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The three-row electric SUV we’ve been waiting for is almost here. Ahead of its debut next month, the Hyundai IONIQ 9 was spotted parked in Korea, giving us a closer look at its impressive size and spacious interior.

Hyundai IONIQ 9 shows off spacious interior

It’s been almost three years since we got our first look at the IONIQ 9 three years ago at the 2021 LA Auto Show.

Although it was called the SEVEN concept, Hyundai has since confirmed that the larger electric SUV will go by the IONIQ 9.

We will finally see the production version next month. Hyundai will officially unveil its first three-row electric SUV, the IONIQ 9, at the 2024 LA Auto Show.

The IONIQ 9 will be a cornerstone of Hyundai’s plans to secure leadership in the North American EV market. As it approaches its debut, the larger electric SUV has been spotted out in the wild several times, revealing its impressive size and bold design.

Earlier this month, we got our closest look yet at the new electric SUV after new photos revealed the IONIQ 9 with less camo.

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Hyundai IONIQ 9 spotted with less camo, revealing new LED light bar (Source: NewCarScoops)

New design elements, like the LED light bar, are now clear. You can also see that Hyundai is fine-tuning the design to give it a more sculpted look.

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Hyundai IONIQ 9 spotted with less camo, revealing new rear lights and design (Source: NewCarScoops)

What to expect from the new electric SUV

The latest images from ShortsCar give us an even better look at the upcoming model. Hyundai’s IONIQ 9 was spotted parked on a street in Korea, revealing the SUV’s size and spacious interior.

From the side view, the IONIQ 9 is much bigger than Hyundai’s current IONIQ 5. Since it will be based on the same E-GMP platform, the IONIQ 9 is expected to be around the size of Kia’s EV9, at 197.2″ long, 77.9″ wide, 70.1″ tall, and a wheelbase of 122″. It’s about the size of a Telluride.

Hyundai IONIQ 9 interior revealed (Source: ShortsCar)

The interior images reveal what appears to be plenty of legroom in the second row. If it’s any indication, Kia’s EV9 has over 42″ of rear legroom, which is more than a Cadillac Escalade and Range Rover P40. It also has more headroom than the Tesla Model X.

Hyundai’s larger SUV is expected to start at around $55,000, about the same or slightly more than the EV9. More expensive trims could cost upwards of $75,000 to $80,000.

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2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line interior (Source: Kia)

Like the EV9, the IONIQ 9 is also expected to get over 300 miles of driving range on a full charge. It will be built alongside Hyundai’s updated 2025 IONIQ 5 at its new Metaplant America in Georgia.

Hyundai’s new IONIQ 5 has more range, a sleek new design, and an NACS port for charging at Tesla Superchargers. The IONIQ 9 will likely also include one, as it is a US-made model.

Hyundai IONIQ 9 spotted ahead of November debut (Source: ShortsCar)

New EVs built at the facility will initially qualify for a partial $3,750 tax credit. However, once the battery plant opens, Hyundai expects US-made electric vehicles to be eligible for the full $7,500. Check back soon for more info leading up to its official debut next month.

Electrek’s Take

Hyundai is already gaining market share in the US with some of the most affordable, efficient EVs on the market.

Including Kia and Genesis, Hyundai Motor Group sold more electric models in the first three months of 2024 in the US than Ford and GM.

Although Hyundai slipped behind GM in Q3 with new models like the Chevy Blazer and Equinox EVs gaining momentum, the Korean automaker expects sales to accelerate with local production.

With US production kicking off, the new 2025 IONIQ 5 rolling out, and the larger IONIQ 9 launching later this year, Hyundai is betting big on the US as a growth driver.

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Lucid (LCID) finally added this popular feature

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Lucid (LCID) finally added this popular feature

After several months of waiting, Lucid Air drivers now have access to Android Auto. Lucid (LCID) launched the popular feature through a software update this week.

Lucid Air owners gain access to Android Auto

Lucid promised it was coming, and now it’s finally here. “Android Auto is one of the most requested features,” according to Lucid’s head of software engineering, Dr Jean-Philippe Gauthier.

All Lucid Air vehicles now have access to Android Auto Smart Driving Companion through an OTA software update (Lucid OS 2.7.0).

You can now view Android apps, messages, and other media on Lucid’s massive 34″ Air Glass Cockpit. For those with Android 11 or higher, you can connect to Android Auto wirelessly. Those with Android 9.0 or higher will require a USB cable.

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Lucid said it would launch the popular feature late last year, but it’s just beginning to roll out to Air owners this week. The company website says the Gravity SUV “will support both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto,” but no further specifics are mentioned.

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Lucid Air Glass Cockpit navigation screen with Android Auto (Source: Lucid)

The 2025 Lucid Air is the “world’s most efficient car” with over 420 miles of EPA-estimated driving range. It also boasts the highest MPGe of any EV at 146 MPGe.

