Genesis Off-Road EV SUV Spotted: Luxury Gets Rugged (and a Little Familiar)!

TL;DR: Hold onto your hats, 'cause Genesis, Hyundai's fancy luxury brand, is cookin' up an electric off-road SUV! A test mule for what might be the production version of their "Gran Equator" concept was just spotted, and it's lookin' a lot like a beefed-up Electrified GV70. Seems like luxury is about to get down and dirty, electric style.

Meta: Genesis's luxury electric off-road SUV, resembling a modified Electrified GV70, was spotted testing, hinting at a Gran Equator production model.

Alright, alright, alright! Genesis is celebrating its tenth birthday, and it looks like they're doin' it with a little off-road somethin' somethin' for the electric age. We first got a peek at their "adventure vehicle concept" called the X Gran Equator last April, and it was lookin' rugged yet refined. Think auxiliary lamps, those signature two-line bars, roof rails, and even a split-opening tailgate with built-in seats. Fancy and functional, you dig?

But now, the rubber's meetin' the road – literally! A new video just caught what appears to be a Genesis Gran Equator test mule cruisin' in public. And here's the kicker: it looks almost identical to the current Electrified GV70, just with a few added off-road upgrades. We're talkin' larger tires, a souped-up suspension, and maybe even a big tow hook up front. It's like the GV70 decided to hit the gym and get a whole new attitude! So, will it be a new dedicated model, or maybe an "XRT" trim option for the GV70, kinda like Hyundai's IONIQ 5 XRT? The jury's still out, but all signs point to it bein' fully electric, thanks to that closed-off grille and the testing platform.

Luxury Meets the Outback

Now, Genesis has been on a roll, launchin' new models, including a new flagship electric SUV, the GV90, and even some high-performance cars. But this off-roader is a whole different beast. It's about takin' that luxury experience and makin' it capable of tacklein' more than just city potholes. Think plush interiors with rugged capabilities. It's for those folks who want to hit the trails, but still want their heated seats and premium audio system workin' flawlessly. No compromisin' on comfort, even when you're gettin' mud on the tires.

We're expectin' this luxury off-road SUV to arrive as a 2027 model. And while Genesis is now explorin' multiple powertrains (including extended-range EVs and hybrids), the current testing on the Electrified GV70 strongly hints at a pure EV version for this adventure machine. It's a smart move, tappin' into that growing market for electric SUVs that can handle a little more than a trip to the mall. They're givin' the people what they want: luxury, capability, and that sweet, silent electric torque.

What’s Next

As Genesis expands its EV lineup, the debut of a luxury electric off-road SUV will be a key differentiator in the competitive market. The test mule's resemblance to the Electrified GV70 suggests a potential new trim or heavily modified variant, offering off-road capability within an existing, proven platform. We'll be lookin' for official confirmation on whether this will be a standalone "Gran Equator" model or an expansion of the GV70 family. This move will further position Genesis as a versatile luxury EV brand, caterin' to adventurous consumers. Keep your eyes peeled, 'cause this thing's comin' to a trailhead near you.

So get ready to swap your designer loafers for some hiking boots, 'cause Genesis is about to take luxury off the beaten path! And trust me, it's gonna be a smooth, quiet ride, even over rocks and dirt!