Hyundai Ioniq 7: Everything we know in September 2023 [Update]

Update: ‘Design’ section updated.

With the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 out of the pipeline, the next big Hyundai EV debut is the Hyundai Ioniq 7. Here’s everything we know about the upcoming flagship Ioniq model designed for American families:

Three-row mid-size electric SUV

The Hyundai Ioniq 7 will be a mid-size vehicle (as per U.S. classification) and offer plenty of space. José Muñoz, President and CEO, Hyundai Motor North America, has confirmed that it will be a three-row model. The revelations don’t differ from the speculation, but it’s nice to get confirmation as we can now list them as facts.

We will follow the exciting Ioniq 5 compact CUV with the stunning Ioniq 6 mid-size sedan next year and the Ioniq 7 three-row mid-size SUV in 2024, and that is just the beginning. Hyundai will introduce 23 battery electric vehicles worldwide by 2025.

José Muñoz, President and CEO, Hyundai Motor North America (Ioniq 5 U.S. debut, in 2021)

During the online presentation of the E-GMP architecture in December 2020, HMG slyly teased the Ioniq 7, showing its outline in the form of suspended art. The silhouette showed a large SUV with traditional proportions while elaborating on the platform layout and variable width, overhang, and wheelbase composition that can be applied to multiple segments.

Design

The Hyundai Ioniq 7 will be an interesting amalgamation of traditional SUV styling with modern SUV characteristics. It will sit close to the ground and feature a sloping roofline and a slightly hunched tail section.

Hyundai has proven that it can design production EVs very close to concept versions and still offer them at a fair price. As radical as the Seven concept (detailed in the following section) may look, the Ioniq 7 will not be far from it. Munoz straight out told MotorTrend that the production version would be “pretty close,” so close that we’ll be “amazed.”

Concept-like body

Hyundai has commenced testing the Ioniq 7 on public roads, and the initial sighting in South Korea indicates that it will wear a sleeker appearance compared to typical SUVs of its size and type, reminiscent of the concept vehicle from which it is evolving.

The spy photos confirm that the Ioniq 7 will retain key design elements from the Seven Concept, such as the square-shaped wheel arches (but in a black color, not body color), sloping roofline, significantly angled A-pillars, integrated roof rails, and expansive windshield. Many of these design cues are visible in an unofficial rendering by YouTube channel 뉴욕맘모스_NYMAMMOTH, pictured above.

Lighting

As seen in the spy picture above, the Ioniq 7 will feature Hyundai’s newest interpretation of two-tier headlights. It will have an end-to-end daytime running light stripe at the tip of the hood, emphasizing its width. The low- and high-beam lights are stacked vertically at the extreme ends of the bumper, and they should provide excellent visibility, thanks to a new technology, which we’ll get to in just a bit.

The Ioniq 6 features over 700 Parametric Pixels in multiple places, such as headlamps, rear combination lamps, front lower sensors, air vent garnishes, and console indicator. Considering the Ioniq 7’s size, it may integrate more. Cool Hunting reported on August 24, 2022, that the Ioniq 7 will feature seven pixels on the front spoiler to display the charging status.

Wheel & tires

Hyundai will likely offer the Ioniq 7 with multiple wheel and tire options. Recent spy pictures (via Naver/prayforwish) have shown the company using 19-inch wheels wrapped in Kumho Ecsta 255/60 R19 tires and 21-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin Primacy Tour A/S 285/45 R21 tires on test mules. While the 19-inch wheels appear small for an SUV of this size, they can maximize range.

Body fitments

We also expect flush door handles and camera-based digital side mirrors, although the availability of the latter will depend on local regulations. The U.S. won’t be among the countries getting this feature. The backup camera will likely be located not in the license plate area like on the Palisade and most other SUVs, but much higher, towards the bottom edge of the glass. The tail lamps seem to be vertical units.

