If one thing’s certain in the topsy-turvy automotive landscape of 2025, Genesis is absolutely crushing it. By establishing a distinct lineup riding largely on longitudinal bones and focusing on luxury as craftsmanship rather than just showy gizmos, it’s established its own identity and has enjoyed a growing presence in America. Not bad for a brand that was merely a Hyundai model less than a decade ago.
While the push to grow into popular segments has resulted in the excellent GV80 midsize SUV, the hot GV70 compact SUV, and the GV60 entry-level EV, the brand still has a ton of room to grow upward. Every brand could use a halo, and while the G90 executive sedan sits atop the Genesis range, there’s certainly room for an image builder.
Or, how about a pair of them? Ahead of this year’s Seoul Mobility Show, the Korean brand unveiled the X Gran Coupe Concept and X Gran Convertible Concept, but don’t let the names of these breathtaking luxury machines fool you. Look a bit closer, and they seem to be built to production data rather than sheer flight of fancy.
Let’s start with the Genesis X Gran Coupe Concept, a gorgeous pillarless coupe at a time when many luxury manufacturers are pivoting away from this niche. Not only does it have proper presence, you’ll notice a few important things when looking at it in profile. Items like actual side mirrors, production-like glazing treatments, a wiper cowl, an access door on the C-pillar that’s likely for fuel, real tires, real wheels, and real brakes. Even the flush-fit door handles look like production car material.
Stepping inside, things get even better with the green motif of the exterior carried through to a two-tone green and tan cockpit. Genesis claims this colorway is inspired by Mediterranean olive trees, hence the backlit leaf motifs in the wood trim. It’s an undeniably rich look, although for the next level of hedonism, you’ll need to check out the Genesis X Gran Convertible Concept.
This is one of the rare cases where I reckon the four-seat convertible looks even better than the four-seat coupe, as chopping the roof off really lets those haunches sing. There’s a handsome, elegant, restrained muscularity here that’s easy to appreciate, especially in this Cabernet Sauvignon-inspired purple. Like on the coupe, I appreciate the restraint exercised with the signature shield grille, and Genesis’ hallmark headlight and side market treatment really plants the front wheel arch nicely. And we haven’t even reached the interior yet.
First off, that blue interior is an unreal finish, a bold decadence of leather, carpet, and suede. It’s totally inspired, and something I’d love to see on a production car. Look a little closer, and you’ll realize that all the switchgear here comes out of the Genesis parts bin, including the infotainment controllers, the seat switches, the climate control panel in the dashboard, and even the wiper and indicator stalks.
While Genesis hasn’t released any powertrain details or said whether or not these concepts are actually going into production, like the Honda Prelude concept we first saw a few years ago, there just seems to be too much production-ready stuff on this coupe and cabriolet duo for it to not at least be a consideration. Although the names are likely to change from X Gran Coupe and X Gran Convertible if Genesis decides to sell these for real, these machines could cause a real splash in the luxury two-door segment.
Top graphic image: Genesis
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This proud Korean wants to shed tears of joy.
Pillarless Coupe is THE BEST automotive design trait, and man this kills it. Gives me huge Cadillac concept car vibes like the El Miraj
Just making a proper coupe and a proper convertible would earn kudos, but Christ almighty these things are gorgeous. I really like Genesis’ design language, and they’ve been teasing these guys for a few years now – I really, really hope these make it into production. The world needs more GTs, open or closed-top.
The colors on the coupe are nothing short of gorgeous. I would buy that combination if it was available.
I would be willing to sell several Autopian internal organs to buy that coupe. Anyone here like to hunt?
I think these look excellent. See, I do like things.
A man of refined tastes.
How has it taken you this long to figure that out?
I love that they went for colors on these like someone would spec on a Rolls Royce or Bentley. Tells you the potential target market and pricing…
Build them Genesis you cowards.
Your move Cadillac – a CT5.V-series Blackwing coupe and convertible would be an appropriate response to this.
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They made one of these for years, it’s called the Camaro ZL1 and it’s available as a drop top
All the luxury real estate agents are about to have a Genesis. Looks way more expensive then it is but I’m not not cheap
With a new 25% tariff it’ll actually be as expensive as it looks.
I love a luxury coupe. It might be my favorite kind of car. It’s always hard for me to resist a used Mercedes coupe when I’m looking for a car but I would have one of these in a heartbeat if they become a similar used car “bargain”. It’s kind of cruel to show us these beauties right before everyone is about to be priced out of the car market, though.
Please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please build these cars. They look big enough for me to live in, so I’ll sell my house to be able to afford them, but that’ll be worth it to just bask in the beauty of these cars.
Very nice cars! They’ll sell by the dozens.
Great, another six figure car that no one will be able to buy.
