If the Super Bowl ad teasers aren’t enough to let you know that the newest Genesis SUV won’t be ticking all the “old-luxury” boxes, power couple Chrissy Teigen and John Legend certainly make a statement with Genesis’ new “Young Luxury” campaign. Forget your Cadillac or Lincoln. It’s time for a new luxury brand to take center stage.
The brand new 2021 Genesis GV80 is the perfect example of this new line of luxury. Like the rest of the Genesis lineup, it’s targeted at the “young at heart, stylish but not snobby, accessible, fun-loving and different from the boomer brands that take themselves too seriously.” This brand-new SUV takes a few cues from its predecessors. However, there’s plenty of styling to set it apart from first glance.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Genesis GV80, welcome to your one-stop-shopping guide. We’ve compiled all you need to know on this up-and-coming luxury SUV. When it comes time to test-drive one at your local dealership, you’ll have a leg up from the rest of the world.
Performance Specifications
Though Hyundai’s luxury offshoot has been generous in terms of revealing details of the GV80’s exterior, confirmation of what lies beneath the hood has been scarce. However, the company website recently revealed that the base engine will be a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. There’s an available 3.5-liter twin turbo, capable of 375 horsepower. All-wheel drive is also available, but not standard. An 8-speed automatic seems to be the consensus when it comes to transmissions.
Genesis has not yet released official numbers on these engines. However, given the revealed options, we’d expect horsepower to be in the high 200s for the four-cylinder. Genesis already claims close to 400 HP the V6 powerplant. Torque should be somewhat comparable. Check back on Genesis’ official website for more information on these power numbers as they become available.
Available Trims
Did you know the “V” in the Genesis GV80 reportedly stands for “Versatility”? Okay, maybe we just made that up. Whether it’s fact or fiction, it’s obvious the engineers at Genesis have put many hours of thought into both the interior and exterior of the GV80. Genesis hasn’t released details about the various trim levels yet. However, there are a few tidbits circling concerning features the first-generation model will include.
For instance, Edmunds reports the GV80 will have seating for 5-to-7 people. As far as the interior goes, experts describe it “as well-appointed as we’d expect, showing off plenty of quilted leather along with a UFO-like two-spoke steering wheel and some new technology features for the brand.” Prominent among the new technology options is the 22-inch curved OLED Infinity display. Meant to extend the traditional driver’s screen across the dash, this display remains low-profile enough to allow for a clear view through the windshield.
The GV80’s center console will be dominated by a 14.5-inch screen. It’s reminiscent of the Mercedes-Benz MBUX system, per Edmunds. Additional tech offered on the new GV80 includes an electronically controlled suspension.
Using a front-facing camera to scan the road surface, the GV80 will preemptively adjust the settings for the smoothest ride. Wheel choices top out at 22-inches, while massaging seats, active noise cancellation, and power-adjustable rear seats will complement the multi-zone climate controls.
Safety
When it comes to safety features, Genesis is including more features as standard. According to SlashGear, they are “…pushing standard active safety tech on the GV80, to help it stand out versus rival SUVs which often charge for such features.” Features include smart cruise control, forward collision avoidance, blind-spot collision avoidance, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, among others. Remember that things like seatbelts and airbags used to be optional features too. The GV80 is already getting a head start on being a safer vehicle, even in the base model.
Fuel Efficiency Ratings
Genesis has not yet officially released fuel efficiency data for the 2020 GV80. However, a note on the brand’s website hints at a hydrogen fuel cell powertrain. “With an eye on global impact,” the site claims, “the Genesis GV80 Concept luxury crossover takes advantage of fuel cell electric technology to combine eco-friendly performance and SUV capability.” As is often the case with many hydrogen fuel cell powertrains, we’d expect these models to be restricted to California. At least for the foreseeable future.
What People Are Saying
Set to release in Fall of 2020, the Genesis GV80 will probably start at around $50,000. We expect higher trim levels to increase that price tag by about $10,000-to-$15,000. That’s a typical jump with many luxury brands. As the first SUV from Hyundai’s luxury spinoff, we’d expect there to be a few kinks to work out. But that comes with the territory.
SlashGear reports the GV80 will be “predominantly made of high-strength steel, with the doors, hood, and tailgate using aluminum.” Many brands these days are moving towards using lighter metals, as exemplified by the Ford F-150.
Kelley Blue Book guessed the GV80 would build off the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride platforms. In reality though, it’s the Genesis G80 from which the GV80 will draw. While this may be puzzling at first glance, it could offer a sedan-like ride for those looking to mimic the couch-like feel of Cadillacs past.
How It Compares to Other Luxury SUVs
Jalopnik offers their two cents. They were stunned by the “massive gaping maw of a grille” that many might find akin to the toothy visages of the Land Rover Velar. When comparing it to the competition, Jalopnik experts had this to say.
“The GV80 certainly has the posture of a Mercedes GLS or a BMW X7, but with maybe just a tinge of panache cribbed from the Bentley Bentayga.”
Whether the GV80 can compete in a tight ring of luxury SUVs remains to be seen.
We’ll leave the final word with Edmunds experts. They admit “Genesis absolutely needs a lineup of SUVs if it wants to compete with the luxury heavy hitters.” When compared to Genesis sedans, Edmunds foresees the GV80 offering “a strong value for the level of luxury and performance available.”
The GV80 certainly has quite a reputation to build. Only time will tell if those first few models are predecessors of what’s to come or a stillborn breed destined to join many a concept in the automotive junkyard in the sky.
The Last Word
Autonews reports that Genesis saw their sales double last year. Additionally, “the midsize GV80 launch in the U.S. this summer marks the beginning of a new product cycle that will bring a smaller crossover next year and an electric vehicle after that.” There’s also speculation that Genesis will eventually offer a two-door coupe. However, there are very few legit details about it for now. For any news that might crop up, just stay tuned to Autoversed!
Source: Genesis.com
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