Paint

Hyundai will adopt several eco-friendly measures for the Ioniq 7’s exterior. Like on the Ioniq 6, it may use recycled pigment paint from end-of-life tires on the cladding and bamboo charcoal pigment paint on the body. The company would offer the Ioniq 7 in several paint options, including a few particularly bright and unique shades that help it stand out from the lot. Recently, we spotted a test mule in South Korea finished in a color similar to the second-gen Kona‘s Mirage Green color.

Hyundai Ioniq 7 vs Kia EV9

The Ioniq 7 appears to have a more aerodynamic design than the new Kia EV9. On August 23, 2023, YouTube channel 뻥태기 posted a spy video showing a camouflaged Ioniq 7 parked next to the Kia SUV. Its A-pillar appears slightly lower, making the windshield look more raked and the entire front section more aerodynamic. In addition to a sportier style, this difference may result in reduced air drag, which has a positive effect on the range.

While the EV9 has a flat roof, the Ioniq 7 features a curvy roof that drops from behind the B-pillar. The latter also looks visibly longer than the former, as expected from its significantly longer wheelbase.

Hyundai Seven Concept

Simon Loasby, Head of Hyundai Style Group, Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) told Car And Driver that the Ioniq 7 will carry the Seven’s pixel light headlights. The production model will feature a flat and translucent cover over the pixel-shaped lights instead of separate lights. The latter would look original and more appealing, but it wouldn’t be as practical, as it accumulates dirt.

A feature of the front-end that won’t make it to production will be the hood-integrated brand logo. It’s easier done on plastic panels, like that of the concept, than on sheet metal. Loasby also revealed that the production model will feature a frunk (front trunk) for extra cargo space. He confirmed that the concept’s all-glass tailgate would not make it to the Ioniq 7.

Interior

The interior of the Ioniq 7 will likely be just as futuristic and minimalist as the exterior, worlds apart from most gas-powered Hyundais. Recent spy shots reveal typical Ioniq (EV) series features, including plenty of rounded elements, like the door handles, for instance, and light upholstery colors. A white center console, featuring two big cup holders, a wireless smartphone charger, a silver toggle switch (likely for drive mode), was also visible. Based on these spy photos, it appears that the second row offers ample shoulder room to comfortably seat three adults.

The extensive usage of white color in the interior exudes a sense of cleanliness, luxury, and purity, serving as a reminder that this SUV is no ordinary Hyundai, but a futuristic, and eco-friendly vehicle. Additionally, the use of alternative materials in the cabin, with an emphasis on sustainability, should contribute to the touch and feel, further enhancing the unique experience for occupants.

Car And Driver has been told the interior of the Seven concept is less representative of the production model’s cabin. Only some elements will appear in the Ioniq 7, like the capsule-shaped cut-outs in the door panels, for instance.

MotorTrend also received the information that the interior will have extensive changes. SangYup Lee, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Hyundai Design, has said that the company envisioned the Seven concept for the fully-autonomous driving future, and hence the interior “is a little more visionary.” Obvious changes would be a regular steering wheel in place of the retractable one and a center console (not present in the concept). Expect to see 4-dot Interactive Pixel Lights on the steering wheel of the production model.

Gil Castillo, senior group manager, Alternative Vehicle and Advanced Vehicle Strategy, Hyundai Motor North America, told MotorTrend that Hyundai can carry over the concept’s Vision Roof Display to the Ioniq 7. However, offering this feature might not make sense now, Castillo said. The company used it in the concept only to explore how far it could stretch to convert an EV into a living space when fully autonomous driving becomes commonplace.

Swiveling seats

Among the features that we expect to see in the production model is the swiveling rear seat. However, there might be two of them instead of just one.

Hyundai could offer lounge-style swiveling second-row seats in a comfort-focused version that accommodates six people. The swiveling seats may allow the rear-seat passengers in the second and third rows to sit face-to-face, and that’d be particularly useful for business executives and VIPs trying to make the best out of their travel time. A more practical seven-seat version with a normal bench will likely be the standard fitment, though. The third-row passengers are unlikely to feel left out of features, as Hyundai may offer cup holders and mobile charging ports for them, too.

