2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 S: Bakersfield Buyers Guide

The trim that goes farthest, not slowest

It's easy to assume the base trim of any EV is the compromise pick. The Ioniq 9 S flips that: because it's the only single-motor, rear-drive configuration, it carries less hardware to move and returns the longest EPA range in the entire six-trim lineup — 335 miles, ahead of even the pricier AWD trims. For a household doing mostly local Bakersfield and Kern County miles with the occasional freeway trip to the coast or the Bay, that range advantage can matter more than the extra power the higher trims add.

The tech file doesn't feel like an entry trim either. The 12.3-inch touchscreen with built-in navigation is the same size and resolution as what's in the $76,490 Calligraphy Design, wireless CarPlay and Android Auto connect without a cable, and Bluelink+ — remote climate preconditioning, charge scheduling, lock/unlock, all from a phone — comes standard at no added cost. The full SmartSense suite rides along too: forward collision avoidance with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane keeping and lane following, blind-spot monitoring with steering correction, Safe Exit Assist, and Highway Driving Assist 2, all standard on the cheapest way into this SUV.

What separates it from SE

The S is rear-wheel drive only — no AWD option — with a single 160kW motor putting out 215 hp and 258 lb-ft. Moving to SE adds a second motor for HTRAC all-wheel drive and jumps to 303 hp, at the cost of 15 miles of EPA range (320 versus 335) and roughly $3,800 more before destination. For Bakersfield's mostly dry, mostly flat driving conditions, RWD isn't a handicap the way it might be in snow country — the tradeoff is really about traction preference and the extra power, not about whether the S can handle local roads.

Who the S fits

Buyers who want the three-row space and the EV ownership case — no gas stops, no smog check, that long warranty — without paying for power they won't use day to day. It also suits anyone whose daily radius includes real distance: with 335 miles of EPA range, the S covers more of the Central Valley on a single charge than any other Ioniq 9 trim, easing the anxiety around less-frequent public charging stops on longer drives.

Frequently asked questions

What does the 2026 Ioniq 9 S cost?

MSRP is $58,955 before the $1,600 destination charge, Bakersfield's local sales tax, and DMV fees. Current programs live on the specials page, and the pricing guide covers the full out-the-door math.

Why does the base S trim have the longest range?

It's the only single-motor, rear-wheel-drive Ioniq 9. Less hardware to power means less energy draw per mile, so the S is EPA-rated for 335 miles versus 320 on the AWD SE/SEL and 311 on the 422-hp Performance AWD trims.

Does the S come with all-wheel drive?

No — AWD starts at the SE trim. The S is rear-wheel drive exclusively.

How many people fit in the S?

Seven, with a 2nd-row bench that slides fore and aft and folds 60/40, plus a manually folding 3rd row.

Does the S have the same touchscreen as the pricier trims?

Yes — a 12.3-inch touchscreen with built-in navigation and a matching 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster are standard across every 2026 Ioniq 9 trim, S included.

The bottom line

The S is the value argument for the Ioniq 9's whole idea — three rows, real range, and the full safety and tech suite — without the AWD and horsepower premium. It's the right call for buyers who'd rather bank the range than the traction. Check S inventory at Bakersfield Hyundai.