Genesis News

It may sound far-fetched, but Genesis is hoping to compete with the upper-echelon of bespoke luxury SUVs when its all-new GV90 arrives. But while the idea of the GV90 rivalling the likes of the Bentley Bentayga and Rolls-Royce Cullinan, there is one key reason why the brand should be taken seriously - the man in charge. Luc Donkerwolke is now the Chief Creative Officer for Genesis, but previously he was the man responsible for designing the Bentayga. He actually left the British brand before the SUV was done, so officially the design credit for the Bentayga is given to SungYup Lee - who is now the design boss for Hyundai. So either way, Genesis and Hyundai have all the skills and experience to design a genuinely luxurious SUV. There is a big difference between designing a premium SUV and being able to sell it. The GV90, which is based on the Neolun concept from 2024, will be an all-electric flagship for the brand and is expected to cost more than $200,000 when it arrives in Australia next year. Given Genesis’ slow sales growth trajectory in Australia since it arrived in 2019, pushing so far upmarket is a risk, but one the brand is actually looking forward to.  “I think our brand actually needs a halo like that right now,” said Tim Rodgers, Product Planning and Development Manager for Genesis Australia. “We haven't quite showcased our full capability in that regard and just how high we can stretch the levels of luxury in a car. The flagship SUV that you mentioned, I think that's ready to turn some heads and opinions about Genesis brand, and I think it's the right time now.” Given the premium nature and price tag, Genesis Australia is most likely to offer the GV90 on a strict order-only basis, which means there will be limited stock in showrooms and customers will be able to order them to their personalised preferences. Again, Rodgers believes this is advantageous for the brand and claims it will actually play to its strengths. “ We do a lot of build-to-order anyway, so it's not really anything new for us. So in that sense actually, we're set up in an ideal situation to leverage that kind of car,” he said.  The arrival of the GV90 as a flagship luxury SUV will follow the launch of the new Magma performance sub-brand. Globally the company has committed to introducing a Magma variant of every model in the range and has begun with the GV60 Magma small SUV. Justin Douglass, Head of Genesis Australia, explained the impact of Magma has already been felt. “ I think when you look at the amount of goodwill towards a brand from the moment that we announced that Magma was coming to life there's been a lot of interest for a couple of years now,” he said. “I think when the production version was shown in November last year, it created an immediate influx of register-your-interests here in Australia. "I think for any brand to have a true performance luxury variant added to their range is always gonna be beneficial and exciting and attract a new customer base, and as I said, create some real emotion and energy around the brand as well. So yeah it's absolutely an exciting addition for the brand.” While the GV90 will act as the flagship for the brand in terms of luxury, the Magma GT is expected to be the halo sports car. The mid-engined coupe was revealed as a concept at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June and Hyundai Motor Group’s global CEO, Jose Munoz, made it clear he wants to put it into production as soon as possible.  Without being confirmed for production it’s difficult for Douglass and Rodgers to commit to Magma GT plans for Australia, but they are both adament it will come here if it’s built in right-hand drive. “ If it was made available to us, absolutely,” Douglass said. Without confirming the Magma GT would be available here, Rodgers suggested right-hand drive production is likely.  ”We act like a global car company because we are,” he said. “There's plenty of models in right-hand drive that we've developed that, maybe on paper don't really make sense, but we've done it because that's what a global car company does, right?”