‘Phygital’ interior

Another highlight of the interior could be a new display concept in which there’s a dedicated climate control display placed between the instrument cluster and the infotainment system. A mix of a dashboard-integrated touch-controlled panel and physical controls like buttons and knurls should allow accessing the various functions of these displays.

Specifications

A Carscoops report has said that the Hyundai Ioniq 7 will come in two-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The flagship Hyundai EV could offer a ground clearance of more than 8 inches.

Battery & Charging

The Hyundai Ioniq 7 may use the same core components as the Kia EV9, its closest platform-mate. The E-GMP-based electric three-row SUV may come with two lithium-ion battery pack options: 76.1 kWh and 99.8 kWh. Both battery packs, thanks to a high voltage of ~800 volts, may take just around 25 minutes for a 10-80% fast-charging session with a 350 kW charger. The charging port will likely be located on the right side at the rear.

RWD

Three powertrain configurations could be available at launch, two RWD and one AWD. The base Ioniq 7 RWD may have a single, rear-mounted motor that produces 150 kW (201 hp) and 350 Nm (258 lb.-ft.). The top-end Ioniq 7 RWD may sport a higher-power, 160 kW version (214 hp) of the same motor, with the same torque.

The RWD variants of the Ioniq 7 will likely share the 76.1 kWh battery pack. In that case, Hyundai may target a WLTP range of close to 550 miles for the entry-level variant, and that could translate to an EPA-est. range of around 275 miles. 

AWD

The Ioniq 7 AWD should combine a 141 kW (189 hp)/250 Nm (184 lb.-ft.) front motor and a 141 kW (189 hp)/350 Nm (258 lb.-ft.) rear motor, resulting in combined power and total torque ratings of 283 kW (379 hp) and 600 Nm (443 lb.-ft.), respectively. It may have a boost function that increases the system torque to 700 Nm (516 lb.-ft.) for short bursts. A 99.8 kWh battery pack will likely supply energy to the higher-output motors of the Ioniq 7 AWD.

Aspect	Hyundai Ioniq 7 Specification (Expected)
Wheelbase	3.2 meter (126 in.)
Driveline	RWD/AWD
Max. System Power	Up to 283 kW (379 hp)
Max. System Torque	Up to 700 Nm (516 lb.-ft.)
Battery Pack Capacity	Up to 99.8 kWh
Range (EPA)	Up to ~275 miles
Peak DC Charging Power	350 kW
10-80% DC Fast-Charging Time	~25 minutes
V2L	Yes

Improved power module

Hyundai’s E-GMP platform will soon benefit from new silicon-carbide (SiC) power modules, according to a press release by STMicroelectronics dated December 7, 2022. The ACEPACK DRIVE SiC-MOSFET Gen3 power modules will deliver higher performance and longer driving range over previous-gen units. Of the five modules, three have already entered full-scale production – the remaining two will do so by March 2023.

Equipped with the company’s “sintering technology”, these new modules will be more reliable and robust than ever. Apart from their improved energy efficiency and higher power density, the ‘plug-and-play’ third-gen modules support direct liquid cooling and can handle charging voltages of up to 1200 volts. It’s truly possible that all (current and future) E-GMP models from Hyundai and Kia will get them, thereby benefiting from shorter charging periods, higher maximum range, and improved overall performance.

Features

New ambient lighting

We expect the Ioniq 7 to feature Dual Color Ambient Lighting that allows customers to choose from 64 single colors and six dual theme colors. Like in the Ioniq 6, this feature could work with a Speed Sync Lighting mode that changes the brightness of the interior lighting in the first row as per the speed of the vehicle.

Advanced and recycled materials

Thanks to the premium positioning, it might be possible for Hyundai to use newly developed high-tech materials on the Ioniq 7. One of the many innovative features of the large electric SUV could be paints and trims that serve more than just aesthetics.

