Genesis GV80 3.5T Luxury 2020 Review

It’s a Genesis kind of day. So encouraged is the Korean luxury car-maker about the prospects of its first SUV in Australia – the Genesis GV80 – it is officially branding the coming months as a total reset.

Previously embedded within the Hyundai brand, Genesis has been operating as a standalone luxury marque in Australia since mid-way through 2019, during which time it has given us the G80 large sedan and the G70 sports sedan.

However, this is the model officials have been waiting for. The new Genesis GV80 lands in Australian showrooms as a purported rival to the Audi Q7, BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE.

The Genesis GV80 is available with five or seven seats, rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive configurations, three engine types – two petrol and one diesel – across four model grades.

Let’s get to it.

Genesis claims the new GV80 offers 15 per cent more value than the German triumvirate, for 10 per cent less money.

A starting price of $90,600 plus on-road costs in Australia for the rear-wheel drive 2.5T says as much.

The caveat is the Audi Q7 (from $101,900), BMW X5 ($102,900) and Mercedes-Benz GLE ($105,090) are open to negotiation at the dealership whereas the Genesis is not. We have more details on the non-negotiable pricing structure here.

Similarly, the cheapest version of the GV80 is a rear-drive turbo-petrol four-cylinder whereas the established German trio is exclusively all-wheel drive and diesel-powered at base level.

From there, the Genesis GV80 continues to undercut the Germans with a $5000 premium for the AWD version of the 2.5T (from $95,600), a further $8000 premium for the V6 diesel 3.0D AWD ($103,600) and another $5000 for the GV80 3.5T petrol V6 AWD flagship ($108,600).

Standard features across the range include genuine leather seat trim, 12-way power-adjustable, heated and ventilated front seats, a large 12.0-inch head-up display, keyless entry, remote engine start, sat-nav and a thumping 21-speaker, 1050-Watt Lexicon audio system.

Open-pore woodgrain trim, a panoramic sunroof, 20-inch alloy wheels, power-operated tailgate, wireless phone charging and a large 14.5-inch high-definition touch-screen infotainment system with handwriting and voice recognition are also standard, as is colour-adjustable interior LED mood lighting and dual-zone automatic climate control.

All Genesis GV80s are equipped with 10 airbags, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and machine learning functionality, lane keep and follow assist, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) for cars, bicycles and pedestrians, blind spot collision avoidance assist and a surround view 3D parking monitor.

Confined to the options list are matt paint ($2000) and a luxury pack ($10,000) that adds Nappa leather-quilted seat trim with an upgraded 18-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with massage function, a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, three-zone climate control, parking collision avoidance assist and plenty more.

The fixed purchase price includes a valet service with home delivery and pick-up during delivery or servicing (including loan car delivery), along with free scheduled servicing for five years or 50,000km for petrol variants or five years/75,000km for the diesel.

All Genesis vehicles are covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty along with 24/7 roadside assistance.

All variants of the GV80 offer a 2.7-tonne braked towing capacity, while only the entry 2.5T gets a temporary spare tyre; the rest are fitted with inflation kits.

Every GV80 model features an 80-litre fuel tank, while boot space is rated at 727 litres with two seat rows in place, or 2144L with all rear seats folded down.

There are eight gloss and three matt exterior paint colours available.

The first Genesis SUV comes with the choice of three all-new engines, with the entry-level Genesis GV80 2.5T five-seater powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine (224kW/422Nm) hooked up to an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive.

The mid-spec Genesis GV80 2.5T AWD has the same engine but adds all-wheel drive and a third row of seats, allowing for seven passengers, while the top-spec GV80 3.5T AWD uses a muscular new 3.5-litre turbo-petrol V6 (279kW/530Nm).

We spent our time in the diesel-powered Genesis GV80 3.0D AWD, which is expected to attract the highest volume of sales.

The all-new 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder turbo-diesel delivers a healthy 204kW/588Nm along with a claimed 0-100km/h time of 6.8 seconds and a combined-cycle fuel consumption rating of 8.8L/100km.

