hyundai : In the ever-evolving landscape of automotive excellence, few accolades carry the same weight as WardsAuto’s 10 Best Interiors & UX Awards. For 2025, Hyundai has earned yet another feather in its cap — this time for the highly anticipated Hyundai IONIQ 9, which has been named one of Wards 10 Best Interiors and UX for its impeccable design, next-gen user experience, and futuristic cabin tech.
Let’s dive into what makes the IONIQ 9 not just an electric SUV, but a masterclass in modern interior design and user-centric innovation.
🏆 A Recognition Worth Celebrating
WardsAuto, a respected name in the global automotive industry, annually recognizes the top 10 vehicles that push the boundaries in terms of interior comfort, aesthetics, material quality, and usability of infotainment and UX systems.
The 2025 list featured tough contenders across EVs, luxury SUVs, and performance sedans — but the Hyundai IONIQ 9 stood tall, earning praise for blending ultra-modern aesthetics with intuitive technology and exceptional space utilization.
🚗 The Hyundai IONIQ 9: A Quick Overview
Before we explore the interior, here’s a snapshot of the vehicle:
- Segment: Full-size all-electric SUV
- Platform: Hyundai’s E-GMP (Electric Global Modular Platform)
- Powertrain: Dual motor AWD (estimated 300+ hp)
- Range: Around 480–500 km (WLTP-estimated)
- Seating: 6-7 seater configuration
While the IONIQ 9 promises solid performance and long-range capability, it’s the interior space and user-focused experience that truly set it apart — and caught the eyes of the WardsAuto judges.
🛋️ Spaciousness That Feels Like a Living Room
One of the standout features of the IONIQ 9 is its cabin space. Thanks to the dedicated E-GMP EV platform, the SUV benefits from a flat floor, long wheelbase, and intelligent packaging that opens up an airy, lounge-like interior.
The third-row isn’t just an afterthought here. Unlike many SUVs where the back row feels cramped, Hyundai has ensured ample legroom, headroom, and visibility for passengers in all seating rows. The use of panoramic glass, light-colored materials, and a floating center console enhances the open, inviting ambiance.
Whether it’s a family trip or a luxury commute, the IONIQ 9’s interior invites you to relax, engage, and enjoy the journey.
🌱 Sustainable Luxury
The interior materials are not just premium, but eco-conscious — another reason WardsAuto highlighted the IONIQ 9. Hyundai continues its commitment to sustainability by using:
- Bio-PET and recycled plastics
- Plant-based leathers
- Eco-processed yarns and natural wool blends
- Minimalistic trim elements using recycled aluminum and bamboo fibers
It’s a smart fusion of nature-inspired textures and futuristic minimalism, giving the cabin a calming, wellness-like feel.
🖥️ Digital Innovation at Its Core
No modern interior is complete without tech, and this is where the IONIQ 9 truly redefines UX (User Experience). Hyundai has invested in not just placing screens in the cabin, but integrating them meaningfully into the driver and passenger experience.
Key UX Features:
- Panoramic Curved Display
A wide, seamless screen stretches across the dashboard, combining the digital instrument cluster and infotainment system in a single glass panel. It delivers crystal-clear visuals, customizable themes, and real-time data — all presented elegantly. - AI-Based Voice Assistant
The upgraded voice assistant understands natural language, supports in-vehicle functions, and even offers mood lighting adjustments or wellness tips on long drives. - Smart Cabin Controls
A centralized touchscreen and haptic buttons operate climate, navigation, music, and seat functions — minimizing clutter while keeping things intuitive. - Ambient Intelligence System
Based on time of day and driver preferences, the system automatically adjusts lighting, temperature, and infotainment suggestions.
🎶 A Sound Experience That Moves With You
The IONIQ 9 features a premium immersive sound system, likely from Bose or Meridian, depending on regional availability. Speakers are smartly placed around the cabin, including in the headrests, to create a personal sound zone for every passenger.
Add to that acoustic glass, active noise cancellation, and EV-specific quiet cabin engineering, and you’ve got one of the most serene in-cabin experiences on the road today.
🧠 Smart Seats and Custom Comfort
The seating in the IONIQ 9 isn’t just about cushioning — it’s about intelligent interaction. Some standout innovations include:
- Reclining and zero-gravity front seats for maximum ergonomic comfort
- Heated, ventilated, and massaging functions across rows
- Memory profiles with smartphone syncing
- Ambient “mood boost” presets that adjust seat, lighting, and audio to match your emotional state
📱 Connectivity and Integration
With 5G-ready architecture and seamless smartphone integration, the IONIQ 9 becomes an extension of your digital life. It supports:
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- OTA (Over-the-Air) software updates
- Connected services via Hyundai Bluelink
- Remote cabin pre-conditioning, charging, and lock/unlock functions via app
🔐 Safety Meets User Interface
Even in UX, Hyundai puts safety first. The interior tech works in harmony with the ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) to keep both driver and passengers informed and secure.
Key features include:
- 360-degree surround-view display
- Driver attention warning alerts
- Customizable HUD (Head-Up Display)
- Blind Spot View Monitor integrated in digital cluster
This combination of safety and UX was a strong factor in the IONIQ 9’s inclusion in the 2025 Wards list.
💬 WardsAuto Jury: Why the IONIQ 9 Made the List
In their official remarks, WardsAuto editors praised the Hyundai IONIQ 9 for offering “a user experience that feels modern, human, and connected without overwhelming the senses.” They highlighted its functional beauty, ease of use, and thoughtful approach to both driver and passenger needs.
In a world where screen overload can ruin user experience, the IONIQ 9 strikes the perfect balance between digital innovation and emotional intelligence.
🔚 Final Thoughts
The Hyundai IONIQ 9’s inclusion in the 2025 Wards 10 Best Interiors & UX is more than just a design award — it’s a sign that Hyundai is setting new standards for EV luxury. From serene aesthetics to smart tech and sustainable choices, the IONIQ 9 delivers a holistic, intuitive, and enjoyable in-cabin experience.
For Hyundai, this recognition not only validates its design philosophy but also sets the tone for what we can expect from the brand in its upcoming flagship EVs.
The IONIQ 9 is no longer just a concept — it’s a comfortable, connected, and conscious reality on wheels.
