Duels Leaderboard Garage Blog Cars Glossary Browse

The internet's verdict on your ride. Rate, compete, and prove your whip is the best.

Genesis Cars

Korean · 8 models

Home/Car Makes/Genesis

Hyundai luxury arm turned standalone brand. The G70 took on the BMW 3-Series and the awards followed. Ex-BMW M engineering, ex-Bentley and Lambo design.

Korean

Genesis is the luxury division of Hyundai, spun off into a standalone brand in 2015. The name started as a single Hyundai model, the rear-drive Genesis sedan of 2008, which proved a Korean company could build a credible large luxury car. Hyundai split it into its own marque, hired serious talent, and went after the German establishment directly. The engineering credibility came from Albert Biermann, the former head of BMW M division, who joined to lead Hyundai and Genesis performance development. The design language came from Luc Donckerwolke (ex-Bentley, Lamborghini, Audi) and Peter Schreyer, giving the cars the twin-line lighting signature and clean surfacing that now defines the brand. The G70 (2018) is the enthusiast entry point: a compact rear-drive sport sedan with an available 3.3 liter twin-turbo V6, aimed squarely at the BMW 3-Series and Audi A4. It won Motor Trend Car of the Year in its debut season. The G80 is the mid-size sedan, the G90 the full-size flagship. The GV70 and GV80 are the SUVs that now drive most of the brand sales, and the GV60 is the dedicated electric model on the same 800-volt E-GMP platform as the Hyundai Ioniq 5. On WhipJury, Genesis submissions are still building, led by G70 3.3T builds and the occasional GV70 and G80. It is a young brand, but the rear-drive sport sedan formula gives it real enthusiast appeal.

Genesis models we cover

Essentia

From model to marque

The first Genesis was a 2008 Hyundai sedan, a rear-drive V6 and V8 luxury car that signaled Hyundai serious intent. It sold well enough to justify a full brand split. In 2015 Hyundai launched Genesis Motor as a standalone luxury division, the way Toyota created Lexus and Nissan created Infiniti.

The lineup

G70. Compact rear-drive sport sedan, 2.0 liter turbo four or 3.3 liter twin-turbo V6. The enthusiast pick. Shares its platform with the Kia Stinger.

G80. Mid-size luxury sedan, the volume sedan in the range, available with rear or all-wheel drive and an Electrified G80 variant.

G90. Full-size flagship sedan aimed at the Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7-Series.

GV70 and GV80. The SUVs that carry the brand commercially. The GV70 has a high-output 3.5 liter twin-turbo V6 and an electric variant.

GV60. Dedicated EV on the 800-volt E-GMP platform, sharing hardware with the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5.

Genesis on WhipJury

Genesis is a newer presence on the platform. The G70 3.3T is the most common submission, valued for its rear-drive layout and twin-turbo V6. GV70 and G80 examples appear as the brand grows. Expect more as the lineup matures and the enthusiast community catches up to what the brand is offering.

Frequently asked questions about Genesis

Is Genesis just a Hyundai?

Genesis is the standalone luxury division of Hyundai, the same way Lexus is to Toyota and Infiniti is to Nissan. The cars share some engineering with Hyundai and Kia, but Genesis has its own design language, its own dealer experience, and dedicated platforms. It became a separate brand in 2015.

What is the best Genesis for enthusiasts?

The G70 with the 3.3 liter twin-turbo V6. It is a compact rear-drive sport sedan that competes directly with the BMW 3-Series and won Motor Trend Car of the Year when it launched. It shares its platform with the Kia Stinger and is the most driver-focused car in the Genesis range.

Who designs and engineers Genesis cars?

Performance development was led by Albert Biermann, the former head of BMW M division. The design has been shaped by Luc Donckerwolke (formerly at Bentley, Lamborghini, and Audi) and Peter Schreyer, which is where the signature twin-line lighting and clean surfacing come from.

Does Genesis make an electric car?

Yes. The GV60 is a dedicated EV on the 800-volt E-GMP platform shared with the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5. There are also Electrified G80 and Electrified GV70 variants, which are battery-electric versions of the existing sedan and SUV.

Is the Genesis G70 related to the Kia Stinger?

Yes. The G70 and the Kia Stinger share the same rear-drive platform and the 3.3 liter twin-turbo V6. The Stinger is a fastback with a sportier remit, the G70 is a traditional luxury sport sedan, but underneath they are closely related Hyundai Motor Group products.

Genesis on the WhipJury blog

What Are the Dates for the 2027 New York Auto Show?

The 2027 New York International Auto Show is expected to take place in late March to early April 2027 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan. Based on ticketing listings currently available, the show opens March 30, 2027. Official confirmed public dates from the NYIAS organization have not yet been announced as of mid-2026, but the show follows a consistent annual schedule that makes the window predictable...

The Porsche 911 Is Overrated on Looks and Everyone Is Afraid to Say It

Say this in any car community and watch the reaction. The Porsche 911 is overrated on looks. Not overrated as a car. Not overrated as a driving experience. On looks specifically. The design that everyone calls timeless is, examined honestly, a design that has been coasting on familiarity for decades while the world gave it a free pass because of what the badge represents and what the car does when you push it...

The Best Car for Looking Good Without Trying

Some cars demand maintenance to look good. Black paint that needs weekly washing and monthly polishing. Complex body kits that need alignment after every car wash. A lowered suspension that scrapes on every parking garage entrance. These are cars that look spectacular when everything is right and progressively worse as the owner's time and patience run out...

The One Feature That Makes Any Car Look Instantly Cheaper

It's not the badge. It's not the wheel size. It's not even the color, though color contributes. The single feature that makes any car look cheaper than it is, regardless of what it cost, regardless of how good the rest of the design is, is unpainted plastic cladding on the lower body panels...

More Korean makes

Hyundai Kia