If you have a hundred grand to spare and you're looking for luxury on four wheels, your first inclination would likely be to check out the shop windows of various Euro prestige brands.
In recent years, you might also have scanned the products of that upstart South Korean line – Genesis. It’s the upmarket label applied to a lineup of attractively priced, good looking and reliable vehicles produced by Hyundai.
My ride in the 2021 Genesis GV80 came hot on the heels of drives in a variety of BMWs and Mercs. All fabulous cars but the GV80 impressed me equally on all counts and especially the sticker price of just over $70,000 at the time.
Now roll up that redesigned 2025 GV80 with the big 3.5-litre power plant, please. The top of the line Prestige trim, with 3.5-litre, twin turbo V6, I tested recently clocks in at $95,500. The 2.5-litre, 300-horsepower, versions start at $75,000 and are worth more than a look.
In many ways this piece is less of a test drive and more of a test ride. Yes, I can and will tell you about its road prowess but forgive me, there’s going to be a lot more on the ooh-aah factor of this luxury ride.
Ok, let’s satisfy the gear heads first then they can go about their day and then the rest of us can luxuriate in the car’s excesses.
It’s a big boy sport ute but it handles like a sprightly sedan half its size. The V6 purrs and the responsive suspension offers an ever so comfortable drive, even on those bumpy US freeways. In fact, it even detects pot holes ahead and adjusts the ride accordingly. No idea how, but it does.
Little detectable lurch and roll on fast-taken, corners. Does anybody really do that during the normal drive of an SUV loaded with a family of seven in this case? I did it because the test driver’s manual said I had to.
It’s naturally no slouch on the acceleration front; moving through the 8-speed automatic transmission very smoothly, Yes, my racer friend, it has shift paddles so you can play F1.
All GV80s are all-wheel drive, which has its benefits in rural Canada, though I doubt owners will see it as their ultimate off-roader.
A feature I loved: hit the turn signal and get a camera view from the left or right side of the dash to make sure it is safe to change lanes.
Should mention that those who find parking in their own obstacle-strewn garage a challenge will love the key fob: hit the hold button to move it forward and backward remotely from outside the car!
If you care, the fuel economy is 14.4/10.6/12.7 L/100km (city/highway/combined). By the way, it will tow 6,000 pounds, which would bring those numbers down somewhat. It probably prefers to tow yachts and cruisers rather than caravans. After all, what self-respecting GV80 owner is going to stay in anything less than a 4-Star hotel?
That said, you might be happy to snooze in the living room-like cabin and here we go with the lux.
Get this: it has an IMAX-like screen in the shape of a 27-inch OLED widescreen display, which integrates the instrument cluster and touch screen navi. Very easy to work with while at the wheel, no noticeable distraction from keeping your eyes on the road ahead!
Click on the Mood Curator option and it offers four different modes: Vitality, Delight, Care and Ccomfort. No, I’m not making this up.
When activated, the system lifts the window shades and plays background music through the surround audio system. It turns on the LED ambient lighting, and sprays one of three chosen aromas. In the Care and Comfort modes, it activates the massage seats and reclines the seats. Ahem, but not when you are in your personal driving mode.
The system also provides Over-the-Air software updates for map and multimedia software and vehicle modules.
Finally, we get to the really important stuff: a more easily accessible and functional smartphone charging tray and – drum roll, please – enlarged console cup holders. No more need be said.
