2021 Genesis GV80

The 2021 Genesis GV80 is available in 3 trim levels and four configurations. The base 2.5T with its RWD drivetrain costs $48,900. With the AWD system, the 2.5T touches $54,650. The second trim in the lineup is a 3.5T trim powered by a V-6 engine and a standard AWD system which is priced at $59,650. The range-topping 3.5T Advanced Plus trim gets the maximum standard features including the AWD system will cost you $65,550

Trims	2.5T 4×2	3.5T AWD	3.5T Advanced Plus AWD
MSRP (RWD)	$48,900	-	-
MSRP (AWD	$54,650	$59,650	$65,550
Key Features	19-inch wheels	20-inch wheels	22-inch wheels
	Chrome exterior accents	Adaptive suspension	3rd-row seats
	Quad-LED headlamps	Panoramic sunroof	Nappa leather upholstery
	Touchscreen HVAC controls	Genuine wood accents	Heated steering wheel, heated front, and rear seats
	Navigation system	Heads-up display	Lexicon premium speakers
	Advanced package 03	Advanced package 06	12.3-inch 3D digital cluster
	Prestige package 05	Prestige package 07	Standard advanced safety

Which trim should you buy?

The 2.5T AWD is the best-valued trim at $54,650. With its standard features, you get decent optional features to complete your luxury SUV package. Other than styling, you can avail better comfort, technology, and safety with the Advanced and Prestige packages. If we talk about performance, the base engine is good enough as compared to other SUVs in this price range. 

Despite their power output, the 4 cylinder engines deliver satisfactory mileage. With the premium fuel, the 2.5L I-4 of the GV80 base offers 21 MPG in the city, 25 MPG on the highway, and 23 MPG of combined economy. The sleek powertrain and lower RPM torque ensure that the SUV fetches 527.5 highway miles in a full tank.

With the 3.5T trim, the fuel management of the V-6 isn't great. You get 18 MPG in the city, 23 MPG on the highway, and 20 MPG of combined range. Yet with the massive 21.1-gallon tank, you have a maximum highway range of 485.5 miles. As the weight varies between 2.5T and 3.5T trim, it also affects the SUV's mileage.

Models	Genesis GV80	Lincoln Nautilus	Mercedes-Benz GLE 350	BMW X5
MPG (City)	21	21	19	21
MPG (Highway)	25	26	26	26
MPG (Combined)	23	23	22	23
Fuel Capacity (Gallons)	21.1	18.4	22.5	21.9
Range (City/ Highway/ Combined) in miles	443.1/527.5/ 485.3	386.4/478.4/ 423.3	427.5/585/495	459.9/569.4/ 503.7

All the rivals of the Genesis GV80 offer similar fuel mileage. Only the Mercedes GLE 350 has lower city MPG ratings. Also, the GV80 has 25 MPG on the highway where the rivals have 26 MPG. In terms of mile range, all the SUVs have decent mileage with their massive tank sizes. The X5 takes over the GV80 to deliver best-in-class mileage.

The center of attraction in the Genesis GV80 is its luxurious cabin. Finished in dual tone colors, the spacious cabin has 108.7 cubic feet of passenger volume which is a decent space for 5 people. The cabin is mostly wrapped in leather upholstery with metal-look accents. It looks plush with the optional genuine wood trim.

The elegant dashboard of the GV80 is wrapped in leather as well. A massive infotainment system is placed at the exact center. The center console has a touchscreen HVAC, gear shift knob, and mode selector. The clean dash layout has full-length air vents on the right side. The unique 2 spoke leather steering blends in with the gauge cluster's design.

Available ventilated bucket seats at the front offer up to 12-way power adjustments with power bolster support, 4-way lumbar support, and heating function. At the rear, there's a 40-20-40 split-bench seat with a pass-thru armrest and foldable seatback. There's an optional third-row seat with the top trim. Moreover, you can avail a ton of optional comfort.

