2022 Genesis GV80 3.0D AWD Six-Seat Luxury Pack review
The Genesis GV80 thumbs its nose at the luxury SUV establishment with its blend of opulent styling and healthy equipment list.
- Impressive and refined diesel powertrain
- The (optional) second row oozes comfort
- Five years’ free servicing
- Interior design won’t be to everyone’s tastes
- Virtually useless boot with third row of seats in use
- Occasionally fidgety ride on 22-inch alloys
Introduction
It seems somewhat incongruous to start this road test from the second row. But that’s exactly what we’ve done with the 2022 Genesis GV80 we have on test here. Why? Because it’s fitted with the optional Six-Seat Luxury Pack that brings a level of sumptuousness to the second row that is this large SUV’s reason for being. And it’s the best place to enjoy what the GV80 has to offer.
Before we get there, let’s look at the Genesis GV80. In short, it’s the Korean brand’s take on the luxury large SUV segment, staring up at the mighty plateau occupied by a pantheon of luxury SUV greatness.
BMW X5, Audi Q7, Mercedes-Benz GLE, Lexus RX, and Range Rovers Sport and Defender occupy the high ground, ready to fend off the challenges of a neophyte contender looking to topple – or at the very least be considered alongside – the established order.
No easy task for a fledgling brand, made all the more difficult by Genesis’s relative lack of brand awareness here in Australia. But, what the brand lacks in awareness, it makes up for with keen pricing and even keener levels of equipment.
The Genesis GV80 range comprises a choice of three engines, a single rear-wheel drive and three all-wheel-drive variants.
The four-GV80 range starts with the $92,000 (plus on-roads) for a rear-wheel drive powered by a 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine. Those wanting all-wheel drive will need to find another five grand, the all-paw version asking for $97,000 (before on-roads).
All-wheel drive and 3.5-litre turbocharged V6 power underpins the flagship GV80 and its $109,500 price tag, while those who prefer diesel power can plump for the GV80 3.0D that pairs a turbocharged inline six-cylinder diesel with all-wheel drive and a $105,000 (plus on-roads) starting price. It’s the GV80 we have on test here.
But, our GV80 is fitted with the $13,500 Six-Seat Luxury Pack, bringing the as-tested price to $118,500 plus on-road costs. That pricing undercuts its main competitors, and by a decent margin.
Comparing like-for-like in terms of powertrains – six-cylinder turbo diesel, all-wheel drive – the BMW X5 starts at $124,900, while Merc’s big GLE oiler wears a $136,881 price tag. Audi comes close to matching the Genesis, if only on price, its Q7 priced from $109,100 to $128,300 depending on specification.
So, not only does the GV80 undercut its main rivals on price, it does so with a list of standard equipment that places the competition in the shade. It’s too long to elucidate here. Instead, head over to our 2022 Genesis GV80 pricing and specifications list here.
But, is a long list of standard equipment married to an undeniably striking package enough to lure buyers from the establishment? Let’s find out.
| Key details | 2022 Genesis GV80 3.0D AWD |
| Price (MSRP) | $105,000 |
| Colour of test car | Barossa Burgundy |
| Options | Six-Seat Luxury Package – $13,500 |
| Price as tested | $118,500 |
| Rivals | BMW X5 | Mercedes-Benz GLE | Audi Q7 |
Inside
The GV80’s interior is unashamedly ‘blingy’. Genesis has gone all-out to distinguish itself from its German rivals, and never is this more apparent than in the cabin that has undeniable ‘wow’ factor. Austerity? Leave that to the Germans.
Instead, everything from the design of the steering wheel to the quality materials throughout screams luxury in a way that Aston Martin might, as against an Audi.
Our test car was fitted with the $13,500 optional Six-Seat Luxury Package, which bundles in a swag of goodies almost too numerous to list.
The headline act is in the name, though, the six-seat pack replacing the second-row bench that comfortably sits three abreast in regular GV80s with two plush and supremely comfortable armchairs. This is a vehicle designed to be enjoyed from the second row.
