Talking about Hyundai’s luxury brand Genesis, more specifically, the flagship GV80 SUV which now also comes in a rather sporting looking coupe. However, I recently drove the updated wagon version.

Joining the upper echelon of motoring Genesis knew they had to build something rather special, loaded with luxury features and standout quality. Genesis may not yet match the badge cachet or sales of Mercedes, Audi, and BMW’s large SUV’s but in terms of quality, refinement and fit and finish this South Korean luxury brand is up there with the very best - just so impressive in all it does and offering a cost saving over the German competition in the process.


I covered some long distances over the holiday break and cruising at the open road limit achieved 11.3 L/100km on 95-octane premium unleaded – impressive for such a large SUV. I drove the top line Genesis GV80 all-wheel-drive SUV with 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 linked to an 8-speed torque-convertor automatic and limited slip rear differential. At around $135,000 drive-away it jumps off the mark with strong mid-range performance despite a rather hefty weight, feels absolutely bulletproof, super quiet and despite its dimensions shrinks around you when pushed hard thanks to its road preview electronic adaptive suspension.
The road preview electronic control suspension uses a forward camera to scour the road surface ahead for undulations and potholes, it then adjusts the damping force accordingly. After much criticism in the first series this sophisticated suspension was refined last year to delete pitch on rough surfaces with a less figidity ride and it is now far more relaxed and offering the ride/handling balance you expect in a large luxury SUV.

Safety wise, it features 10 airbags in total including a front centre airbag between the front seat occupants a driver’s knee airbag side (thorax) airbags for the first and second rows and full-length curtain airbags that cover all three rows. The luxury equipment extensive, while a recent mid-life update disappointingly saw the price climb, however a previous $10,500 luxury option pack including heated and ventilated rear seats, power rear door shades, 3 zone climate control, and a Nappa leather appointed interior is now standard. As is said, quality and fit and finish is as good if not better than the dearer top-class German SUV’s. Certainly, in terms of presentation and overall comfort the interior is a standout with close attention to ergonomics and ease of control.


Driver support technology is on another level with adaptive cruise control that can learn and replicate your driving style, lane keeping and lane following assist, blind spot monitoring and blind spot camera views, forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking with car, cyclist, pedestrian and junction intervention including evasive steering assist, rear cross traffic alert and avoidance, rear occupant alert and safe exit assist. Biggest disappointment, the lack of a spare wheel, just a tyre repair kit which on such a heavy(2248kg) all-wheel drive is barely adequate.


The GV80 has a clear 360-degree camera system, with reverse guidelines, but also shows the rearward path via projected lines from the reverse lights. A 3D view means you can move the car to see surrounding obstacles onscreen as well.
Genesis owner support also impressive - a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty with the first five-years servicing completely free, also 10-year 24/7 roadside assistance and 10-year map updates. Genesis offers a Service Concierge service where your car is picked up and a service loan car is provided in line with the GV80’s 12-month or 10,000km service intervals.