Hyundai has officially confirmed the first models that will receive its new range-extender (REEV) hybrid powertrain technology. The Hyundai Santa Fe and Genesis GV70 will be the first models. They both will launch in global markets from the first half of 2027. Hyundai has confirmed that REEVs are coming to Australia, but it won’t confirm an exact timeline or which models yet. REEV hybrids have a petrol engine but they don’t directly power the wheels. They instead act as a generator to charge up the high-voltage battery pack. This means all the driving power is done by electric motors, like an electric vehicle (EV). Hyundai has confirmed its Santa Fe REEV is launching in global markets in the first half of 2027. It’s unclear if or when it will come to Australia. The South Korean carmaker will manufacture this new REEV version of the Santa Fe in the US at its Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama plant. It already produces standard petrol and series-parallel hybrid versions of the Santa Fe for the USA. Few details regarding the Santa Fe REEV’s powertrain have been confirmed yet. It will have a dual-electric motor set-up, likely meaning one on each axle and all-wheel drive. It’s unclear which petrol engine it’ll have. There’s also a new ‘high-performance’ battery, which has been designed in-house, allowing for a total range of over 965km. Hyundai has been readying a facelift for the Santa Fe for a while now following the middling feedback to the exterior design and this new REEV powertrain may launch in conjunction with it. Following Genesis launching the GV80 Hybrid, which has a parallel hybrid set-up, the GV70 REEV will be the brand’s first range-extender hybrid when it launches in early 2027. Few details about the GV70 REEV’s powertrain are confirmed yet, however it will feature an in-house designed ‘high-performance’ battery pack, like the Santa Fe REEV. Genesis claims the GV70 REEV will offer a total range of over 1030km. This new powertrain option for the GV70 will add to the standard petrol and all-electric configurations. The confirmation of these new REEV models were announced as part of Hyundai’s latest Investor Day. The South Korean carmaker plans to launch over 100 new vehicles across its Hyundai and Genesis brands by 2030. The Santa Fe REEV and GV70 REEV are just two of these models. Other highlights include the new-generation Tucson, a series of body-on-frame vehicles, new EVs and a number of vehicles especially for the Chinese market, like the Ioniq V. Among the other things confirmed at the event, another key point is Hyundai plans to launch a new ‘high-volume performance’ segment by 2030 to sit between N and N Line. It will apparently feature carryover powertrain and parts from Hyundai N, with a focus on value features for daily high-performance driving.

Genesis has just revealed its most luxurious car yet and it has used it as a statement to show it’s a cut above Chinese carmakers. Speaking with CarsGuide, Genesis Australia Head of Sales Operations Lachlan McColl explained that the South Korean carmaker is a closer rival to Range Rover and Rolls-Royce than Chinese luxury brands like XPeng or Zeekr. “Chinese manufacturers have made a significant impact on the Australian … in the last three, four or five years really since it started to come on quite significantly.” “When I do look at that, it’s one of the more mainstream cars. “If you look at a vehicle in isolation, then I think maybe you could potentially compare vehicles together. I think we offer so much more than that, though. “It’s not just about a piece of metal. It’s about we know our customers like cars that say certain things about them. It’s about achieving certain statuses in life stages. “At the moment, I don’t feel that the Chinese are quite there with having that brand perception. I think that’s one of the challenges that we’ve had as well. “If we look at those, the Europeans and the British, for example, that have up to 100 years of brand history and credibility and reliability and equity that they’ve built, we are in the process of building that. “I think the Chinese have started with that,” added McColl. McColl also noted that while the Chinese luxury carmakers offer a more compelling value proposition, the Genesis brand attracts a different type of customer. They are the type of people that are moving from brands like Bentley, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Rolls-Royce and Porsche. The Genesis GV90 is the South Korean carmaker’s new flagship and is an all-electric rival to the Mercedes-Maybach EQS and the forthcoming Range Rover Electric. It will launch in Australia in the first half of 2027 and while official details are yet to be finalised, it’s understood that the flagship Neolun version may cost around $250,000, making it the most expensive Genesis model yet. The GV90 features two new world-first features: coach doors with a hidden B-pillar that allow for one large opening when the front and rear doors are open, as well as a roof airbag that’s designed to deploy during roll-over accidents and protect occupants from being ejected through the sunroof. Two versions are set to be available – the GV90 and GV90 Neolun – both powered by a dual-electric motor set-up with total system outputs of 490kW and 800Nm. The electric motors are fed by a 123.5kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which is the largest fitted to any Hyundai Motor Group EV to date. It allows for up to 500km of range, depending on the configuration, according to internal testing.