And those who do will enjoy a limousine-like ambience with technology and comfort in spades. As well as the sumptuous – heated and cooled – armchairs, electrically adjustable and reclinable, the second row features a fixed central armrest that serves as the nerve centre for the GV80’s back seat infotainment and climate settings.
Each seat is equipped with a high-definition 9.2-inch touchscreen, each with a headphone jack and USB points that allow for video and music streaming. A note to the wise with squabbling kids, though. If the second-row passengers elect to watch a video, they’ll need to reach agreement as the system can only stream one video to both screens.
The centre armrest itself features a pair of cupholders and a wireless smartphone charging tray, as well as beautifully damped volume controls, while Genesis’s crystal-look ‘Integrated Controller’ can be used to scroll through those impressive screens.
The Six-Seat Luxury Pack brings a swag of other interior goodies to the front seats as well as the back. A full nappa leather interior with diamond quilting is the most obvious change over regular GV80s, and can be optioned at no cost in a variety of colours with contrasting genuine wood trim.
The centre console is as imposing as it is functional, with a pair of cupholders, a wireless charging pad, a generous felt-lined central storage bin with padded bi-fold lid, and Genesis’s integrated controller that can toggle through screens and menus on the massive 14.5-inch infotainment screen.
While the integrated controller looks a bit chintzy to my eyes, its cut crystal aesthetic redolent of my grandmother’s side table ornaments, it more than proves its mettle once on the move. More on this in the infotainment section below.
The third row is where cracks start to appear. Firstly, getting in and out of seats five and six requires some deft manoeuvring, not always graceful and elegant. Once ensconced, there’s an adequate amount of space, although it’s not the last word in long-distance comfort. Still, Genesis has made a bit of an effort with cupholders back there, a feature often overlooked in three-row SUVs.
Of course, being a six- (or seven-) seater brings a level of compromise. That’s felt keenly in the storage bay. With all three rows of seating in use, there’s a barely-there amount of room for a couple of pieces of smaller luggage or a few bags of shopping. A family-hauler for a week-long road trip this is not.
Fold the third row flat – electrically via buttons located in the cargo area – and capacity improves to a decent 727L. That expands to a generous 2144L with the second-row seats electrically stowed away. Lift up the carpeted boot floor and you’ll find a cargo blind housed in its own section, as well as some cargo nets for when you want to secure your items.
There’s no spare wheel, not even a space-saver, the GV80 in this spec making do with a tyre repair kit – long a bugbear of ours here at Drive.
No bugbears for the overall cabin presentation, though, even if it is a little too ostentatious for our tastes. It’s a style that will suit some buyers’ tastes, and for those, the Genesis GV80’s interior is nothing short of remarkable.
| 2022 Genesis GV80 3.0D AWD | |
| Seats | Six |
| Boot volume | N/A seats up / 727L third row folded / 2144L second row folded |
| Length | 4945mm |
| Width | 1975mm |
| Height | 1715mm |
| Wheelbase | 2955mm |
Infotainment and Connectivity
A large 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen sprouts elegantly from the soft-touch dashtop, and it’s at once elegant and intuitive. The resolution is excellent, with graphics that are crisp and highly defined, highlighted by the system’s home screen that features native mapping blending into a night-time cityscape that wouldn’t look out of place on your HD television at home.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring are standard, although it should be noted you’ll need to connect via a cable. No wireless connectivity here.
The augmented-reality satellite navigation makes route guidance effortless. The system uses a forward-facing camera to project live real-time street views onto the screen with directional arrows that indicate where and when to turn. It works in tandem with more traditional top-down mapping projected alongside. It’s an excellent system.
A 21-speaker Lexicon by Harman sound system provides crystal-clear audio, no matter the source of your sound. As an added bonus, the Genesis includes a selection of ambient sounds – forest, ocean, rain and more – designed to provide a soothing environment. It’s neat in a use-it-once kinda way, although my eight-year-old kid was happy for me to run through the entire catalogue. She thought it was cool.
