2025 Genesis GV80 SUV Test Drive: Not Just A Hyundai In A Suit

Many Individuals nonetheless solely know Genesis as the previous flagship sedan within the Hyundai lineup and do not know that it’s now a standalone luxurious model. Those who do know typically have the mistaken notion that Genesis is only a fancy Hyundai – one which simply prices extra for no cause. That’s unlucky, as a result of Genesis is a real luxurious model that deserves critical consideration by itself deserves. And we have pushed sufficient Genesis automobiles to show that.

The Genesis GV80 was launched in 2021 because the model’s first SUV, and this yr, it will get a big refresh. Whereas the powertrains stay the identical, the outside receives minor enhancements that refine its upscale enchantment. The massive adjustments are inside. We spent a while with the GV80 SUV and have so much to say to these whose opinion is that that is only a dressed-up model of a mainstream SUV.

‘Genesis’ as an train for the Hyundai model isn’t new – it isn’t the primary time an automaker has determined to go upscale with a separate model. Honda has Acura; Toyota has Lexus; Nissan has Infiniti. It’s not unusual. Nevertheless, there’s one main distinction this time round. Whereas Acura, Lexus, and Infiniti are way more upscale than their mainstream siblings, they don’t compete with luxurious heavy hitters. Genesis does. Merchandise with the Genesis emblem really compete with true premium manufacturers, bringing the struggle straight to Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and BMW.

Exterior: A Decidedly Upscale And Glossy Design

The Genesis GV80 was already a lovely SUV. It wasn’t daring or brash, however regarded each inch refined and stylish. This yr, a collection of small adjustments improve that model and provides it much more visible enchantment. The standout function of this new design is a double mesh two-line crest grille. It’s intricate and attention-grabbing with out turning into busy. On both aspect are dual-line headlights that neatly body that grille. This model is mirrored in its GV80 Coupe sibling, which has the sloping roof that some choose over the boxier, extra conventional form of the SUV.

It isn’t a dramatic departure from the earlier model of the GV80, however it’s nonetheless an enchancment. There are additionally new 20-inch and 22-inch wheels. We’ve at all times cherished the wheels on the Genesis lineup for including to the design quite than being merely as an afterthought. It’s this sort of consideration to element that makes Genesis and the GV80 such a standout – designers don’t simply get the large stuff. In addition they get the little stuff and that’s the distinction between being merely an upscale car and a luxurious car.

Seating: Accessible With A Alternative Of Two Rows Or Three

The Genesis GV80 SUV is out there with both two rows and seating for 5, or three rows and seating for seven. All trims with base engine are two rows solely, so if you need the third row, then you could transfer as much as the three.5T the place it is commonplace, however with the choice for 2 rows solely on the Status. We spent our driving time in a two-row, and it’s actually what we predict is the higher selection.

This isn’t an enormous SUV, though it’s loads roomy. Two adults may have no downside getting snug in that second row, even for longer drives. A 3rd grownup could be a squeeze on lengthy journeys, however three children could be completely glad. Including a 3rd row provides you two extra seats, however trying on the inside room general, they’re not going to be spacious. This is able to be a 3rd row in a pinch and never for something greater than quick drives, particularly for adults. If you happen to actually suppose you want that further seating, and you like the GV80, then go for it – however simply comprehend it’s not someplace any grownup goes to need to sit for very lengthy.

The GV80 delivers an extremely snug journey, particularly for these up entrance. The accessible 16-way energy driver’s seat, which incorporates energy aspect bolsters and cushion extension, was excellent. It additionally options one thing referred to as Ergo Movement. Activated with the press of a button on the aspect of the seat cushion, it prompts a program that is kind of like a therapeutic massage, however particularly designed to cut back street weariness. This seat additionally consists of sensible posture help, which activates routinely after about an hour and helps guarantee correct seating place. Anytime Sport mode is engaged or if you drive at excessive speeds, there’s additionally sensible posture help. This will increase the aspect bolsters, supplying you with a bit hug to maintain you firmly in place. That is not your common mainstream function, is it?

Inside: Sustainable However Beautiful

Absolutely the standout function of the GV80 is the inside. It’s what makes this SUV feel and appear like a luxurious automobile from the second you open the door. It doesn’t matter which trim you go for as a result of the total lineup is properly appointed. It’s not a matter of whether or not you need luxurious, however of simply how a lot luxurious will make you cheerful.

We drove the three.5T Status which is the highest trim within the lineup, and it seems to be the half. There are quilted Nappa leather-based seating surfaces which are lovely to behold, and even lovelier to the touch. The headliner and pillars are all microfiber suede and there are distinctive trim accents. Our tester’s inside was a lovely mixture of Glacier White and Ultramarine Blue, which seems to be beautiful, however will doubtless be robust to maintain clear if in case you have small children.

The inside is not nearly magnificence and elegance, although, because the supplies used inside additionally deal with sustainability.

The Genesis model goals to realize carbon neutrality by 2035. Efforts to use sustainable concepts not solely to manufacturing processes but in addition to part supplies are underway.

-Grace Kim, Genesis Design, North America.

As an alternative of the usual matte wooden finishes, it had patterned white and grey cloth constructed from basalt stone. It’s a part of the “Impressed by Nature” theme that’s a spotlight of the design staff. Recycled supplies from wooden scraps to plastic are additionally used within the GV80 SUV. There’s even recycled newspaper remodeled into wooden and, in case you look carefully, it nonetheless has seen textual content within the design.

