The upscale Genesis brand, known for selling luxury sedans with relative affordability, has expanded its vehicle lineup with a sharp and well-equipped SUV called the GV80. It’s a beautiful vehicle that has been thoughtfully and meticulously designed with cues from Korean architecture that emphasize a balance of “function and tranquility,” with just enough simplicity to avoid overcomplication. The 2021 GV80 has a confident fascia with a dominating grill, and its low center of gravity delivers better stability and increased headroom. It was formally revealed in early 2020 and is slated for an autumn release, when it will go head to head against premium SUVs from Europe, Japan, and the U.S.
Trims and Powertrain
The five- or seven-passenger 2021 Genesis GV80 offers something unique in the crossover/SUV market: affordable luxury. While Genesis began as a maker of upscale sedans with a streamlined stable of three models, the GV80 debuted in 2020 as a 2021 model after much anticipation. It’s made in 2.5T and 3.5T versions, with those names referring to the engine size: a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder (300 hp and 311 lb.-ft. of torque) or a turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 (375 hp and 391 lb.-ft. of torque).
Regardless of which trim you choose, each powerplant is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 2.5T has a standard rear-wheel drivetrain, with all-wheel drive is available; the 3.5T has standard AWD. Buyers can choose from several levels of equipment packages for each trim to equip their vehicle the way they prefer. The 2.5T offers Standard, Advanced, and Prestige, and the 3.5T offers Standard, Advanced, Advanced+, and Prestige.
RWD 2.5T Standard Package
As you’d expect from Genesis, the base-level GV80 is loaded with premium features. Outside, it has 19-inch alloy wheels, full quad-beam LED headlights and taillights, front and rear parking sensors, rain sensing wipers, a hands-free liftgate, and privacy glass for the rear side and back windows. The interior has simulated-leather upholstery, selectable drive modes (Drive Mode Select), 12-way power-adjustable heated front seats, an ergonomically supportive driver’s seat with position memory, a front-passenger walk-in device (provides easy access to the rear seats with the push of a button), dual-zone automatic climate control, ambient interior lighting, a rearview camera with dynamic guidelines, and an 8-inch color LCD cluster display.
The 2.5T also gets an infotainment system with a 14.5-inch touchscreen, built-in navigation, a 12-speaker sound system, Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Its standard driver-assist features include forward collision-avoidance assist, lane keeping assist, lane following assist, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, safe exit assist, driver attention warning, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control with machine learning, and highway driver assist.
AWD 2.5T Standard Package
In addition to the standard features mentioned above, this package adds a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, manual rear-side sunshades, a heated steering wheel, a 110-volt power outlet in the second row, and a wireless smartphone charger. This package also includes Hyundai’s Digital Key, which allows your smartphone to do everything the regular vehicle key will do: operate the ignition and lock/unlock the doors.RWD 2.5T Advanced & Prestige Package
This version comes with all of the above-mentioned features, plus a high-end Lexicon audio system with 21 speakers.The features from the AWD 2.5T Advanced Package are provided, as are tri-zone automatic climate control, 16-way power-adjustable front seats, and heated second-row outboard seats.
AWD 2.5T Advanced & prestige Package
This version ups the ante with 20-inch wheels, leather upholstery, a surround-view camera system, and automatic parking assist.This top-ranking package for the base trim includes 22-inch wheels, an adaptive suspension, a head-up display, and active noise cancelling tech.
3.5T standard package
The base 3.5T starts with the features from the AWD 2.5T Standard Package and adds 20-inch wheels and an adaptive suspension.
3.5T advanced package
This version of the 3.5T has the contents of the AWD 2.5T Advanced Package, plus 16-way power-adjustable front seats.3.5T advanced+ package
This optional bundle adds a power-folding third-row seat to the Advanced Package, increasing passenger capacity to seven.3.5T prestige package
The most deluxe option for the ’21 GV80 has everything from the AWD 2.5T Prestige Package, in addition to 22-inch wheels, Nappa leather upholstery, a microfiber suede headliner, ventilated second-row seats, a 12.3-inch 3D digital gauge cluster, forward attention warning, power rear side window shades, soft-close doors, and second-row vanity mirrors.Other Benefits of GV80 Ownership
As with all Genesis vehicles, some valuable benefits will be included with each GV80. Each buyer or lessee will get three years of complimentary scheduled maintenance, three years of Connected Services (for remote functions, safety services, and destination guidance), SiriusXM All Access, 24/7 roadside assistance, and Genesis Service Valet, which provides free remote diagnostic checks along with complimentary courtesy car delivery and return. These perks are in addition to the generous warranty coverage provided by Genesis, which is highlighted by a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.