Genesis has officially revealed its new GV90 flagship electric SUV ahead of its Australian launch in the first half of 2027. The Genesis GV90 is based on a new platform called Electric Mobility Prime (eMP) platform. It also features a level of luxury that moves the brand’s positioning much closer to Bentley and Rolls-Royce. Two new world-first features include B-pillarless coach doors that allow for one large opening with both the front and rear doors open, as well as a roof airbag that’s designed to deploy during roll-over accidents and protect occupants. Other highlight features that are a first for the Hyundai Motor Group include 180-degree swivelling first-row seats, monotube-type electronic controlled suspension, metal-coated heated glass that operates on a 48V system, as well as a dual e-LSD system on both the front and rear motors. There are two versions of this car available – the GV90 and GV90 Neolun – and both are powered by a dual-electric motor set-up with total system outputs of 490kW and 800Nm. It’s enough to send it from 0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds, depending on the variant. Top speed is 240km/h. The electric motors are fed by a 123.5kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which is the largest fitted to any Hyundai Motor Group EV to date. It allows for up to 500km of range, depending on the configuration, according to internal testing. Peak charging rates haven’t been disclosed, but a 10-80 per cent charge is claimed to take as little as 22 minutes. The Genesis GV90 measures in at 5285mm long, 2030mm wide and up to 1825mm tall, with a 3245mm wheelbase. This makes it 225mm longer than the Hyundai Ioniq 9 and more on par with mammoth full-size SUVs like the GMC Yukon. Standard versions of the GV90 come with 22-inch alloy wheels, whereas Neolun versions come with larger 24-inch alloy wheels. A total of 16 exterior paint colours are available. At the front there is a V-shaped lighting signature as part of Genesis’ signature Two-Lines graphic motif, as well as a long bonnet. Around the side, beyond the large alloy wheels, GV90 Neolun variants receive the B-pillarless coach doors. Standard GV90 variants receive conventionally opening rear doors. At the back there are large body-colour sections, unique glass graphics and cutless rear lamps. There’s also a gooseneck hinge for the tailgate that conceals the mechanical parts when open. Standard versions of the GV90 come with either six or seven seats, whereas the Neolun variants come with either six or four seats. There are a total seven interior colourways, as well as multiple interior garnishes including real wood stone and wool cashmere trim. The Neolun versions receive 180-degree swivelling front-row seats, plus if you opt for the Executive Suite pack with four seats you get a built-in refrigerator, tables and a partition between the passenger and cargo sections. A highlight of the interior is a 23.6-inch OLED central display screen that can pop up an additional 90mm when parked, transforming it into a 24.6-inch display. There’s also a 25-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system and interior ambient lighting. Additionally, the GV90 debuts Hyundai Motor Group’s new Pleos Connect multimedia software, which is based on the Android Automotive Operating System and allows for third-party apps to be downloaded via an app store. Other highlight interior features include a rotating crystal sphere controller, rotating shift-by-wire gear selector and a 25-inch head-up display. Genesis has confirmed the GV90 will launch in Australia in the first half of 2027. When it launches it won’t have any direct rivals that offer comparable levels of specification and an all-electric powertrain. The closest would be the likes of the Mercedes-Maybach GLS, Bentley Bentayga and Rolls-Royce Cullinan. At this stage it’s unclear how much the GV90 will cost in Australia. The most expensive model currently is the Electrified G80 Signature at $156,418, before on-road costs, but the V8-powered Mercedes-Maybach GLS starts at $424,900, before on-road costs. Only 222 examples of the GV90 Neolun First Edition are being offered globally and they come with exclusive exterior and interior colourways, plus bespoke detailing. It’s unclear if any of these will come to Australia.

Genesis Australia has confirmed it plans to introduce hybrid power, but it’s unclear which models will receive it. This comes after the South Korean carmaker revealed the GV80 Hybrid, its first hybrid model. It will launch in South Korea next month and it’s unclear if the company plans to export it to other countries. “Genesis will introduce its first hybrid model next month in Korea, with Australia to follow in 2027. At this time, we can’t confirm which Australian models will receive hybrid powertrains or when,” said a Genesis Australia spokesperson. “In parallel (to our HEVs), we are also developing EREV technology as part of our ongoing efforts to broaden our electrification portfolio – however we cannot confirm a timeline for introduction at this stage. “These new electrified powertrains are being developed not only to deliver greater efficiency, but also to provide the refinement, performance, and driving experience that customers expect from a Genesis.” The GV80 Hybrid is claimed to have the company’s “next-generation hybrid system”. It adopts a parallel hybrid system that, unlike Toyota-style series-parallel hybrid systems, mechanically links both the engine and electric motor(s) to the driven wheels. The Genesis system uses a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with a starter-generator electric motor and a drive electric motor. Total system outputs are 258kW and 529Nm, which is 34kW and 107Nm more than the standard, non-electrified 2.5-litre turbo engine in the GV80. It’s claimed to be able to do the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.1 seconds. Power is sent to the rear wheels only through a seven-speed transmission. There’s a higher first-gear ratio to enhance initial acceleration, as well as a lower final drive ratio to reduce drivetrain noise. Reverse is conducted on electric power alone. At this stage Genesis hasn’t confirmed the GV80 Hybrid’s fuel consumption figures. This will be announced after certification has been completed. Genesis claims the GV80 Hybrid