Like the matching V6 petrol, the oiler is complemented by 22-inch alloy wheels, an electro-mechanical limited-slip differential to improve cornering and ‘road preview’ adaptive suspension.

The latter uses a front camera to scan the road surface ahead and prepare the adaptive dampers to deliver the best ride quality in the conditions, not unlike Mercedes-Benz’s magic body control system.

The Genesis GV80’s bold exterior makes way for opulent internals that pamper as much as they facilitate practicality.

From the digital displays to the quality materials adorning the contact points, there’s a decidedly modern and luxury feel in this new SUV model, and one that feels like an upmarket departure from previous Genesis product.

The GV80 covers the key technology requirements with two USB ports up front and wireless phone charging. The second row greets occupants with two USB ports and sunshade blinds integrated into the door sleeve.

A closer inspection reveals the interior doesn’t quite nail the detailed execution of similarly-minded luxury family chariots, with door pockets that aren’t quite as deep or easy to access, a centre rotary dial that bears a vague resemblance to a roulette wheel and switchgear details that lack the final layer of polish.

It would also be nice to be treated to a digital instrument display of some sort; Genesis asks you to spring for the optional $10,000 Luxury Pack for the privilege.

Even so, spatial proportions are generally sound across the GV80’s first two rows; easily amenable to four full-size adults. The third row area is confined to little ones or the occasional ride for shorter adults, with cramped proportions (partly mitigated by separate air vents).

The 727-litre boot is much smaller than a Volvo XC90’s, too, and in our mid-range 3.0D is bereft of a spare wheel underneath – instead making do with a tyre inflation kit.

All told, the Genesis GV80 takes a step above the regular mainstream SUV brigade, without reaching the truly ambient heights of luxury competitors from Europe.

Like all Hyundai-derived models, Genesis makes a big deal about the fact its Australian cars are locally tuned for our conditions.

The Genesis GV80 is no exception, with a claimed six-month ride and handling localisation program to its name that included extensive B-grade roads and gravel sections.

With that in mind, the GV80 makes easy progress initially as we begin tackling the tangling, often-rough roads outside of Canberra this week.

The GV80 offers light steering at low speeds, a general air of composure over pitter-patter bumps and a knack for wafting over the imperfections underneath it. It will never be mistaken for a small car, such is the heft and size of it on the road, but clever technology and an approachable driving skillset help offset this.

Similarly, the inline-six turbo-diesel fitted to our GV80 3.0D test vehicle is a surefooted match for Aussie conditions, with effortless torque, seemingly boundless power for road-legal overtaking manoeuvres and a general air of refinement for a diesel.

The engine is devoid of typical low-end clatter and works well with its eight-speed automatic to provide well-timed shifts and efficiency, helping net a claimed fuel consumption figure of 9.3L/100km. Officially, the sprint from 0-100km/h takes 6.8sec.

Upon scrutiny, however, it is clear the GV80 lacks the final layer of dynamic polish commensurate with most European rivals.

Road noise and wind noise, while well insulated, don’t quite match the levels of Mercedes-Benz or BMW, and similarly, the GV80 arguably isn’t where it needs to be dynamically.

On faster, undulating roads, the GV80 is prone to more diagonal pitch and wallowing than most would desire through the corners.

Its brake pedal lacks consistency and the passive dampers is prone to rebounding significantly after a big compression.

In isolation, the GV80’s scorecard is generally sound. However, for a vehicle that pitches itself against the German luxury set, there is still work outstanding.

In many respects, the GV80 is a reset for Genesis in Australia.

It moves the Hyundai luxury arm’s prospects forward, with the expected safety, technology and dynamism commensurate with this price point.

Ultimately, a limited dealer (read: studio) footprint and brand cut-through will hinder the GV80’s Australian appeal outside of early adopters.

Ditto the fact a similarly-priced Volkswagen Touareg offers the same luxury wares for less – and does a more convincing job.

How much does the 2020 Genesis GV80 3.5T Luxury cost?
Price: $103,600 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 204kW/588Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.8L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 232g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested