Since becoming a standalone brand, Genesis has struggled to make its mark in Australia. Can the luxurious Genesis GV80 improve its fortunes?
Formerly the name of Hyundai’s luxury sedan, Genesis relaunched as its own brand in 2018. It had just one showroom in Sydney’s CBD, offering a free test drive concierge program, online buying and non-negotiable prices. It was a risky play that didn’t pay off and Genesis has now established a number of test drive centres to coincide with the launch of the new GV80 model.
How much does the 2021 Genesis GV80 cost?
Available in four variants, the 2.5T ($90,600) is the entry point and next in line are the 2.5T AWD ($95,600), diesel 3.0D AWD ($103,600) and petrol 3.5T AWD ($108,600). While other premium brands offer myriad enhancement packages, the GV80 comes ‘fully loaded’ and there’s just one option pack ($10,000) across the range.
How does the 2021 Genesis GV80 drive?
Powering the 2.5T and 2.5T AWD is a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine developing 224kW and 422Nm, matched to an eight-speed auto. The official combined fuel consumption figure is 9.8L/100km. Under the bonnet of the 3.0D is an in-line six-cylinder turbo diesel developing 204kW and 530Nm, while the 3.5-litre petrol V6 punches out an impressive 279kW and 530Nm. Both employ the eight-speed auto and an electro-mechanical limited slip differential, splitting torque between the rear wheels. The combined fuel figure for the diesel is 8.8L/100km, while the V6’s is 11.7L/100km.
Befitting a sophisticated newcomer is a raft of hi-tech features to reduce unwanted cabin noise. These include an air diffuser in the alloy wheels to reduce wind roar, special windscreen and front-door glass seals, and vibration-reducing engine mounts. The transmission even has an in-built counter-rotating vibration absorber to smooth out unwanted mechanical pulses. Included in the luxury option pack is a monitor to analyse road noises and vibrations and generate a noise-cancelling soundwave to mitigate their effect.
Genesis’ Korean and Australian engineers have tailored the suspension to each variant, which feature hydraulic dampers rather than the air suspension used in many luxury cars. Six-cylinder variants are fitted with what Genesis is calling ‘Road Preview Adaptive Control Suspension’. It employs the GV80’s front camera to detect speed bumps and potholes and then electronically controls damping force to minimise impact and optimise ride comfort.
What tech does the 2021 Genesis GV80 come with?
Safety tech falls under the banner of ‘Genesis Active Safety Control’. Key to it is a windscreen-mounted camera and front and rear radar sensors that detect vehicles and objects for the lane departure, blind-spot collision and forward collision warning systems.
Listing all of the GV80’s standard features would fill pages, so the highlights are a 21-speaker Harmon audio system, panoramic glass sunroof, remote parking assistance, heated and cooled 12-way adjustable front seats, and retractable rear-door sunshades.
With its own strong visual identity, the GV80’s twin slimline headlamps flank the large diamond-shaped grille, and the blunt rear is reminiscent of the Kamm tail design used on 1960s sports cars. The interior exudes sophistication and machined dials in the centre console are smartly tactile, and the overall design is cohesive.
On the open road each variant has individual nuances, but the overriding sensation is one of confidence and poise. The only potential bump in the road for Genesis is convincing buyers to take that first test drive.
Pros: Build quality; attention to detail; quiet cabin ambience
Cons: Unconventional sales model