Several interior touchpoints, such as door trim, headliner, seats, armrest, and floor, could be made from eco-friendly and sustainably sourced materials. Plant-based (bio PET) yarns and natural wool yarns, recycled PET bottles, bio paint with plant extracts, recycled fishing net carpet, and artificial leather with plant-based extracts could be some of the eco-friendly and sustainably sourced materials.

The Ioniq 6 is the first Ioniq model in which Hyundai has used recycled fishing net carpet. Moreover, the company has applied eco-process leather and recycled PET fabric for its seats, bio TPO skin for its dashboard, and bio paint derived from vegetable oils for the doors. The electric sedan’s headliner also sees the usage of recycled PET fabric.

Electric Active Sound Design (e-ASD)

In addition to Speed Sync Lightning, Electric Active Sound Design (e-ASD) could help make the driving experience exciting. e-ASD emits a spacecraft-like driving sound through the speakers based on the speed of the vehicle, the torque state of its motor, and the intensity with which the driver pushes the accelerator pedal.

Highway Driving Pilot

At Hyundai Motor Company (HMC)’s 2022 CEO Investor Day, its President and CEO Jaehoon Chang said that the Genesis G90 will become a Level 3 autonomous driving capable car with Highway Driving Pilot (HDP). This will make the G90 among the first mass-produced car with Level 3 autonomy.

Currently, most vehicles across the globe, with this feature, use Level 2 and Level 2+ semi-autonomous systems, although Mercedes-Benz has introduced Level 3 cars already.

Level 3 autonomy allows drivers to do other activities; however, it’s conditional, and drivers must be ready to take over if required. The system uses Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), various AI systems, and onboard sensors. LIDAR is a crucial component of autonomy. According to a report from The Korea Economic Daily, Hyundai will install LIDAR sensors on all Level 3 cars, and the same can be expected in the Ioniq 7. However, local regulations would decide whether this technology is available.

The lower variants of the Ioniq 7 should have semi-autonomous driving features of the Hyundai Ioniq 5. The electric crossover comes with Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDAII), Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA), and many more advanced driver assistance systems. Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA) that lets the driver remotely park or exit a parking spot for parallel and perpendicular parking should also be included in the list of autonomous driving functions.

Hyundai says that in Level 3, “the car is able to manage safety functions under certain conditions, but the driver is expected to take over when alerted.”

Autonomous Parking with RSPA2

Apart from autonomous driving, the Hyundai Ioniq 7 may offer the convenience of autonomous parking. It could feature the company’s Remote Smart Parking Assist 2 (RSPA 2) in its most developed version. Chang said at HMC’s 2022 CEO Investor Day that RSPA 2 will get updated through OTA and HMC will continue its development to provide a remote parking function. Like the Ioniq 6, the Ioniq 7 should support over-the-air software updates.

On October 11, 2022, HMG announced that it will offer Feature on Demand (FoD) services from 2023. The Ioniq 7 should come with this convenience. Customers will likely be able to access new functions and features, including those for autonomous driving, by paying for them online and enabling them at any point during their lease or ownership.

Digital Key

Another highlight of the Hyundai Ioniq 7 could be the next-gen Digital Key. Hyundai’s current Digital Key technology allows users to unlock and start their Hyundai via their smartphone. The Digital Key is downloaded via a smartphone application and can be used by up to four authorized people.

Currently, the user needs to hold the smartphone with the Digital Key against the driver or front passenger door handle to unlock the car. The Hyundai Ioniq 7 could come with the more advanced Digital Key 3.0 that needs the user’s smartphone to be in enough proximity to the vehicle for a specific time period to unlock the doors. It provides passive access where the user would not need to lift the smartphone out of the pocket or bag.

