Genesis GV90: the new flagship of the South Korean manufacturer will reach the market in June 2026

Genesis, the premium brand of Hyundai, is preparing an ambitious product offensive for 2026 with the launch of five new models, although only one of them, the luxury GV90 SUV, will be fully electric. This move reflects a strategic shift by the company from its initial 2021 plan, which bet on exclusively electric models from 2025 and the removal of all combustion-engine vehicles from the manufacturer’s range by 2030.

With this new strategy, Genesis will finally opt to offer a wide range of propulsion systems in its vehicles on sale, including hybrid and electric models, and even a model with a range extender, thus adapting to the current level of demand in the automotive sector.

Focusing on the new luxury electric SUV from the South Korean manufacturer, as far as we currently know, the GV90 will position itself as the flagship of the brand, designed to compete with rival models in that same market segment, such as the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV or the Cadillac Lyriq.

What else do we know about this premium electric SUV?

The GV90 will be based on the new eM platform, an improved version of Hyundai’s E-GMP architecture, which promises greater range, faster charging and advanced driver-assistance systems, including Level 3 autonomous driving. Among the most notable features of this premium electric SUV are the air suspension, the rear-wheel steering and the large-diameter wheels. In addition, it will have a powerful dual electric motor system, as one would expect in a vehicle like this.

Although the GV90 will be a benchmark, it will compete within the Hyundai group itself with its siblings, the KIA EV9 and the IONIQ 9, both based on the current E-GMP platform. The design of the GV90, not yet revealed, will be inspired by the Genesis Neolun prototype, presented in March 2024 at the New York International Auto Show.

Camouflaged prototypes of this premium electric SUV have already been spotted testing at the German Nürburgring circuit, and its production is scheduled at Hyundai’s South Korean plant in Ulsan to enable its market launch in June 2026.

Genesis’s broad strategy to conquer the market in the coming years

In addition to the GV90, Genesis will intensify its commitment to hybrid technology. In the third quarter of 2026, a hybrid version of the GV80 SUV with a 2.5-litre engine will arrive. For the fourth quarter, two more models will be presented: a hybrid variant of the G80 saloon, which already has an electric version, and a GV70 with EREV technology.

This last model mentioned is particularly relevant for markets such as North America or China, where longer distances are often covered. The EREV system combines a smaller battery pack with a combustion engine that acts as a generator, offering a practical solution to reduce costs and increase the vehicle’s total range.