The GV80 is a sharp-hunting SUV.
Kyle Hyatt/Roadshow
The 2021 GV80 is arguably the most critical auto in Genesis’ lineup, in particular presented America’s seemingly insatiable hunger for SUVs. It is a product that faces a whole lot of strong competition — from European automakers in particular. But the good information for Genesis is that the GV80 is, in a word, amazing.
My check GV80 has the base motor: a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-4, which puts out a wholesome 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The GV80 utilizes an eight-velocity automatic transmission and while rear-wheel generate is standard, this one particular has all-wheel generate. In the US market, this AWD program involves an digital restricted-slip rear differential, which assists with energy supply and handling. The all-wheel-generate GV80 2.5T is EPA-believed to return 21 miles for each gallon in the metropolis, twenty five mpg on the freeway and 22 mpg blended. Above a week of tests, I saw 21.eight mpg.
The GV80’s experience is nicely controlled, and there’s a apparent distinction in between the different suspension settings. In its standard setting, the GV80 nicely coddles passengers while driving above broken pavement or freeway growth joints. Still, nice as it is, the GV80 lacks the driving-on-a-cloud feeling you get from the refined air suspensions in German SUVs like the Mercedes-Benz GLE.
The 2.5T is so good it makes me ponder why you would at any time need the optional V6. The turbocharged engine’s acceleration is brisk and clean, though it will not audio all that fantastic in motion. Thankfully, the 2.5T is beautifully peaceful at cruising speeds, and many thanks to the GV80’s exceptional audio deadening, it really is lots hushed about city, too.
A emphasize of the GV80 is its interior. The elements are all top rated-notch the matters you touch come to feel substantial and highly-priced. The finishes are all fantastically thorough and the complete cabin reminds you the Genesis GV80 isn’t just another cookie-cutter SUV. My tester’s heated and cooled front seats offer loads of adjustability and support, both of which are fantastic on for a longer time drives.
This interior is all-about fantastic.
Kyle Hyatt/Roadshow
As considerably as ergonomics are worried, it really is easy to get comfy in the GV80. Even at 6 feet, four inches tall, I have no concerns with headroom or legroom, and I can sit in the 2nd-row seats powering my possess driving placement with no any inconvenience. You can find plenty of place in the back for an regular SUV’s worthy of of groceries and luggage, and the 3rd- and 2nd-row seats fold down for improved storage house.
When it comes to infotainment and security tech, Genesis will not skimp in the GV80. The 14.5-inch central infotainment screen is super vast, but it really is not terribly tall, this means it will not impede outward visibility. The screen is sharp and bright, too, and it really is a touchscreen, producing it easy to use. You can find also a clicky-wheel redundant control on the middle console if you would instead go that route. It functions well plenty of, but I usually just find myself touching the screen or using voice commands via Apple CarPlay. Talking of which, both CarPlay and Android Vehicle are standard, though Genesis’ indigenous infotainment program functions beautifully well.
Bigger-spec GV80s have a totally electronic instrument cluster, but my tester has an analog speedometer and fuel gauge on the still left with a electronic tachometer on the appropriate. This set up is beautifully wonderful, but this 50 percent-electronic scenario appears to be like a unusual spot to slash cost.
You don’t need the V6 to take pleasure in the Genesis GV80.
Kyle Hyatt/Roadshow
The GV80 comes with a ton of interesting security tech. The adaptive cruise control program utilizes equipment mastering to adapt to your possess driving design. You can also get the GV80 with Genesis’ Highway Driving Assist II tech, which pairs the adaptive cruise with lane-centering and lane-transform performance. It is an easy-to-use, unobtrusive bit of technological innovation that by no means will get in the way. Genesis also delivers distant smart parking assist, in which you keep a button on the critical fob, and the auto will park itself. I use this all the time to assistance ease having in and out of my limited underground parking house.
My mid-quality GV80 2.5T Sophisticated tester with all-wheel generate comes in at a reasonable $60,425 together with a $one,025 spot fee. A equally outfitted Mercedes-Benz GLE350 4Matic would come in about $65,000, while a BMW X5 — with an inline-6 motor — would crest $70,000. Any way you slice it, the GV80 is a fantastic worth.
But worth isn’t the only reason to take into consideration the GV80. This SUV is a very seriously amazing initial effort and hard work for Genesis, and it gives me higher hopes for the forthcoming compact GV70. If Genesis carries on on this amazing tear, European automakers ought to be quite worried in truth.