2021 Genesis GV80 3.5T AWD review

There’s a noticeable rollercoaster ride of emotions when you introduce people to the Genesis GV80 and, for the fledgling luxury brand, there’s good news and bad news.

Positively, it makes a definite impact. Nearly everyone is impressed by its bold styling, lavish interior and comfortable ride.

Then there’s the inevitable asking of what a Genesis is, followed by an underwhelmed “Oh ...” once you say it’s Hyundai’s luxury sub-brand.

The Korean car maker has come a long way, but isn’t yet aspirational enough to overcome badge snobbery.

Unlike Lexus, Genesis hasn’t yet had time to differentiate itself from its parent company in people’s minds.

So the marketing folk have quite a job in front of them — at least the product makes it easier. This is especially true now. Genesis launched in Australia with sedans, but we’re an SUV country these days — so with the GV80, the brand stands a chance.

The GV80 is already its bestseller —though 154 sales in the first half of 2021 won’t have the Germans fearful. For reference it’s 23 fewer than the Jaguar F-Pace has managed.

Like Lexus, the main appeal here is value: you get a lot more kit in a Genesis than in a similarly priced premium rival — especially in the GV80 3.5T AWD range topper.

There’s not much it doesn’t have: leather interior with real wood trim, heated and cooled front seats, massive 14.5-inch touch screen, 12-inch head-up display, wireless phone charging, tri-zone climate control and more. But all that gear is standard across the range, meaning you can get it all for as little as $90,600 for the rear-wheel-drive 2.5T variant.

The extra coin for the 3.5T AWD goes towards what’s under the bonnet: a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine sending a chunky 279kW and 530Nm to all four wheels.

As with the equipment levels, it represents good value: those are better outputs than in similarly priced luxury large SUVs with a big petrol engine.

It’s seriously rapid in a straight line and satisfying to sink the boot into. Like SERIOUSLY rapid: doing 0-100km/h takes 5.5 seconds, 0.1 seconds slower than the Hyundai i30 N hot hatch.

The 3.5T AWD’s Road Preview Electronic Control Suspension uses a front camera to detect speed bumps or potholes and then controls damping force to optimise ride comfort and minimise impact ahead of time. So, the GV80 is a super comfortable cruiser, even with its massive 22-inch wheels.

Once roads get twisty, things change. Many won’t care less about dynamics and, if so, the GV80 will hold serious appeal as it is a stately vehicle with visual impact.

But many large luxury SUVs have a driver’s edge to them and are enjoyable to push hard.

The GV80 pitches and rolls, not absurdly so, but more than its competitors. The engine is also thirsty. It’s forgivable given the purchase price savings, but we got 14.3L/100km during our week, so most owners would be visiting the servo a lot.

We’d be interested to test the 3.0D variant, which has a more frugal 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel engine.

It’s worth considering Genesis has free servicing for the first five years of ownership.

VERDICT

If you can overcome badge snobbery and don’t have any hard driving aspirations, the GV80 offers genuine premium motoring and value.

2021 GENESIS GV80 3.5T SPECIFICATIONS

• Price: $108,600
• Engine: 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo petrol
• Outputs: 279kW/530Nm
• Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, AWD
• Fuel economy: 11.7L/100km