New Delhi: Hyundai has finally come with its Genesis for India, after waiting for a long time finally we can have the Hyundai luxury brand in our country. At its Investors Day presentation, Hyundai has confirmed that the Genesis India launch is due for 2027. While, after the company most popular Creta the buyers can have a premium version of suv from the same carmaker.
However, the biggest news isn’t just about the launch, Hyundai is also planning to locally assemble Genesis models in India. This move could help the company keep prices more competitive from the very beginning, making the luxury brand more appealing to Indian buyers.
Hyundai Genesis India launch
Hyundai is preparing to launch its luxury brand, Genesis, in India soon. In September, Hyundai’s President and CEO, Jose Munoz, said that India is an important market for both sales and exports. He also mentioned that Genesis will benefit from Hyundai’s strong dealership network and reputation in the country.
The launch of Genesis in India is part of Hyundai’s global plan to grow its luxury division and depend less on the US market. Genesis has already sold over one million cars worldwide in just eight years and recorded strong profit margins in two of those years.
First Genesis GV80 model in India
GV80 Coupe-SUVcame with three engine options, including a 304 hp 2.5-litre turbo-petrol, a 380hp 3.5-litre turbo-petrol, and a 415hp mild-hybrid 3.5-litre turbo-petrol (Image credits: Genesis)
Genesis sells six petrol models globally, including the G70, G80, and G90 sedans, along with the GV70, GV80, and GV80 coupe-SUVs. It also has three electric models GV60, Electrified G80, and Electrified GV70. For India, the GV80 SUV and GV80 Coupe-SUV are most likely to arrive first. SUVs already make up over 70 percent of Hyundai’s total sales in India, so launching with these models makes sense. Hyundai has even trademarked the GV80 Coupe’s design in India, hinting at its arrival.
Internationally, the GV80 Coupe-SUVcame with three engine options, including a 304 hp 2.5-litre turbo-petrol, a 380hp 3.5-litre turbo-petrol, and a 415hp mild-hybrid 3.5-litre turbo-petrol. The regular GV80 SUV comes with the first two engines. Both models have all-wheel drive as standard. However it is still unclear which versions will be offered in India.
Positioning and market plans
The GV80 models are expected to compete with premium SUVs like the Mercedes-Benz GLE, BMW X5, and Audi Q7. These models will place Genesis directly in the midsize luxury SUV category, which is slowly gaining more buyers in India.
Although luxury cars make up only around 1 percent of India’s overall passenger vehicle market, the segment is growing faster than regular cars. In FY2025, luxury car sales rose by 3.3 percent compared to the 2 percent growth in the overall car industry. This shows that more Indian buyers are interested in premium vehicles.
By Ahsan Khan