V2L (Vehicle to Load)

One of the first features of the Ioniq that 5 Hyundai featured in its marketing campaign was V2L. This utility feature should be available even in the Ioniq 7. V2L allows using the electrical energy stored inside the vehicle’s battery pack to power external devices like domestic appliances, camping equipment, consumer electronics, etc. With V2L, one can also charge another EV’s battery pack. In the U.S., the peak power available in the Ioniq 5 for V2L functions is 1.9 kW instead of 3.6 kW globally.

Vision roof

The Hyundai Ioniq 7 should eventually feature a large panoramic sunroof called ‘Vision roof.’ The mid-size electric SUV’s ceiling may consist of one large glass panel without cross members so that the occupants can enjoy an uninterrupted view of the night sky. This feature will not be available at launch.

Virtual mirrors

In some markets, including South Korea, where regulations permit, Hyundai will offer the Ioniq 7 with virtual mirrors. Cameras are mounted in place of traditional mirrors made of glass, and their feed is displayed on two screens mounted, usually on the front door panels or the corner of the dashboard/A-pillars.

LG home appliances in the Hyundai Ioniq 7

With the advent of autonomous driving technologies and space-saving electric vehicle platforms, cars are becoming more like homes and offices on wheels. Companies are constantly searching for innovative comfort and convenience features to meet the demands of occupants. Hyundai has tied up with LG Electronics to source customized home appliances for the production Ioniq 7. The home-based electronics company will make products like the Styler steam closet and refrigerator for the road-ready Ioniq 7, as per a report from The Korea Economic Daily. Other LG companies will reportedly supply display panels for the Ioniq 7, and that sister concern could be LG Display.

Production

S.Korea

According to a report Chosun Biz published on January 31, 2023, global production of the Hyundai Ioniq 7 will take place at the Hyundai Asan plant in South Korea. At the end of May 2023, the labor union at the factory was informed about the Ioniq 7 allocation, internally confirming the development, Asian Economy reported on June 7, 2023.

This factory already manufactures the Ioniq 6. The battery pack of the electric SUV will come from SK On’s Seosan plant, which is about 50 km (31 miles) away from the Asan plant. SK On’s batteries already power three of HMG’s EVs – the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Hyundai Ioniq 6, and Kia EV6.

The power electric (PE) module of the Ioniq 7 will come from Jinyoung Industry, not Hyundai Motor Group’s own component supplier Hyundai Mobis, Asia Time said in an exclusive report on August 11, 2023. A PE module typically consists of a motor, an inverter, and a transmission. More importantly, it stated July 2023 as the Ioniq 7’s start of production (SOP) timeline.

U.S. production

Vehicle production

HMG is constructing a dedicated EV plant and a battery plant at the Bryan County Megasite in Bryan County (Georgia), USA. The new manufacturing facility will entail an investment of USD 5.54 billion, although HMG plans to establish the battery plant in a joint venture. Production of the Hyundai Ioniq 7 will take place at the new smart factory, as per a Reuters report dated May 9, 2022.

On October 25, 2022, HMG held the groundbreaking ceremony for the upcoming dedicated EV and battery plant at the Bryan County Megasite. A newly established Group company called ‘Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA)’ is in charge of operations. HMG has confirmed that, as the name suggests, the future electric vehicle assembly facility will make models from all three brands – Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis.

The HMGMA plant will have an annual production capacity of 300,000 electric vehicles. HMG expects commercial production to begin in the first half of 2025. On January 4, 2023, Randy Parker, CEO, Hyundai Motor America, said the company is on its way to achieving its goal of commencing production on time, Bryan County News reported the same day.

Suppliers have started preparing for HMGMA’s upcoming EV production site. Joon Georgia is the first of them, a part of Ajin USA, which already supplies multiple HMG facilities. It will build a new automotive parts manufacturing facility for HMGMA and other EV companies at Bruce Yawn Commerce Park in Bulloch County, a little over 30 miles north of Bryan County Megasite. The company will invest USD 317 million in the project.