is around 25 per cent more fuel efficient than the regular GV80, with the non-electrified 2.5-litre turbo engine, rear-wheel drive and 19-inch wheel configuration. This vehicle isn’t offered in Australia. The entry-level GV80 2.5T Signature locally features the 2.5-litre turbo engine, but it’s all-wheel drive and has larger 22-inch alloy wheels. It’s claimed to consume 10.4L/100km. Genesis claims the GV80 Hybrid utilises its EV mode until around 30km/h when the engine is cold, plus it’s maximised in urban areas with stop-and-go traffic. There’s also a hold function to keep the battery charged at a certain level, as well as smart regenerative braking. The GV80 Hybrid differentiates itself from the rest of the GV80 line-up with a redesigned front grille and alloy wheel design. Inside there are four new two-tone interior colourway combinations to choose from, including Obsidian Black and Taiga Green, as well as Ultramarine Blue and Travertine Beige. Additionally, there are two new real wood trim options and quilting patterns available. At this stage it appears the GV80 Hybrid will only be offered in five-seat form as the South Korean carmaker hasn’t disclosed anything about offering a six- or seven-seat version. The location of the high-voltage battery pack likely limits packaging for the third row. It’s understood that Genesis is soon revealing its GV90 flagship electric SUV, however the brand is also working on various hybrid technologies, despite previously saying it would skip this to go all-in on EV technology. In addition to the parallel hybrid technology seen first in the GV80, Genesis is working on range-extender (REEV) hybrid technology which uses the engine to charge up the battery pack. It does not directly power the wheels. At this stage it’s unclear which Genesis vehicle will be the first to adopt this REEV hybrid technology. It could also feature in the GV80 given it’s the brand’s current flagship combustion-powered SUV. Other Genesis vehicles that may receive hybrid powertrains in the future include the GV70 SUV, as well as the G80 sedan. It’s understood this may happen within the next two years.

Electric vehicles may be on the rise, but hybrid sales are still booming - so much so that Genesis is on the brink of a radical shake-up of its future strategy. The Hyundai-owned luxury brand made no secret that its initial long-term strategy was to transition directly from internal combustion engines (ICE) to all-electric vehicles (EVs), skipping over hybrids and plug-in hybrids. But with the automotive landscape dramatically changing in recent years, with EV sales growing slower than expected until the US-Iran War began and drove a surge in EVs, Genesis has abandoned its ‘no hybrid’ stance. The brand’s first hybrid model is due to be revealed later in 2026 and should be on sale in Australia by the end of 2027. Genesis hasn’t announced which model, but the current flagship GV80 SUV seems like the most likely candidate. Head of Genesis Motors Australia, Justin Douglass, explained the reason for the change is simple - customer demand. “ I think when you look at the luxury market, and you look at what mix of sales is coming from some form of hybrid, it's nearly one in two,” he told CarsGuide. “So right now, we play in a really small part of the market, and it's no secret our mix is heavily skewed towards ICE. So I think having hybrid come to market where all of a sudden you've got then half of the market more accessible to you that's only gonna be beneficial to the brand.” While some other luxury brands are remaining steadfast in the transition to an all-electric future, most notably Jaguar, Genesis is joining Porsche and adapting to meet the changing market demands. This is less-challenging for Genesis than potentially it is for other brands, as it can draw on the resources from Hyundai to rapidly adapt. “I think it's fantastic that we're able to give the customers choice and meet the needs of the customers,” said Douglass. “Yeah, you're right, at some point we were going to be an all-electric brand. Whereas there has been a pivot to that, and obviously there's been talk about hybrids joining our drivetrain mix, which I guess, demonstrates how lucky we are to be part of Hyundai Motor Group and have access to those different drivetrains. And if they could be here now, of course we'd love it. You'd take advantage of the opportunity that's there, but at the end of the day, it's important that we get it right. And I'm confident that once it does come to market, it's going to be a great opportunity for us, and it'll be at the right time for the brand.” While nothing has been confirmed, the GV80 hybrid is likely to use the 'TMED-II' hybrid system that debuted in the latest generation Hyundai Palisade. This powertrain combines a new 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an all-new hybrid system that integrates two electric motors, instead of just one. In simple terms, the two motors are mounted between the engine and the transmission and one motor is dedicated to creating power and the second one to drive the wheels. In the Palisade it makes 245kW of power and 460Nm of torque, while using 6.8L/100km - a good return for such a big SUV. However, it’s likely to only be the beginning for hybrid Genesis models, with both it and Hyundai making little secret that development of range extended electric vehicles (REEV) is advancing at a rapid pace. Tim Rodgers, Product Planning and Development Manager for Genesis and Hyundai Australia, said both arms of the company would look to introduce the latest hybrid technology that benefits from its EV knowledge. “I think from a R&D side as well, if you consider ICE and EV on a spectrum, a lot of hybridisation is coming from the ICE end, right?” Rodgers said. “And that dictates a lot of the development. But actually by having so much electrification in our portfolio and bringing in hybrid from an EV end of the spectrum it actually presents different opportunities and technological breakthroughs, if that makes sense? So the result will be a portfolio of different hybrids. We're going to be differentiated because of that, which is good for us.” While no official details have been announced, Genesis is expected to offer hybrid variants of the GV70 and GV80 SUVs as well as possibly the G80 sedan within the next two years.

