Genesis research

Who makes Genesis? The history of Hyundai's luxury brand

By CarWhere Research · Updated

Genesis cars are made by Hyundai Motor Company, which announced Genesis as a stand-alone global luxury brand on November 4, 2015. The name came from the Hyundai Genesis sedan, sold in the US from the 2009 model year. Genesis-branded cars arrived in the US for 2017 with the G80 and G90; the GV80 (2021) was the first Genesis SUV, and the GV60 (2023) the first built on a dedicated EV platform.

Genesis history timeline

Milestones link to a full history page with years and production numbers, key variants, what changed and what to check before you buy one.

  1. 2008

    The Hyundai Genesis sedan debuts

    Hyundai unveiled the rear-wheel-drive Genesis sedan at the January 2008 Detroit auto show, with V6 and V8 engines and a starting price under $30,000, and put it on sale that summer. It was Hyundai's first rear-wheel-drive car in the US.[1],[2],[3]

    Hyundai Genesis sedan and coupe (2009–2016) history →

  2. 2009

    Genesis Coupe joins

    The Genesis Coupe, shown in New York in March 2008, arrived in spring 2009 as a 2010 model on the same rear-wheel-drive architecture, with a 2.0-liter turbo four or a 3.8-liter V6.[4],[5]

    Hyundai Genesis sedan and coupe (2009–2016) history →

  3. 2014

    Second-generation Genesis sedan

    The all-new 2015 Hyundai Genesis debuted in Detroit in January 2014 with HTRAC all-wheel drive, the first AWD offered in a Hyundai sedan, and was built in Ulsan, Korea.[6]

    Hyundai Genesis sedan and coupe (2009–2016) history →

  4. 2015

    Genesis becomes a stand-alone brand

    On November 4, 2015, Hyundai Motor announced Genesis as a stand-alone global luxury brand operating alongside Hyundai, with its own wing emblem, a 'G' plus number naming system and a plan for six models by 2020. The G90 (EQ900 in Korea) was unveiled as its first model in December 2015.[7],[8]

  5. 2016

    G80 and G90 reach US showrooms

    The 2017 G80, which Genesis called its first model in the US, went on sale in August 2016 from $41,400. The 2017 G90 flagship followed from $68,100, with a 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 or a 5.0-liter V8.[9],[10],[11],[12]

    Hyundai Genesis sedan and coupe (2009–2016) history →

  6. 2018

    G70 sport sedan

    The 2019 G70 went on sale in September 2018 from $34,900 with a 2.0T four-cylinder or a 3.3T twin-turbo V6.[13]

  7. 2020

    GV80, the first Genesis SUV

    Genesis's first SUV, the GV80, debuted in January 2020 on a rear-wheel-drive platform unique to the brand. The 2021 GV80 went on sale that summer from $48,900, alongside an all-new 2021 G80.[14],[15],[16],[17]

    Genesis SUVs: GV80, GV70, GV60, GV80 Coupe and GV90 history →

  8. 2021

    GV70 and the first Genesis EVs

    The 2022 GV70 compact SUV was priced from $41,000. Genesis premiered its first EV, the Electrified G80, in April 2021 and revealed the GV60, its first car on the dedicated E-GMP electric platform, in August 2021.[18],[19],[20]

    Electrified Genesis: Electrified G80, GV60, Electrified GV70 and GV90 history →

  9. 2022–2023

    EVs on sale and US assembly

    The GV60 went on sale in the US in May 2022 and the Electrified G80 later that year. The Electrified GV70, assembled in Montgomery, Alabama, reached retailers in March 2023 as the first Genesis built outside South Korea.[21],[22],[23],[24]

    Electrified Genesis: Electrified G80, GV60, Electrified GV70 and GV90 history →

  10. 2024

    GV80 Coupe

    The first GV80 Coupe, unveiled in November 2023, went on sale as a 2025 model from $79,950, with up to 409 hp from a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 with a 48-volt electric supercharger.[25],[26]

    Genesis SUVs: GV80, GV70, GV60, GV80 Coupe and GV90 history →

  11. 2026

    GV60 Magma and the GV90

    Genesis priced the 2027 GV60 Magma, its first high-performance model, at $69,950 with up to 641 hp in Boost Mode. In August 2026 it unveiled the GV90, its first full-size flagship SUV, an EV on the eMP platform with a 123.5 kWh battery.[27],[28]

