Luxury SUVs are a dime-a-dozen these days. This segment is highly lucrative and allows new brands, such as Genesis, to grow and target new buyers. Thing is, just being good isn’t enough to be competitive. Does the 2023 Genesis GV80 3.5T Prestige AWD still deliver the same kind of magic as it did when it debuted two years ago?
The GV80 is arguably Genesis‘ first true sales success. While its sedans are good on paper, they failed to reach sales goals by virtue of them simply not being an SUV. Genesis needed an SUV in the market that was very quickly shifting sway from sedans, but the GV80 wasn’t just any SUV. Genesis set out to prove to the industry and buying public what this relatively new, luxury-oriented sub-brand under Hyundai was capable of. Back in 2021, when the GV80 first launched, there’s no doubt it was something special.
Two years later, the GV80 still has presence wherever it goes. The standard 22-inch wheels on our Prestige trim certainly help it look much more expensive than it really is, while its overall design certainly won’t be mistaken with anything else from BMW, Lexus, or Mercedes-Benz. The Superman-like front grill is imposing and still looks Bentley-esque to this day — that’s not a bad thing considering a Bentayga costs almost triple the price — and the distinctive split headlights hide character lines that continue through the turn signals on the side and reaching all the way to the tail lights. This midsize luxury SUV still stands out in a sea of cookie-cutter competition.
As good as the exterior looks, the interior is on another level. Genesis hit it out of the park with the GV80’s minimalistic design, still managing to look fresh and modern. Material quality is top-notch, cohesively blending leather, soft-touch plastic, and even glass and real metal trim pieces. Infotainment is handled by a rotary dial on the centre console and a 12.3-inch display atop the dashboard; there’s no learning curve to Genesis’ infotainment, plus the displays are crystal-clear. Our particular GV80 tester was equipped with the optional third-row out back, but that space is best suited for children.
Despite the GV80’s 22-inch wheels, handling and ride quality are far from sloppy. Only the worst of imperfections filter through, and the GV80 manages to hide its size and weight extremely well. Switch the GV80 into Sport mode and you get a slightly stiffer ride and heavier steering. Overall, handling feels more European than Korean or Japanese, and even then, it’s more Mercedes-Benz than BMW.
Power comes in two forms with the GV80. Base trims get a 2.5L turbo-four that pushes out 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, but our tester uses a twin-turbocharged 3.5L V6 good for 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel-drive is standard across the board in Canada, while the eight-speed automatic is well-behaved with either powertrain. The base turbo-four is more than enough for most buyers, but for the best performance and soundtrack, the twin-turbo V6 can’t be beat. That said, given electrified competitors like the BMW X5 xDrive 50e and the Lexus RX 500h plug-in hybrids, it’s surprising to see no hybrid or EV options available on the GV80.
That’s especially apparent when you have to fill up the GV80. Official fuel economy ratings for the V6-powered GV80 come in at 12.9 L/100 kilometres in the city, 10.4 highway, and 11.8 combined — we averaged 13.0 L/100 km during our test — and premium fuel is required. We wouldn’t be surprised to see the next-generation GV80 to come with some sort of electrified powertrain.
Changing consumers’ perceptions is still a challenge, especially after the countless awards Genesis has taken home over the last several years. The 2023 Genesis GV80 3.5T Prestige helps change that perception, bringing in new customers that may not have considered a Korean brand before with a winning combination of style, technology, and value.
