RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Two years ago, Genesis revealed a large SUV concept to the world, dubbed the Neolun. With coach doors and tons of presence, it was a statement of intent for a future flagship. We wondered how close the eventual GV90 would draw to that teaser, and now we have an answer to that question. The 2027 Genesis GV90 is here, and it’s every bit as bonkers as the hyper-luxe SUV we were led to expect.
First off, the GV90 is all-electric, riding on the brand’s bespoke eMP architecture, which it says is exclusive for flagship Genesis products. Its battery is rated at 123.5 kilowatt-hours, a considerable capacity, with a combined 657 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque across front and rear motors that are also armed with their own electronic limited-slip differentials. Multi-chamber air suspension and rear-wheel steering ensure a serene and solid ride, and Genesis quotes an estimated range of 310 miles for the seven-seat version.
But performance isn’t really the primary focus here, as the GV90 has a few standout features that you won’t find on many other vehicles, that earn it is vaunted place in Genesis’ lineup. Take its doors, for example. Like the concept, there will be a Neolun version of the SUV that offers rear-hinged doors. Genesis has settled on a suitably space-age name for the system too: the Neolun Arch Gate.
Genesis
Genesis
What makes this approach unique, even compared to the way other manufacturers have implemented coach doors over the years, is that they can open simultaneously and independently; you don’t need to latch the rear doors, for example, before the fronts. This is possible because the rear doors actually slide outward before smoothly rotating open, and that explains why a prototype we saw last year had its rear-fender body panel removed. There’s a lot of equipment back there to make all this happen.
Despite lacking a traditional B-pillar, Genesis maintains that the GV90 is very sturdy. The cabin is encased in a frame that’s 50% thicker than that of “conventional vehicles,” and the automaker is adamant that the GV90 performs as well as B-pillared vehicles in collisions. Extensive use of aluminum in the underbody should help offset the weight penalty of all that strength, though given that we’re talking about a big SUV with a big ‘ol battery, we’re not anticipating a sprightly figure when Genesis ultimately publishes the curb weight of this thing.
What else makes the GV90 special? Well, it’s got front seats that swivel, to go along with the odd door situation. It also has an expansive glass ceiling, which isn’t strictly unique among high-end luxury SUVs. What is special about this one, though, is that it also comes equipped with its own airbag in the roof , to shield occupants from shards in the event of a rollover. And those who opt for the most posh GV90—the Neolun Executive Suite—won’t just have regular-old tinted glass up there. They’ll get electrochromic glass with adjustable opacity.
I’m in love with the 24-inch wheels on this blue “First Edition” GV90 Neolun. Genesis
So there’s obviously plenty to cover with the GV90 before we even approach its design which, frankly, I find impressive. There is a seamlessness to the way the body panels blend into each other, conveying a stance that manages to be monolithic and solid without venturing into edgy brick territory. It’s like a giant stone smoothed by water. And, when I compare it to the Neolun concept, the only obvious giveaway that this is a vehicle intended for production is the size and shape of the side mirrors.
One other note about the exterior design: You’ll notice the double lightbar signature up front. Typically, these accent lights would be accompanied with separate projectors that actually do the job of illuminating when driving at night. But the GV90 doesn’t have any additional beams, and those LED strips—called the “Wing Face Micro Lens Array,” per Genesis’ official release—actually serve as the headlights. Neat! (And also probably very expensive.)
Inside, the GV90 is spacey, weird, and elegant all at once, with interior colorways that include green, indigo, purple, and naturally, a more traditional caramel tone for the less daring. You’ll notice there is no typical instrument binnacle, not even a digital one; all of that information is conveyed via heads up display. The central infotainment screen measures 23.6-inches diagonally when driving, but once you park the GV90, it can be extended upward by 3.5 inches, transforming it into an even larger OLED canvas for movies and other content. It also runs the Android Automotive-based Pleos Connect operating system, Hyundai Group’s latest software.
Genesis
One more oddity: See that weird pylon-looking thing behind the steering wheel in some of these images? It’s obviously a gear indicator, but when the GV90 is parked, off, and unoccupied, it stays at the 12-o’clock position. Once the driver gets inside and closes their door, it rotates down to the 2-o’clock spot, now functioning as a gear-selection stalk. At this point, it probably won’t surprise you to learn that the GV90 does not have a power button.
Take all this together, and the GV90 doesn’t come across like an SUV you’re likely to confuse for an Escalade or a Bentayga. It’s very much its own thing—very future-forward, with that Art Deco attention to detail that Genesis has become known for, and thoughtful user interface touches that may not be revolutionary, but imbue every interaction with a sense of grandiosity and occasion. And isn’t that what big, uber-luxe SUVs are about?
Genesis says the GV90 is slated to hit dealers in 2027. As for precisely when next year and how much it’ll cost, the company isn’t getting that specific quite yet.
Genesis
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