Cargo: Loads Of Room For The Household’s Baggage

The GV80 gives good cargo room with over 36 cubic ft behind the second row. That is simply sufficient to handle a household’s baggage for per week’s trip. If you happen to select a three-row model of the GV80 then there’s 11.6 cubic ft behind that third row. That’s not going to carry baggage for a big household, so plan accordingly. With no rear passengers, there’s 71.7 cubic ft behind the entrance seats, so you possibly can load up every thing you want for a weekend mission, although we will’t think about throwing baggage of mulch into the again of such a lovely SUV.

The GV80 has more room behind the second-row than each the X5 and GLE-Class SUVs, though when these seats are folded down, it gives barely much less. A last little bit of cargo capability comes from a tow score of as much as 6,000 kilos when correctly outfitted.

Infotainment: A Single Huge Show Display

It’s a tough factor to create an infotainment system that gives all the required info whereas nonetheless being a well-integrated a part of a car’s design. Initially, a number of separate screens have been the popular resolution by most automakers. It appeared like a good suggestion, but it surely created a whole lot of visible litter. The present pattern is towards one show display that homes each the instrument cluster display and infotainment display for a single clear line throughout the dashboard.

The QV80 now takes this method with a 27-inch OLED show that stretches from the driving force’s aspect to the far fringe of the middle console. It retains every thing inside simple view of the driving force, however nonetheless permits the passenger to work together with the infotainment system. It seems to be nice with no breaks within the show, but it surely’s positioning is odd. It sits on prime of the dashboard quite than being extra set into the floor, which might make look extra built-in.

The system itself is simple to make use of and consists of 2 USB-C ports up entrance and two in again, navigation, wi-fi gadget charging, Wi-Fi connectivity, and a brand new 1400-watt, 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. This replaces the previous Lexicon stereo with a extra premium system that delivers higher sound high quality. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are additionally on the record of options, however for the second require a cable to attach. Genesis guarantees that an over-the-air (OTA) replace will enable for wi-fi connectivity towards the tip of the yr.

Efficiency: Two Gasoline Engines, However No Hybrid Or Electrical

The engines are unchanged from what was accessible final yr. Base trims of the GV80 get a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. Prime trims get a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 with 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Each are paired to an eight-speed computerized transmission with all-wheel drive commonplace throughout the trim vary. What you possibly can’t get is a hybrid or electrical possibility, though they are going to be coming a number of years down the road. If you happen to’re searching for one thing electrified proper now, then there’s the GV70 Electrified as an SUV different from Genesis.

Those that put a precedence on gas financial system will, in fact, need to go together with the bottom engine which will get an EPA-estimated 19/24/21 metropolis/freeway/mixed. If you happen to merely can not do with out the additional horsepower, then gas financial system falls to 16/22/19 mpg. It’s not a dramatic lower, however relying on how a lot you drive, it may have a big effect in your pockets if fuel costs take a skyward leap.

Drive Impressions: A Luxurious Cruiser Excellent For Street Journeys

We spent our time with the three.5T Status, which is the highest trim with the extra highly effective V6 engine. It simply will get as much as freeway speeds with no need a heavy foot on the fuel and nonetheless has sufficient energy in reserve for passing slower autos. Do you have to select to have interaction in additional spirited driving, particularly by flipping the drive mode selector to Sport, then it turns into splendidly aggressive whereas nonetheless delivering a composed journey consistent with its luxurious automobile standing. Extra drive modes embrace Good, Eco, and Customized, which helps you to individually alter car settings to get precisely the drive you favor.

The journey is easy and quiet, even beneath arduous acceleration. You received’t hear any engine noise intruding into the cabin nor will street and wind noise pose a problem for conversing with these within the again seats. We discovered ourselves caught in a summer time thunderstorm and even then, with the rain pelting down and the thunder booming, the GV80 helped hold the racket beneath management. That is one thing anticipated of luxurious automobiles, and Genesis delivers.

Dealing with is managed, so it’s simple and even enjoyable to take winding roads, despite the fact that that is an SUV. This can be a fantastic car to drive, whether or not for brief journeys or longer ones. It makes being caught in site visitors – which because of native street building was a giant a part of our driving expertise – much less aggravating. The GV80 manages to mix consolation and efficiency in a really lovely bundle.

Pricing and Verdict: A Worth Amongst Luxurious SUVs

The GV80 SUV is presently accessible in 5 trims. The bottom 2.5T is priced at $57,700, excluding the $1,350 vacation spot cost. Stepping as much as the two.5T Choose will add $3,900 to your invoice. The two.5T Superior is $65,600 and the two.5T Status is $70,450 rounding out the trims with the bottom engine. For extra energy, the three.5T Superior is available in at $73,800 with the highest 3.5T Status priced at $79.300. It’s luxurious automobile pricing, but it surely all is available in at beneath $80,000, which makes it surprisingly reasonably priced inside the section. It is also value each penny, in our books.

Mercedes’ GLE SUV begins at round $65k on the entry-point to its vary, with the three.5T-equivalent GLE 450 4Matic priced at $71,350, however as soon as you have added the leather-based upholstery, heated second-row seats, and third-row that comes commonplace on the three.5T Superior, you are a number of thousand {dollars} over what the Genesis prices as is.

That is what makes Genesis so distinctive. It delivers a luxurious automobile expertise from the model to the options to the efficiency mixed with pricing that’s decrease than anticipated. It’s a worth inside the section with out having to compromise on options or high quality. Genesis is way over only a fancy Hyundai: It’s a real luxurious model, and the brand new GV80 is an ideal instance of what Genesis does so nicely.

Sources: Genesis, FuelEconomy.gov.