Things I'm looking to have for sure in a [family] SUV: Leather seats because cloth ones get dirty/goopy too easily and hard to clean.' A user on the Parenting subreddit stated this, and it couldn't be more true. You can't predict how your kid is going to react to a drive, especially on long car rides. Your kid might get car sick, that Happy Meal might not be sitting well with them, and then — yep, clean up time. As a parent, you owe it to yourself to make things as easy as you can for yourself. In the same Parenting subreddit post, another user makes a comment that reminds us that sometimes the simplest of features can be so essential. Answering the question of what car features make your life easier as a parent, this Redditor said, 'The whole 'stereo controls on the steering wheel' is genius.' I fully agree. This is such a simple feature that most people wouldn't think twice about, but adjusting the music without taking my hands off the wheel or eyes off the road is an essential feature. A report from US News explains how the Hands-Free Trunk is a saver for the on-the-go parent. Parenting itself comes with several additional features, and those features tend to take up arm space. School, drama, sports, birthday parties, strollers — whatever it is, parenting tends to fill up arm space when taking your little ones from A to B. Now imagine carrying all that stuff and opening your Hands-Free Trunk with a gesture from your foot! Ralph Honda highlights the benefits of having in-cabin cameras. With a quick selection from the vehicle's control center, an image of the back seats of the car appears. This allows the driver to keep their head forward, facing the road and not turning around to see what's going on behind them. The goal of all family trips is safety, and this feature keeps the parents informed without pulling them completely away from their driving. Pairing nicely with the In-Cabin Camera feature, an Intercom System allows you to reach your kid even during the hustle and bustle of a road trip. Also found in US News's report on family-friendly car features, the Intercom System temporarily takes over the car's audio system and lets you talk to your kids in the back. This is a great feature when trying to get your kids' attention without having to shout. Also from the AAA article about best safety features, the Automatic High Beams have sensors that detect light sources and will automatically dim the lights when another vehicle approaches. This feature also automatically turns your high beams on when it detects there are no other cars on the road. This is a safety feature that adds to the overall safety of your vehicle by helping you drive safely by using the proper lights. Honda describes their Driver Attention Monitor as tracking how well you stay in your lanes and focus on driving. While on, your display will alert you if you are drifting too often and might need a break soon. In the previously mentioned Mazda list of family-friendly features, it notes, 'Driver Attention Alert is not a substitute for safe and attentive driving.' It is still up to you to drive responsibly for your family's safety. These features just help to keep you focused on what matters most when transporting your family. Some minivans come with a built-in vacuum cleaner as a family-friendly feature. This can help get those quick spills and messes left behind by little hands. As reviewed by a user on the Honda Odyssey Subreddit, it's not the most powerful vacuum, but they say, 'I've used ours lots on road trips and camping and quick jobs where I couldn't be bothered to go find another vacuum. If you have kids that make a mess then [it's] totally worth it.' A gentle debate on a car subreddit asks which family car has the most comfortable driver's seat. Especially when taking your kids on family road trips, you need a comfortable driving seat. Just like that subreddit, there are lots of opinions about the most comfortable driver's chair, but that's where your research is necessary to find what's right for you. Otherwise, how are you going to make it on that long road trip to Disney World? Universal Toyota discusses the importance of this safety feature. On long road trips, you hit the cruise control. This system doesn't brake for you if there is danger, but it will detect traffic flow and help you slow down to properly and safely maintain a travel distance between the car in front of you. This is a great safety feature to have in a car full of your loved ones. The Rear Passenger Alert feature simply reminds you to make sure your kid comes with you when you get out of your car, so you don't risk leaving them behind, as described by Kelly Blue Book. This might seem like a simple feature, but as NHTSA teaches us, children have a risk of losing their lives due to heatstroke when left in a hot car. These hot car deaths happen 52% of the time just because someone forgot to check the backseat for their kid. That's why this seemingly simple feature can be a lifesaver. Have you ever closed the sliding door of a minivan from the 90s? The force you need to exert on that door to close it felt like you could take someone's hand off! Automatic sliding doors remove the fear of a guillotine door. Much like the hands-free trunk, having sliding doors that open up with the touch of a button is so convenient when piling kids in and out of your van. Speaking from personal preference, once you have a minivan with automatic sliding doors, you will never want to go back. While discussing vehicle safety, it's important to note that one of your family's most important safety features is you. These features are meant only to assist in your family's well-being. Being informed and researching these features on your own gives you a leg up when making sure your family is getting what they need. Check out IIHS or NHTSA, which rate car safety and are great resources to begin researching on your own. Of all the family-friendly features on this list, you are the most important one. Safe driving out there!