The cabin is equipped with lots of convenience features such as tri-zone automatic temperature control, steering assist cruise control, a voice-activated navigation system, 2 driver-seat memory settings, and 4 USB ports at different places inside the cabin. A dual-pane panoramic sunroof and the heated steering wheel are optional.

Models	Genesis GV80	Lincoln Nautilus	Mercedes-Benz GLE 350	BMW X5
Seating capacity	5	5	5-7	5-7
Front row (Headroom/ Shoulder room/ Legroom) inches	40.2/60.2/41.6	38.9/59.9/42.8	40.5/59.5/40.3	40.8/60.0/39.8
Second row (Headroom/ Shoulder room/ Legroom) inches	38.4/58.2/38.7	39.2/59.0/39.6	39.6/58.40.9	38.7/58.1/37.4
Trunk Capacity (Cubic feet)	33.9	37.2	33.3	33.9

On the base trim, the seating capacity is limited to 5 passengers. The front row seats on the GV80 have proper space for comfortable driving with an upright seating position, amazing road visibility, and a power-adjustable steering wheel. The second-row seating on the GV80 is spacious as well as practical. 

The top-end 3.5T advanced plus trim offers a third-row bench seat. However, the cramped seat isn't that spacious and it won't seat the adults properly. The Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 is the closest one to offer similar comfort as the Genesis GV80. Both Nautilus and X5 settle with their limited space and above-average comfort.

Behind the second-row seat of the GV80, you have a cargo capacity of 33.9 cubic feet. The practical cabin space provides up to 84.0 cubic feet of cargo room with the foldable second-row seat. This cargo capacity is much better than the rivals. Even the spacious cabin of the GLE 350 is small and seems small in front of the GV80.

Highlight Interior features of the 2021 Genesis GV80:

• Dual-tone leather upholstery
• Nappa leather upholstery
• Unique two-spoke steering wheel
• Comfortable front seats
• Tri-zone automatic air-conditioning
• Voice-activated navigation
• Touchscreen HVAC
• Tons of optional features

What's there to keep you entertained?

Genesis entertains in the best way possible. A floating 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen sits like a throne at the center of the dash. Its placement makes it easily accessible for the driver and the passenger. You can activate the touchscreen with voice control or with your handwriting. The infotainment offers wide-angle visibility for your ease.

The infotainment comes alive with Genesis-connected services that include internet connectivity and a turn by turn navigation. More connectivity options include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and USB connectivity. With an AM/FM radio, you have a three months SiriusXM AM/FM/HD subscription with a radio data system.

For your music, there's a 12 speaker setup as standard. To get the surround sound experience, there's a Lexicon premium music system with 21 speakers and a premium amplifier. For assistive driving, you can avail the 12.3-inch 3D digital cluster that displays gauges, safety systems, location of surrounding cars, and activates driver attention.

Highlight Infotainment features of the 2020 Genesis GV80- 

• 14.5-inch infotainment display
• Genesis connected services
• Internet access
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• SiriusXM AM/FM/HD radio.
• Lexicon premium speakers

When the Korean brand lifted curtains from the GV80, the whole segment went numb. The eye-popping design of the GV80 is no less than a 100,000 dollar SUV. With its attractive exterior design, the GV80 sits atop the Hyundai-Kia M3 platform. In terms of size, the GV80 is the biggest offering Genesis in its span of existence.

What makes the GV80 special is its classic design that is a middle ground between boxy and aerodynamic. The 2021 GV80 has a massive chrome-trimmed grille at the front with quad LED headlamps. There are quad-LED tail lamps as well with twin chrome tip exhausts at the rear. The design is detailed with premium chrome accents.

The luxury design of the GV80 becomes sport with aggressive front and rear bumpers and sporty side skirts with optional running boards. The receding roofline ends with a rear window spoiler. From the side, you can see how the headlamps, air ducts, and taillamps are aligned smartly with the design.

You have standard 19-inch wheels with the base 2.5T trim, 20-inch wheels with the 3.5T trim and massive 22-inch wheels with the top-of-the-line 3.5T advanced plus trim. The 5-spoke wheels vary with the trim level. Genesis has truly nailed the design in terms of styling, practicality, and uniqueness.

