Genesis’s luxury GV80 SUV – impressive first effort
Hyundai’s luxury brand Genesis has been slowly evolving, earlier this year introducing its first SUV, the large GV80, and this week, releasing the smaller mid-size GV70. But first, the GV80, available in four variants with three powertrains. I drove the gutsy 3.0-litre turbo-diesel straight six 8-speed auto with optional luxury pack at $113,600. An imposing large SUV, visually striking the Genesis GV80 really draws eyes, beautifully finished, the luxury pack adding material upgrades like quilted Nappa leather seats, powered side window shades plus numerous technology additions. Like the G80 sedan I raved about earlier this year the GV80 oozes quality and refinement.
The body feels bullet proof, superbly insulated and one can see how its structure went a long way to saving Tiger Woods life earlier this year. The diesel gets an uprated conventional suspension, not an air suspension like the Mercedes GLE or Audi Q7 but what Genesis call a road preview electronic control suspension – it uses a forward camera to scour the road surface ahead for undulations and potholes, it then electronically adjusts the damping force accordingly. However, on the Putty Road, arguably one of our worst roads, it struggled to provide a pleasant ride, with far too much pitch from side to side, not helped by larger 22-inch wheels and 40-series tyres.
I’m David Berthon
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