Genesis GV90 puts other full-size luxury SUVs on notice

The seven-seat electric GV90 is the Korean automaker’s first full-size SUV and packs 657 hp.

Genesis GV90 Neolun with doors open — *The Genesis GV90, in Neolun trim, features B-pillar coach doors. – Genesis Canada photo*

Genesis, Hyundai’s luxury brand, has been after Germany’s automakers’ sales for some time now and the company’s latest vehicle looks ready to eat the competition’s lunches.

Genesis unveiled the GV90, its new flagship SUV and its first full-size SUV model.

The three-row seven-seat SUV is fully electric and it has gobs of power.

“GV90 is not simply a new vehicle, but a new vision for luxury mobility that brings together inspiring design, AI-powered software and connectivity, and industry-leading safety,” said Euisun Chung, executive chair of Hyundai Motor Group, in a news release. “Technology alone does not create luxury, and design alone does not define luxury. The value of innovation lies in transforming the customer experience in intelligent and intuitive ways to improve people’s lives.”

Genesis GV90 front and side — *The Genesis GV90 is large and carries serious road presence. – Genesis Canada photo*

Design

The GV90 was previewed by the Neolun concept vehicle.

At 5,285 millimetres long and 2,029 millimetres wide, the GV90 is big and roomy.

It’s built on the company’s Electric Mobility Prime (eMP) platform, which is exclusive to the vehicle, and which Genesis said combines the highest level of safety, elegant driving dynamics, ride comfort and more.

GV90 Neolun

The GV90 will be offered in two variants.

The standard GV90 has conventional rear swinging doors while the GV90 Neolun features what the company calls the Neolun Arch Gate, rear-hinged B-pillar doors at the rear.

The Neolun Arch Gate allows the front and rear doors to open together, creating a wide opening into the vehicle.

The company said a dual-motion hinge mechanism in the rear doors allows them to open and close without impeding the front doors.

The GV90 Neolun First Edition offers a four-seat executive suite configuration.

Genesis GV90 side — *The Genesis GV90 is loaded with safety features, including a high-strength structure. – Genesis Canada photo*

Safety is paramount

Genesis developed the vehicle’s structure to maintain the highest safety standards even without the B-pillar. The structure includes high-strength dual steel beams integrated into the architecture and a roll cage reinforces the cabin.

There are also 12 airbags inside, including a roof airbag, along with an in-cabin monitoring system, reinforced body structure and an enhanced safety battery. The in-cabin monitoring system can identify occupant type and how they’re sitting to optimize airbag and seatbelt control during collisions. The system can also detect and alert vehicle occupants if they are using seatbelts improperly or of they’re in an abnormal sitting position.

Genesis GV90 cabin front — *The front display can rise up to create more viewing space when the vehicle is parked. – Genesis Canada photo*

Flagship comfort

Genesis managed to give the GV90 a flat floor for a more comfortable interior.

The GV90 Neolun also has motorized swivelling front seats. When parked, the seats can rotate 180 degrees so that the front and second-row occupants can face each other.

A multi-chamber air suspension helps isolate the occupants from road imperfections.

Active rear steering helps the large vehicle navigate tight spots.

Genesis used acoustic glass to help reduce outside noise, and placed high-expansion soundproofing fillers into the body’s cavities to further reduce noise and vibrations.

A pop-up centre OLED display measuring 23.6 inches integrates the driver display, navigation and media.

When parked, the screen can be raised, at the touch of a button, by 90 millimetres, increasing screen size to 24.6 inches for a better viewing experience.

The GV90 also has an available 25-inch head-up display.

The company’s Pleos Connect, Hyundai’s next-generation infotainment platform, makes its way into the GV90. The system runs on Android and can download third-party apps.

An AI agent, Gleo AI, can have natural conversations with occupants and manage vehicle functions.

A Bang & Olufsen Premier 3D sound system features 25 speakers. Users can use the Virtual Venue feature to recreate the signature acoustics of iconic venues such as the Boston Symphony Hall and Wembley Stadium.

The GV90 has a metal-coated heated windshield, which can speed up how quickly winter frost and condensation are removed from the glass.

Genesis GV90 cabin rear — *The Genesis GV90 has a roof airbag. – Genesis Canada photo*

Powertrain

The GV90 has a dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain with a total of 657 hp and 590 lb.-ft. of torque. It also has a dual electronic limited-slip differential (eLSD) to precisely distribute power to all four wheels during high-speed cornering. It can also help minimize wheel slip on snowy, rainy or uneven roads.

The vehicle packs a massive battery pack with a capacity of 123.5 kWh. That gives the seven-seat models an estimated driving range of 498 kilometres.

The company said the GV90 will be available in Canada in 2027. The price wasn’t provided.

For updates, visit the Genesis Canada website.