Auto Blog
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Attention Parents: The IIHS Recommends These Safe Cars for Teen Drivers
Buying a safe, affordable car for a new driver can be a heck of a challenge, but the IIHS breaks down some choices for parents. What was your first car? For many drivers, the first taste of absolute freedom coming of age is that first drive after passing the driver's test and tasting the air on the open road behind the wheel. It's the first feeling of near-total autonomy; the idea that you could stay out late, pick up your friends, go to the mall, the movies, or [insert your teenage hangout spot] without calling mom or dad to pick you up at a certain time. Indeed, we still had to go to school, but from my experience, rolling up to your spot in the senior parking lot is much better than sharing a school bus with the freshmen. Looking back on my first years behind the wheel, it's easy to understand how choosing a first car for a new, teen driver can be a costly and anxiety-ridden experience for parents, as they not only have to juggle a limited budget, but also the stress of finding something that would keep their precious munchkins safe in the unfortunate event of a crash. Teenage girl learning to drive from mother during weekend The safety experts pick their favorite budget cars for your youngins Luckily, the experts at Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) collaborated with Consumer Reports to compile a list of the safest cars for teenage drivers for parents on tight budgets. All the cars on the IIHS's list weigh at least 2,750 pounds and earned a rating of at least 3 out of 5 in Consumer Reports' braking, emergency handling, and routine handling tests, which it feels is key in helping young drivers drive defensively and avoid accidents. In addition, all the cars listed earned at least a 2 out of 5 in CR's control and display usability to keep teens' eyes off the screens as much as possible. They have electronic stability control, and absolutely none of the institute's choices are big SUVs, pickup trucks, sports cars, high-performance models, or over $20,000 for one in good condition and low miles (according to data from Kelley Blue Book). IIHS picks for best used small cars: Toyota Corolla, Honda Insight, Mazda3 hatchback Compact cars are a good choice for a first car, and the three most inexpensive models on the IIHS's Best Choices list are some of the smallest in this specific group. The cheapest car on this list is the 2017-2019 Toyota Corolla sedan, which has an estimated KBB price of $9,500. 2023 and newer models are also good, but prices for those will be significantly higher than for the older models. The IIHS also recommends the 2019-2022 Honda Insight, which has an average KBB value of $11,600. Prior to the reintroduction of the Honda Civic Hybrid, the Insight was Honda's compact hybrid offering, providing fuel-sipping EPA fuel economy numbers of 55 mpg city, 49 mpg, and 52 mpg combined—numbers that can give peace of mind for youngins between fuel stops and keep parents from their kids nagging for gas money. Though no bona fide sports cars are on the IIHS's list, the closest thing to it is the 2019-present Mazda 3 hatchback, which can go as low as $12,100, according to KBB data. Though its standard 2.5-liter SKYACTIV-G inline-four cylinder pumps out 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, experts state that its premium looks and fun-to-drive persona make a compelling package. IIHS picks for best used mid-size cars: Toyota Camry, Mazda6, Subaru Legacy Although compact cars are a good choice for young drivers, sometimes life's activities require more space, or sometimes the new driver's car becomes the default family hauler or grocery getter. In times like these, midsize sedans are the way to go, and the cheapest in this category on the IIHS's Best Choices list is the venerable 2018-present Toyota Camry. With an estimated KBB value as low as $13,100, the Camry's larger size can help solve situations when a Corolla is too small. The IIHS also recommends the 2019-2021 Mazda6, though it only applies to units built after June 2019. While it may be a bit of a bump up in price at a KBB-estimated $14,000, the Mazda6 offers a slightly more premium and driver-focused feel akin to the smaller and cheaper Mazda3. The 2020-present Subaru Legacy rounds out the top three on the IIHS's Best