Should You Buy a 2021 Genesis GV80?

Fresh off its arrival, the all-new Genesis SUV has been the talk of the town. Whether it’s for its breathtaking design or its standard equipment, the GV80 is making its entrance with a bang.

First of all, the first thing I noticed when I got home with the GV80 was my neighbour’s eagerness to come over and look at it up close and personal, saying “you’re trying out a Bentley? Woah!”. Well, while I can see the similarities to the Bentley SUV, I can’t help but think what a Grand Slam the designers at Genesis have pulled off.

If you go back a few years, a Genesis was then just a top-of-the-line model at Hyundai and that’s it. Now, Genesis is a full-fledged brand with five distinct models, the GV80 is one of the latest offerings from the Korean manufacturer.

Two engines are offered on the 2021 GV80, a 2.5L 4-cylinder as well as a 3.5L V6. Both engines are turbocharged and mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. They develop 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque and 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque respectively. The Genesis SUV also comes in four distinct versions, 2.5T Select, 2.5T Advanced, 3.5T Advanced and 3.5T Prestige. Prices range from $64,500 for the entry-level model to $85,000 for the 3.5T Prestige.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 comes to play in the segment of the Audi Q7, BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE, Lexus RX and Porsche Cayenne. Can it also come and get its share of the market or is it too late?

But the question to ask yourself, and the one you’re here to answer, is the 2021 GV80 a good choice or not? Let’s go.

Why You Should Buy a 2021 Genesis GV80:

• True to South Korean tradition, the GV80 offers a lot of bang for your buck. The entry-level model is much better equipped than its competitors for much less money.
• A beautifully sculpted design makes it look like it belongs in the super-premium segment.
• The interior also exudes luxury. The finish and ride quality is superb.
• Another point worth mentioning is the 5 year/100,000 km warranty Genesis offers on the GV80, which includes regular maintenance at no charge.

Why You Should Not Buy a 2021 Genesis GV80:

• The reliability of the 2021 GV80’s engines is, at this point, unknown as it is fairly new.
• That said, the big question mark when it comes to the powertrain is the eight-speed automatic transmission. It’s smooth, though not very fast, but could cause huge headaches down the road.
• The three-row, 7-passenger configuration is only available on the 3.5T version of the GV80.

Conclusion:

The 2021 Genesis GV80 has everything to appeal to buyers shopping for a luxury SUV. The design is there, the comfort is there, the abundance of equipment and technology is there, even one of the best warranties in the segment is there. In short, it easily holds its own against the competition.

That said, with the simplified Genesis buying experience, I would have liked to have been able to choose some options. For me, the 2.5L 4-cylinder model is perfect for an everyday car. However, not being able to have it with three rows of seats or the superb electronically controlled suspension with road preview is slightly disappointing.

But the GV80 is in its first year on the market, so they’ll probably adjust along the way. Now, go ask for a test drive, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.