    Electrified Genesis: Electrified G80, GV60, Electrified GV70 and GV90 history →

Genesis model firsts

Firsts as Hyundai and Genesis describe them (Hyundai USA Media Center; Genesis USA Newsroom)[1],[7],[8],[9],[14],[19],[20],[23],[26],[27],[28]
YearModel or eventWhat it was first at
2008Hyundai Genesis sedanHyundai's first rear-wheel-drive car in the US
2015Genesis brandAnnounced as a stand-alone luxury brand on Nov. 4, 2015
2015G90 (EQ900 in Korea)First model of the Genesis brand
20162017 G80First Genesis-brand model priced for the US
2020GV80First Genesis SUV
2021Electrified G80First Genesis EV
2021GV60First Genesis on a dedicated EV platform (E-GMP)
2023Electrified GV70First Genesis assembled in the US (Montgomery, Alabama)
2024GV80 Coupe (2025 model)First GV80 Coupe
2026GV60 Magma (2027 model)First Genesis high-performance model
2026GV90First Genesis full-size flagship SUV

First US model year by model

First model year each car appears in EPA fuel-economy listings, with the launch starting MSRP Genesis or Hyundai announced (destination excluded where the release says so)[1],[3],[5],[9],[10],[11],[13],[15],[17],[18],[21],[22],[23],[26],[29],[30]
ModelFirst US model yearLaunch starting MSRP
Hyundai Genesis sedan2009Under $30,000 (announced)
Hyundai Genesis Coupe2010Not listed here
Genesis G802017$41,400 (excludes $950 freight)
Genesis G902017$68,100
Genesis G702019$34,900 (excludes $995 destination)
Genesis GV802021$48,900
Genesis GV702022$41,000
Genesis GV602023$58,890 (excludes $1,095 freight)
Electrified G802023$79,825
Electrified GV702023$65,850
GV80 Coupe2025$79,950

Every Genesis model history

Origins: the Hyundai Genesis

SUVs

Electrified and EVs

How to check a Genesis's factory build

Standardized 17-character VINs began with model year 1981[31]. For a 1981-or-later Genesis, CarWhere can check a VIN for licensed factory build data and, when it exists, list the equipment the vehicle was built with in plain English: see the Genesis build sheet by VIN. Coverage varies by VIN and model year. Earlier vehicles are identified by their original serial number, vehicle data plate and engine stampings instead.

Frequently asked questions

Who makes Genesis cars?

Genesis cars are made by Hyundai Motor Company. Hyundai announced Genesis as a stand-alone global luxury brand on November 4, 2015, operating alongside the Hyundai brand, and Genesis Motor America sells the cars in the US.

Who owns Genesis?

Hyundai Motor Company owns Genesis. Hyundai Motor leads the Hyundai Motor Group, so Genesis is the group's luxury brand.

Is Genesis just a Hyundai?

Genesis is a separate brand with its own models, emblem, naming system and retail network, but it is part of Hyundai Motor. The first Genesis-badged cars were developed from the Hyundai Genesis sedan, which Hyundai sold in the US for the 2009–2016 model years.

Was there a Hyundai Genesis SUV?

No. The Hyundai Genesis was a sedan, joined by the Genesis Coupe. The first Genesis SUV is the GV80, which debuted in January 2020 and went on sale in the US as a 2021 model. The GV70, GV60, GV80 Coupe and GV90 followed.

When did Genesis become its own brand?

Hyundai Motor announced Genesis as a stand-alone luxury brand on November 4, 2015. The G90 was unveiled as its first model in December 2015, and Genesis-branded G80 and G90 sedans reached US showrooms in 2016 as 2017 models.

Where are Genesis cars built?

Genesis production began in South Korea; the 2017 G80, for example, was built in Ulsan. The Electrified GV70 became the first Genesis assembled in the US, at Montgomery, Alabama, in 2023, and the gas GV70 joined it there from the 2024 model year.

More Genesis research

Sources

Production figures, dates and ratings come from Genesis AG and Genesis of America press and heritage materials, official race results and reputable automotive press wherever available. References marked secondary are encyclopedic or enthusiast sources used only where a primary figure was not available. Market medians are CarWhere's own analysis of live US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers.