Choices list, with an estimated KBB value as low as $15,700. While it is a higher price on average than a Camry or a Mazda6, the Subie sedan has the distinction of having the automaker's signature Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive as standard, which can prove useful on those days when a blizzard didn't call for a snow day. IIHS picks for best used large cars: Genesis G80, Genesis G90, Acura RLX Many of the full-size cars offered today are from luxury brands. However, for the price, teen drivers will have a lot of car for the price. The least expensive of the IIHS's Best Choices is the 2017-2020 Genesis G80 at a KBB-estimated $12,200, which offers modern comfort features and also earned Top Safety Pick+ distinction from the Institute. The Genesis's larger sibling, the G90, can be had for not much more than the G80. According to Kelley Blue Book, 2017-2022 iterations of the G90 have a Blue Book value of $12,400 on the private market. However, the 2018-2020 Acura RLX could also prove to be a good value for teens at a KBB-estimated $16,700. Acura packed a full suite of driver-assist features, which includes automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. IIHS picks for best used small SUVs: BMW X2, Mazda CX-3, Subaru Forester Many parents will likely consider putting their children into small SUVs and crossovers, as their popularity would almost guarantee their availability, and their upright and elevated driving positions would make both young drivers and parents comfortable on suburban roads littered with Tahoes and F-150s. The least expensive of the IIHS's Best Choices in this category is the 2019-present BMW X2, with a KBB-estimated value of $12,200 on the used market. While the BMW badge may carry some clout in the senior parking lot, parents should be warned that it could also carry higher premiums with insurance companies and higher shop bills for maintenance and repairs. The 2020-2021 Mazda CX-3 is the next small SUV on the IIHS's list at a KBB-estimated $12,900, though the word 'small' shouldn't be considered an understatement. The CX-3's size classifies it officially as a subcompact crossover SUV, putting it on the small side among other options. However, it can be a nimble, fuel-efficient, and affordable option for a teen driver. However, the 2019-present Subaru Forester, which has a KBB-estimated used value of $13,000, rounds out the top three of the IIHS's Best Choices in this category. The Forester is one of Subaru's top-selling models and is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+, as it features standard Symmetrical all-wheel drive and Subaru's EyeSight Driver Assist Technology suite of driver assistance features. IIHS picks for best used mid-size SUVs: Acura MDX, Volvo XC90, Lexus NX The biggest vehicles on the IIHS's list are midsize SUVs, as it feels that the longer stopping distance and unpredictable handling associated with full-size SUVs and pickup trucks could prove to be dangerous in the hands of teen drivers. The cheapest vehicle here is the 2017-2020 Acura MDX, which has a KBB-estimated value of $13,100 on the used market. Though Acura is a premium luxury brand, the MDX's Honda underpinnings can help parent and kid owners keep some peace of mind when it comes to maintenance and repairs. In addition, our experts find that it is as family-friendly as it is enjoyable to drive. The IIHS also recommends the 2018-or-newer Volvo XC90, though it emphasizes vehicles built after March 2018. Its KBB-estimated value of $14,600 is a small price to pay for a 3-row luxury SUV that is also an IIHS Top Safety Pick; a small token for Volvo's kind reputation for unrelenting safety. The 2019-present Lexus NX takes the third position in this category at a KBB-estimated value of $14,900, though it should be said that, like the Mazda CX-3, it is smaller than the other midsize SUVs above. Final thoughts The IIHS says that dollar values in the list above are rounded to the nearest $100 and are based on 'average U.S. values from March 27, 2025, for the lowest trim level and earliest applicable model year.' The list is supplemented by another list of more affordable 'good choices' and additional 'best choices,' which can be found on the IIHS's website. Some of their 'good choices' can go as low as KBB-estimated $5,500, which can be compatible with even the tightest budgets if buyers do their digging and research.
Miami Herald
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Attention Parents: The IIHS Recommends These Safe Cars for Teen Drivers
For many drivers, the first taste of absolute freedom coming of age is that first drive after passing the driver's test and tasting the air on the open road behind the wheel. It's the first feeling of near-total autonomy; the idea that you could stay out late, pick up your friends, go to the mall, the movies, or [insert your teenage hangout spot] without calling mom or dad to pick you up at a certain time. Indeed, we still had to go to school, but from my experience, rolling up to your spot in the senior parking lot is much better than sharing a school bus with the freshmen. Looking back on my first years behind the wheel, it's easy to understand how choosing a first car for a new, teen driver can be a costly and anxiety-ridden experience for parents, as they not only have to juggle a limited budget, but also the stress of finding something that would keep their precious munchkins safe in the unfortunate event of a crash. Luckily, the experts at Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) collaborated with Consumer Reports to compile a list of the safest cars for teenage drivers for parents on tight budgets. All the cars on the IIHS's list weigh at least 2,750 pounds and earned a rating of at least 3 out of 5 in Consumer Reports' braking, emergency handling, and routine handling tests, which it feels is key in helping young drivers drive defensively and avoid accidents. In addition, all the cars listed earned at least a 2 out of 5 in CR's control and display usability to keep teens' eyes off the screens as much as possible. They have electronic stability control, and absolutely none of the institute's choices are big SUVs, pickup trucks, sports cars, high-performance models, or over $20,000 for one in good condition and low miles (according to data from Kelley Blue Book). Compact cars are a good choice for a first car, and the three most inexpensive models on the IIHS's Best Choices list are some of the smallest in this specific group. The cheapest car on this list is the 2017-2019 Toyota Corolla sedan, which has an estimated KBB price of $9,500. 2023 and newer models are also good, but prices for those will be significantly higher than for the older models. The IIHS also recommends the 2019-2022 Honda Insight, which has an average KBB value of $11,600. Prior to the reintroduction of the Honda Civic Hybrid, the Insight was Honda's compact hybrid offering, providing fuel-sipping EPA fuel economy numbers of 55 mpg city, 49 mpg, and 52 mpg combined-numbers that can give peace of mind for youngins between fuel stops and keep parents from their kids nagging for gas money. Though no bona fide sports cars are on the IIHS's list, the closest thing to it is the 2019-present Mazda 3 hatchback, which can go as low as $12,100, according to KBB data. Though its standard 2.5-liter SKYACTIV-G inline-four cylinder pumps out 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, experts state that its premium looks and fun-to-drive persona make a compelling package. Although compact cars are a good choice for young drivers, sometimes life's activities require more space, or sometimes the new driver's car becomes the default family hauler or grocery getter. In times like these, midsize sedans are the way to go, and the cheapest in this category on the IIHS's Best Choices list is the venerable 2018-present Toyota Camry. With an estimated KBB value as low as $13,100, the Camry's larger size can help solve situations when a Corolla is too small. The IIHS also recommends the 2019-2021 Mazda6, though it only applies to units built after June 2019. While it may be a bit of a bump up in price at a KBB-estimated $14,000, the Mazda6 offers a slightly more premium and driver-focused feel akin to the smaller and cheaper Mazda3. The 2020-present Subaru Legacy rounds out the top three on the IIHS's Best Choices list, with an estimated KBB value as low as $15,700. While it is a higher price on average than a Camry or a Mazda6, the Subie sedan has the distinction of having the automaker's signature Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive as standard, which can prove useful on those days when a blizzard didn't call for a snow day. Many of the full-size cars offered today are from luxury brands. However, for the price, teen drivers will have a lot of car for the price. The least expensive of the IIHS's Best Choices is the 2017-2020 Genesis G80 at a KBB-estimated $12,200, which offers modern comfort features and also earned Top Safety Pick+ distinction from the Institute. The Genesis's larger sibling, the G90, can be had for not much more than the G80. According to Kelley Blue Book, 2017-2022 iterations of the G90 have a Blue Book value of $12,400 on the private market. However, the 2018-2020 Acura RLX could also prove to be a good value for teens at a KBB-estimated $16,700. Acura packed a full suite of driver-assist features, which includes automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. Many parents will likely consider putting their children into small SUVs and crossovers, as their popularity would almost guarantee their availability, and their upright and elevated driving positions would make both young drivers and parents comfortable on suburban roads littered with Tahoes and F-150s. The least expensive of the IIHS's Best Choices in this category is the 2019-present BMW X2, with a KBB-estimated value of $12,200 on the used market. While the BMW badge may carry some clout in the senior parking lot, parents should be warned that it could also carry higher premiums with insurance companies and higher shop bills for maintenance and repairs. The 2020-2021 Mazda CX-3 is the next small SUV on the IIHS's