One gripe about the Genesis’s excellent infotainment set-up is the positioning of that impressive touchscreen, which is difficult to access while driving. It’s simply out of reach for all but the longest-limbed members of the family, meaning any changes on the move need to be effected via the crystal-cut ‘integrated controller’ housed in the centre console. It works fine, to be fair, but personally I find it fiddlier and counterintuitive to use than simple on-screen gestures and touches. It’s a minor gripe.
A large 12.0-inch head-up display projects critical driving data directly onto the windscreen. It’s as good as any we’ve experienced with clear information – including route guidance – displayed boldly yet unobtrusively.
The driver display features a mix of traditional dials – albeit digital – and a smaller central area for displaying trip data and the like. The highlight here is the rearward-facing camera projection that displays the GV80’s blind spots in one of the two dials – speed or tacho – whenever the indicators are in use. It’s not a new technology, but it’s one we’ve grown to love, and like everything else in the GV80, the resolution and imagery are second-to-none.
That feeling is only amplified with the Genesis’s system of cameras that provide not only an all-around view of the vehicle’s surroundings, but also allow you to move the projected image on the touchscreen to provide better angles of the surrounds, which is particularly helpful when trying to park in tight spaces.
Safety and Technology
Australia’s safety body, ANCAP, scored the Genesis GV80 all-wheel-drive diesel five stars when tested in 2021.
The large SUV earned 91 per cent for adult occupant protection, 88 per cent child occupant, and 66 per cent vulnerable road user, while its safety systems scored 79 per cent.
Of particular note are perfect scores in side impact crash, pole oblique, and far-side impact crash testing.
A suite of modern safety tech is standard across the range and includes autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, driver attention monitor, and an exit warning system that signals a warning when it detects a cyclist or car approaching from behind as you open the door.
Additionally, opting for the Luxury or Six-Seat Luxury Pack brings rearward autonomous emergency braking, which is handy for those parking manoeuvres or when backing out of driveways.
A suite of 10 airbags, including a front-centre ’bag, cover all three rows.
| 2022 Genesis GV80 3.0D AWD | |
| ANCAP rating | Five stars (tested 2021) |
| Safety report | Link to ANCAP report |
Value for Money
That the Genesis GV80 undercuts its major rivals on price shouldn’t come as a surprise. As a challenger brand, it’s incumbent on the manufacturer to enter buyers’ consciousness, and what better way to do that than offer a product that is significantly more affordable? For Genesis to then bundle in standard equipment levels that are usually found on exceedingly long options lists in other brands is just icing on the value cake. You can read up on the full equipment lists of the 2022 Genesis GV80 range here.
Servicing and maintenance is another area where the GV80 kicks goals, and big goals at that. The listed maintenance schedule is 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first, and will cost you exactly $0 over the first five years or 75,000km under the brand’s Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance Plan.
Further, if you live within 70km of a Genesis service centre, a representative will come to your home or workplace to collect your vehicle, while also providing a courtesy car for the duration of your GV80’s workshop visit.
| At a glance | 2022 Genesis GV80 3.0D AWD |
| Warranty | Five years / unlimited km |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Servicing costs | Complimentary (5 years) |
There’s also five years of roadside assistance, while Genesis covers the GV80 with its standard five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
Genesis claims the GV80 with its 3.0-litre turbo diesel will consume 8.8L/100km. Our week with the luxo-SUV, over a variety of typical-use conditions, returned an indicated 10.3L/100km.
Fuel Consumption – brought to you by bp
| Fuel Useage | Fuel Stats |
| Fuel cons. (claimed) | 8.8L/100km |
| Fuel cons. (on test) | 10.3L/100km |
| Fuel type | Diesel |
| Fuel tank size | 80L |
Driving
While the GV80 with the Six-Seat Luxury Pack is undoubtedly an SUV best experienced from the second row, at some point one actually has to get in and drive it. And for those who do, the experience is a good one.
