Big Mac from Korea: Genesis Unveils Its Flagship SUV, the GV90

Hyundai’s subsidiary Genesis is making a strong push into the automotive elite. At the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, the GV90—the all-electric flagship and, to date, the largest model from the Korean luxury brand—is making its world debut. Measuring more than 5.28 meters in length, the full-size SUV confidently takes on the established giants of the luxury class.

The undisputed highlight of the new luxury sedan is the so-called “Neolun Arch Gate.” In this model variant, Genesis has completely eliminated the conventional, visible B-pillar. Instead, thanks to an innovative dual-motion hinge mechanism, the front and rear side doors open in opposite directions. This creates a vast, barrier-free entry to the interior, welcoming passengers as honored guests in the spirit of the Korean “Son-nim” philosophy. Despite the absence of the pillar, customers don’t have to compromise on safety. Invisible, high-strength double steel beams in the doors and an extremely reinforced passenger cell absorb impact forces without compromise in the event of a collision.

Invisible Guardian Angel: The World’s First Roof Airbag

With the GV90, Genesis takes occupant protection to a new level by installing a total of twelve airbags, among which the world’s first roof airbag represents the most significant safety innovation. This system was specifically developed to effectively protect passengers in the event of a severe rollover. In the event of a crash, the airbag deploys within milliseconds across the entire surface of the spacious roof glass. This prevents occupants from being ejected from the vehicle while simultaneously drastically reducing the risk of dangerous head injuries caused by contact with the roof.

This protection is complemented by adaptive airbags in the seats, which adjust in two stages to the occupant’s posture, as well as special airbags in the seat cushions that prevent the occupant from slipping under the seat belt. An intelligent interior monitoring system also scans the position and type of passengers to perfectly control the deployment of all restraint systems in the event of an emergency.

Beneath the GV90’s elegantly sculpted exterior lies the brand-new eMP (Electric Mobility Prime) platform, which reinforces Hyundai Motor Group’s position as a technological leader. At the heart of this flagship model is an extremely powerful high-voltage battery with a capacity of 123.5 kilowatt-hours. Thanks to its high energy density, it enables the seven-seat luxury SUV to achieve an estimated range of approximately 500 kilometers on a single charge. When the battery starts to run low, the advanced charging architecture ensures that it can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in 22 minutes using a 350-kW fast charger.

A powerful all-wheel-drive system, in which a 240-kW front motor and a 250-kW rear motor work in perfect harmony, delivers performance befitting the vehicle’s status. Together, the powertrains generate a system output of a whopping 490 kW (666 PS) and a maximum torque of 800 Newton-meters, guaranteeing completely effortless acceleration. To ensure this enormous power is safely transferred to the road, an electronic limited-slip differential (Dual E-LSD) is used on both the front and rear axles. It distributes drive power to all four wheels fully automatically and with high precision when cornering or in challenging conditions such as snow and wet roads.

A multi-chamber air suspension with continuously variable dampers strikes the perfect balance between smooth gliding and dynamic stability, gently smoothing out every bump in the road. Despite an impressive body length of over 5.28 meters, the GV90 is said to handle surprisingly nimbly: Active rear-wheel steering allows for a rear-wheel steering angle of up to five degrees and reduces the turning radius to that of an agile midsize car.

A Movie Theater and Wellness Oasis on Wheels

The interior is conceived as a digitally connected yet masterfully crafted living space. The classic start button is a thing of the past: The “New Power Control System” automatically activates the vehicle as soon as the driver takes a seat. A single press of the brake pedal is all it takes—and the GV90 is ready to go.

At the center of the cockpit sits a retractable OLED Cinematic Display, which expands to a diagonal of 24.6 inches when the vehicle is stationary. The system is controlled via the next-generation infotainment system “Pleos Connect,” complete with the AI assistant “Gleo AI.” Seats with a 15-air-cell massage function, integrated radiant heating in the style of traditional Korean underfloor heating (ondol), and a Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system with 25 speakers ensure a multisensory experience.

Those seeking even greater exclusivity can opt for the strictly limited-edition GV90 Neolun First Edition. This model features an elegant four-seat configuration (“Executive Suite”). A real-wood floor in the rear, standard wool-cashmere trim, a built-in refrigerator, and fold-out tables make traveling in the rear an unparalleled first-class experience. (aum)