My brother in Christ…it’s a six figure KOREAN car. It’ll be worth 50 grand or less in 3 years. The Korean/luxury car depreciation combo is staggering. Take a look at values on lightly to moderately used Genesis products. The market is not kind to them.
The first owners are boned unless they lease them, but we’ll be in prime position to swoop in 3-5 years. We aren’t talking about a 911 here. Hell even the LC500 depreciates and it’s a Lexus. Residuals on this are going to be hilariously bad.
The other wonderful combo is luxury EV other than Porsche(the P-cars have depreciated but only ~50%) I’ve been eyeing one of the jelly bean EQS as they circle the $30k mark on the way down to the $25k magic rebate land. 400+ miles range, excellent fast charging and a pretty decent interior. GV60 Performance are cheaper than many EV6s and less than any EV6 GT.
They’re ugly and they’re bad at being Mercedes, but they do seem to be decent EVs.
I’m certainly not a typical S-class buyer. But an ugly electric lift-back road tripping machine for pretty cheap is quite tempting. And all reports verify that they do have nice driving dynamics and a very comfortable and quiet ride.
I’m an engineer. I love optimization. I also appreciate aesthetics but I will choose affordable functionality over aesthetics any day.
Seems like a great car for you then, my friend. I’ve been tempted by them as well. The luxury EV depreciation curve is putting some very nice cars within reach for us mortals. I’d personally pony up a little more for a certified Taycan, but as long as you can live with all the tech (you’re an engineer so I’m just going to assume you’re probably better at that than most) I think you’ll enjoy the EQS.
So basically Genesis tried to make their own LC500 and they seem to have done pretty damn well. I’m interested to hear about the powertrains. It would be VERY cool if these had V8s, and while Genesis technically has a pretty good V8 that they used to offer in the G90 it’s not currently being used in anything to my knowledge.
Hell I’d be fine with a PHEV too. If it’s a full EV I’m really going to struggle to stay interested.
If it’s a full EV I’m really going to struggle to
stay interestednot lease one immediately. Fixed that for… me.Thomas is right – Genesis is killing it right now. Even my wife, who has zero interest in cars, and couldn’t differentiate between a Hyundai and a Bentley even under threat of torture, actually said “Wow – that’s a good looking car” as we drove past a G80 a few days ago.
I’m of the same mind. For anything other than a dedicated sports car, I don’t see myself ever buying another gas car. Currently my only gas car is my MR2 Spyder.
Genesis has a really great chance to take over this niche if the cars are even halfway decent. Since the S-Class coupe is now dead, the 8 series is nearly there, the LC is slowing down, the high end full size luxury coupe and convertible market short of Bently is nearly out of options, and this is so good, I bet it would absolutely convince people to switch to a Genesis.
The base Mercedes SL and AMG GT have goddamn FOUR CYLINDERS too. Hyundai has a well regarded V8 that used to be available in the G90 prior to the redesign. Come on Genesis, you have a chance to do something really cool…
I may have bit my lip when I scrolled to that brown and green interior. Hot damn.
I dig it enough, but it appears Tobias Funke spent a little too much time in the convertible interior.
Yes, this would be A New Start for Genesis.
That interior definitely blue itself.
Absolutely brilliant. The design really works well for both of them, pulling off the elegant yet athletic look quite nicely. The blue interior on the convertible is a bit much for my tastes, but the purple exterior color is just stunning. And I like the wheel choices as well.
If I were in the market though, the coupe would be the one that I would get though. The warmth of the Greece inspired interior really calls to me.
Please make these cars Genesis.
I really dig the coupe, right up there with the LC.
Everything I read about the Genesis line tells me I should consider them but there is just something that looks wrong to me in their styling. The grill doesn’t look right, the SUV c-pillar/tiny window look off.
Hyundai out here making banger after banger while Jaguar is rebranding to the Google logo and showing off their Batman The Animated Series background vehicle.
Yeah, why is Tata just sitting back and letting Hyundai out-Jaguar Jaguar, like they’ve already done to American luxury brands with big, comfy sedans?
Hey man, don’t denigrate Batman TAS like that.
That is a PERFECT description of Jaguar oh my lord
These look awesome, but when did Elon Musk purchase Genesis?
Let’s manifest a V8 into this thing. People forget Hyundai/Kia/Genesis actually have a really good V8, they just haven’t used it in a few years. It sure would be cool to bring it back for the new flagship!
You will obviously get no argument from me on this point.
One of the reasons they look great is these awesome colors! Paint a new Civic these colors, and it would look WAY better! dark GREEN! Burgundy!!
I really dislike the diamond shaped grill, otherwise, they are gorgeous.
PUT A NSFW WARNING ON THIS ARTICLE! Come on, this is straight up pornography here!