By Paul Gover.
The Genesis GV80 saved the life of Tiger Woods.
The champion golfer was driving the Korean company’s flagship SUV when he crashed last year on the way to a golf tournament in California in a prang that could have been much worse.
Woods will recover from his injuries as surely as Genesis is making friends – and ground – as the upmarket arm of Hyundai.
Genesis first hit the target in Australia with the sporty and enjoyable G70, a great introduction for potential buyers who are considering a value pick in the Benz-BMW zone that has been under-appreciated so far.
It has really cranked things up with its all-new flagship G80 – replacing a dowdy original – and GV80, using a combination of great design and impressive mechanical work to create cars that deserve more than just a passing look in the prestige world.
The hero SUV is a three-row, full luxury model priced from just over $100,000 and available with both petrol and diesel engines.
The GV80 has a distinctive and classy design, a cabin that is truly sumptuous, and drives very nicely despite its considerable heft. It’s also a proper three-row family bus.
There are a couple of interesting moments from the get-go in the GV80, as the winged Genesis badge is somewhat similar to an Aston Martin log. Several people made the mistake and were impressed with the new ‘Aston’, but then one car fan made the connection and was full of praise for the Genesis.
It’s hard not to be impressed by the GV80.
Side inside and the leather is creamy and comfortable, there are giant infotainment screens, and all the luxury you want – and more than you need – in the class. That means a whisper-quiet cabin, lots of cupholders and USB ports, as well as multi-zone aircon and punchy premium sound.
There is some silliness, like background noise tracks that can (badly) replicate a log fire, rain and more, and even a rear-seat paging system to crack down directly on troublesome kids.
As a drive, the petrol-powered GV80 is strong in a straight line with a solid shove from its 3.5-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, has a predictably plush ride, and can also hustle around corners.
It’s still big and heavy, something you notice when braking and parking, but no worse than a bunch of others in the class including benchmark luxury SUVs from Audi and BMW.
The big new Genesis is a landmark car for the brand, which Hyundai is pushing in the say way Toyota has done since 1989 with Lexus, and truly impressive.
There is lots to like and almost nothing to complain about, apart from a potentially underwhelming response from badge snob friends and neighbours.
GENESIS GV80
Position: prestige seven-seater SUV
Price: from $108,600
Engine: 3.5-litre V6 petrol twin-turbo
Power: 279kW/530Nm
Transmission: 8-speed manual, all-wheel drive
Safety: 5-star ANCAP
Plus: real luxury at a value price
Minus: not a proven luxury brand
THE TICK: well deserved
Score: 9/10
