Yahoo Autos 2021 Genesis GV80 Review | Price, features, safety ratings, pictures
The 2021 Genesis GV80 is the newest model from the newest luxury brand, a midsize crossover with a grand grille, a plush interior and more than a whiff of Bentley in its proportions and detailing. Considering that Genesis is to Hyundai what Lexus is to Toyota, it would seem logical that the GV80 is just a tarted up Palisade, but that actually isn't the case. Instead, it shares its rear-wheel-drive platform with the also-new G80 sedan, which graces the GV80 with more elegant long-hood/short-overhang proportions and grants it superior driving dynamics. It also makes the GV80 a more convincing answer to comparably laid out luxury SUVs, including the BMW X5, Mercedes GLE and Lincoln Aviator, and quite frankly makes it harder to dismiss.
And after getting time behind the 2021 GV80's unusual monospoke wheel, it would be a mistake to dismiss it. Although Genesis is a new brand, Hyundai has been churning out dependable, high-quality cars for years. People dismissed Lexus in the beginning, too. The GV80 isn't just festooned with the requisite amount of leather and fancy features, it's cabin is uniquely designed, slathered in rich details and comes standard with an abundance of technology that's actually user friendly. Space inside is less than you'll find in bigger, pricier luxury SUVs (BMW X7, Mercedes GLS), as well as big non-luxury crossovers like the Palisade, but it should be more than enough for those also considering the similarly sized X5, GLE, Aviator or perhaps the smaller Lexus RX. The driving experience isn't quite as memorable, but the ride and handling balance are appropriately sophisticated, the steering is precise and both engine choice offer more than enough power for such a large luxury vehicle. It definitely fall more on the comfortable-yet-controlled end of the spectrum with Mercedes and Range Rover.
While Genesis has been around for a few years now, its really the GV80 that stands the best chance of getting noticed by luxury buyers who are used to looking to Germany or Japan. SUVs are obviously what most people want and in the GV80, they'll find a good one.
What's new for 2021?
The GV80 is an all-new model.
What are the GV80 interior and in-car technology like?
The GV80 cabin is just as impressive in person as it is in pictures. It's tastefully unique and genuinely luxurious. Keep in mind the diamond-quilted leather seats, fancy digital gauges and sumptuous multi-tone color schemes aren't in every model, but the design and materials quality are common throughout all models.
That includes the high-quality switch gear unique to Genesis (as opposed to be pilfered from the Hyundai parts bin), most notably the various knobs with a knurled finish similar to what you get in a Bentley. True, most are knurled plastic, but it's at least nice plastic and the rotary shifter surround is the real metal deal. Also common throughout the lineup is the immense 14.5-inch dashtop touchscreen with supporting center console controller that basically acts like an old iPod thumbwheel. This combination of new-and-old Apple-style control interfaces was bit polarizing among our editors, but if majority rules, than more of us liked it. While the touchscreen is great for many functions, the wheel makes scrolling through songs, contacts or radio stations much easier. We also like that Genesis maintains physical controls for volume, tuning and various menu shortcuts.
As for what it all controls, the feature content is immense but the layout is simple. If there was any area where the GV80 is clearly related to a Hyundai it's here, and it's a good thing. Though a tad fancier in appearance (a defused image of nighttime Seoul sits in the backround of menus, for instance), its functionality is just as excellent as what you get in the top-of-the-line Palisade or Sonata. Actually, it's just a bit better due to its two extra inches of screen width.
How big is the GV80?
The GV80 is just a hair longer than the BMW X5, Mercedes GLE and Volvo XC90, while falling 4 inches short of a Lincoln Aviator. It's shorter in height than all of them, however, which combines with some clever design elements to make the GV80 look especially long and sleek.
Despite the lower roof, the cabin doesn't suffer for headroom. There's plenty of it in rows one and two. Second-row legroom isn't as great as you might expect in a three-row crossover, but that's typical of RWD-based models, including the X5 and GLE. The seats are quite cushy and deeply contoured, though, and recline to a luxurious degree. They can be heated and ventilated, too.
The third-row seats are exclusively paired with the V6 engine and either the Advance+ or Prestige packages. This means the three-row GV80 starts at more than $65,050. This certainly limits its appeal, but it's also not the most usable third-row. Legroom is actually perfectly usable (you don't even have to slide the second-row forward for an adult to fit), but headroom is tight and it's difficult to reach. The third-rows of the XC90 and Aviator are much better – they're also standard.
We don't have cargo capacity figures, but we do know there is a scarcity of space behind the raised third row. It can hold the same number of suitcases as the Cadillac XT6, so fewer than all other three-row SUVs we've tested. We would expect that five-passenger, two-row GV80s would have extra cargo volume behind its second row, or at least substantial under-floor storage.
What are the GV80 fuel economy and performance specs?
There are two engines offered, indicated by the names 2.5T and 3.5T.
