The Most and Least Popular Genesis Models so Far This Year
Genesis is becoming a thorn in the side for the more established luxury automakers. Hyundai’s stand-alone luxury division offers a lineup of sedans and SUVs that deliver the refinement, style, performance, and comfort of Mercedes, Audi, or Lexus models while generally costing significantly less.
Genesis may not have the established consumer base as those brands, but the automaker is continuing to catch on among those in the luxury market—and these are its most and least popular offerings.
The GV70 is the most popular Genesis so far this year
The GV70 is outpacing the rest of the Genesis for sales by a notable margin with 5,308 units sold in Q1 against nearly 4,000 GV80s and 2,580 G70 sedans, according to GoodCarBadCar. The data apparently includes that of the electrified GV70, but considering the model just began arriving at dealerships in late March, is safe to assume the EV SUV didn’t account for a significant portion of overall sales of the model.
The GV70 is among Genesis’ new entrants to the fray, and it should come as no surprise it’s leading the brand given it falls within the red-hot compact luxury SUV segment in which it competes against stalwarts like the BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, Acura RDX, and Infiniti QX50.
Of course, it also helps when automotive experts are heaping praise on the model. We’ve called the GV70 “a perfect daily driver,” and we’re equally as impressed with its new electric version.
We aren’t alone either. U.S. News & World Report gives it the top ranking in its segment, and Car and Driver included the GV70 in its ’10 Best Trucks and SUVs for 2023′.
The lavish praise for the GV70 appears justified given it does just about everything exceptionally well. It is particularly stylish inside and out, offers a choice of gutsy engines, it’s tech-laden and feature-rich, and delivers a comfortable and poised ride all while offering respectable practicality.
Sure, the GV70 is being outsold by the BMW X3 at a rate of three-to-one, but if Genesis keeps up its momentum—and sales of the GV70 are up 28% over this time last year—the brand could continue picking off those faithful to German or Japanese luxury atuomakers.
The G90 is a big sedan with not-so-big sales numbers
On the other end of the Genesis sales scale is the G90 full-sized sedan, which is, among buyers, the automaker’s least popular offering. Genesis sold 476 G90 models in Q1, which is down slightly from last year.
Genesis’ flagship sedan is likely lagging the brand’s charts because, well, it’s a flagship sedan. The SUV segment continues to poach former sedan buyers, and many in the market for a large luxury offering are likely seeking the added practicality of an SUV.
The Q1 numbers from other automakers underscores the trend. Mercedes moved slightly more than 3,000 S-Class models with the BMW 7-Series just under the 3,000-model mark. Fewer than 600 Lexus LS models were sold while sales of the RX, which competes against the GV70, surpassed 36,000 units.
Still, the G90 is a strong player in its segment. It’s been completely overhauled for 2023 while remaining notably more affordable than its Audi, Mercedes, and BMW competition. But its popularity is seemingly being stifled for the fact it has a trunk and not a liftgate.