Battery production

The EVs made at the new U.S. factory should have battery cells sourced from one of HMG’s two joint venture plants in the U.S. The South Korean automaker has partnered with SK On and LG Energy Solution for local cell factories.

HMG and SK On will establish a 50-50 owned factory in Bartow County, Georgia, close to the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA), Kia Autoland Georgia (KaGA), and Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) vehicle plants. Expected to entail an investment of USD 5 billion, HMG and SK On’s EV cell production facility will have an annual capacity of 35 GWh, which will be enough to power 300,000 EVs. Production will begin in the second half of 2025.

HMG and LG Energy Solutions’ JV cell plant will be located right in Bryan County, adjacent to the HMGMA vehicle plant. Thus, if HMG manufactures the Ioniq 7 at the HMGMA factory, it’ll most likely use the cells from the factory it’ll jointly own with LG Energy Solutions.

The HMG-LG Energy Solutions cell production facility will have an annual production capacity of 30 GWh, which will also be enough to support the production of 300,000 EVs. HMG and LG Energy Solutions will invest over USD 4.3 billion in this factory and have equal ownership. Both companies say production will start at the end of 2025 “at the earliest.” Hyundai Mobis will assemble the battery packs using the cells made here and supply them to the various vehicle plants HMG owns in the U.S.

Release Date

Hyundai plans to launch the Ioniq 7 in 2024. For the U.S., which has the potential to be its biggest market, the Ioniq 7 will be a major launch, but not for European countries. Automotive News Europe asked Michael Cole, President and CEO of Hyundai’s European division, in August 2022 if the Ioniq 7 would be a smaller volume model than the Ioniq 5 and the Ioniq 6. Cole said that the company doesn’t plan to sell the Ioniq 7 in big numbers as it is a large SUV.

On June 14, 2023, Cole shared another update about the Ioniq 7’s European launch. Speaking at the annual Automotive News Europe Congress, he said the Ioniq 7 will hit the European markets in the second half of 2024. American dealerships should start receiving the Ioniq 7 a few months earlier, probably in late Q2 or early Q3.

Concept’s Canadian debut at the 2023 Montreal International Auto Show

Over a year after its U.S. debut, the Seven Concept made its first appearance on Canadian soil at the 2023 Montreal International Auto Show, held between January 20 and 29, 2023. It’s a given that the Canadian public’s reaction would influence the local sales and marketing team’s strategy for the Ioniq 7.

Ioniq 7 subscription & Free charging

HMG has confirmed that American Hyundai dealers will offer an Ioniq subscription service in the future. The Ioniq 7 should be available to subscribe to in the U.S. An all-inclusive monthly payment would cover the vehicle, insurance, and maintenance costs and provide customers with a more convenient, low-risk way of owning their preferred Ioniq model. The subscription tenure options could start from one month.

Customers of the Hyundai Ioniq 7 could be offered one or two years of free unlimited 30-minute charging sessions. Hyundai, Kia, BMW Group, Mercedes-Benz Group, GM, Honda, and Stellantis are forming a joint venture to create a high-power charging network consisting of no less than 30,000 chargers compatible with EVs having a Combined Charging System (CCS) or North American Charging Standard (NACS) port in North America. The joint venture is expected to be established by the end of 2023, and the first charging stations are scheduled to open in Summer 2024.

TopElectricSUV says

The Ioniq 7 will be the largest and most high-tech model in the brand’s history. Expected to be made in America in subsequent model years, the electric SUV should provide excellent value for money and sure-shot attractions like advanced connectivity, charging and safety technologies, futuristic design, and a spacious interior. Among the first affordable electric family SUVs, American customers asking for a premium Palisade should find the Ioniq 7 attractive. The SUV would even draw Ford Explorer, Toyota Highlander, and Honda Pilot owners planning to go zero-emissions.

Hyundai Ioniq 7 FAQs

Featured image: TopElectricSUV’s rendition of the Ioniq 7.