Who doesn’t enjoy a taste of luxury? Well, Genesis, the premium brand from
South Korea’s Hyundai, doesn’t just offer a taste but serves up a mouth-watering motoring feast, a delicious platter of style and comfort with a generous garnish of top tech, seasoned with driving pleasure.

We spent a week behind the wheel of a 2.5T, seven-seater version of the GV80, the marque’s flagship SUV (sports utility vehicle) and here is what I discovered.

Style file
Genesis says the GV80 embraces the brand’s bold “athletic elegance” design philosophy and I reckon it’s a fitting description of the alluring lines of the car.

The GV80 has great stance and presence with eye-appeal aplenty, from the strong frontal design, through the smooth yet dynamic lines of the side view to the svelte rear.

The inside story is one of elegant style and comfort and a feeling of spaciousness.

The generous width of the interior is emphasised through the use of sleek, thin air vents that run across the passenger compartment. Soft materials, including leather-upholstered seats, cover every surface, from the inside of the door handles to the quilted knee pads that line the lower sides of the centre console. Birch trim highlights enhance the look.

There is generous headroom and legroom in a cabin that has a premium ambience. It is also a tranquil place to be, with cutting-edge sound engineering. Acoustic glass is employed in the windscreen and front doors, while the carefully-designed two-piece alloy wheels feature a hollow construction that further reduces road noise and tyre resonance.

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Features
The car has a suite of lovely kit, from wireless phone-charging to ‘remote smart parking assistant’.

Features also include an optional 18-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, 14.5in touchscreen infotainment system, 18-speaker audio system, ambient mood lighting, heated front seats, ride preview technology and electronically controlled suspension to deliver class-leading comfort on bumpy roads, an array of parking/surround-view cameras, smart cruise control, a connectivity suite, over-the-air updates to the navigation system to enhance accuracy and route planning, and a head-up display.

On the safety front, hi-tech features include advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Using artificial technology in unison with cameras and sensors, the ADAS systems can detect and avoid obstructions, plus minimise the impact from collisions in worst case scenarios.

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Tech time
The 12.3in instrument cluster can be customised to reflect the driving mode (eco, comfort and sport), with a change in both background colour and information displayed. An optional function allows the instruments to be displayed in a true 3D image, while cameras mounted in the cluster can recognise the driver’s eyes and use the information to highlight the areas directly in the eye line.

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On the road
The all-wheel-drive car feels confidence-inspiring, the luxury driving experience enhanced by a seamless eight-speed automatic transmission, laying down the power from the 300bhp, 2.5-litre petrol engine. Drive Mode and Terrain mode allow drivers to fine tune the advanced powertrain for any surface and situation.
Performance figures are 0-62mph in 7.7 seconds and a top speed of 147mph. Combined fuel consumption (WLTP) is 30.5mpg-31.4mpg. CO2 emissions (combined): 241 - 248 g/km (WLTP).

Verdict
The GV80 has power, pace and presence. Its mix of refinement, luxury and top technology makes for a superlative motoring experience. 

Price
£78,260 (inc a range of options).

News update
Since the road-test took place, Genesis unveiled the GV80 Coupe and the re-designed GV80 late last month (September, 2023), marking its debut in the coupe SUV segment. The company says the re-designed GV80 adds luxurious details to the existing model, elevating the experience for drivers and passengers.