2021 Genesis GV80 Unveiled for Real This Time

Text By GUILLAUME RIVARD                                                                                                                              Photos by Genesis

No more partial information and obscure images: Genesis finally and officially unveiled its first-ever SUV, the GV80, during a special event at the Korea International Exhibition Center near Seoul.

Inspired by the GV80 Concept first shown at the 2017 New York Auto Show, the new 2021 Genesis GV80 will go on sale in its home market later in January. In North America, we’ll have to wait a few more months.

Embodying “Athletic Elegance,” the design is a collaboration between Genesis design studios located in South Korea, the United States and Germany. Similar to the 2020 G90 sedan, it features a massive pentagonal grille with a diamond pattern, a sharply sculpted hood and a “Quad Lamp” signature upfront.

The dual lines of the headlights are carried over to the front fenders and taillights. Wheels up to 22 inches in size complement the sleek body made of high-strength steel and lightweight aluminum.

Available with two or three rows of seats, the interior replicates the diamond motif most notably on the seats. The feeling of space is emphasized by the clean look of the dashboard and center stack (the latter with numerous flush-mounted controls) and also by the ultra-wide 14.5-inch infotainment display.

Take a gander at the electronic, shift-by-wire transmission base with dial-style shift and the nearby touchpad with handwriting recognition allowing users to set a destination or enter phone numbers without having to operate a keyboard on the screen.

Of course, there is no shortage of cutting-edge technology in the 2021 Genesis GV80: augmented-reality navigation, active road noise control, active motion driver’s seat for reduced fatigue, automatic cabin air purification, etc. Furthermore, the electronically controlled suspension uses information from the GPS and a pair of front cameras to scan the road and optimize ride comfort.

When it comes to advanced safety and driver assistance features, Genesis likes to brag about its Highway Driving Assist II system and Smart Cruise Control with Machine Learning. The latter is a world-first using artificial intelligence to independently learn driving patterns and essentially make the vehicle more autonomous.

As for the technical aspect, the GV80 is based on a unique rear-wheel-drive platform. In Canada, all-wheel drive will be standard across the line and mated to a multi-terrain control system with sand, mud and snow modes.

Forget about the 274-horsepower inline six-cylinder diesel offered in Korea. We’ll get two turbocharged gasoline engines instead. The first is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that will be shared with the G70 following its mid-cycle update, while the second is a brand new 3.5-liter V6. Output has not been specified, but look for an eight-speed automatic transmission in both cases.

Additional details including prices for the 2021 Genesis GV80 will be released closer to its North American launch.