Genesis is getting serious about making a mark in Australia.
In the past 18 months the luxury car maker has given us a large luxury sedan in the G80,
a sports sedan in the G70, but this is the one that we've been waiting for.
The GV80.
It's their first SUV, it's available in five or seven seat layouts and it makes a huge
statement in the skin.
Let's see how it translates to the road.
The GV80 lands in Australia this month as an upstart to the Audi Q7, BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz
GLE.
In essence Genesis claims the GV80 offers 15% more value for 10% less money than the
German trio.
Prices for the four-model GV80 range start at $90,600 for the rear-wheel drive four-cylinder
2.5T, moving as high as $108,000 for the flagship twin-turbo V6 petrol 3.5T. Here we're driving
the mid-range three-litre turbo diesel, which is said to be the volume seller within the
GV80 line up.
The first impression here is strong.
The GV80 matches its bold exterior with beautiful displays inside, nice materials and decent
incidental storage throughout.
Passenger space is also quite strong, especially in the first and second rows, while the third
row is good for children and the occasional adult ride as well.
But the real talking point here is what's in the engine bay.
The GV80 introduces a range of new turbo-charge engines to the Genesis line up, including
this 204 Kilowatt, 588 Newton-metre turbo diesel in-line six.
It's a sleek drivetrain complemented by an eight-speed automatic transmission, adaptive
air suspension and an electromechanical limited-slip differential.
Now for me, it's the in-line six cylinder diesel that really typifies the driving experience.
It's effortless, it's muscular and it's also really efficient on the road.
It's a nice accomplice for the GV80 in general.
I really like the way that the engine and its eight-speed automatic transmission make
together.
They make easy progress around town, plenty of power and torque for overtaking manoeuvres
and on the highway, or country roads like I'm driving on at the moment, they just waft
along.
Genesis makes a big deal about the Australian ride and handling tune of all its vehicles.
For the GV80 that included an extensive tuning program over B-Grade and gravel roads.
It culminates in a product that is better versed in comfort than outright agility.
The GV80 is a really polished and refined driver out on country roads and around town
alike.
Ultimately it meets its threshold pretty early.
It's definitely not gonna threaten a BMW X5 dynamically, but it does all the basic stuff
really well.
My critical assessment of this car, dynamically, is that through the corners it lacks the body
control and outright finesse of something like the X5.
There's a little bit of wallowing, a little bit of rebound after you've passed a bump
and there's a little bit of diagonal pitch coming into corners where the car can feel
a little bit squirrelly.
Don't get me wrong, it's controlled and composed and does most things right, but when you push
it that little bit further, it's just not quite where it should be against the European
set.
The other redeeming feature here, dynamically, is the comfort trade off.
The GV80 feels controlled over pitter-patter style bumps and only the harshest imperfections
tend to crash through the cabin.
The GV80 suite of standard safety and equipment are both key talking points, as are its after-sales
provisions.
A five-year, unlimited kilometer warranty.
Free scheduled servicing through the first five-years of ownership and a five-year valet
service.
However the brands small infrastructure footprint and unknown resale values are also points
worth considering.
The GV80 marks something of a reset for Genesis in Australia.
Finally it's a product that more people can look at and it can go to pitch itself as more
of a volume seller.
The trouble for it is, not only are the German trio of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz already
cheap, already competitive, you also have other up and comers like the Volkswagen Touareg
that are battling for the same place.
Ultimately, I think a car like the Touareg does a better execution of the luxury brief
than the Genesis.
And the badge still has more cut through as well.