Under the bonnet, a 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbocharged diesel makes 204kW and a decent 588Nm. An eight-speed automatic transmission sends those outputs to an on-demand all-wheel-drive system.
Despite its 2267kg heft, Genesis says the GV80 in this spec can cover the sprint from standstill to 100km/h in just 6.8 seconds. That’s not too far shy off hot hatch pace and certainly plenty enough for most.
Around town, the big lugger does a decent job of belying its size, quickly and comfortably shrinking around you. It doesn’t feel big, which is especially handy when navigating tighter inner-city enclaves.
That generous torque number is on tap from barely above idle at 1500rpm and stays on full song up to 3000rpm. The result is a large SUV that can move away briskly or accelerate comfortably without breaking too much of a sweat.
The eight-speed automatic is slick and intuitive, and does an excellent job of selecting the right ratio at the right time.
Out on the highway, the smooth diesel barely raises a sweat, while inside the cabin all remains calm and serene. Genesis has done a decent job with its sound deadening, mitigating not only engine noise, but also isolating occupants from the worst of the usual wind and tyre noise.
The ride around town remains cushioned, although sitting on standard-fit 22-inch alloys does the GV80 no favours. It can feel a little jittery, particularly over the type of battle-scarred surfaces that are prolific on our road network. It’s not terrible, but you are aware of the road surface underneath you.
Adaptive dampers in this spec can be set to Comfort via the drive-mode selector, and they do an admirable job of softening up the ride experience.
So too does the GV80’s neat Road Preview Electronic Control Suspension set-up, which uses a forward-facing camera to monitor the road surface ahead for larger imperfections – such as potholes or speed bumps – and adjust damping forces appropriately. Certainly, we found navigating speed bumps a comfortable experience, the GV80 ironing out the worst before settling confidently back down with negligible, if any, tell-tale wallowing.
The sweet spot is certainly out on the highway, with long stretches of smooth blacktop the ideal canvas to showcase the GV80’s comfort-focussed tuning.
The GV80’s all-wheel-drive system can be switched through a number of specific terrain modes – from dirt to snow and the like – and works in tandem with a limited-slip diff at the rear to send torque to the side needing it most, which is ideal for those low-grip moments.
Towing? Genesis claims a weirdly specific 2722kg braked and more conventional 750kg unbraked. The towball download is rated at 182kg.
Despite its large dimensions, the GV80 has a turning circle, again oddly precise, of 11.98m. Call it 12m and be done with it, Genesis!
| Key details | 2022 Genesis GV80 3.0D AWD |
| Engine | 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo diesel |
| Power | 204kW @ 3800rpm |
| Torque | 588Nm @ 1500–3000rpm |
| Drive type | All-wheel drive |
| Transmission | Eight-speed torque converter automatic |
| Power to weight ratio | 90kW/t |
| Weight | 2267kg |
| Tow rating | 2722kg braked, 750kg unbraked |
| Turning circle | 11.98m |
Conclusion
The styling of the Genesis GV80, particularly inside where its unashamedly ostentatious interior pokes fun at the more conservative and staid cabin executions of its rivals, won’t be to everyone’s taste. But, those who do appreciate a touch of plush will find a welcoming home. The addition of the Six-Seat Luxury Pack only amplifies that feeling with its opulent second-two treatment.
But as headline-grabbing as row two is in this optional specification, it’s the GV80’s refined diesel powertrain that feels effortless, whether in town or out on the highway, that is the main attraction. It is, in a word, a gem.
Throw in five years of free servicing and it’s hard not to be impressed by a brand that has yet to reach the awareness of those it’s looking to conquer.
The 2022 Genesis GV80 3.0D should appeal to buyers who place an emphasis on value without compromising on luxury. The GV80 has that last quality in bucketloads. And if you opt for the Six-Seat Luxury Pack, prepare to let someone else drive. Or pay for someone else to drive you. Once you experience the plush back seats, you won’t want to sit anywhere else.
The post 2022 Genesis GV80 3.0D AWD Six-Seat Luxury Pack review appeared first on Drive.
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