Is Genesis ready for the big leagues? Tested: 2021 Genesis GV80 3.5T Advance

By William Jinkins

What's New?

· The 2021 Genesis GV80 is all new

· The GV80 is the first SUV from Genesis, Hyundai’s luxury division

Pros

· Long list of standard and optional features

· Leading-edge safety and technology

· Class-leading warranty

· Available in rear- or all-wheel drive

· Amenities like massaging seats

Cons

· Small third row, only available on one trim

· No V8 or hybrid options

· Newer luxury brand may lack familiarity

Genesis has pretty much made its statement with a trio of well-designed sports sedans, its more than ready to conquer the all mighty SUV market with its GV80 and smaller GV70 Sport Utes. I spent a week with the GV80, the same type that legendary PGA pro golfer, Tiger Woods, managed to destroy. More tragically, Terrance Clark bought the farm in a GV80, although neither reflects the safety element of this model.

Lessor known, Clarke died at age 19 on April 22, 2021, in Los Angeles, California, after being involved in a collision. Los Angeles Police Department stated that he was driving at a high speed when he ran a red light, hitting a car that was turning left and then hit a pole and block wall. He was driving without wearing his seat belt properly.

Genesis has proven that its more than capable of challenging European and Japanese luxury brands and now ready for the premium SUV challenge. The GV80 takes on the likes of the BMW X5 and the Mercedes-Benz GLE-class. Genesis's first SUV is powered by a standard turbocharged four-cylinder or a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 engine; rear-wheel drive is standard with all-wheel drive optional.

The GV80 is offered in two distinct trim packages, which adds $5,200 to the base price. the Advance well-equipped and super luxury Prestige. My tester was the 3.5-T AWD Advance edition, dressed in a wine exterior (Lima Red) with a tone on tone beige with taupe accents.

The Genesis GV80 appeals to those seeking a competent and capable crossover SUV that is both luxurious and sensible. Its sub-$49,000 starting price is lower than most rivals, and its 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty is the best in the business. If you regularly need to carry more than five passengers, however, you’ll want to look to an SUV that offers a larger third row.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 has a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting at $48,900, plus a destination fee of $1,025. That price gradually increases as you climb the trim/feature ladder. If all-wheel drive is on your must-have list, it takes $54,650 to get into a GV80 with one. A V6-powered GV80 (which includes all-wheel drive) starts at $59,150. At the very top, a 2021 GV80 3.5T Prestige begins at $70,950.

The Genesis GV80 starts below most other midsize luxury SUVs, including the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE, Lincoln Aviator, Audi Q7, and Cadillac XT6. It is nearly directly in line with the Volvo XC90, and a few thousand more than the Acura MDX and Lexus RX.

Unlike the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade the GV80 is, in truth, a true two-seat, although it does have an option for a third row, though legroom is more or less limited for small children. However, the GV80 comments head-to-head with the likes of the Lincoln Navigator and Cadillac XT5, so it’s considered more a vehicle for grown adults.

The GV80 debut on October 2019 and officially unveiled in January 2020 as the first SUV for the Genesis brand. It is a collaborative effort between Genesis design teams in Korea, Europe, and the United States. Built on a new rear-wheel-drive architecture, the doors, hood, and tailgate are made out of weight-saving aluminum.

The GV80 is available with second powertrains, a turbocharged 2.5-liter unit with 300 hp, a turbocharged 3.5-liter unit rated at 375 hp. Whereas the Telluride and Palisades is offered strictly with the 3.5-liter V6.

The GV80 features a navigation-based smart cruise control (ASCC), remote smart parking assist, an NFC digital key, an around view monitor (AVM), 22-inch wheels, Nappa leather seating, a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display with the 21-speakers Lexicon audio system, electric side curtains, and driver-controlled second and third row seating.

The safety system includes ten airbags, forward collision-avoidance assist, reverse parking collision-avoidance assist, driver attention warning, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, automatic high beam assist, and lane keep assist (LKAS).

For the United States, the GV80 was launched in November 2020 for the 2021 model year. It is available in rear-wheel-drive, for the Standard, Advanced and Prestige trim levels and powered by the 2.5-liter turbocharged engine. All-wheel-drive is also offered with the 3.5-liter V6 twin-turbo for the AWD Standard, AWD Advanced, AWD Advanced+ and AWD Prestige trim levels available.

This mid-size luxury crossover shares the same all-new underpinnings as the upcoming next-gen G80 sedan and is available with rear- or all-wheel drive. The engine choices start with a 300-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder and escalate to a 375-hp twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6. With the turbo four, the GV80 delivered a slower 6.1-second zero-to-60-mph time, but many drivers won't miss the extra power. A hybrid variant has been rumored, but so far Genesis hasn't released any information on such a powertrain. After driving both versions of the GV80, we can say that the new SUV feels athletic in corners and delivers a quiet ride, but buyers seeking more thrills could consider an Audi SQ8 or a Porsche Cayenne.

The EPA estimates that GV80 models with the four-cylinder engine should deliver 21 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway; going with the V-6 reduces those to 18 mpg and 23 mpg respectively. We haven’t had the chance to put the V-6 version through our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test, but the GV80 with the turbocharged four-cylinder delivered exactly on its promise of 25 mpg highway. For more information about the GV80's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

The GV80's interior ushers in a new, more upscale vibe for Genesis's lineup. Burled-wood trim, metal accents, integrated ambient lighting, and a large slim-shaped infotainment display keep things upscale but uncluttered. Despite the fancy materials, the interior design provides a sense of minimalism that feels truly elegant in person. The front seats are comfortable, supportive, and available with a massage function that feels legitimately relaxing. A standard three-across bench seat in the second row allows for up to five passengers; a third row of seats is an optional feature but space back there is limited and should be considered a place solely for kids. We fit 13 carry-on suitcases behind the second row and the GV80 swallowed a total of 28 with the second row folded flat.

A slim, 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen stretches across the middle of the GV80's tailored dashboard. The fact that the screen is touch-sensitive is most likely to provide the front-seat passenger an opportunity to change the radio station or manipulate the navigation system, because the screen itself is quite a reach from the driver's seated position. Luckily, a click-wheel controller is mounted on the center console so the driver can interact with the system and it works quite well.

A full suite of driver-assistance features will be standard. A semi-autonomous driving mode is standard; it can learn how the owner drives and mimic that person's driving style while in use. For more information about the GV80's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include: Standard adaptive cruise control with semi-autonomous driving mode, automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection and lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist

Among its rivals, the GV80 offers one of the best standard warranty packages with its extensive powertrain coverage. The BMW X5 and Volvo XC90 both offer the same amount of complimentary maintenance, but neither the GLE-class nor the Range Rover Sport offer such a policy. The Powertrain warranty covers 10 years, or 100,000 miles Limited warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles. Complimentary maintenance is covered for 3 years or 36,000 miles.

What's New for 2022

Genesis has equipped its 2022 models with remote side running boards and a standard trailer hitch. It's now offered in Mauna Red and Barossa Burgundy, as well as Urban Brown / Vanilla and Beige tutone color scheme.