Page 20 - Motor Trend (April 2020)

NEWS I OPINION I GOSSIP
Intake
2021 Genesis GV80
FIRST DRIVE
otorTrend was among a handful
of foreign press invited to
MSeoul for the global debut of
the Genesis GV80 midsize SUV, which
went on sale immediately after in South
Korea. It will arrive in North America in
the fall, starting at about $48,000.
Power comes from a modified version
of the new Smartstream 2.5-liter turbo-
four, adapted for the rear-wheel-drive
vehicle. There’s also a new 3.5-liter twin-
turbo V-6 that appears poised to replace
the 3.3-liter turbo V-6 in Genesis’ lineup.
In the GV80, they will mate to an eight-
speed conventional automatic controlled
via a rotary gear selector in the center
console. Genesis has no plans to give the
GV80 a dual-clutch unit.
The new GV80 has an electronically
controlled suspension with an inte-
grated road preview function that uses
forward-facing cameras and navi-
gation information to scan the road
ahead for bumps; once an imperfection
is detected, the suspension primes
to make it all but imperceptible to the
20 MOTORTREND.COM APRIL 2020
Although the body structure is made
from high-strength steel, the doors,
hood, and tailgate are fashioned from
aluminum to lighten the load.
occupants. It’s not designed to cross soaked up bumps. There are no plans for
the Rubicon, but the GV80 does have an air suspension, but the springs will be
all-wheel drive and a terrain management tuned to deliver a more spirited ride for
system with sand, mud, and snow settings North America. Braking was smooth with
for added traction. The system works no unnecessary biting. It was hard to
with the electronic limited-slip differen- gauge steering with so much straight-line
tial located at the rear axle. driving, but it felt well centered and held
Inside, you’ll find exquisite ash wood steady. We found the cabin quiet enough.
trim and quilted leather in a minimalist It wasn’t a cocoon, though; rumble strips
theme; the few hard buttons and switches on the drive were still evident.
reinforce the clean and simple look. Soft This first of three planned Genesis
materials cover every surface, from the SUVs—the others are the smaller GV70
inside of the door handles to the quilted and a midsize electric SUV—is significant
kneepads that line the lower sides of the not only through its mere existence but
center console. Genesis says the seats are also because it rides on a new, brand-
the most advanced to date. specific platform that will be used for the
A 14.5-inch, split-screen-capable next G80 midsize sedan. Alisa Priddle
display sits atop the dashboard. If you
don’t like using a touchscreen keyboard, SPECS Base Price $48,000 (est)
Vehicle Layout Front-engine, RWD/AWD,
the GV80 has handwriting recognition
5-7-pass, 4-door SUV Engine 2.5L/295-
via a touchpad. The GV80 also comes with hp/315-lb-ft turbo DOHC 16-valve I-4 (est);
road-noise cancellation technology as 3.5L/385-hp/395-lb-ft twin-turbo DOHC
well as a host of driver assist technologies. 24-valve V-6 (est) Trans 8-speed auto
Curb Weight 5,100 lb (mfr) Wheelbase 116.3
On a short drive from Seoul to Incheon
in L x W x H 194.7 x 77.8 x 67.5 in 0-60 MPH
and back in the Korean-market 3.0-liter 6.8 sec (MT est) EPA City/Hwy/Comb Fuel
I-6 diesel, the softly sprung steel springs Econ Not yet rated On Sale in U.S. Fall 2020