The GV80 almost looks like a Bentley, offers as much luxury as a Mercedes S Class, and yet does not cost a fortune. The GV80 is the first Genesis SUV, and it is loaded with tech and fantastic performance. Genesis had been launched a few years ago as a sub-brand to Hyundai, which essentially means that all Genesis are luxurious and feature-packed versions of Hyundai cars. The vehicle has been popular in the segment, and that is due to Genesis getting the formula for a luxury SUV correct in its first attempt.

Genesis has always offered tremendous value for money vehicles. It takes on any German competitor by offering similar performance, better luxury, and a much more affordable price tag. Even the running and maintenance cost of the Korean brands is not as high as their German counterparts. These factors have contributed to Genesis becoming a people's favorite regarding luxury and affordability.

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2022 Genesis GV80: A Touch Of Class

The 2022 Genesis GV80's Back View
via Genesis

Talking about the interior, there is a lot more plastic inside the GV80 compared to the German Rivals, and it is fair and acceptable considering the GV80 comes at a lower price point. What is fresh about the GV80 is the styling and thoughtful layout of controls. The interior feels modern and up to industry standards. There is a good use of soft-touch materials, wood finishing, and leather throughout the cabin. What is interesting about the vehicle is that it has a design language of its own, in the sense that it does not try to be or beat a German car. The controls are fairly easy to operate and are exactly where one expects them to be.

The resolution of the touchscreen display is crisp and clear. The 14.5-inch screen on the GV80 feels a bit out of proportion as it is horizontally longer than most vehicles and does take some time to get used to. 8 houses most of the vehicle's functions like Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and other multimedia functions. The seating of the GV80 is also spot on, as the front seats have a heating, ventilation, and massage function. The seats are electronically adjustable and have memory settings for up to 2 people. As standard, the Genesis offers two rows of seating and can seat five people. The third row of seats is an option and is best suited for kids. The interior also features a three-zone climate control that can cater to different temperature levels for all of its occupants.

2022 Genesis GV80: A Tech-Savvy Automobile

The 2022 Genesis GV80's Interior
via Genesis

The interior of the Genesis GV80 also leads in terms of technology and safety features. The driver has a Clear View of the 12.3 inches 3D Digital instrument cluster that provides a crystal clear image of the driving gauges and surrounding cars' location. Above these gauges is the 12-inch heads-up display unit that projects critical vehicle data on the windshield; this includes vehicle speed, navigation coma safety functionalities, and a few others. The vehicle can also be locked or unlocked by the compatibility of an Android phone, which makes accessing the car even easier as it does not require a traditional key.

In terms of safety, Genesis offers a lot of features as standard like adaptive cruise control along with semi-autonomous driving mode, automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and Lane departure warning along with Lane keep assist. While all of these features are standard on the GV80, its German counterparts usually offer similar features at a premium price as they are all optional.

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2022 Genesis GV80: A Practical Performer

The 2022 Genesis GV80
via Genesis

The main competition for the GV80 comes from two cars, in particular, the BMW X5 and the Mercedes Benz GLE. All these vehicles have their strengths like the Genesis has an engaging driving dynamic of the finely crafted interior along with a great fuel economy. The X5, on the other hand, has a healthy engine line up and sporty ride and handling and has a roomy cabin. The GLE also has a muscular engine lined up along with the plush, comfortable ride and excellent seating For the first and second row. Where all these three SUVs lack is, the third-row seating is fairly cramped for all of them.

The Genesis uses a 2.5-liter inline-four engine that produces around 300 HP. On the other hand, the BMW has a 3-liter inline-six engine that produces 335 HP; the BMW is the only one among these three that makes use of hybrid tech. The GLE, on the other hand, has a 2-liter inline-four that produces 255 HP. all three cars have rear-wheel drive as standard and all-wheel drive as an option. Its German rivals are fairly close in terms of performance and tech compared to the Genesis, but where the Genesis outshines them is in terms of pricing. The Genesis GV80 starts at around $50,000, while the X5 is priced at $59,000, and the GLE is priced at around $55,000. This pricing is for the entry-level trims of the respective manufacturers. Even when the top trims of all these vehicles are compared, the Genesis undercuts both its German counterparts by around $5000. Considering the overall pricing, tech, and performance, the Genesis GV80 is a Stellar value for money proposition when considering a luxury midsize SUV.

Sources: US News, Genesis, Car and Driver.