Compare the2026 BMW iXVS 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9

The iX’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Ioniq 9 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The BMW iX has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Ioniq 9 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The iX’s standard pretensioning seatbelts also sense rear collisions and remove slack from the front seatbelts to help protect the occupants from whiplash and other injuries. The Ioniq 9 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The iX has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Ioniq 9 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive is standard on the iX. But it costs extra on the Ioniq 9.

The BMW iX’s optionalSurround View is available with washers for its front and rear cameras, ensuring crystal-clear visibility in any weather condition. Conversely, the Hyundai Ioniq 9 only offers a rear camera washer, which may not provide the same level of all-weather performance.

Both the iX and the Ioniq 9 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The iX’s corrosion warranty is 5 years longer than the Ioniq 9’s (12 vs. 7 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the iX for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for tire rotations, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Hyundai doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Ioniq 9.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Hyundai is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 2 places higher in reliability than Hyundai.

The iX has more powerful engines than the Ioniq 9:

On the EPA test cycle the iX gets better mileage than the Ioniq 9:

The iX can travel longer on a full charge than the Ioniq 9 on a full charge:

The iX M70’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Ioniq 9 doesn’t offer launch control.

The iX stops much shorter than the Ioniq 9:

The iX’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Ioniq 9 Limited/Calligraphy’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the iX xDrive45/60 has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the Ioniq 9 S/SE. The iX’s optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels on the Ioniq 9 Limited/Calligraphy.

The iX offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Ioniq 9’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For greater off-road capability the iX has a 1.9 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Ioniq 9 (8.8 vs. 6.9 inches), allowing the iX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The iX is 3.7 inches shorter than the Ioniq 9, making the iX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The iX has 2.9 inches more front hip room, .1 inches more front shoulder room and 2.4 inches more rear hip room than the Ioniq 9.

The iX has a much larger cargo volume than the Ioniq 9 with its rear seat up (35.5 vs. 21.9 cubic feet).

Maximum trailer towing in the Hyundai Ioniq 9 is limited to 5000 pounds. The iX offers up to a 6834 lbs. towing capacity.

A Condition-Based Service Display is standard on the iX to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for vehicle inspections, vehicle inspection based on actual driving conditions. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Hyundai doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Ioniq 9.

The iX’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Ioniq 9’s standard rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the iX the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Ioniq 9 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The iX’s standard Comfort Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Proximity Key standard on the Ioniq 9 doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

Laser headlights, optional on the iX, produce their light by firing blue lasers through phosphorus, a process that uses one-half the power of the Ioniq 9’s LED headlights. Laser headlights can have double the range of LEDs with a much smaller surface area.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the iX has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Ioniq 9 doesn’t offer cornering lights. The iX also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The iX’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Ioniq 9 offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The BMW iX has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the Ioniq 9 SEL/Limited/Calligraphy.

The iX has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the Ioniq 9 SEL/Limited/Calligraphy.

The BMW iX has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Homelink® is only available on the Ioniq 9 SEL/Limited/Calligraphy.