A camouflaged prototype of what appears to be the Genesis GV90 has been spied in Melbourne, Victoria ahead of its imminent global reveal. The forthcoming electric SUV flagship for the South Korean luxury carmaker was spied alongside a Hyundai Ioniq 9. It appears the GV90 is considerably longer than the Ioniq 9 which already measures in at over five metres. It also features Genesis’ signature ‘Two Lines’ design language as seen by the tail-lights. A vehicle registration search shows that this is a Genesis evaluation vehicle with a tare weight of 3151kg. This is 377kg more than the Ioniq 9. The GV90 was first previewed by the Neolun concept back in 2024 and was originally expected to be revealed in 2025. This date was pushed back. It’s understood that this new electric SUV from Genesis will be based on the Hyundai Group’s forthcoming eM platform, which is an iteration of the E-GMP platform that dates back to 2021. The eM platform is promised to offer more range, as well as a higher level semi-autonomous driving capabilities. No other official details about the GV90 have been confirmed yet. The original Neolun concept had coach-style rear doors that are hinged in the opposite direction. There have been sightings of GV90 prototypes with these types of rear doors, however this particular example that was spied in Australia appears to have typical rear doors. It’s unclear whether there are still plans to offer the coach-style rear doors in the production-specification GV90. Given the GV90 has been spied in Australia, it’s likely that a local launch is on the cards. Once it launches it will form as a rival to the Mercedes-Benz GLS, Volvo EX90, as well as the forthcoming Range Rover Electric.

Korea’s new electric performance hero is here.  Hyundai high-end sub-brand Genesis has released pricing for its GV60 Magma SUV ahead of its arrival in Aussie showrooms this month. It will start from $130,000, before on-road costs, making it almost $50,000 more than the standard GV60.  Genesis is Hyundai’s answer to European giants Mercedes-Benz and BMW, and this is the brand's first attempt at a high-performance car. The GV60 is a small SUV and goes up against the BMW iX2, Volvo XC40 Recharge and Zeekr X, but none of them can go toe-to-toe with the GV60 Magma variant. Its performance pitches it closer to the larger Hyundai Ioniq 5 N ($91,700) and Kia EV6 GT ($99,660). It is smaller than the mechanically similar Ioniq 5 and 6 N performance cars, but packs the same punch. It has two electric motors that drive all four wheels and produce 448kW and 740Nm. It can shift from 0-100km/h in 3.4 seconds using the boost function that increases power to 478kW and 790Nm The car is equipped with a 84kWh battery, offering a total driving range of 425km, according to WLTP standards.  Its interior features a 27.0-inch OLED screen for the instrument cluster and multimedia display, while there is also a head-up display.  The GV60 Magma has a virtual gear shift system, which gives the Magma the feel of real gear changes in a petrol car. There is also a drifting mode that can direct power to the rear wheels using an electric limited-slip differential to enable dynamic, track-based driving.   Hyundai confirmed production of the GV60 Magma in mid-2024, when it was revealed as a concept, with it finally now hitting Aussie shores. It will join the updated base GV60 that recently got a serious price cut in Australia, now starting from $88,300, down from more than $100,000.  It will only be available with rear-wheel drive, meaning the Magma will be the GV60 with AWD available.