  1. Hyundai Unveils Genesis Premium Sports Sedan (Jan. 8, 2008) — Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai USA Media Center)
  2. Hyundai Backs Genesis Launch With Largest Vehicle Marketing Campaign Ever (June 23, 2008) — Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai USA Media Center)
  3. EPA model list: 2009 Hyundai — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  4. All-New Hyundai Genesis Coupe: A New Benchmark for Attainable 300-Horsepower Sport Coupes (Mar. 19, 2008) — Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai USA Media Center)
  5. EPA model list: 2010 Hyundai — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  6. All-New 2015 Hyundai Genesis Debuts at North American International Auto Show (Jan. 13, 2014) — Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai USA Media Center)
  7. Hyundai Motor Launches New Global Luxury Brand, 'Genesis' (Nov. 4, 2015) — Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai USA Media Center)
  8. Genesis Brand Launches its First Model, G90 (Dec. 9, 2015) — Genesis Motor America (Genesis USA Newsroom)
  9. Genesis Announces Pricing for 2017 Genesis G80 Mid-Luxury Sedan (Aug. 1, 2016) — Genesis Motor America (Genesis USA Newsroom)
  10. Genesis Announces Pricing for Its G90 Luxury Flagship Sedan (Sept. 2, 2016) — Genesis Motor America (Genesis USA Newsroom)
  11. EPA model list: 2017 Genesis — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  12. EPA model list: 2017 Hyundai — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  13. Genesis Announces 2019 G70 Pricing Starting at $34,900 (Sept. 19, 2018) — Genesis Motor America (Genesis USA Newsroom)
  14. Genesis Shares First Images of Its First SUV, GV80 (Dec. 31, 2019) — Genesis Motor America (Genesis USA Newsroom)
  15. Genesis Announces 2021 Genesis GV80 Pricing; Starts at $48,900 (Mar. 5, 2020) — Genesis Motor America (Genesis USA Newsroom)
  16. Genesis Announces All-New 2021 Genesis G80 Pricing (May 19, 2020) — Genesis Motor America (Genesis USA Newsroom)
  17. EPA model list: 2021 Genesis — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  18. Genesis Reveals U.S. Pricing for First-Ever GV70 SUV (May 24, 2021) — Genesis Motor America (Genesis USA Newsroom)
  19. Genesis Premieres First-Ever EV Model: Electrified G80 (Apr. 18, 2021) — Genesis Motor America (Genesis USA Newsroom)
  20. Genesis Reveals GV60 Electric Crossover (Aug. 18, 2021) — Genesis Motor America (Genesis USA Newsroom)
  21. Fully Electric Genesis GV60 Arrives in the United States (May 17, 2022) — Genesis Motor America (Genesis USA Newsroom)
  22. Genesis Reveals Electrified G80 U.S. Pricing (Aug. 25, 2022) — Genesis Motor America (Genesis USA Newsroom)
  23. Genesis Reveals Pricing for U.S.-Assembled Electrified GV70 (Feb. 16, 2023) — Genesis Motor America (Genesis USA Newsroom)
  24. Genesis Electrified GV70, Assembled in USA, Now Arriving at U.S. Retailers (Mar. 21, 2023) — Genesis Motor America (Genesis USA Newsroom)
  25. Genesis Unveils First-Ever GV80 Coupe and New GV80 SUV for North American Market (Nov. 15, 2023) — Genesis Motor America (Genesis USA Newsroom)
  26. Genesis Reveals U.S. Pricing for First-Ever 2025 GV80 Coupe (June 13, 2024) — Genesis Motor America (Genesis USA Newsroom)
  27. Genesis Reveals U.S. Pricing for GV60 Magma, Brand's First High-Performance Model (July 29, 2026) — Genesis Motor America (Genesis USA Newsroom)
  28. A New Icon's Arrival: Genesis Unveils GV90 Flagship SUV (Aug. 19, 2026) — Genesis Motor America (Genesis USA Newsroom)
  29. EPA model list: 2022 Genesis — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  30. EPA model list: 2023 Genesis — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  31. 49 CFR Part 565 — Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) requirements — eCFR (U.S. Government)

Independent reference compiled by CarWhere Research — not affiliated with or endorsed by Genesis Motor America or Hyundai Motor Group. Genesis and the model names are trademarks of their owners.