list at a KBB-estimated $12,900, though the word 'small' shouldn't be considered an understatement. The CX-3's size classifies it officially as a subcompact crossover SUV, putting it on the small side among other options. However, it can be a nimble, fuel-efficient, and affordable option for a teen driver. However, the 2019-present Subaru Forester, which has a KBB-estimated used value of $13,000, rounds out the top three of the IIHS's Best Choices in this category. The Forester is one of Subaru's top-selling models and is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+, as it features standard Symmetrical all-wheel drive and Subaru's EyeSight Driver Assist Technology suite of driver assistance features. The biggest vehicles on the IIHS's list are midsize SUVs, as it feels that the longer stopping distance and unpredictable handling associated with full-size SUVs and pickup trucks could prove to be dangerous in the hands of teen drivers. The cheapest vehicle here is the 2017-2020 Acura MDX, which has a KBB-estimated value of $13,100 on the used market. Though Acura is a premium luxury brand, the MDX's Honda underpinnings can help parent and kid owners keep some peace of mind when it comes to maintenance and repairs. In addition, our experts find that it is as family-friendly as it is enjoyable to drive. The IIHS also recommends the 2018-or-newer Volvo XC90, though it emphasizes vehicles built after March 2018. Its KBB-estimated value of $14,600 is a small price to pay for a 3-row luxury SUV that is also an IIHS Top Safety Pick; a small token for Volvo's kind reputation for unrelenting safety. The 2019-present Lexus NX takes the third position in this category at a KBB-estimated value of $14,900, though it should be said that, like the Mazda CX-3, it is smaller than the other midsize SUVs above. The IIHS says that dollar values in the list above are rounded to the nearest $100 and are based on "average U.S. values from March 27, 2025, for the lowest trim level and earliest applicable model year." The list is supplemented by another list of more affordable "good choices" and additional "best choices," which can be found on the IIHS's website. Some of their "good choices" can go as low as KBB-estimated $5,500, which can be compatible with even the tightest budgets if buyers do their digging and research. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Motor Trend
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Motor Trend
2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 U.S.-Spec Review: Middle-Class Fancy
Folks, it's time to start asking yourself the hard questions, starting with what's stopping you from buying an EV? What do you do with your vehicle that an EV couldn't handle? People buy big, seven-seat, three-row SUVs because they want a vehicle that can do everything, and the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 EV fits the bill perfectly. 0:00 / 0:00 Name Your Concern Let's run down the list. You need to fit post-growth-spurt teenagers in all three rows? Even the third row of the Ioniq 9 is comfortable for 6-footers. They'll be safe, too, because it comes with 10 airbags and is targeting top safety ratings from both NHTSA and IIHS. You need all-wheel drive for bad weather and the annual family camping trip? Would you prefer regular or performance, because it offers both? You need to tow the boat out to the lake this summer? Or take the trailer camping? Great, it pulls up to 5,000 pounds with all-wheel drive and 3,500 pounds with rear-wheel drive. Road trips? It goes between 311 and 335 miles on a charge. You're concerned about charging on a road trip, with or without the trailer? No problem, it comes with a NACS charging port and works on Tesla Superchargers and has an adapter for every other brand of charger. You like your tech? Great, it offers everything from a hands-on driver assistance system to over-the-air (OTA) update-capable systems to using your phone as your key. Hyundai has also signed up to offer Apple CarPlay Ultra in the near future. Worried about fuel and maintenance prices? The mechanically similar Kia EV9 is estimated by the EPA to cost between $850 and $950 per year to charge. The most efficient Chevy Tahoe (the diesel) costs $2,200 to fuel, and the V-8s can cost as much as $3,600 per year by the same estimator. Even a more carlike Hyundai Palisade costs about $2200 per year to fuel. Not just cheaper, Hyundai even throws in your choice of a free home charger or $400 in public charging credits when you buy an Ioniq 9. With no oil to change, the Ioniq 9 will require fewer trips to the dealer for regular maintenance, as well. It gets super cold where you live? New battery management tech allows it to hold 10 percent more energy than other EVs in extreme cold. Plus, you'll never be stranded because it's too cold to charge, as the battery heater activates the moment you plug in, even if the battery is dead. It can also do things your Tahoe or Expedition or whatever can't. Bidirectional charging through a Hyundai Home charger allows you to power your house when the power goes out. Even if you don't want to spring for that upgrade (installation can get very pricey), you can plug into the interior outlets—including both three-prong 120-volt outlets and 100-watt USB-C ports capable of charging a laptop without the brick—and run your basic appliances and devices for days. It's Not Perfect While the Ioniq 9 will do everything you typically do with a three-row SUV, it's not a perfect one-to-one replacement. If you need to tow more than 5,000 pounds regularly and don't already own another tow vehicle, obviously that won't work. Getting that range, which beats its Kia sibling by as much as 81 miles like for like, is the result of slightly better aerodynamics and a more efficient cabin cooling system, but