As the third Genesis we had driven this year, the premium GV80 SUV caused the most fuss, with more stares from passers by & questions from confused neighbours. What is it ? Is it a Bentley ?, being the most popular. If Genesis which is Hyundai’s luxury arm wanted to arrive in the UK, then this is the kind of response that will certainly tick their box.
What is it ?
A large premium SUV that sits at the top table with the likes of the BMW X5 & Audi Q7.
Model range
Two specs, Premium Line or Luxury Line, powered by either a 2.5 litre petrol or a 3.0 diesel fitted to our test car & a choice of five or seven seats.
What’s different about Genesis ?
Customer service is at the forefront of Genesis plans with it’s Genesis Care Plan. Designed to take the stress out of ownership, the package includes maintenance, services, inspections, such as oil services, filter changes & even replacement wiper blades, included in the cars purchase price. You also get five years of navigation, software updates & connected services for the duration of the Care Plan & Genesis will even come & collect your car for servicing & leave you with a courtesy car when it’s time.
The Care Plan covers the first five years or 50,000 miles of ownership, which ever comes first & that’s not forgetting the standard five-year warranty with five years breakdown cover.
Specification
Choose a GV80 & you’ll want for nothing. Our test car featured, heated leather 12-way power front seats with driver memory incl. 4-way power lumbar, an 8”colour LCD cluster display, 14.5″ touchscreen, 9-speakers, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, Smart Cruise Control, laminated front glass, Bluetooth & audio streaming & Genesis Connected Services. A couple of ‘Packs’ added a panoramic sunroof, Nappa leather & massage function seats.
Safety
Again the GV80’s got you covered with Lane Following Assist, Blind-spot Collision Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, Driver Attention Warning & Lane Keep Assist.
Exterior
Genesis has done a great job of mimicking a Bentley Bentayga. At the front you get the Genesis G-matrix front grille, Genesis ‘two-lines’ split front headlights & bi-level illuminated side vents, whilst the rear features a chunky boot spoiler & the ‘two-lines’ rear light clusters, with the Genesis logo across the centre in large lettering.
Interior
Our test car featured a cream leather seats, doors & dashboard. In between, black & chrome plastic feature on the switches & across the dash & there’s a sprinkling of balk ash wood as well. The top half of the dash is finished in soft touch black plastics. The quality is very good & is reminiscent of a Lexus. Separate heating controls sit underneath the touchscreen which is centrally mounted. It features sharp graphics & is intuitive to use. Apple CarPlay & Android Auto can be connected & work lead free once set up. There are twin USB’s in the console between the front seats, plus a 12v socket. A dial gear selected & the option of a dial to access the infotainment are also offered.
If you want to add the full monty, then there are five packs to choose from; Innovation, Comfort seat, second row comfort, second & third row comfort & a Nappa leather seats pack.
Boot space & cabin practicality
The GV80 measures in at 4,945mm long, so interior space is excellent. Our test car featured several packs & these include massage seats & heated & cooled seats to help you relax on that long journey. The panoramic sunroof fitted to our test car does reduce rear headroom.There’s twin cupholders in the centre console, an armrest with storage underneath, large door pockets front & rear with twin USBs up front & in the back as well. Rear passengers also benefit from their own climate controls & a 12v socket.
We were driving the five-seat model & the boots a very generous 727 litres which increases to a massive 2,144 litres with the rear seats folded down, offering more than a BMW X5 or Mercedes-Benz GLE.
Driving modes, fuel economy & performance
For every day driving you can elect from Eco, Comfort or Sport driving Modes. You also get Terrain mode, with a choice of Snow, Mud or Sand for this off-road adventures.
Combined fuel consumption is around 33mpg. Acceleration is swift & you’ll go from 0-62mph in just 7.5 seconds, with a top sped of 143mph.
Driving
The GV80 has al the attributes one would expect of premium SUV. Relaxing, comfortable, spacious with the power required if & when needed to make swift progress. It’s quiet in town & on the motorway the insulated glass helps keep outside noise at bay. The Adaptive Cruise Control is accessed via buttons on the steering wheel & this & the Autonomous Driving function make long journeys safe & relaxing. The 8-speed auto gear box is a joy.
On the road, the GV80 is brilliant driven in a straight line, but tends to waft a bit from side to side in corners. The suspension set up is soft so it never feels bouncy inside & the ride is best described as serene. At low speeds it can feel a little fidgety & if you push down too hard on the accelerator, there’s a bit of slip & slide on damp road surfaces.
Accessing the switchgear is straightforward & the inclusion of separate heating controls means you’re not over reliant on the touchscreen. There’s neither too may buttons nor too few, as minimalism meets usability in a very tidy cabin.
Pros
JD Power ranked Genesis number one as the most dependable automotive brand in the United States in 2020. The GV80 is incredibly well built & come very well equipped. Genesis Care Plan & 5-year warranty are both excellent offerings. Competitively priced. It’s a head turner & it’s different.
Cons
For company car drivers the car’s CO2 emissions means BIK, so the electric GV70 & smaller GV60 which we recently drive, might tick that box for you. Whilst the GV80 is great to drive, it’s not as good as a BMW X5.
Conclusion
Whilst you won’t see many Genesis models on the road as the brand aren’t really looking at volume, if you choose one, you won’t be disappointed. The Genesis build quality is top-notch, it’s after sales care package is second to none & the Genesis logo is easily mistaken for Aston Martin or Bentley ! Moreover, the cosseted, comfortable cabin is right up there with the best from anywhere. If you value Lexus-like qualities above the Germans, then Genesis might just be for you.
Model: Genesis GV80 3.0D Luxury Line
Price: £62,415
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel
Power/torque: 274bhp/588Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, four-wheel drive
0-62mph: 7.5 secs
Top speed: 143mph
MPG: 33.1mpg
CO2: 220 g/km
