The Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon is unique, but Genesis wants to build a G-Class competitor SUV based on the Genesis X Gran Equator concept model.
Description: Genesis CEO Jose Munoz revealed the luxury brand is developing an off-road SUV flagship similar to their X Gran Equator Concept, targeting Mercedes-Benz G-Class buyers who want rugged looks with premium luxury. The concept showed off 24-inch wheels and an upright, boxy design that screams adventure capability. Genesis joins BMW in chasing the surprisingly hot market for expensive, brick-shaped SUVs that look tough but rarely see dirt. Here’s why luxury automakers think you’ll pay six figures for a fancy box on wheels.
Its not production-ready
The new Genesis X Gran Equator concept could be an interesting luxury off-road SUV, but unlike the Gran Coupe and Convertible show cars, this new SUV seems much less production-ready signaling it could be a while before this premium adventure SUV is ready. If the goal is to be a Mercedes G-Wagon rival, it will become the Genesis flagship SUV, and it will need a great deal of off-road capability and power to go up against such a stalwart model as the G-Wagon.
The right shape for the class
Boxy luxury vehicles, like the G-Wagon, make for interesting, albeit not very modern-looking, luxury models for off-roading. The new Genesis G-Class competitor SUV will come from the Hyundai luxury division and will need to be among the most off-road capable luxury cars offered in the class. The new X Gran Equator appears to have a very long hood and a large dash-to-axle space that seems to be exaggerated. The sloped rear window and hidden handles certainly give the idea of both sportiness and luxuriousness for this new concept vehicle.
A return of an old-school SUV build
Its been a while since a two-door SUV body style made sense in the market. If this makes you think of the classic Ford Bronco models, keep in mind that modern versions also have this setup, as does the Jeep Wrangler. Of course, it’s not often that we see a luxury SUV with only two doors, but that might be what comes to the market in the new Genesis off-road SUV.
This SUV also has a rounded appearance at the front with a small grille and two continuous strips of LED lights that wrap around the front and down the sides, giving it a futuristic appearance.
Will it be an EV?
The lack of a grille on the front of the X Gran Equator concept vehicle signals an EV, but Genesis hasn’t confirmed this yet. As you would expect, AWD should be standard, and actually, it should have a real 4WD setup if it wants to actually compete with the venerable Mercedes-Benz military-style G-Class. An off-road SUV from Genesis could be the next thing that makes sense for this young luxury brand, and the AWD system should include torque-vectoring to give it an advantage on the trails. It should also ride on a set of all-terrain tires, which were shown on the concept model, making it easy to drive across some rough terrain.
Non-traditional cabin layout
The cabin of the new Genesis G-Class competitor SUV has four seats in the concept model without a traditional center touchscreen. Instead, the new X Gran Equator could give the nostalgia that many off-roaders have been missing with old-school analog gauges and readings with a digital bend. The round displays across the dashboard might look like analog gauges, but they are actually small, circular screens inset into the dashboard. These screens offer readings for entertainment, settings, and off-road driving information. This means an old-school feeling with a modern twist.
You get a sunroof, you get a sunroof
Similar to how Oprah used to give away stuff on her show, Genesis gives each passenger their own personal sunroof. The roof is separated into four segments with a sunroof for each person, ensuring the cabin feels much more open and airier than most others in its class. The side, front, and rear windows are also extremely large and provide an open look and feeling desired.
Seating in the cabin is impressive with high-end furnishings and durable materials that allow the SUV to feel like it will be comfortable on a luxurious safari in Africa.
This new Genesis G-Class competitor SUV is the next step in the movement for the brand to create lifestyle vehicles. It might never quite reach the height of the G-Wagon, but it could come very close.
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