Would you drive a luxurious automotive to be related to a well-known model, savour the absolute best driving expertise, or since you wish to be pampered?
If it’s the latter, Genesis needs to be in your purchasing listing.
Although it could actually’t compete with the likes of BMW, Mercedes or Porsche for badge recognition, the massive Euro manufacturers can’t come near matching the beneficiant options listing of the Genesis GV80.
The newest model of the GV80 is a daring transfer by Hyundai’s luxurious arm.
The model has dropped four-cylinder and diesel variants from the vary to concentrate on a fully-loaded V6 petrol model and a brand new coupe-like physique fashion.
Priced from about $147,000 drive-away, the Genesis GV80 Coupe is out there in a single specification powered by a 279kW/530Nm twin-turbo V6 engine.
These are passable numbers for a premium SUV, returning easy energy with out the true wow issue of high-performance machines.
The Genesis is thirsty, although, requiring 11.7L/100km of premium unleaded, although your gasoline payments will likely be offset by 5 years of free servicing.
This isn’t an inexpensive automotive, but it surely does undercut key rivals such because the BMW X6 (about $157,000 drive-away and 280kW of energy), Porsche Cayenne Coupe ($159,000 and 260kW) and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe ($170,000 and 280kW) whereas delivering related efficiency.
As with these rivals, the Genesis hopes to show heads with a coupe-like silhouette, monumental 22-inch wheels and a daring chrome grille.
The inside makes a robust impression because of an infinite 27-inch OLED show stretching throughout the dashboard. The show seems to be sensible, notably when utilized in an “augmented actuality” mode that mixes a video feed of the street forward with navigation info on which lane to make use of or when to show.
A flat-bottomed steering wheel and carbon fibre trim recommend the GV80 is sportier than your common SUV, although sofa-like therapeutic massage chairs with 18-way digital adjustment mirror its true precedence.
These chairs can introduce delicate actions to forestall physique stiffness throughout a protracted drive.
They’re heated, after all. So are the armrests, sparing elbows the horror of chilly leather-based on a winter morning.
Talking of which, you’ll be able to have the seats trimmed in a powerful array of colors – we just like the oddball mixture of smoky inexperienced with vanilla beige, accompanied by deep purple seatbelts, a crystalline gear selector and multi-coloured ambient lighting.
We don’t have house to listing all the automotive’s options right here. Porsche clients must spend an additional $30,000 on non-compulsory options to match the Genesis’ customary package.
There are intelligent touches in all places you look, from the Michelin tyres with particular insulation to minimise street noise, to the centre console with a UV-C radiation lamp that kills germs in your keys and cellphone.
It has all the protection gear you would hope for, together with superior driver help tech that helps ease the burden of driving in stop-start site visitors.
However there are a couple of options which can be lacking, together with the subtle air suspension supplied by rivals.
The GV80 makes do with typical metal springs accompanied by multi-mode shocks tuned for consolation – a lot in order that the automotive can develop a heaving, waterbed-like sensation every now and then.
It misses out on rear-wheel steering that reduces the turning circle of luxurious vehicles, and energetic anti-roll bars that forestall heavy vehicles leaning over whereas cornering.
All of this implies it’s not a very partaking automotive to drive. You’re feeling all of its 2.2-tonne mass in tight turns, and also you may really feel unsettled every now and then over lumpy street surfaces.
A extra targeted “Magma” model guarantees to kind that out, giving Genesis a solution to the likes of Mercedes-AMG and BMW’s M Division.
VERDICT
Three stars
This gained’t be the decide for individuals who actually love driving, or wish to impress associates with a flashy badge. However of us who admire luxurious tech and supplies will likely be thrilled with the Genesis GV80 Coupe.
GENESIS GV80 COUPE
PRICE $147,000 drive-away
ENGINE 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6, 279kW and 530Nm
WARRANTY/SERVICE 5-yr/limitless km, 5-yr free servicing
SAFETY 10 airbags, auto emergency braking, energetic cruise management, lane maintain help, blind spot monitoring, rear cross site visitors alert
THIRST 11.7L/100km
BOOT 644 litres
SPARE Restore package