mostly a larger battery. Filling the 110.3-kWh battery takes time, even at speeds up to 232 kW. On a 350-kW CCS charging station, getting from 10 to 80 percent takes 24 minutes. Nearly all Tesla stations out there right now are 400-volt units (the Ioniq 9 runs at 800 volts), which drags that time out to 40 minutes. Two or more short charging stops are recommended over one long stop, and plug-and-charge capability along with access to most charging networks through the Hyundai BlueLink app will help speed up each stop. Speaking of, BlueLink is free to the original owner of the car, but future owners will have to pay. Likewise, the vehicle's cellular data connection is free for three months or 3 gigabytes, but after that, it's $25 per month. Being physically larger than the Kia also nets it a bit more cargo space, but it comes with caveats. The tapering tail makes for a smaller rear hatch, so fitting large, bulky items will be more challenging than in a boxier SUV. And while the Ioniq 9 finally adds a useful frunk to a Hyundai EV, it's already spoken for with the tire repair kit, portable charger, and charging adapters, which at least frees up the limited space under the rear cargo floor. The frunk gets bigger if you forgo all-wheel drive, but only the base model offers rear-wheel drive, so you're giving up a ton of features for the extra space. Nice Place to Drive Built on Hyundai Motor Group's flexible E-GMP platform, the Ioniq 9 shares a lot of behavioral traits with existing Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis EVs, which are all generally excellent. With 422 hp and 512-lb-ft available on our Calligraphy specification test vehicle, the big SUV charges up the interstate onramp in a way most three-row SUVs could only dream of. Hyundai quotes 4.9 seconds to 60 mph with the performance all-wheel-drive powertrain, 6.2 seconds with regular AWD, and 8.4 seconds with rear drive, all of which are perfectly reasonable or better. The steering, meanwhile, has appropriate heft for casual driving, and the low center of gravity inherent to EVs allows it to take a cloverleaf ramp with far more poise than most gas-powered full-size SUVs. The ride quality isn't quite as supple as in a Genesis, but it's far better than its gas-fed competition and better than most non-luxury EVs. Serious work has gone into making the interior as quiet as possible, including borrowing noise-cancelling technology from Genesis, and it mostly works. The big wheels on our high-spec vehicle did occasionally get a bit noisy over rougher pavement. Hyundai's had plenty of time to perfect EV brakes, and it shows. The brake pedal is pleasingly firm and betrays no transition between mechanical and regenerative braking. The regen can be ramped up to full one-pedal driving, and it, too, works brilliantly even if it doesn't remember your setting after it's been parked. We noted earlier the rear hatch opening is smallish, and although that could've been an issue for rearward visibility, Hyundai designed and engineered around it. The near-vertical rear glass allows for a reasonably sized view when the third-row headrests are down, and a camera mode in the rearview mirror exists for when they're not. Nice Place to Be In addition to being quiet and spacious, Hyundai has tried hard to make the interior a nice place to be. Go high enough up the trim ladder, and you can get power captain's chairs in the first and second rows each with a footrest and deep-reclining Relax mode. Also available at higher trims are nice-to-haves such as a two-tone dashboard and power third-row seats that can be controlled from the touchscreen up front. Equally useful is Universal Island 2.0, the sliding console between the front seats. Able to be adjusted fore and aft, you can put the controls and armrests exactly where you want them, make space for purses or other cargo between the front footwells, make the rear climate control screen easier to reach in the second row, and even transfer small items to the rear and back. Thanks to a double-hinged lid, a removable partition below it, and a sliding drawer below that, you no longer need to dislocate your shoulder to hand something back. Drop it in the console and slide it back. Also easy to access is the third row. The powered second-row seats on higher trims motor out of the way (or back) in about six seconds and leave a decently large gap for an adult to climb through. Thanks to the flat floor, it's also easy enough to simply walk between the second-row chairs, if equipped. It the way back, the extra length compared to the Kia version makes for a deeper cargo area with the third row up. At 21.9 cubic feet, it's only 2.6 cubic feet smaller than a Chevy Tahoe's despite being a foot shorter in exterior length and roughly 6 inches shorter in exterior height—and therefore easier to fit in your garage. Not Cheap, Not That Expensive Three-row SUVs aren't cheap, and that goes especially for EVs. Even still, the Ioniq 9 rings in only slightly higher than its smaller, shorter-range Kia sibling at $60,555 to start. That puts it right on top of a Tahoe and Expedition, too, with cheaper refueling costs. You could save money stepping down in comfort, power, and class by going with the smaller, gas-powered Hyundai Palisade, but you won't get the same experience. Even the Tahoe gets thousands of dollars more expensive on the top end, pushing well into the low $80Ks where the Ioniq 9 tops out at $78,090. Likewise, trying to go up a class to a 'premium' brand like Volvo or Acura gets expensive quickly, never mind full-on luxury brands. It's a pricey Hyundai, no doubt, but compared to other vehicles playing in the same space, it's competitively priced. Knowing what you do now, we're back to the original question: What's keeping you from buying an EV like the Ioniq 9?
