20 MOTORTREND.COM APRIL 2020M
otorTrend was among a handful
of foreign press invited to
Seoul for the global debut of
the Genesis GV80 midsize SUV, which
went on sale immediately after in South
Korea. It will arrive in North America in
the fall, starting at about $48,000.
Power comes from a modified version
of the new Smartstream 2.5-liter turbo-
four, adapted for the rear-wheel-drive
vehicle. There’s also a new 3.5-liter twin-
turbo V-6 that appears poised to replace
the 3.3-liter turbo V-6 in Genesis’ lineup.
In the GV80, they will mate to an eight-
speed conventional automatic controlled
via a rotary gear selector in the center
console. Genesis has no plans to give the
GV80 a dual-clutch unit.
The new GV80 has an electronically
controlled suspension with an inte-
grated road preview function that uses
forward-facing cameras and navi-
gation information to scan the road
ahead for bumps; once an imperfection
is detected, the suspension primes
to make it all but imperceptible to theoccupants. It’s not designed to cross
the Rubicon, but the GV80 does have
all-wheel drive and a terrain management
system with sand, mud, and snow settings
for added traction. The system works
with the electronic limited-slip differen-
tial located at the rear axle.
Inside, you’ll find exquisite ash wood
trim and quilted leather in a minimalist
theme; the few hard buttons and switches
reinforce the clean and simple look. Soft
materials cover every surface, from the
inside of the door handles to the quilted
kneepads that line the lower sides of the
center console. Genesis says the seats are
the most advanced to date.
A 14.5-inch, split-screen-capable
display sits atop the dashboard. If you
don’t like using a touchscreen keyboard,
the GV80 has handwriting recognition
via a touchpad. The GV80 also comes with
road-noise cancellation technology as
well as a host of driver assist technologies.
On a short drive from Seoul to Incheon
and back in the Korean-market 3.0-liter
I-6 diesel, the softly sprung steel springs2021 Genesis GV 80
FIRST^ DRIVE
Intake
NEWSI OPINIONI GOSSIP
SPECS Base Price $48,000 (est)
Vehicle Layout Front-engine, RWD/AWD,
5-7-pass, 4-door SUV Engine 2.5L/295-
hp/315-lb-ft turbo DOHC 16-valve I-4 (est);
3.5L/385-hp/395-lb-ft twin-turbo DOHC
24-valve V-6 (est) Trans 8-speed auto
Curb Weight 5,100 lb (mfr) Wheelbase 116.
in L x W x H 194.7 x 77.8 x 67.5 in 0 -6 0 MPH
6.8 sec (MT est) EPA City/Hwy/Comb Fuel
Econ Not yet rated On Sale in U.S. Fall 2020soaked up bumps. There are no plans for
an air suspension, but the springs will be
tuned to deliver a more spirited ride for
North America. Braking was smooth with
no unnecessary biting. It was hard to
gauge steering with so much straight-line
driving, but it felt well centered and held
steady. We found the cabin quiet enough.
It wasn’t a cocoon, though; rumble strips
on the drive were still evident.
This first of three planned Genesis
SUVs—the others are the smaller GV
and a midsize electric SUV—is significant
not only through its mere existence but
also because it rides on a new, brand-
specific platform that will be used for the
next G80 midsize sedan. Alisa PriddleAlthough the body structure is made
from high-strength steel, the doors,
hood, and tailgate are fashioned from
aluminum to lighten the load.