That was certainly the brief given to the designers who have managed to pull off what many luxury brands tried, but couldn’t quite manage. Top of that wish list is the Holy Grail – make a seven-seater that will accommodate half a dozen adults in proper comfort with enough room left over to store their stuff. Job done, and done well. Legroom in the second row is exceptional, while the third is outstanding Thanks to very clever design and the tilt-slide gizmo in the second row of seats, there’s extra legroom in the third row, and even with all the pews filled there is 338 litres of luggage in the boot and a further 88 in the frunk. To give an example of what that actually means, you could, says Hyundai, squeeze in four golf bags or three 25-inch suitcases. Built on the same E-GMP platform as sister model the Kia EV9, this hulking machine stretches to over five metres, and is 1,980mm wide and 1,790mm tall. Hyundai, being the more -premium of the two, is taking styling cues from its Genesis marque to make this a super-luxurious people carrier. Inside it’s as sumptuous as a Range Rover, and with black and grey faux leather upholstery, it oozes style and sophistication. Both front seats are heated and ventilated, as are the outer rear ones. A six-seat version with captain’s chairs will be offered later in the year. Legroom in the second row is exceptional, while the third is outstanding and beyond doubt the best we’ve experienced. A panoramic sunroof bathes the interior in light, while the cockpit is a digital masterclass, rammed with new tech and easy to navigate – two 12.3-inch curved screens split between instrument -cluster and infotainment displays. Hats off to the Koreans, who have made accessing the air con-heater foolproof by installing traditional buttons and dials. Another feature worthy of mention is the Universal Island Console that not only has 190mm of movement (for walk-through access to the rear), but is home to wireless charging for phones. There are also six 100W USB-C ports peppered around the cabin, so powering tablets and larger devices is a doddle. How does the Ioniq 9 drive? Our first impressions were positive, considering the test drive was confined to a brief spin around the environs of the K Club in Straffan, Co Kildare, in teeming rain. Super-fast charging (350kWh DC) will juice it up from 10pc to 80pc in 24 minutes Powering this machine is a 110kWh battery that generates the equivalent of 215bhp (an all-wheel-drive with 415bhp is in the pipeline) and comes with a claimed range of 620km. It is also capable of super-fast charging (350kWh DC) that will see it juice up from 10pc to 80pc in 24 minutes or downloading 304km of range in just 15 minutes. On the road, the Ioniq 9 is -exceptionally refined, and thanks to triple-door seals, special acoustic glass and active noise-control software, this enormous beast glides along effortlessly. There is plenty of grunt, and despite its modest power (for an EV, that is), it was never left wanting. Granted, it won’t set your hair on fire (hitting 100kmh takes just over six seconds), but it will get you there in exceptional comfort, and longer journeys will seem like a Sunday jaunt. So, Hyundai has gone big on style, versatility and luxury, but has it gone big on price? With prices starting at €78,495 (there is only one model and trim for now), you would probably say yes, but when you look at how unique a prospect the Ioniq 9 is and the fact that it has few real rivals, you might change your mind.