2021 Genesis GV80 - Chicagoland Review by Larry Nutson +VIDEO
 |
Premium Utility
By Larry Nutson
Executive Editor and Bureau Chief
Chicago Bureau
The Auto Channel
The 2021 GV80 is the first utility vehicle (UV) from Genesis, the luxury vehicle brand from Hyundai Motor Group.
GV80 made a noteworthy and attention getting appearance at the 2020 Chicago Auto Show, the only major auto show to take place in the CV-19 pandemic year 2020. I had a good up-close and personal look at the GV80 and was quite impressed by its luxury look and premium exterior and interior design.
The GV80 midsize utility shares its architecture with the G80 sedan riding on an exclusive rear-drive platform. The all-new GV80’s ability to maximize passenger comfort and design flexibility while balancing performance and safety capability all stems from its carefully engineered chassis.
 |
The GV80’s large crest grille is flanked by two-line graphic lighting that extends beyond the headlamps, to front fender side lights and into the rear quarter and the taillamps. This Genesis lighting signature is certainly unique and an element I found attractive. Bright trim in the door lower panels carries to the rear across the facia.
GV80 has seating for five, however there is one three-row seven-seat offering. The all-new GV80 is offered in Standard, Advanced, and Prestige trims in 2.5T or 3.5T configurations. There’s also the choice of rear-wheel or all-wheel drive with the 2.5T. All 3.5T configurations are AWD.
The 2.5T is so named for its 300hp 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-4 that develops 311 lb.-ft. of torque. Correspondingly, the 3.5T has a 375hp 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 that develops 391 lb.-ft. torque. Both use an 8-speed automatic transmission. Comfort, Smart, Eco, Sport and Custom modes are selectable, with shift paddles allowing for manual gear control.
 |
All GV80s are rated to tow up to 6,000 lbs. Cargo area behind the second-row seat is 34.9 cu.ft. and can increase to 84 cu.ft. with the seat folded. EPA test-lab fuel economy ratings are 21 city mpg and 25 highway mpg for all 2.5T configurations and 18 city mpg and 23 highway for the 3.5T.
As is today’s consumer must-have, the GV80 is equipped with a complete array of Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) safety features.
 |
 |
The 5-seat interior is plenty roomy. The low dashboard height and large glass area makes for clear sightlines and outward visibility. Slim air vents, a large central infotainment touch screen, low mounted HVAC controls and an uncluttered steering wheel provide an inviting and functional driving environment.
Transmission gears are selected with a center console rotary controller. Just ahead of it sits the infotainment multimedia controller that is turned and pushed to make selections. Redundant controls are steering wheel mounted. The infotainment screen is a big reach so these controls are the ones to use.
The all-new GV80 has a starting base price of $48,900 for the 2.5T RWD. The 2.5T AWD is priced at $54,650, the 3.5T AWD is $59,150 and the seven-seat 3.5T Advance+ is $65.050, plus a $1,025 destination fee for all.
For my Chicagoland drive experience I spent time in a 2.5T AWD Prestige with a base price of $63,400.
I thought the GV80 a deserved consideration compared some well-established competitors from American, German and Asian brands. The powertrain delivers decent all around performance. The cabin is quiet. The Prestige trim has active noise control system that cancels out road and wind noise. Ride quality is very smooth. There’s lots of tech features and luxury appointments.
Heated and ventilated seats also have a massage feature. Road Preview uses a front camera to detect road irregularities in your path and adjusts the electronically-controlled suspension for greater comfort. A 21-speaker Lexicon premium audio system with 1,050 watts of power makes for concert hall listening.
 |
More details on the 2021 Genesis GV80 can be found at www.genesis.com. Genesis provides a 5-year/60,000 mile warranty that includes 3 years/36,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance as well as 3 years/36,000 miles complimentary Service Valet. The GV80 is in dealer showrooms now.
Genesis was ranked the #1 brand in the industry for the second consecutive year in JD Power’s 2019 Initial Quality Study (IGS), was named #1 ranked brand in the JD Power 2020 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) as well as #2 brand in the annual Consumer Reports 2020 Report Card rankings.
 |
More models are coming from Genesis. Recently the GV70 utility vehicle (UV) made its debut. It’s the fifth model and second UV in the Genesis lineup and will reach the market in 2021.
© 2021 Larry Nutson, the Chicago Car Guy
 |
