SEMA 2025: Hyundai Goes BigTime
SEMA is quite the place for automakers to show off their wild projects. Nissan is readying its Dune Patrol concept—an Armada-based adventure support vehicle, while Toyota gave its Corolla Cross a whole lot of off-road TLC with the Nasu Edition.
Hyundai is planning something big for SEMA—quite literally. The Korean marque partnered with YouTube builders Jeremiah Burton and Zach Jobe to launch a concept off-roader dubbed the Ioniq 9 BigTime. Both Jeremiah and Zach are SEMA favorites, well-known and respected for their various automotive builds. The Ioniq 9 off-road concept debuts at the 2025 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
Sean Gilpin, Hyundai North America’s chief marketing officer, had a few things to say about this unique Ioniq 9: “Its aggressive lift, all-terrain tires, and rugged off-road design inspire both innovation and customization — the hallmarks of any successful SEMA concept.”
Flagship EV Gets Off-Road Hardware
The Ioniq 9 in question is quite a comprehensive project, claims Jeremiah. “We themed this Ioniq 9 off of our 1977 vintage cabover we call “Bud”. This new-tech-meets-vintage look makes the car stand out, and with some performance mods, make it a capable off-roader.” He further adds, “EVs have come a long way, so getting a chance to put our own spin on an off-road-themed Ioniq 9 is pretty cool.”
As for the build, they took a perfectly normal Ioniq 9 Calligraphy and slapped a set of meaty BFGoodrich all-terrain tires and white O.Z. Racing wheels. Additionally, the flagship EV gets a suspension lift, giving the stock Ioniq 9’s ground clearance a generous boost. Although Hyundai hasn’t revealed how much clearance the lift adds, it seems the Ioniq 9 BigTime is sitting a lot higher than usual.
The overlander’s powertrain remains unchanged, with the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive arrangement producing 422 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. While it all seems exciting, bear in mind this trail-ready three-row family EV is still a concept. Hyundai’s spokesperson emphasised how the project showcases the Ioniq 9’s untapped potential. He said, “This concept takes Ioniq 9 into new off-road terrain it has yet to explore, and we’re confident it’s more than up for the adventure.”