Models	Genesis GV80	Lincoln Nautilus	Mercedes-Benz GLE 350	BMW X5
Curb weight (lbs)	4,707	4,142	4,608	4,828
Length (inches)	194.7	190.0	194.3	194.3
Width (inches)	77.8	76.1	76.7	78.9
Height (inches)	67.5	66.2	70.7	68.7
Ground clearance (inches)	8.1	7.9	7.1	8.4
Wheelbase (inches)	116.3	112.2	117.9	117.1

The hefty X5 has gained a lot of weight over the years that even the GV80 seems lighter. Genesis went all out to make the GV80 the best-looking midsize luxury SUV. With its massive 194.7 inch length, it is the longest SUV in its segment. The is kept clean of unnecessary curves and body lines, hence the average width. 

To keep the center of gravity on the lower side, the GV80 isn't very tall. However, it does have an 8.1-inch ground clearance which comes in handy with the AWD system. The massive GV80 might be the longest, but it has a smaller wheelbase than the GLE 350 and the X5. With its design and stance, it can put German brands to shame.

Highlight Exterior features of the 2021 Genesis GV80:

• Quad-LED headlamps
• Massive chrome grille
• Chrome exterior accents
• Aerodynamic bumpers
• Up to 22-inch alloy wheels
• Simple and clear design

Hyundai is innovating its cars with advanced safety and technology. The use of high-strength steel is common in high-end cars. Being a luxury vehicle brand, Genesis ensures proper safety inside the car. The same is the case with the GV80. For its advanced safety and structural integrity, it has been picked as the Top safety pick plus in its segment for the 2021 MY.

The standard safety features of the Genesis GV80 consist of 10 Advanced airbags, four-wheel ventilated ABS brakes, break-resistant glass, forward collision avoidance, driver attention warning, rear cross-traffic avoidance. The optional safety features include highway driver assist II with lane departure warning and lane-keep assist.

Standout safety features of the 2021 Genesis GV80:

• Four wheels ventilated ABS brakes
• Forward collision avoidance
• Driver attention warning
• Rear cross-traffic avoidance
• Lane departure warning
• Lane keep assist
• Break-resistant glass 

Genesis GV80 vs Lincoln Nautilus- 

In terms of exterior styling and design, the Lincoln Nautilus is the closest contender to the GV80. It also offers decent value for money with its luxurious features and offerings.

However, the Nautilus fell back in the race when the powerful base engine on the GV80 kicks in Also, you get better options and packages with the GV80.

Genesis GV80 vs Mercedes-Benz GLE 350-

The Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 is known for its comfortable ride, spacious cabin, and top-notch luxury features. The Genesis GV80 is a new entry in the midsize luxury SUV segment.

With its refined 4 cylinders, the GLE 350 feels underpowered in front of the GV80. Also, it cost a lot more than the base Genesis GV80.

Genesis GV80 vs BMW X5:

The BMW X5 is the toughest rival to the Genesis GV80. As the X5 is a sports-oriented luxury SUV, it offers a much powerful base engine.

Still, the GV80 takes over when it comes to comfort, entertainment, and practicality. At the cost of an X5, Genesis offers the better valued 3.5T trim with more power and options.

Genesis has started a new era by stepping into the luxury SUV segment. As midsize SUVs have huge demand, it can turn out to be a huge success for the Korean brand. The GV80 is a live example of true value for money. Who knew that someday Hyundai will step up against the luxury brands from Europe.

The Genesis GV80 is being appreciated for its unique design, performance figures, lavish cabin, and luxury comfort features. Safety and technology go hand in hand with the 2021 GV80. No compromises have been made to set the bar as high as possible for the rivals. With the smart pricing strategy, Genesis is ready to roll.

The available trim levels offer countless standard and optional features. Getting a GV80 will be a whole new experience as it is unmatchable. Like every other car, the GV80 has minor setbacks, still, that won't harm its newly earned reputation. For a starting price of $48,900, the 2021 Genesis GV80 is worth every penny.