- Genesis revealed two models at the New York International Auto Show this week.
- One of them is the X Gran Equator concept. A similarly named sedan, X Gran Coupe concept was showcased in South Korea earlier this month.
- It could spawn into the off-road version of the GV90 SUV or into a standalone model to rival the likes of the Land Rover Defender and Rivian R1S.
Genesis makes the most premium electric and combustion engine models of all Hyundai Motor Group brands. Its recent concepts hint that the brand now aims to go even more upmarket, with opulent sedans, convertibles, SUVs and even adventure-focused models.
We were expecting to see the GV90 electric SUV at the New York International Auto Show this year, something Auto Express even reported and EV fansites got excited about. Another report even claimed that Genesis would reveal an extended-range hybrid (E-REV) version of the GV90 at the auto show.
None of that is happening just yet. Instead, Genesis showcased another concept, which looks like an off-road EV, possibly meant to take on the Rivian R1S if it were to become real.
The carmaker revealed the X Gran Coupe concept in Korea earlier this month. And that clearly is a gas car, with a huge grille upfront. We don’t know for sure if the X Gran Equator is an EV, but the pictures give away some hints. There’s no traditional radiator grille upfront. Its body panels are streamlined and aerodynamic, a common occurrence in battery-powered concepts and production EVs. But the most obvious giveaway is it doesn’t have exhaust pipes.
Besides that, its riding on knobby tires, appears to have a high ground clearance and low approach and departure angles. It flaunts dual LED light strips upfront that stretch all the way to the hinges of the front doors. The taillight pattern is also similar. We’ve seen these lights on the Neolun concept as well, something that is expected to spawn into the GV90 EV SUV sometime in the future.
On the X Gran Equator, the sharply raked rear windshield and the rear three-quarter angle look like a marriage between the Range Rover Velar and the Rivian R3. Inside, there’s no big screen dominating the cabin, which is almost impossible to find on new cars. In fact, there’s no screen at all, just four circular dials relaying off-roading data. It also has pillar-mounted grab handles for the second row and the seats are covered in dual-tone blue and beige colors.
While official details on the GV90 EV are still TBA, I’m guessing it could arrive sometime in 2026 or in 2027 as a more extravagant version of the Hyundai Ioniq 9. The Gran Equator could be an adventure-focused trim of the GV90, similar to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT. It could also be a standalone Genesis model to take on the Lexus LX and Land Rover Defenders of the world.
Again, take that with a grain of salt. The Genesis press materials have frustratingly few details, so these are only theories.
As we’ve heard from auto executives recently, Ford CEO Jim Farley in particular, big and heavy electric SUVs and trucks suffer from laws of physics that are difficult to tame. The big batteries make them heavy and drive up costs. Genesis seems to be moving upscale anyway, so maybe future Hyundai Motor Group platforms can help mask some of the drawbacks of big and heavy batteries.
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