Two very different EVs from two very different brands have the same mission, make electric vehicles convenient for people who need more room.
“Three row SUV’s on the gasoline side are super critical,” says Hyundai product planner Andre Ravinowich. “I think every brand has a strong place in that segment. It’s an ever growing segment.”
Hyundai bringing us to Savannah, Georgia to try out the new three row IONIQ 9. Just one day earlier, we were in Chelsea, Michigan taking our first drive of the CADILLAC VISTIQ, a three row electric utility that’s not quite as large as an Escalade IQ, but a move up from the two row LYRIQ.
“The third row customer is predominant in the segment, and it will open up the doors for that,” says VISTIQ Chief Engineer Jeff MacDonald.
Having two larger choices opens the EV market to some customers who may not have considered an electric vehicle before. At least that’s what both Hyundai and Cadillac want. Let’s take a look at the vehicle individually, starting with the Cadillac VISTIQ.
The VISTIQ has 305 miles of range, and–with 615 horsepower can take you from zero to sixty in 3.7 seconds. Super Cruise comes standard.
You can add on a lot of other technology including a heads up display with augmented reality and night vision. MacDonald says Cadillac buyers expect new technology.
“It’s the evolution of the Cadillac presence.”
A few drive impressions. Acceleration was great, the interior bears a strong family resemblance to Cadillac’s other EVs, and that’s a good thing. Super Cruise continues to get better, but a few changes that allow it to resume automatically may take some getting used to.
And in an example of how the driver remains in charge, I was able to quickly disengage the system and take control to prevent my becoming involved in an accident.
The Dolby Atmos sound system, which will be making its way into other Cadillacs, is first rate.
A luxury model VISTIQ will cost $77,395. Load it up with technology and luxury, and the Platinum model tops out at $96,895. That’s still under what you’d pay for the electric Escalade IQ, which starts in the six figure range and goes up from there.
The VISTIQ means Cadillac now has the largest variety of EV’s of any luxury brand.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for us right now, as far as our portfolio and where we are,” says Cadillac Global Marketing Director Brad Franz.
The OPTIQ is Cadillac’s entry level EV, followed by the LYIQ, the VISTIQ and Escalade IQ.
Marketing conditions have prompted Cadillac to drop its original goal of being all EV by the end of the decade. They actually have more variety than any other GM brand, as they are the only one that still builds sedans. They are likely to have a mix of gasoline and electric vehicles for a while to come.
But the electric side of the business is growing, and VISTIQ is expected to fuel more growth.
“When you start to think about where we are right now as far as EV as a percent of the portfolio,” says Franz. “Right now it’s about 23-25 percent. We see that as accelerating to 35 percent by the end of the year and beyond.”
Hyundai is also growing its EV presence. Add in hybrids and “electrified” vehicles now make up 26 percent of Hyundai sales.
Their IONIQ 5 utility and IONIQ 6 sedan have seen strong sales, and great reviews. The three row IONIQ 9 debuts at a time when the EV market is more mature.
“I think the market now is getting to the place where it’s comfortable to have an EV,” says Ravinowich.
“Comfortable” is a good way to describe the IONIQ 9. While it’s not a luxury vehicle, the top of the line Calligriphy trim certainly comes close. There are so many choices.
You can get into an IONIQ 9 for $58,955. But that’s a base trim with rear wheel drive. Keep adding on and you grow through the 60’s with Performance and Limited trims. Take it all the way to the top with the “Performance Calligraphy Design” model with all wheel drive, and the cost is $76,490.
The IONIQ 9 comes with a lot of Hyundai technology. Safety technology like blind spot alert and forward collision avoidance assist comes standard. You can add on a lot of extras including remote parking assist and and smart cruise control.
Power ranges from 215 to 422 horsepower. Range from 311 to 335 miles
With fast charging, Hyundai says you can go from 10 to 80 percent in 24 minutes. A level two charger at home will take you almost ten hours to go from 10 to 100 percent. That’s good enough for most overnight charging.
I’ve generally been impressed with Hyundai, Kia and Genesis EV’s and the IONIQ 9 is no exception. It handles well for something this large. The technology just works. The interior is upscale and very roomy. In fact, EV’s tend to have a bit of an advantage when it comes to room.
“That flat floor is awesome,” says Ravinowich. “The ability to come into the car and not have a tunnel running through the middle…it’s a great open space.”
On the subject of open spaces, the plant where Hyundai builds the IONIQ 9 and IONIQ 5 is like no other. It has a lot of natural light, open, highly automated and brand new. It’s part of a growing Hyundai complex outside Savannah with eleven buildings on site. Hyundai recently announcing that it’s expanding the capacity so they can eventually build 500,000 EVs and hybrids for the Kia, Hyundai and Genesis brands.
Jeff Gilbert’s travel and accommodations to Savannah, Georgia paid by Hyundai. Cadillac provided a vehicle for a brief drive through Washtanaw County.