Genesis, like most luxury carmakers, is deferring its plans to become an electric-only brand, and as part of this strategic shift, the rumored GV80 EV is no longer a priority. The company has confirmed that it will offer hybrid variants of every Genesis vehicle going forward.
We are looking to respond to diverse customer needs which means hybrid version of not only Hyundai brand models, but luxury Genesis brand models as well, with a hybrid option to be offered for all Genesis models excluding dedicated EV models.
Jaehoon Chang, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company, at the 2024 CEO Investor Day on August 28, 2024
The GV80 Hybrid is expected to be the first out of the gate in the second half of 2026, and has strong potential to expand the appeal of South Korea’s Lexus RX rival.
Sept 2026 Production Launch
The Genesis GV80 Hybrid will enter production in September 2026, Korea JoongAng Daily reported on June 18, 2025. It will be a derivative of the current-generation model, while the next-gen GV80 Hybrid will follow in the second half of 2028, with sweeping changes.
On September 18, 2025, at Hyundai’s 2025 CEO Investor Day event, President and CEO Jose Munoz confirmed plans to launch the first Genesis hybrid model in 2026:
One opportunity we clearly see is expanding our hybrid lineup in response to growing consumer demand. By 2030, we plan to offer more than 18 hybrids, for vehicles ranging from entry-level to large luxury. This will include Genesis starting in 2026.
Jose Munoz, President and CEO, Hyundai (2025 CEO Investor Day on September 18, 2025)
Design
The Genesis GV80 Hybrid will look a little different from the ICE GV80 sold today. Genesis gave the large SUV a facelift in 2024, and it is working on a second cosmetic update. The company is expected to debut the new design on the GV80 Hybrid.
Spy shots have shown the GV80 Hybrid featuring redesigned bumpers, and a new upper grille with a revised G-Matrix pattern is also expected. Newly designed 22-inch wheels and one or two new paint options are also likely. Except for software and menus, major design changes are not expected on the inside.
Specifications
Powering the Genesis GV80 Hybrid will be a 2.5-liter turbocharged gas engine assisted by electric motors. By default, power will go to the rear wheels, and we’re expecting the dual-motor electric all-wheel drive system to come standard.
While the GV80 delivers an EPA-estimated fuel economy of up to 22 mpg, the GV80 could achieve a rating of up to around 32 mpg, offering over 600 miles of range on a tank of gas.
The Group plans to introduce a rear-wheel-drive 2.5 turbo hybrid system in 2026 and aims to gradually expand its hybrid technology to the Genesis luxury brand by applying this powertrain to key models over time.
From Hyundai Motor Group’s announcement on April 21, 2025
The hybrid variant of the GV80 should offer the additional convenience of vehicle-to-load (V2L) bi-directional charging capability. This feature should allow customers to power external devices continuously while the engine is running or for up to 50% of battery capacity with the engine shut off.
Release Date & Pricing
The U.S. will likely be the largest target market for the GV80 Hybrid. With the production scheduled to start in September 2026, the first batch could begin arriving at U.S. dealerships toward the end of the year. Retail prices of the new hybrid luxury SUV may start at around USD 65,000, with more details expected closer to the debut.
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 17 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading global CEOs and vehicle developers.
