HEDONISTIC Luxury
New SUV from Korea a reminder of what opulence in a vehicle is supposed to look like
Ever since the 2017 introduction of the Genesis G70 proved that, yes, the Koreans could indeed build a competitive luxury vehicle, the one refrain on the tip of every market analyst's tongue as been the same: “Wait till they build an SUV. Then things will really take off.”
Well, they're right. I think the GV80 is about to take the brand to heights unseen in its first five years in existence. But I think the reason the GV80 will prove popular is a quality that virtually all other mainstream luxury marques (BMW, Mercedes-benz, et al) have seemingly abandoned: opulence.
Those vehicles may all be luxurious, but hedonistic they are not. But the GV80 is. Climb inside the top-of-the-line Prestige version ($85,000 in 3.5L trim) and you'll be forgiven for thinking you're sitting in a Bentley. The Nappa leather is soft and supple in a way the Germans have long forgotten. Every bit of wood is real, every single piece of brightened metal is aluminum polished to just the right satin hue.
The main switchgear that controls the infotainment system and
the gear selector all look like they could have come out of a Pagani. Even the rotary gearshift selector looks particularly exquisite, as it's crafted from tempered glass. Throw in a 14.5-inch touch screen handsomely laid onto the centre dashboard and a completely digital instrument cluster, and you have an interior best described by a word seldom used anymore — grandeur.
It's also loaded with technology: seats that both massage and stretch, a 21-speaker Lexicon sound system, and an infotain
ment system that will do everything but brush your teeth.
There is a price to be paid, however, as all that swish buttonry and high-tech gadgetry can get a little complicated. And by complicated I mean infuriating, and for some, I suspect a tad intimidating.
The infotainment is just too complicated. There are 18 “tiles” controlling various aspects of the GV80'S copious electronics — and many are full of submenus.
However, that's my only major complaint with Genesis's new SUV.
Indeed, some of the other technology — the world's first Ai-controlled adaptive cruise control system, a five-radar cross-traffic alert system that “sees” a wider range of traffic, and more — is pretty darn impressive.
Ditto the powertrains on offer. For those looking to save a few dollars, the turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the Select and Advance models might be the powertrain of choice. Despite a horsepower deficit to the 3.5-litre V6, it's anything but anemic and off the line its punch seems all but comparable. With 2.5 litres of displacement, there's 300 hp and 311 pound-feet of torque. And the slick eight-speed automatic transmission makes the engine feel surprisingly sprightly.
The 3.5-L engine is definitely more powerful, its 375 hp and 391 lb-ft more than plenty for a luxury ute. Once you get past 4,500 rpm or so, it's also smoother than the four-cylinder engine. Buy the bigger engine if you must, but don't bother trying to convince yourself you need it. The main reason for opting for the V6 is that it comes with a booming 21-speaker Lexicon audio system as standard equipment.
All GV80S, regardless of the engine you choose, come with a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system with an electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential. Rearwheel drive based, it can vary the torque split from 50/50 front to rear to sending 100 per cent of the engine's power to the rear wheels. And once there, the limited-slip differential can send 100 per cent of that torque to either wheel. In extreme conditions, all of the engine's torque can be sent to one wheel if it is the only one that has traction.
The first batch of pre-ordered GV80S will arrive by the end of November. All four trim levels will be available, including the 2.5T Select, which for $64,500, includes a full suite of advanced driver assistance aids, wireless charging and a panoramic roof, and the $70,000 2.5T Advance, which includes a blindspot monitor, ventilated front seats, and 20-inch wheels. V6 versions come in Advance trim ($80,000), which adds the 21-speaker Lexicon audio system, electronically controlled suspension and 22-inch wheels, while the top-of-the-line V6 Prestige adds a 3D digital display, Nappa leather, and active noise cancellation for $85,000.