Genesis GV90 firms as Range Rover rival

Fledgling luxury car brand Genesis currently has two global SUV offerings: the just-launched mid-size Genesis GV70 and the larger GV80. But a colossal Genesis GV90 flagship SUV is firmly on the agenda.

The Hyundai-owned brand is yet to officially confirm the existence of a full-size SUV competitor to the Range Rover, Mercedes-Benz GLS and BMW X7, but the head of Genesis in Australia, Connal Yan, has told carsales that the flagship model was “needed”.

“I believe it would be needed,” said Yan, when asked about the GV90.

“Definitely there is a space for such a vehicle and I would not be surprised if one day we would follow suit and go into exploring that segment as well.”

Potentially based on the same platform as the Genesis G90 limousine, which isn’t sold in Australia, the GV90 could be fitted with a variety of powertrain options, including a 5.0-litre V8 and 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6.

Genesis has also trademarked the GV90e nameplate, indicating that an EV powertrain is also likely.

With the financial and logistical might of the Hyundai Motor Group behind it, Genesis is set to expand its portfolio in a number of different directions, with a high-performance sports car based on the Genesis X concept expected to be joined by a smaller GV60 SUV in the short term.

The launch of a flagship SUV from Genesis – as pictured in a rendering here from kksstudio – is understood to be more of a mid-term consideration, with China and the US considered key markets.

“It’s very much subject to market needs because if you look at that segment, you’ve got the most successful model, the [Mercedes-Benz] GLS of course, you’ve got then the [BMW] X7 joining the game, and traditionally you’ve got the Range Rover there,” said Yan.

“But even for these successful examples they are very much focused on big countries, if you ask me, countries that have the space and the roads to cater to such needs.

“From markets that I used to work, China, it’s a big advocate of such huge cars.”

Australia would rightly be considered a suitable market in terms of buyer preference and geography, but limited sales volume for such a model from the relatively new Genesis brand could make the case for right-hand drive production difficult.

Genesis Motors Australia has just launched the GV70 locally and its next model will be the G70 Shooting Brake, designed to take on wagon versions of the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4.

The brand has also confirmed it will launch three EVs in Australia next year, including the G80 Electrified and two others, widely expected to be battery-powered versions of the GV60 and GV70.

The GV70e model name was trademarked alongside the GV90e earlier this year.

Related: Genesis GV70 2021 Review and Video