After resuming Gravity deliveries in April, Lucid is quickly ramping up production of its first electric SUV. Lucid expects to produce 20,000 vehicles this year, more than double the 9,000 it made last year.

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Lucid Air (left) and Gravity (right) Source: Lucid

The Lucid Gravity GT is now available for sale at $94,900, boasting an impressive range of up to 450 miles. Later this year, Lucid will launch the lower-priced Touring trim, starting at $79,900.

After launching its largest discounts to date earlier this month, Lucid is currently offering over $30,000 off select 2025 Air models.

Looking to test one out for yourself? You can use our links below to find current deals on the Lucid Air and Gravity near you.

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Honda has a funky new affordable EV that looks a bit familiar

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Honda has a funky new affordable EV that looks a bit familiar

Another entry-level electric car is on the way. The Honda Super EV Concept may look a bit funky, but it could be the automaker’s next big hit at an affordable price.

Is Honda launching an affordable EV?

We will get our first full look at the funky new Super EV Concept at the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed in West Sussex, England, next month.

The concept will make its global debut during the event, previewing a “new, small-size” electric vehicle. Despite its compact size, the company promises that it will be fun to drive, with an experience that is “unique to Honda.”

Designed as an A-segment electric SUV, Honda says the affordable EV offers an “uplifting, heart-pounding driving experience.”

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The company is already testing prototypes in the UK. Although Honda confirmed plans to launch a production model in the future, it didn’t specify a date or offer any other technical details.

Honda will also use the event to hold the European premiere of the electric 0 Series SUV. Earlier this year, we got a look at the upcoming electric SUV (also a bit funky looking) after a prototype was showcased at a Formula One event in Tokyo.

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Honda Super EV Concept (Source: Honda)

You can see Honda is using the same purple camouflage used for the 0 Series electric SUV to disguise it. The Super EV Concept looks like a futuristic successor to the Honda e. However, with a new EV platform, batteries, and motor, Honda’s new models look to be a significant upgrade.

The new EV SUV will be one of seven new electric vehicles Honda plans to launch by 2030. A production version of the Super EV concept is expected to join it.

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Honda 0 electric SUV hits the road for the first time (Source: Honda)

The new Super EV Concept will make its official debut, climbing the 1.16-mile (1.856 km) hill course at Goodwood FOS, which runs from July 10 to July 13.

Will Honda launch its new entry-level EV in the US? According to a Nikkei report earlier this year, Honda plans to launch an affordable EV, priced under $30,000 in the US, following the 0 Series electric SUV and sedan.

We’ll have to wait until closer to launch for confirmation. Check back soon for more info. We’ll keep you updated with the latest.

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Tesla (TSLA) plans to pause production at Gigafactory Texas for second time in 2 months

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Tesla (TSLA) plans to pause production at Gigafactory Texas for second time in 2 months

Tesla (TSLA) has reportedly told employees that it will pause production at Gigafactory Texas, where it produces Model Y and Cybertruck vehicles, for the second time in as many months.

In late May, Tesla extended a long weekend into a week-long production shutdown at Gigafactory Texas.

The move came amid lower demand and inventory buildups.

We reported earlier today that Tesla has to rent out empty parking lots around the US to use as overflow lots for its extra inventory.

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Now, Tesla told employees that it is again shutting down Model Y and Cybertruck production at Gigafactory Texas over the first week of July.

With the Fourth of July being a Friday this year, it was going to be a long weekend, but Tesla again decided to extend the production shutdown from June 30th through the following week, according to employees talking to Business Insider.

Tesla claimed that it will enable the company to perform “maintenance and improvements on production lines.” Employees are being offered paid time off or to come in for training.

As we have previously reported, Tesla has been throttling down production of the Cybertruck in 2025 as sales are currently tracking about half of last year.

That’s despite having launched cheaper versions of the electric truck, gaining access to the federal tax credit for the Cybertruck, and offering bigger discounts and incentives.

Tesla reported a 13% decrease in deliveries in Q1 2025 compared to the same period last year, which the automaker attributed to its Model Y design changeover reducing production.

However, Tesla’s deliveries are currently tracking to be down even more in the second quarter compared to last year, despite Tesla having ramped up production.

Electrek’s Take

What’s going to be the excuse this quarter? As I reported earlier today, Tesla is currently tracking to deliver 355,000-360,000 units in Q2, which would be down 19-20% compared to 2024.

It would be an even steeper decline even with the new Model Y.

It clearly wasn’t the problem.

The automaker had already reduced its production capacity at most factories in 2024, when it ran at about 60% capacity due to lower demand.

Now, Tesla is stopping production of its best-selling Model Y with the new design twice in two months?

This is not looking good.

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