Hyundai’s luxury brand Genesis continues to grow, starting to make its presence
felt with 1916 sales last year, up 85 per cent from 2022, now with far better supply.
I’ve just driven the 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol GV80 seven-seat all-wheel-drive SUV.
The flagship GV80 at $120,050 drive-away with an 8-speed torque converter
automatic. The GV80 oozes quality and refinement, the body feels bulletproof,
superbly insulated, and exquisitely detailed. Joining the upper echelon of
motoring Genesis knew they had to build something rather special, loaded with
luxury features and standout quality. I covered some long distances over the
holiday period and cruised at the open road limit achieving 8.3 L/100km –
impressive for such a large SUV. The GV80 has what Genesis calls a road preview
electronic control suspension – using a forward camera to scour the road surface
ahead for undulations and potholes, it then adjusts the damping force
accordingly. Genesis may not yet match the badge cachet or sales of Mercedes
and BMW’s large SUVs but in terms of quality, refinement, and fit and finish this
South Korean brand is up there with the very best – just so impressive in all it
does and offering a cost saving in the process. The only real disappointment – the
lack of a spare wheel.

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