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New Genesis GV80 2021 review


Verdict

The GV80 has impressed us in some ways. Its high quality is up with one of the best available in the market, whereas the extent of normal package is past most. Nonetheless, this isn’t an event the place a brand new model has to over-deliver in some areas to masks deficiencies in others. However for a barely fidgety experience, we discovered the GV80 snug and massively interesting, not least with the brand new manner of shopping for one. And shopping for one is not any compromise – as a primary time providing within the UK, Genesis deserves enormous reward for delivering such a aggressive automobile in essentially the most aggressive of courses.

One other week and one other premium pretender; this time it’s the flip of Hyundai’s posh arm Genesis, which has simply arrived within the UK.

You could possibly by no means accuse Genesis of doing issues by halves with seven new fashions coming over the following 12 months, together with three all-electric automobiles. First up are the GV80 SUV and G80 saloon, with this mannequin more likely to be the larger vendor of the 2.

And it’s huge; at 4,945mm lengthy it sits between the BMW X5 and Audi Q7 in size, slightly manner off the Bentley Bentayga

Can we actually reference a Bentley alongside a Genesis? Effectively on our first check drive, a curious Audi Q7 proprietor got here and requested if the GV80 was a brand new Bentley. Appears to be like sensible, it does have a whiff of the Brit model about it, not least within the winged Genesis emblem.

It has loads of presence, from the upright entrance finish with imposing G-matrix entrance grille to the ‘two-lines’ design language that refers back to the cut up entrance headlights, the bi-level illuminated aspect vents and the taillights, too. It appears very premium and really European, with loads of public curiosity in it on our check – the primary hurdle properly and really cleared.

Inside there’s a good bit of Bentley-esque knurling on a few of the switchgear, whereas Genesis has managed to strike an excellent steadiness between minimalism and value. The sprint structure is straightforward to comply with, whereas there’s not the over-reliance on the touchscreen that some rivals undergo. 

High quality could be very spectacular, too, and simply a match for Mercedes. Every little thing appears and feels pretty much as good as you’d anticipate on an SUV that begins from £56,815, so it’s no shock that Genesis has received awards within the few markets it already exists in – notably the US – for high quality.

The entire Genesis expertise, with a brand new manner of shopping for, is anticipated to enchantment as a lot because the automobiles themselves. Every little thing is finished on-line or by way of Genesis ‘Studios’ that received’t be conventional dealerships, they’ll be shopfronts in upmarket procuring centres.

You’re allotted your individual Genesis private assistant who will take you thru the method from check drive to supply, and on to after-care, too. Your PA is salaried not on fee like a automobile salesperson, so there’s no onerous promote, with the mantra being ‘service over gross sales’. As Genesis UK MD Andrew Pilkington advised us, “We wish a stress-free seamless on-line shopping for and possession expertise.”

That additionally means a five-year care plan overlaying guarantee (with no mileage limitation), servicing (solely as much as 50,000 miles), roadside help, courtesy automobiles and map and over-the-air software program updates. And if you happen to’re struggling to know your automobile after your Genesis private assistant’s preliminary handover, you may ebook a second one – and once more, they’ll come to you.

That’s all very interesting, however the place so many wannabe premium manufacturers have fallen down up to now is on the product – and Genesis has made a greater begin than any we will keep in mind since Lexus’ first try again within the Nineties.

It’s received the model and the standard licked, however there’s additionally loads of enchantment to the way in which the GV80 drives. You’ll be able to select from 3.0-litre diesel or 2.5-litre petrol (we went for the previous) in both Premium Line or Luxurious Line (this time the latter) trim ranges. Possibility packs embody Nappa leather-based upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, a sound system from specialist Lexicon and rear seat consolation packs for these within the second and third rows. 

Our automobile prices £62,915, though it can save you £500 if you happen to go for the five-seater model – ours had seven. That’s slightly cheaper than rival Q7 or X5 fashions, whereas the Genesis is best geared up. There’s a wonderful infotainment system with 14.5-inch display screen and all of the connectivity you anticipate, plus loads of devices together with a self-parking system that may parallel park for you with out you even having to be within the automobile. 

However is it higher to drive than rivals? Once more, Genesis is ploughing its personal furrow right here, aiming for consolation over agility – a sensible transfer in a 2,300kg massive SUV. Bother is, automobiles just like the X5 and Q7 have mastered the experience/dealing with steadiness, too, and our Genesis lacks a little bit of low-speed experience finesse.

The GV80 comes with a digital camera monitoring the street floor and adjusting the dampers to go well with. At increased speeds and over larger bumps and potholes issues stay moderately snug. However over smaller extra frequent undulations, the experience can begin to really feel a bit fidgety.

A quick drive in a automobile with normal 20-inch wheels confirmed a marked enchancment though the experience stays a bit on the agency aspect. The steering was a contact sharper, too, however nonetheless slightly mild and missing suggestions – though that is an SUV, not a sports activities automobile.

The three.0-litre six-cylinder diesel presents first rate efficiency, attending to 62mph from relaxation in 7.5 seconds, whereas noise-cancelling tech does an excellent job of holding issues quiet inside. The GV80 is a beautiful automobile to cruise in, particularly with the semi-autonomous tech that’ll maintain it in lane and away from the automobile in entrance on the motorway.

Our automobile did with out the elective panoramic roof that restricts headroom within the G80 saloon so there aren’t any complaints in any respect about house in any of the three rows. You may not have fairly as a lot room within the very again as in a Discovery, nevertheless it’s at the least the match of a Q7. And when you may work out which buttons fold the 5 rear seats flat there’ll be 2,144 litres of house, greater than you’ll get within the largest Audi. With 5 seats in place, the boot stands at 727 litres, oustripping the BMW X5 and the Mercedes GLE.

So excluding the experience, the GV80 will get nearer to its premium rivals than any newcomer we’ve seen earlier than. Nonetheless, there’s at all times a nervousness round a brand new model that’s more likely to harm residual values, and subsequently month-to-month prices.

The massive Genesis deserves to do properly, although – we might totally perceive why anyone a big premium SUV would discover it a horny proposition. Straight out of the field, the GV80 is a powerful contender in its class.

Mannequin: Genesis GV80 3.0D Luxurious Line
Worth: £62,915
Engine:  3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel
Energy/torque: 274bhp/588Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automated, four-wheel drive
0-62mph:  7.5 secs
High pace:  143mph
MPG:  33.1mpg
CO2: 220 g/km
On sale:  Now



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