Genesis is one of the fastest-growing luxury car brands in the history of the industry, somehow making waves in the bloodthirsty premium market without a full-size SUV for North Americans. That ends today.
Debuting its new GV90 electric SUV at a swank event in San Francisco this evening, the Korean brand aims to take on the Audi, BMW, Cadillac, and Mercedes challengers with a high-design, tech-forward utility offering. And while it’ll be a minute before I can get behind the wheel to tell you how this flagship sails, there’s plenty to talk about based on the spec sheet alone.
The GV90 Has Seriously Clever Safety Systems
Genesis GV90 interior shot showing dashGenesis
I’ve written approximately 12 billion new car intro articles in my career, and I can tell you that this is the closest to the top I’ve ever placed the section about safety. Why? Primarily because Genesis has some really innovative airbags that are likely to make a life-or-death difference to future owners.
The GV90 will be fitted with what the brand called a world’s first roof airbag. Designed to deploy during a rollover event, covering the full span of the glass roof, the big bag is said to prevent occupant ejection from the cabin, to say nothing of bumps and bruises to your dome. Considering the profusion of glass roof panels in new cars today, I expect there to be some fast followers on this feature.
Genesis GV90 interior shot showing rear seatingGenesis
Passenger seats also are protected by dual-depth airbags that deploy in two stages, depending on how the occupant is positioned. That tech isn’t new – General Motors pioneered it about 20 years ago – but the multi-stage bags help make up a total of 12 airbags in what’s likely to be an ultra-safe SUV.
The team has also taken a look at battery safety with something called Thermal Runaway Protection that’s said to “prevent thermal propagation between cells.” Fewer fires in EVs is better, to be certain.
The Arch Gate Is Pure Theater
Genesis GV90 side shot parked with doors openGenesis
Genesis showed a concept called the Neolun in the spring of 2024, and for those paying attention, this GV90 recaptures that design with remarkable fidelity. The concept’s sleek, powerful exterior visage was memorable, and its pillarless, reversed rear-door aperture into the cabin was easily overlooked, if only because similar doors have appeared on concept cars from time immemorial.
With the GV90, or at least the GV90 Neolun, the trick doors have been branded as the Neolun Arch Gate. I’m typically pretty jaded where invented brand terms are concerned, but even I have to admit that it sounds pretty cool. Claiming another moment of invention, Genesis calls the Arch Gate “…the world’s first independently opening and closing hidden B-pillar coach doors.” There’s some thinly sliced legal terminology there to sidestep overlap with previous rear-hinged doors, I’m sure, but the result is nevertheless awesome.
Genesis GV90 interior shot showing rear seatingGenesis
Of course, the Arch Gate will make it easy for fancy folks to get into and out of the rear of the vehicle, but the real advantage is the drama that’ll unfold when that happens. Expect to see Genesis put GV90 Neolun on as many red carpet events as possible. Naturally, most GV90 models will come equipped with conventionally hinged doors; I’m just slightly less pumped on them at the moment… Arch Gate!
A Rolling High-Tech Luxury Lounge
Genesis GV90 interior shot showing rear seatingGenesis
Once one has crossed the transom, arched or otherwise, the Genesis SUV promises a lavish interior experience. Truthfully, the brand has been turning out some of the most interesting interior design for years now, so a first glimpse at this posh cabin is hardly surprising.
At least in the top trim, the second-row seats offer users a deeply reclined experience with quilted leather, footrests, and one-percenter vibes throughout. Materials include wool, cashmere, stone, and wood, and “ambient glow” lighting effects set off the vibes (I wonder if I look younger back there?).
Genesis GV90 rear 3/4 shot parked in studioGenesis
As you’d expect, the available sound system is killer. A Bang & Olufsen Premier 3D system with 25 speakers is highly customizable for personal preference, and can also, apparently, make it seem like you’re listening to a concert at Wembley Stadium. Now I feel silly for spending $2,000 on Oasis tickets.
Of course, as is the case with so many luxury vehicles in 2026, screen real estate dominates the visual from nearly every interior angle. The OLED Cinematic Display spends most of its time nestled into the instrument panel and center stack. But when the GV90 is parked, the screen deploys upward by about three and a half inches (90 mm) to create a maximum screen size of 24.6 inches (which would be at home in a small bedroom, to say nothing of a car). From here, occupants can enjoy “a wide variety of multimedia content.” My kids are going to love it.
In front of the driver, there’s even something Genesis is calling its Motion Column Shifter; essentially a column shift lever that moves from a 12 o’clock position to 2 o’clock after the door has been closed. Somehow, this hasn’t been labeled as “world’s first,” so I’m off on a deep Google rabbit hole after I finish writing this.
A Huge Battery And The Power To Match
Genesis GV90 side shot parkedGenesis
Perhaps even more important than the gear lever is how the GV90 will deploy its considerable reserves of electric power, and how it’ll restock them for the drive ahead. True to form for a Korean EV, the nerdiest numbers around the new SUV look great.
Let’s start with the battery pack: The 123.5-kilowatt-hour pack is the largest ever used in a Hyundai Group application, and internal estimates peg the max range at around 310 miles. That’s for the three-row, seven-seat variant. The high-voltage pack is said to charge from 10 to 80 percent in just 22 minutes on a 350-kW fast charger, too, which should make battery top-ups away from home fairly painless.
The performance from the two-motor powertrain should be rapid, as well. Total system output is pegged at 657 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque, making it the most powerful vehicle among Hyundai Group EVs. The automaker hasn’t supplied curb weight data for the GV90 yet, but it’s reasonable to expect a 0-60 time in the low four-second range or better.
Engineers have fitted electronic limited-slip differentials to both the front and rear motors, too, allowing for torque delivery to any wheel based on driving conditions. A handy thing, obviously, for both pulling hard out of a corner or maintaining control on an icy road.
The GV90’s Chassis Tech Is Made For Effortless Cruising
Genesis GV90 front 3/4 shot parkedGenesis
Mostly though, Genesis seems laser-focused on making the GV90 ride and drive like a true flagship. The ample power is handy there, of course. But an adjustable, multi-chamber air suspension system should keep the SUV unruffled in most circumstances, and at home amongst luxury competitors. Rear steering of up to five degrees is great for low-speed maneuverability and parking comfort.
On the NVH front, exceptionally thick (5mm) acoustic glass is used for every window, and extensive soundproofing materials have been used throughout the body structure, hood, and tailgate. Between this and the kickass stereo, the GV90 might give me the best option yet for listening to Motörhead’s Overkill without the kids bugging me.
Bringing Flagship Energy To The Full-Size EV Fight
Genesis GV90 side shot parked in studioGenesis
Genesis has taken not just a tech-forward, but an edge-of-tomorrow approach to every aspect of the GV90. From how you enter the car to how you drive it and enjoy being a passenger, the blend of luxury and advanced systems should color each experience. I can’t wait to get behind the wheel, naturally. But, in true flagship form, I also can’t wait to get driven around in this posh conveyance.
No part of the EV market is on fire with growth at the moment. And we’ll need full pricing info, to say nothing of drive impressions, before we can start to compare the new Genesis with electrified competitors at other brands. But on first glance, the GV90 offers a compelling suite of goodies and great design that can keep the brand’s momentum headed in the right direction.
