The Hyundai IONIQ 9 has already turned heads as the brand’s future flagship three-row electric SUV. But a recent prototype sighting has sparked even more curiosity. An uncamouflaged IONIQ 9 test vehicle was spotted by our colleagues at Healer TV with an unusual front-mounted winch, raising questions about whether Hyundai is simply testing the rugged XRT trim—or if something entirely new is in the works.
A Closer Look at the Prototype
The mysterious prototype, captured during testing in Europe, wears heavy camouflage but unmistakably follows the silhouette of the IONIQ 9. What makes this mule different is the visible winch mounted in the front bumper, along with a raised ride height and chunkier off-road tires. These are features typically associated with serious off-roaders or utility vehicles—not luxury family EVs.
While Hyundai’s XRT trims are known for adding rugged design elements such as unique bumpers, skid plates, and black cladding, a functional winch is unusual. So far, no existing XRT model—from the Palisade to the Santa Fe—has featured this kind of hardware.
XRT Version… Or Pickup in Disguise?
The presence of the winch has led many enthusiasts to speculate that this might not be a standard IONIQ 9 XRT at all, but instead a test mule for Hyundai’s upcoming electric pickup.
Hyundai has already hinted at expanding its EV lineup beyond SUVs, and a dedicated electric pickup truck would make sense as part of its global strategy. By using the IONIQ 9’s body as camouflage, Hyundai could be testing powertrains, suspension setups, and towing equipment without revealing the truck’s final shape.
This testing method isn’t new—many automakers use SUV bodies to hide early pickup prototypes, focusing on chassis and drivetrain development before moving to production-ready truck bodies.
What We Know About the IONIQ 9 XRT
The IONIQ 9 XRT is expected to be a rugged trim of Hyundai’s largest electric SUV, adding visual toughness and potentially modest off-road upgrades. Based on the E-GMP platform, the IONIQ 9 is likely to offer dual-motor all-wheel drive, a large battery pack with long-range capability, and advanced driver assistance features.
If this prototype truly represents the XRT version, the winch could hint at Hyundai pushing the XRT brand further into functional territory—transforming it from a styling package into a serious adventure-ready EV.
The Pickup Prototype Theory Gains Traction
However, the winch, beefy tires, and front tow hooks make a strong case for the pickup mule theory. Hyundai’s Santa Cruz compact truck has been successful in North America, and an all-electric pickup positioned above it could directly compete with vehicles like the Rivian R1T, Ford F-150 Lightning, and upcoming Ram 1500 REV.
Using the IONIQ 9’s large platform would give Hyundai the flexibility to build a full-size EV truck with generous range, power, and utility.
Final Thoughts
Whether this prototype is the upcoming IONIQ 9 XRT or an early electric pickup test mule, one thing is clear: Hyundai is expanding its EV lineup in bold directions. The presence of a front winch and off-road gear indicates serious development work is underway—possibly hinting at Hyundai’s next big EV surprise.
