2021 Genesis GV80 3.5T Advanced Plus in Cardiff Green (a $500 option)
2021 Genesis GV80 3.5T AWD Advanced Plus
Class: Premium Midsize SUV
Miles driven: 496
Fuel used: 29.5 gallons
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | A- |
| Power and Performance | B |
| Fit and Finish | B+ |
| Fuel Economy | C |
| Value | B |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide’s impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | B |
| Tall Guy | A |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. “Big” rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, “Tall” rating based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 375-hp 3.5L |
| Engine Type | Twin-turbo V6 |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| Drive Wheels | All-wheel drive |
Real-world fuel economy: 16.8 mpg
Driving mix: 65% city, 35% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 18/23/20 (mpg city, highway, combined)
Fuel type: Premium gas required
Base price: $65,550 (not including $1045 destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: Cardiff Green metallic paint ($500)
Price as tested: $67,095
Quick Hits
The great: Posh, comfortable cabin; quietness; long list of available comfort and convenience features
The good: Satisfying acceleration; confident, distinctive styling
The not so good: Mediocre observed fuel economy; steering and ride composure aren’t quite at the level of class leaders
More Genesis GV80 price and availability information
CG Says:
When Korean automaker Hyundai launched its Genesis luxury division for the 2017 model year with a lineup of traditional passenger cars, many industry observers thought that the lack of SUV offerings hampered the fledgling brand’s chances for success. The Genesis G90, G80, and G70 sedans are all fine vehicles that stack up very well to pricier rival models, but the bottom line is that cars just aren’t selling as well as crossover SUVs are, and a brand can’t be a serious player in the luxury or mainstream categories without an SUV lineup.
Hyundai’s Genesis luxury brand gets its first SUV in the form of the new-for-2021 GV80–a midsize crissover aimed at established competitors such as the BMW X5, Lexus RX, and Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class.
It didn’t take too long for Genesis to remedy that situation. The new-for-2021 GV80 launched as Genesis’s first SUV, and the smaller GV70 is launching as a 2022 model. We got our first taste of the GV80 as a 2.5T Prestige AWD model, which is the top version of the GV80 with the standard 300-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine—you can check out our review of that vehicle here.
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The GV80 boasts a clean, sophisticated dashboard layout with classy materials and an extra-wide infotainment screen. The center console is home to a rotary-dial gear selector and an unusual circular infotainment control interface. (The infotainment screen itself also has touchscreen functionality, which we found easier to use than the console interface).
This time around, we got to sample the GV80’s step-up engine choice—a 375-hp 3.5-liter turbo V6—in an all-wheel-drive Advanced+ model. We’ve experienced this engine before in the 2021 Genesis G80 sedan, and appreciated its authoritative acceleration and all-around refinement. In terms of quietness and smoothness, as well as acceleration, it’s a notable upgrade from the base 2.5 four. However, rear-world fuel economy declines from the 4-cylinder GV80’s already mediocre numbers. In tests that consisted of a similar mix of city/highway driving, we averaged just 16.8 mpg in our V6 GV80 tester, compared to 19.2 mpg in the 4-cylinder version. The majority of the GV80’s comparable class rivals do better.
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The front seats and second-row seats are comfortable and nicely trimmed, with plenty of space for most adults.
Genesis is following a curious strategy for the GV80’s available third-row seat—it’s available only on the 3.5T Advanced+ model. So, if you want third-row seating with a 4-cylinder engine, or with the premium full-lux features of the Prestige trim (which include 22-inch wheels, soft-close doors, 3D digital gauge cluster, power-adjustable ventilated second-row seats, and upgraded leather upholstery), you’re out of luck.
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The GV80 offers a third-row seat, but only in the 3.5T Advanced+ model, where it’s standard. Space in the third row is rather cramped, so it’s best suited for kids or occasional short-trip use.
For many buyers, that won’t be a big issue. That third-row area is rather cramped, so the seats are best suited for children or occasional use for short trips. And when the third-row seats are in use, the rear cargo area isn’t particularly spacious—it’s big enough for a medium-sized grocery run and not much more. Still, we appreciate having the passenger/cargo-hauling versatility of a third row for situations when an extra seat or two is necessary, like giving your kid’s classmate a ride to baseball practice.
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The turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine pumps out a healthy 375 horsepower, for satisfyingly robust acceleration. Twenty-inch alloy wheels are standard on Advanced models; Prestige models get flashier 22-inch wheels.
Comparing the as-tested prices of our two GV80 test vehicles is illuminating. Aside from the Advanced and Prestige trim-level upgrades, the only options are extra-cost paint colors and accessory items such as a reversible cargo tray and a rear bumper applique. So, even though it forgoes the Prestige-trim features of our two-row 4-cylinder GV80 test vehicle, the bottom-line price of this three-row V6 is $2270 more: $67,095, compared to $64,825. The prodigious V6 power and third-row seat should be worth that premium to a good number of shoppers, and overall, the GV80 compares favorably price-wise with its European competition.
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It took a while to arrive, but the Genesis GV80 is an attention-getting entry in the premium midsize SUV class. It offers distinctive styling, a nicely trimmed cabin, and a generous selection of luxury features, along with strong acceleration in the 3.5T models. However, fuel economy is subpar, and the ride composure is a step behind class rivals.
Check out the Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast
2021 Genesis GV80 3.5T Advanced Gallery
(Click below for enlarged images)
2021 Genesis GV80 3.5T
2021 Genesis GV80 3.5T
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The base engine, which comes in LX, LXS, GT-Line, and EX models, is a turbo 1.6-liter 4-cylinder that makes 180 horsepower and is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Optional on LXS and GT-Line is all-wheel drive in place of the standard front-wheel drive. The AWD system (the first offered in Kia’s midsize sedan) comes with a snow mode for better all-weather performance.
