There comes a time when a family outgrows their regular five-seat hatchback. What next then? If the budget is generous, then a Land Rover Defender is a popular choice, as witnessed on the school run to my local independent school.

The shift to fully electric motoring has seen manufacturers such as Hyundai step up and offer the perfect car for the larger family in the form of the IONIQ 9. And after a busy week at the wheel of an ‘Ultimate’ variant, I am here to report my findings.

The car arrived late afternoon, just in time for me to set off on yet another long haul south to Telford for a launch event. Getting comfortable behind the wheel was simplicity itself, the main controls being logically laid out as per the marque’s other vehicles.

A cold, wet day, I was pleased to note that using the heater made no discernible difference to the predicted range, incidentally a very conservative 300 miles + in the real world.

Gentle music playing through the BOSE sound system, heated seat and steering wheel set to their maximum, the three-hour journey passed quickly and without incident. The rain-soaked M6 presented no challenges, aside from the middle-lane hoggers and wholly unnecessary ‘smart’ motorway speed limits.

After the event the next day, I needed to charge the car before heading into London. A nearby fast charger promised much and actually delivered. The IONIQ 9 can accept the very fastest charging and I was pleased to see 189kW on the car’s screen. Barely time to check a few emails and I was back up to 80% and off to the capital.

Returning home after a quick burst of city life, a brief stop at one of Gridserve’s new hubs near Stevenage provided all the power I needed. A quick coffee and then four and a half hours behind the wheel. Refinement at motorway speeds is excellent, the driver’s seat is extremely comfortable (and with a lovely massage function), and the powerful lights shone through the gloom on another dreary night.

A few calmer days followed with the chance to properly assess the IONIQ 9’s interior. With the rear seats folded, boot space is huge (1,323 litres) and practical. Unfolded from their under-floor hiding space, I was able to get comfortable once ensconced, and access was easier than some. So, space for seven to travel in comfort, with vents and charging ports for all. And even with all the seats in place, the boot is still a commendable 620 litres in size.

Equipment count is suitably impressive, and the interior quality is amongst the very best. Soft-touch materials abound, and the controls are nicely damped and work with precision.

Driven briskly on my usual challenging local test route, the IOIQ 9 covered ground at quite the pace. Ride comfort will please too, the car’s fine damping (and not inconsiderable weight) smothering the many areas of broken tarmac which now proliferate.

Writing this with the car visible from my office window, I think the IONIQ 9 is a good-looking car. It hides its bulk well and is less boxy than many of its rivals, such as sister brand Kia’s EV9.

Downsides are notable by their absence, with only perhaps the pricing being a bar to ownership. The range starts at £64,995, with my test car adding another £10,000 to that figure.

Though my days of needing a family waggon are long gone, the charms of the IONIQ 9 were not wasted on me. Stylish, beautifully built, commodious and with an easy 300-mile range, this is another great car from Korean manufacturer Hyundai.

Fast Facts
Hyundai IONIQ 9 Ultimate
Price: £74,245 (as tested)
Celadon Grey Metallic paint
£1,500 grant available
110kWh long range battery
10-80% charge in 24 minutes (at 300kW)
307PS and 605Nm torque
0-62mph in 6.7 seconds
Top speed 124mph
Towing limit 2,500kg (braked)
8-year battery warranty
5-year vehicle warranty