The onwards march of the super-luxe SUV seems unstoppable. Hot on the heels of Mercedes unleashing an updated version of the Mercedes-Maybach GLS comes leftfield competitor Genesis with its all-new flagship GV90.
Inside the Genesis GV90 Neolun edition
The South Korean brand is a purveyor of quiet luxury, stealthy in its lack of obvious brand recognition but no less accomplished than its rivals. The big G80 saloon is a popular chauffeur-driven machine back in its home country, and offers spacious, low-key luxury to those in the know elsewhere.
The company is more crossover and SUV-orientated these days, with the GV60 and GV70 now joined by the high-performance Magma sub-brand. Far-out concepts, like the Genesis X Skorpio Concept, hint at an innate playfulness, but the GV90 is deadly serious in its presentation of modern luxury.
Genesis GV90
Genesis GV90
Your attention is grabbed first by what Genesis describes as the ‘world’s first independently opening and closing hidden B-pillar coach door,’ an innovation it calls the Neolun Arch Gate, available on the top level of trim. That gives access into a vast passenger compartment, helped along by a 3,245mm wheelbase (the car measures 5.2m in total) and a fully flat floor design.
Genesis is focusing on the idea of a bespoke living space and there’s even the option of swivelling front seats that transform the GV90 into a luxurious conference room.
Genesis GV90 four-seat configuration
Right now, there’s no autonomous drive capability on earth that would let such a set-up be used in motion, but it’s the kind of configuration that appears in future-facing driverless car concepts. For now, the 4-seat Executive Suite set-up is a feature for the car park, where all occupants can bask in the bold colour schemes.
The launch edition Neolun model ventures into new chromatic territory with five bespoke pairings, Regal Navy / Majestic Purple; Quince Brown; Vault Black / Shadow Grey; Tyrian Purple / Travertine Beige; and Saddle Brown / Shadow Grey.
Genesis GV90 dashboard with cinematic display
Genesis GV90 interior with glass roof
Other interior details of note include the dash-spanning cinematic display – up to 24.6” wide – and a 25-speaker Bang & Olufsen-powered sound system. Materials include leather, wool cashmere, stone, crystal and wood and a cabin-wide Ambient Glow mood lighting system ‘evokes the feeling of a private art gallery’. There’s even underfloor heating.
Genesis GV90
Safety systems include the world's first Roof Airbag, offsetting any anxiety one might have about the all-glass roof structure, while the power is supplied via a massive 123.5 kWh battery is required to give the GV90 a competitive, if by no means class leading, range of 311 miles (500km). Fast charging tops out at 350kW. If you’re not after the full four-seater luxury experience, the GV90 is also available as seven-seater.
Genesis GV90
Genesis GV90, price tbc, Genesis.com, @Genesis_Europe