Hyundai's premium brand Genesis has detailed its plan to supercharge sales, with the group's local CEO suggesting deliveries could more than triple under a new strategy. Genesis launched in Australia under a direct model, in which the brand itself held the limited retail spaces (just one store each in a handful of capital cities) and sold the vehicles direct to customers without enlisting a dealership network. New Hyundia Group president and CEO Don Romano has previously labelled the strategy a "distraction", and vowed to return to a more traditional national network of dealer locations he refers to as agencies. Now Romano has forecasted the results it could deliver, telling CarsGuide 500 sales a month was a possible target, which would mean annual sales of 6000. Last year, the brand managef 1602 total deliveries. "We're moving from a direct model to an agency model," Romano says. "We've opened two stores that are operational right now, and we're opening a third hopefully next week. A fourth, we're just finalising the design plans. "It is the direction that we're going to head in. It doesn't mean we're not going to keep the direct stores, because we invested all that money and they're in certain strategic locations, so we're still kind of working both at the same time. "We could continue to do that, or we could convert those stores to dealer (owned), it simply depends on the development of the brand and the rate it develops. But right now the main focus is just to expand through the country with agencies owned by dealers." Even now, with five stores operational, Mr Romano says Genesis is massively underrepresented in Australia, which is hampering the brand's advertising spend that he describes as "wasting money" given the current location penetration. "I think right now we're a niche brand. We're not advertising or promoting because we don't have the coverage necessary to be able to go out and tell the story," he says.  "With five stores across a country of this size, it makes no sense. So we just need to go on the path we're on right now. But we don't want to force it because it's Genesis, not a mass-market brand, so it's best that we get the right dealers in the right place at the right time and if it takes two to three years longer that's fine. "For us to take that next leap we've got to tell the story, and to tell the story, we have the resources to do it, but I'd be wasting money, because if you're for instance in Adelaide it means nothing to you because there's no representation. If you're in parts of Sydney, parts of Melbourne, parts of Perth, we just don't have the proper coverage to service the customers." Genesis has always been loath to talk about sales targets, instead referring to customer loyalty as a target, but Mr Romano says that, once the network is in place, monthly sales of at least 500 would be a viable goal. Hitting it would at last put Genesis on the premium-brand map, though one with plenty of work still to do to catch its closest legacy competitor in terms of sales, Lexus, which is managing around 1000 sales per month at the moment.  It would also be well-timed to take advantage of the brand's new performance focus under its Magm Magma performance division. "I'm not as focused on the volume growth as I am on the loyalty and the customer service ratings to get the word of mouth to help get the exposure, but I would say...double and triple would be the minimum if we had full coverage," he says.  "Because right now we're doing 150 a month, so we should be able to do 500 absolutely, but probably way down the road when it's done organically and not done with incentives and prices and dumping vehicles and demos – I don't want to get near that."

JD Power, the US-based industry analytics and consumer research specialist, has released its 2026 Initial Quality Study, a much-anticipated (and often feared) annual report looking at the way cars are built and how they operate. And despite a “sharp rise” in overall vehicle quality, this year’s study has highlighted connectivity as a significant stumbling block for manufacturers and consumers. As its name implies, the Initial Quality Study is based on responses from purchasers and lessees of new vehicles (this year 78,514 people) surveyed after 90 days of ownership. The quality audit is split into eight market segments and covers 10 categories - Multimedia, Features, controls & displays, Exterior, Interior, Driving assistance, Seats, Powertrain, Driving experience, Climate and Unspecified (unclassified gripes). Issues are rated according to Problems Per 100 vehicles (PP100). In 2026, fewer problems were cited across nine of the 10 categories, with Multimedia the exception, where “connectivity issues continue to strain customer experience with new-vehicle quality.” Introducing the report, JD Power Senior Director of Auto Benchmarking Frank Hanley said, “As more technology is introduced into vehicles, keeping the experience simple matters more than ever. “The biggest gains in quality come from features that are easy to use - simple controls, less-intrusive driver assistance and software that works the way customers expect. “When technology becomes too complicated, the likelihood of customers experiencing a problem rises considerably,” he said. The total number of reported problems with new vehicles improved to 175 PP100, down from 192 PP100 in 2025, which JD Power said is the best year-on-year improvement since 1997 and the fourth-best performance in the 40-year history of the survey. But Multimedia saw an increase of 1.4 PP100 in reported problems - typically issues with Android Auto/Apple CarPlay connectivity and touchscreen displays - for a total of 44.4 PP100 across mass market segments and 38.3 PP100 in the premium groupings. Porsche was the highest-ranking brand overall with an initial quality score of 138 PP100, ahead of Genesis (151 PP100) and Lexus (156 PP100). Toyota Motor Corporation’s Kyushu 1 plant in Japan, which manufactures the Lexus NX and Lexus UX, received the Platinum Plant Quality Award which is based on detected defects and malfunctions.