During the past couple of years, Genesis, Hyundai’s luxury division, was knowns for its excellent sedans and the comfort which these vehicles delivered. But now, the South Korean automotive company has decided to change things a little bit. Therefore, this summer, we will have a chance to see a brand-new 2021 Genesis GV80 SUV.
That’s right, from now on, Genesis will develop SUVs as well. No doubt, the arriving luxury model will have plenty of features that will please the customers. One of the things that the GV80 will borrow from the other models in the lineup is a rear-drive architecture, which is based on a G80 sedan. The mid-size SUV will come in 5-or 7-seat configuration, with a 2.5-liter turbo-four and 3.4-liter turbo V6 powertrains.
2021 Genesis GV80 Platform, and Exterior Design
2021 Genesis GV80 mid-size crossover will ride on a rear-drive platform, the same one as in G80 sedan. Yet, some rumors stated that the upcoming model would borrow underpinnings from the Palisade or even Kia’s Telluride. But, the official announcement from the company confirms that the crossover will have a sedan-based architecture. The available all-wheel-drive system offers an electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential. Of course, the RWD is an included setup as well.
Moreover, you’ll find three beneficial mode settings: sand, mud, and snow. One of the coolest features of the upcoming GV80 is that the adaptive dampers respond to the info from the camera from the road ahead. Therefore they soften the shock absorbers before the vehicle reaches bumps. However, this feature will be exclusive for the upper trims only. The highlight of the whole exterior is the diamond-mesh grille shape, borrowed from the current G90.
But, the SUV will add accumulated horizontal head-and taillamps, to achieve a more distinct look. Likewise, the rounded fender forms and arched roofline will visually divide the crossover form Kia’s and Hyundai’s SUV models. The GV80 will ride on large 22-inches wheels. The Korean color options are vibrant, but we still don’t have info regarding the US color palette.
The Interior Will Offer High-Level of Comfort
As for the cabin, 2021 Genesis GV80 brings an ultra-wide 14.5-inch display above the dashboard, and the driver will interact with the screen via a click-wheel controller on the center console. Also, a 2-spoke steering wheel comes with a minimal number of switches. But, that’s already a usual thing when it comes to Genesis models.
However, the GV80 will have an exclusive electronic instrument cluster with a 3D effect for the gauges, and it will be standard through all trims. Furthermore, the interior is covered in leather with diamond-pattern stitching and multiple 2-tone color treatments. The passengers will enjoy massaging seats and active noise cancellation.
On top of that, power-adjustable rear seats are available as well. If you are an audio lover, you’ll need an optional Lexicon premium sound system, with 21-speakers configuration. The upcoming crossover will offer Highway Driving Assist, which emulates the specific style of driving of the user. Moreover, the GV80 will borrow from Benz’s ability to overlay driving directions on a street image given by the forward-facing camera.
2021 Genesis GV80 Engine, Release Date, and Price
Under the hood of 2021 GV80 will be two engine options. The base powertrain is a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder mill. At the moment, the final output and torque ratings of engines are still unknown. But, taking into account that the same drivetrain powers the Kia Optima GT, we expect to see around 285 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. The second option will be a newly developed 3.5-liter V6 unit, turbocharge as well.
This unit is similar to the 3.3-liter turbo V6 mill, which powers the brand’s sedans. The 3.3 -liter V6 engine produces 365 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque. But we assume that the total output of the GV80 will exceed those figures. One thing is sure, both of these mills will use an 8-speed automatic transmission. The main competitors on the US market will be BMW X5, Lincoln Aviator, and the Lexus RX. The price will be revealed just before the official release in the summer.
