History/Overview
New for 2021, the GV80 is the first-ever SUV from Hyundai’s upscale Genesis brand. Its mid-size design places it in the thick of one of the marketplace’s most competitive segments. Unlike many vehicles in the class, the GV80 is built on a rear-drive platform with the promise of a performance-biased driving feel.
Available Trims
The GV80 comes in 2.5T Select, 2.5T Advanced, 3.5T Advanced and 3.5T Prestige trim levels. Select uses a 2.5L turbocharged four-cylinder engine; in Advanced, that can be optioned to a 3.5L turbo V6, and the V6 is the sole engine in the Prestige trim. All-wheel drive and an eight-speed transmission are standard across the range. Four-cylinder models are five-seaters, while a seven-seat cabin comes with the V6 engine.
Standard Features
2.5T Select trim comes dressed with 19-inch wheels; LED headlights, taillights and daytime running lights; heated and power-adjustable side mirrors, passive keyless entry, a hands-free power tailgate, and rain-sensing wipers.
Inside, there’s a leather-trimmed heated steering wheel with electric adjustments, leather dash and door trim, real aluminum dash trim, an 8.0-inch gauge cluster display, five-passenger seating, 12-way electric front seats with lumbar, artificial leather upholstery, a nine-speaker stereo controlled through a 14.5-inch touchscreen, navigation, heated front and rear seats, three-zone air conditioning, 64-colour ambient lighting, LED cabin lighting, a panoramic sunroof, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
The GV80 includes driver assists such as automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, rear occupant alert, electric parking brake, highway driving and lane follow assist, and front and rear parking sensors.
2.5T Advanced trim brings 20-inch wheels, a head-up display, fully automatic rear climate control, rear side window sun shades, surround view exterior cameras, blind spot monitor, rear leather upholstery, and ventilated front seats.
3.5T Advanced gets 22-inch wheels and tires, real wood dash trim, seven-passenger seating, leather upholstery with punching, and a 21-speaker sound system.
Finally, 3.5T Prestige brings an electronic limited slip rear differential, a two-tone steering wheel, microfibre suede headlining, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, parking collision avoidance, electric door closers, power side and rear window sun shades, a driver state warning system, active road noise cancellation, remote smart park assist, power-folding third-row seats, Nappa leather seating, and ventilated front and second-row seats.
Fuel Economy
As of this writing, Genesis had not published fuel consumption estimates for the GV80, but we expect its figures to come in around 12.5/10.5 L/100 km (city/highway) for 2.5T models and 14.0/11.5 L/100 km for the 3.5T engine.
Competition
As a newcomer in a busy segment, Genesis faces competition from established vehicles like the BMW X5, Audi’s Q7, the Infiniti QX60, Acura’s MDX, the Mercedes-Benz GLS, Volvo’s XC90, Land Rover’s Velar and Range Rover Sport models, the Lexus RX 350, and the Porsche Cayenne.
Other relative newcomers in this class are the Cadillac XT6 and Lincoln’s Aviator.
