Hyundai’s flagship electric SUV, the IONIQ 9, has achieved a 5-star ANCAP safety rating and it is one of the first large EV SUVs to be assessed against these tougher standards. The Hyundai IONIQ 9 performed strongly across every category, earning praise for its stable crash structure, advanced driver-assist systems, and innovative pedestrian protection technology.
With high scores in both adult and child occupant safety, along with features like third-row airbags and cyclist/motorcyclist crash avoidance, the IONIQ 9 proves that Hyundai’s biggest EV offering combines size and sustainability without compromising on safety.
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Breaking down the scores
Adult Occupant Protection – 84%
ANCAP’s crash tests showed that the Hyundai IONIQ 9 provides good protection for adult occupants. In the frontal offset test, the passenger cabin remained stable, but the driver only got adequate protection hurting the overall score. Side-impact test also confirmed high levels of safety, while the oblique pole test offered marginal protection to the driver’s chest.
Child Occupant Protection – 86%
The IONIQ 9 is built as a family SUV and offers strong protection for younger passengers. Child dummies in both the frontal offset and side-impact crash tests were well safeguarded, thanks to structural integrity and effective restraint systems. A standout feature is the inclusion of head-protecting curtain airbags that extend into the third row, ensuring those seated furthest back are not left vulnerable. ANCAP also highlighted the clear ISOFix and top tether anchor points, which simplify the safe installation of child seats. It does, however, lose points for missing on-board safety features in the tested model like child presence detection in any of the seats.
Vulnerable Road User Protection – 77%
This was the weakest safety aspect for the Hyundai Ioniq 9 in these tests. The full-size electric SUV features an active “pop-up” bonnet, which raises slightly in the event of an impact to help reduce head injuries, but offers poor protection at the front and rear of the bonnet, as well as the stiff A-pillars. Protection of the pelvis was mixed with marginal and poor levels of protection, but it showed better protection for the femur and legs. Beyond passive protection, the vehicle’s autonomous emergency braking system can detect cyclists and motorcyclists, helping to avoid collisions in real-world conditions.
Safety Assist – 85%
The Hyundai Ioniq 9 comes well equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance technologies. Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian, cyclist, and motorcyclist detection is standard, along with lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, speed limit recognition, and adaptive cruise control. In ANCAP’s evaluations, these systems responded effectively in a variety of scenarios, demonstrating their ability to help prevent or lessen the severity of crashes.
Standard safety equipment
The Hyundai Ioniq 9 comes equipped with a wide range of advanced safety features, all fitted as standard across every variant:
- Airbags: Dual frontal, side chest-protecting, and side head-protecting curtain airbags (extending to the third row).
- Centre airbag: Positioned between the driver and front passenger to reduce injury in side impacts.
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB): Detects pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists, with junction assist for turning scenarios.
- Lane support systems: Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and Emergency Lane Keeping (ELK).
- Speed Assistance System: Includes traffic sign recognition to help drivers maintain safe speeds.
- Adaptive cruise control: Works with other driver-assist features to maintain safe following distances.
- Rear cross-traffic AEB: Detects approaching vehicles when reversing.
- Reversing pedestrian detection: Adds another layer of protection in low-speed reversing situations.
What does ANCAP say about this result?
ANCAP praised the Hyundai Ioniq 9’s well-rounded performance, noting its strength across both crash protection and crash avoidance.
Carla Hoorweg, ANCAP CEO, said: “The Hyundai Ioniq 9 demonstrates Hyundai’s ability to deliver top levels of safety performance in line with ANCAP’s most stringent test requirements.”
She added that both private buyers and fleet operators can be confident the Ioniq 9 provides high levels of protection not only for those inside the SUV but also for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists sharing the road.
Who should consider Hyundai Ioniq 9?
The Ioniq 9 sits at the top of Hyundai’s electric SUV line-up, making it a strong candidate for a broad mix of buyers:
- Families: Its spacious cabin, 3rd-row airbags, and strong adult and child occupant protection make it ideal for households prioritising safety.
- EV adopters: As a large electric SUV, it offers zero tailpipe emissions without compromising on practicality and safety.
- Private SUV buyers: Packed with advanced safety tech such as AEB with cyclist and motorcyclist detection, lane support, and adaptive cruise control, the Ioniq 9 appeals to drivers who want confidence on every journey.
Final Thoughts
The Hyundai Ioniq 9’s 5-star ANCAP result confirms it as one of the safest large electric SUVs available in Australia. Its combination of robust crash performance, extensive active safety systems, and innovative pedestrian protection makes it a standout in the growing EV market.
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