Genesis GV80 drive by Steve Rogers
Who says only the Brits and Germans can build luxury cars?
Take a look at this Genesis. Never heard of it? Hardly surprising, there aren’t that many around and those that are will be found mainly in the affluent south.
A more familiar name is Hyundai and Genesis is the luxury arm of the big selling Korean company.
It has been a rocky road for Genesis so here is the story so far. The brand launched independently in the UK in 2021 selling directly to customers online with a few studios in shopping centres to promote the cars.
Progress was not fast enough so this year the brand was brought back into the Hyundai fold allowing it to tap into the parent company’s sales expertise but with the aim of opening dealerships. For now customers can still buy online.
The GV80 is the biggest SUV in the line up and certainly attracted a lot of attention for two reasons. First, no one had heard of Genesis and thought it looked like a Bentley SUV (the huge grille and winged badge does give it a Bentayga look), while the matt paint finish did not go down too well. It looks like it is waiting for its final coat of gloss. Ironically the matt finish costs an extra £1,130. Did I like it? Not at first but it grew on me after a few days.
Rivals include the likes of Audi Q7, BMW X5 and Land Rover Discovery, all cars with beautifully trimmed interiors, and the GV80 can match them when it comes to plush.
If the body styling says premium then the interior shouts it from the rooftops. The Sport model sits below the top of the range and is incredibly well equipped in its basic form, but my test car had £11,000 of extras so just looking at the Nappa leather with its quilted diamond patterned seats set the tone. The quality of the surfaces along the dashboard, centre console and door cappings is spot on as are the aluminium inserts which are exclusive to the Sport.
The 14.5in infotainment touchscreen is impressive and can also be operated via a central rotary dial which is much safer when driving. And I am pleased to note the heating controls are operated separately from physical switches rather than dabbing the touchscreen.
Genesis is trying to tempt buyers away from the traditional premium set with a high level of equipment and Sport is a good example. With a power operated steering wheel adjustment and powered seats that move every which-way it is easy to get a perfect driving position and the seats are heated or ventilated
Back seat passengers are equally as well pampered, but two grand extra for the comfort pack includes heated or ventilated seats, and power for fore and aft and recline positions. The centre armrest folds down so it is good for carrying skis or just reaching into the boot on the move.
Three adults across the back seat is no problem with ample leg and headroom even with the double length sunroof that can reduce height.
GV80 is a big car and could feel an intimidating beast in tight supermarket car parks but Genesis has thought of those little problems and provided all round cameras, and if the parking space is too tight for comfort then the car can be slipped in or out of a space using the key fob.
Basically they have covered everything to be found in the opposition and added a few extras for good measure. And how is this for simplicity? The release button for the powered tailgate is in your eyeline at the base of the rear wiper so there is no need to run fingers along the boot lip trying to find the catch.
As would be expected in an SUV this size there is plenty of room and flexibility in the boot, though not class leading, with a 40-20-40 split, and to make life easy the seat backs can be dropped and raised using the power buttons in the boot wall. There seem to be motors for everything.
Driving the GV80 is more than pleasant, but let’s be honest it is not one for swinging around country lanes, the Audi Q7 is better suited to that. It handles well enough but within its limits. Main roads and motorways are where it is at its best and although the four cylinder 2.5 litre petrol is a tad strained with foot to the floor it is no slouch and with 422Nm of torque has ample overtaking power. No hybrid option which is a disappointment.
Around 28mpg was the best I could do over a week’s driving which isn’t anything special so big mileage users might be best looking at the diesel.
Next time we look at the G70 saloon.
Fast facts
GV80 Sport AWD 8sp auto
£68,275 - tested £79,475
2.5 litre turbo petrol; 300bhp
0-62mph 7.7secs; 147mph
30.5mpg combined
Boot: 735-2152 litres
Insurance group 46
Towing: 2722kg
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