- Genesis’s latest concept is an adventure-seeking SUV called X Gran Equator.
- The dramatically styled concept vehicle was unveiled at the 2025 New York auto show.
- A production model hasn’t been confirmed, but we think Genesis should give this off-roader the green light, and it could preview the next-generation GV80.
Coming off a successful reveal of two slinky two-doors at the Seoul Mobility Show earlier this month, Genesis is showing off its more rugged side with the X Gran Equator concept SUV at the New York auto show. Unlike the Gran Coupe and Convertible show cars, the X Gran Equator looks less production-ready.Proportions are exaggerated here thanks to a very long hood and a big dash-to-axle gap. The severely sloped rear window and the hidden handles on the rear door trick the eye into thinking the X Gran Equator is a two-door body style. The front end takes a rounded appearance with very little grille and two continuous strips of LED lights that wrap around the front and down the sides of the SUV.Although Genesis hasn’t confirmed this, we take the grilleless front end to mean that the X Gran Equator is an EV. We imagine all-wheel drive would be standard, perhaps using torque-vectoring tech to give it an advantage off-road. Speaking of which, the all-terrain tires shown here look like they are concepts in and of themselves, with a unique tread pattern and no obvious sidewall branding from a known tire brand. The cabin, which features just four seats in the concept, has no traditional center touchscreen. Instead, the X Gran Equator offers a more old-school analog design but with a digital twist. A trio of round displays is tucked behind the steering wheel as gauges, and four more circular screens are inset into the dashboard as readouts for entertainment, settings, and pertinent off-road driving info.A four-panel sunroof tops the X Gran Equator’s roof, creating an individual opening for each interior occupant. The rest of the interior design blends high-end furnishings with durable-looking elements, and the concept’s light blue and beige interior scheme looks beautiful.The luxury brand says the X Gran Equator “signals Genesis’s continued expansion into lifestyle-oriented vehicles,” which leads us to think a production version of this one is on the way. Genesis’s official line is that it’s not confirmed for production, but says elements shown on the concept give an idea of the brand’s future design language. We will have to wait and see if an off-road-ready Genesis SUV is in our future, but given buyers’ thirst for adventurous-looking luxury SUVs, we think there’s a strong case for the X Gran Equator to transition from concept to reality. In fact, after seeing the X Gran Equator in person, we think we could be looking at a preview of the next-generation GV80.The Latest from GenesisDrew Dorian is a lifelong car enthusiast who has also held a wide variety of consumer-focused positions throughout his career, ranging from financial counselor to auto salesperson. He has dreamed of becoming a Car and Driver editor since he was 11 years old—a dream that was realized when he joined the staff in April 2016. He’s a born-and-raised Michigander and learned to drive on a 1988 Pontiac Grand Am. His automotive interests run the gamut from convertibles and camper vans to sports cars and luxury SUVs.
Source: caranddriver.com
