Genesis GV90: Flagship electric SUV could gain petrol engine

Earlier this week Genesis took the wraps off its gigantic flagship SUV, the GV90, which will be available with both regular rear doors and reverse-hinged units.

When it begins hitting showrooms in 2027 the GV90 will be available with just one drivetrain: a dual-motor all-wheel drive setup that makes 490kW of power and 800Nm of torque. It's hooked up to a massive 123.5kWh battery that's said to yield a driving range of 500km, although it's not clear which test cycle this is under.

At the car's unveiling in San Francisco, Luc Donckerwolke, chief design officer for the Hyundai Motor Group, was asked if an extended range EV (EREV) version was a possibility.

“Why not? It’s compatible. It’s another discussion," he replied.

Sihyeok Lee, head of the Genesis brand, concurred, adding: "In the future, the EREV door is still open. We will explore all opportunities depending on customer demand.”

Whether Genesis decides to offer a GV90 EREV will likely depend largely on demand from the US. EV adoption Stateside lags well behind Europe with numbers from Kelley Blue Book indicating they accounted for just 5.8 per cent of new cars sold in the US during the second quarter of 2026. 

In contrast, the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association says EV sales in Europe and the UK made up 22.2 per cent of the market during the first half of the year.

Unlike a plug-in hybrid, where the engine can drive the wheels as well as recharge the battery, in an EREV the combustion engine is only around to recharge the battery when it starts running low. 

No details about the GV90's potential EREV system have been revealed, but it could feature the same 490kW/800Nm electric drivetrain as the EV. If EREVs out of China are any guide, the GV90 will likely include a four-cylinder petrol engine, and a slightly downsized battery pack in order accommodate a fuel tank.

At Hyundai's 2026 Investor Day, the automaker confirmed it will be adding three EREV models to its lineup. The first is a Santa Fe EREV to be produced in the States with a dual-motor all-wheel drive layout, and a total range of 965km.

There will also be an EREV version of the Ioniq V for China, and an unnamed model for Genesis, although the shadowy image in the slide deck indicates it will be based on the GV80. This first Genesis EREV is due "early 2027" with an "all new high-performance battery" and is said to have a total range of over 1030km.

Even if Genesis decides to equip the GV90 with a petrol engine, Mr Donckerwolke believes "EVs are the future" and that combustion engines are "going to be obsolete" except for exotic vehicles.

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