► GV90 revealed as new Genesis flagship
► One of largest electric cars in Europe
► Features first electric opening rear doors with no B-pillar

Genesis has revealed the GV90 as its new flagship, and it’s a huge electric SUV that is aiming to take the brand’s luxury ambitions further.

It’s the first brand-new Genesis model in five years, and it will sit above the G90 saloon in the South Korean firm’s line-up. But unlike that car, Genesis has confirmed that the GV90 will be sold in the UK and Europe.

It’ll arrive with what Genesis describes as the ‘world’s first independently opening and closing hidden coach door’, with an almost Rolls-Royce-like influence to its new halo model. 

It’s a striking thing, isn’t it?

Genesis LOVES a concept car, and while they usually look tremendously good, rarely do they end up transferring into a production car. But the GV90 is different, as its look is very similar to the 2024 Neolun concept. Details such as its twin lighting signature at the front, as well as its boxy design are all carried over to production with relatively few changes. 

The firm says the design is inspired by a Korean moon jar, including details such as its curved rear. A clamshell bonnet is also used, while wheel sizes up to a huge 24 inches are used. Two variants of the GV90 will be available, the standard car and the GV90 Neolun, named after the concept. The latter models stand out with anodised aluminium accents between the front and rear windows. The rear is more simplistic with the firm’s signature twin horizontal LED rear lights running across the boot lid and embedded within, and an absence of any spoilers. 

What about those electric rear-opening doors?

While the standard GV90 will have ‘normal’ doors, the Neolun will feature what Genesis calls a ‘Neolun Arch Gate’, which has no B-pillar when the front and rear doors open. Both open electronically simultaneously and it’s the first car to have such a feature.

The rear doors feature a dual-motion huge mechanism that means they can be opened independently of the fronts, working by first sliding the rear door slightly outward, then rotating it open. Genesis says it allows passengers in and out of the rear with ‘greater space and comfort’. 

Genesis says that high-strength dual steel beams have been integrated for rigidity to make up for the lack of a fixed B-pillar, while a ‘hidden roll cage’ is created by using a thicker frame to achieve the same crash performance as equivalent cars with conventional B-pillars. The GV90 is also the first car to be equipped with a roof airbag which, in the event of a rollover, rapidly covers the entire glass roof to protect occupants. 

Bespoke Genesis platform to make it stand out from Hyundai and Kia 

Genesis is looking to stand out from its Hyundai and Kia peers by using a bespoke platform for the GV90 called ‘eMP’, or electric mobility prime. The firm says it was created to ‘focus on creating a spacious cabin layout, superior driving performance , and the refined ride comfort required for a flagship SUV’. 

All this aims to make it a step up above a Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9 and more in-line with the characteristics of high-end electric SUVs, such as the Mercedes EQS SUV, which admittedly isn’t an especially high bar. 

Long wheelbase and swivel seats

Measuring almost 5.3m long, the GV90 is the longest electric car that will be officially sold in Europe, and with a 3.25m wheelbase, offers plenty of space as a result. 

While the GV90 will be available with seven seats, the Neolun model is more focused on luxury and features full electric swivel seats for those in the front. While parked, a press of a button rotates the front seats to face those in the rear. 

Neolun models come as standard with four seats, with a real wood veneer floor used that is heated from beneath and said to be inspired by traditional Korean ‘ondol’ underfoot heating. 

Some impressive performance specs 

A flagship electric SUV needs a big battery and the GV90’s 123.5kWh battery is the largest fitted to any model from the Hyundai Motor Group yet. Despite its size, though, its estimated range of ‘approximately 500km [311 miles] feels somewhat lacking for a vehicle of this type, not helped by how heavy it will likely be (blame those doors), though no weight figure has been quoted. It’s able to charge at speeds of up to 350kW, though, giving a 10 to 80 per cent charge in just 22 minutes. 

Genesis says a ‘new motor system’ has been developed for the GV90, with its twin electric motors putting out 648bhp and 590lb ft of torque – even more than that of a Hyundai Ioniq 6 N. An electronic limited slip differential is mounted on both the front and rear motors to help with traction in poor conditions and improve cornering, while air suspension is also used – something not available on the EV9 or Ioniq 9. The rear wheels can also turn by up to five degrees to improve manoevrability. 

A tech showcase for Genesis

The GV90 is the first model from the Hyundai group to not feature a ‘start’ button, instead turning on as soon as a door handle is pulled, but of greater note are its digital screens, called an ‘OLED Cinematic Display’. While driving the screen measures 23.6 inches, but when the car is stationary the screen can raise by 9cm to make it better to watch films on. 

The screen itself is powered by Hyundai’s latest Pleos Connect infotainment system based on an Android operating system, and while there’s no traditional instrument cluster, a 25-inch head-up display serves this purpose instead. 

Further features include a 25-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, featuring Dolby Atmos technology, with ‘virtual venue’ modes able to recreate the acoustics of places such as Wembley Stadium and Boston Symphony Hall.

How much will it cost?

In an interview with CAR Magazine last month, Genesis’ Europe managing director Peter Kronschnabl confirmed the GV90 would come to the UK in 2027, although acknowledging it will be sold in ‘small numbers’. 

Though no indication is given we’d expect it to cost close to £100,000, with Neolun models potentially costing quite a lot more. We’ll update this story once we know more.