Compare The 2026 IONIQ 9 S vs SEL - Phoenix, AZ

The 2026 IONIQ 9 is a debut model for the Hyundai lineup, so everything you see is completely new and ready to shake up its class. Available in six trims and starting off with an impressive 335-mile all-electric range, the IONIQ 9 promises to make an excellent first impression.

Performance

The IONIQ 9 S has an electric motor and a 160 kW rear-wheel drive setup that delivers 215 horsepower. This is enough for many of our families, but if you need more, the SEL trim boasts a 226.1 kW setup with 303 horsepower. The extra horsepower means a lot to families that take on more demanding travel.

Appearance

IONIQ 9 base model S trims have full LED headlamps and 19-inch alloy wheels. SEL trims add 20-inch alloy wheels, a significant boost that offers a more intimidating stance. The SEL has more exterior color options. Its color lineup offers six total colors, while the S provides four. If you like to customize your vehicles, the SEL has a few more customizations than the S.

Features

IONIQ 9 customers will get the royal treatment for their interior, but every trim varies in what it has to offer. For example, the S trim boasts 7-passenger seating and a 2nd-row bench seat. S families also get a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, a very generous amount of screen real estate for a base model. SEL families will enjoy H-Tex seating with climate-controlled seats, something that's not standard on an S trim. For added convenience and safety, the SEL also gets a standard Blind-Spot View Monitor that gives the driver more control over their maneuvering decisions. If you want ambient interior lighting in 64 colors, the SEL trim is the only one that is standard (or available). SmartSense features are more abundant on the SEL trim. For example, Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist isn't even available on the S trim, but it's standard on the IONIQ 9 SEL.

If you'd like to know more about the 2026 IONIQ 9 S and/or SEL trim, please contact our dealership. Our sales team is available to answer questions about either trim and can even schedule you for a test drive so that you can compare them for yourself.