Genesis, the luxury brand of Hyundai, makes cars that exhibit regal enough accommodations to rival Mercedes-Benz. Opinions on Nissan’s luxury brand, Infiniti, are a little more polarizing. In fact, some don’t expect the brand to be around in the next 10 years. Even so, looking at the newest auto sales data, Infiniti is beating those allegations and standing tall next to Genesis.

Both Infiniti and Genesis boast big gains this year

Sales for Genesis cars were up by about 27% in July and its overall year-to-date sales have increased by 21%. This time last year, Genesis hadn’t even managed to move 36,000 vehicles. Over 43,000 shoppers have purchased a new Genesis car this year.

Infiniti is finally getting some appreciation from the luxury demographic, increasing its overall sales by 48% this year. Approximately 32,286 of its vehicles have been sold for 2023. Infiniti says that over 16,000 of those were purchased within the span of three months. This means that 56% more buyers bought an Infiniti in April, May, and June of this year compared to 2022.

What are the most popular Genesis cars in 2023?

According to GoodCarBadCar, the Genesis GV70 is currently getting the most attention from consumers this year. Over 2,400 Genesis sales in the second quarter were for GV70 models, and 16,615 units have been sold in total. The 2024 G70 costs $44,900 to start, making it one of the cheapest cars in this lineup.

The Genesis GV70 can be powered by either a 300-hp turbo-four or a 375-hp twin-turbo V6 engine. Both are paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive. The twin-turbo models can be optioned with an electronic limited-slip differential and meaner 21-inch wheels. 

The Genesis GV70 also has a wealth of safety and convenience features, but it only has room for five passengers. Those who need extra seating might be more comfortable inside the GV80, which has an optional third row. Just like last year, the Genesis GV80 sold over 11,000 units by the end of Q2. 

Both Genesis SUVs showcase solid interior build quality, but the GV80 is a little roomier and has a different cabin layout. The available third row is only accommodating for little ones. On the bright side, models with just two rows offer 35 cubic feet of storage space behind the second row. The Genesis GV80 and GV70 share identical powertrain options. 

These cars in Nissan’s luxury brand are carrying the brand’s sales

With close to 15,000 units sold so far this year, the Infiniti QX60 appears to be this automaker’s main breadwinner. This midsize SUV can seat up to seven, though it fails to provide an adult-friendly third row. It’s better suited as a cargo hauler, offering almost 50 cubic feet of storage with the third row folded. 

Each trim is powered by a 295-hp V6 with good acceleration, but this Infiniti’s ride quality reportedly falls flat by luxury standards. Higher-specced models have separate climate controls for the first two rows and quilted leather seats to make the experience more comfortable.

Buyers are also attracted to the Infiniti QX80, which has racked up 6,130 sales so far. This is an extremely capable large SUV with 400 hp on tap and a potential towing capacity of 8,500 lbs. Nearly every advanced safety feature is installed on the entry-level Luxe trim, though its price is steep at $74,150. 

Infiniti also recommends using premium gas for this model, which already has poor fuel economy estimates. Still, given the QX60’s gorgeous leather-clad interior and abundance of space, we’re not surprised that it’s still so popular. Even if Infiniti doesn’t catch up to Genesis by the end of 2023, its current totals are a promising start to a better future.