Genesis-gv80 (2023) Review

THE tourist and his wife walk slowly up the museum drive.

A car catches his eye, my car or at least the test car. In classic dark green, it stops him in his tracks and a smile crosses his craggy face. He looks the leviathan up and down then glances at me and says “nice Bentley” – except it’s not.

Midway through the week my partner suddenly decides to comment on the car. “We haven’t had a Bentley for a while,” she says approvingly. “Nice.” Except it’s still not a Bentley.

Strange comments but I’m not surprised. The first time I spotted a Genesis SUV it was at a driving event and ironically it wasn’t even the car I was there to drive. “Wow, that’s a nice Bentley,” I thought to myself. “It’s a really modern take on a luxury SUV.” It is that, indeed, but it’s not a Bentley.

So what is this mysterious, prestigious machine? It’s a Genesis, in this case the daddy of them all, the GV80, and while undoubtedly luxurious it’s a third of the cost of a Bentley.

This seven-seater 4x4 has staggering presence and draws the eye of everyone in its company, whether they are interested in cars or not.

I absolutely love the looks, the perfect proportions, the immense grille and double-decker lights fore and aft. It is curvaceous and sensual, bold and strong.

GV80 proves to be the perfect companion for a long haul to Scotland. Firstly, the comfort levels are off the scale. The interior could be from any of the most luxurious marques with glorious trim, stunning levels of equipment and beautiful quilted Nappa leather. It is just such a wonderful place in which to reside and as the hours pass by there is little impact on the mind, body or soul. The interior is so relaxing I could sit there all day, so I do.

The views are magnificent thanks to the height of the vehicle and large areas of glass. With a powerful 2.5 litre turbo charged engine and quick-changing eight-speed automatic gearbox the GV80 is incredible to drive. Suspension is plush but the Genesis is happy to go round bends and it rides our appalling roads with aplomb.

In what is a sumptuous interior, operation of all the controls could not be easier and while it is technically advanced it is also incredibly intuitive and easy to use. The cabin ambience is finished off nicely by one of the best car hi-fis you will ever hear – courtesy of Lexicon. It’s like being in a concert hall.

GV80 is a gargantuan SUV but unlike many in the sector it doesn’t feel it and is surprisingly manageable and manoeuvrable. Even the tight spaces of a multi-storey car park in Edinburgh trouble the Genesis little and it’s a doddle to park in small places thanks to beepers and cameras all round. For the really tight spots you can move the car backwards and forwards on the key while you are outside the vehicle which is brilliant and the best party trick ever.

Just press the button on the remote for about five seconds, the engine fires up and you can press the arrows to move forwards or backwards. The car creeps along for as long as you hold down the button all kept in check by the car’s radar sensors.

Big car, powerful engine, two tonne weight, this might add up to poor economy and sure enough if you use great chunks of its 304PS your miles per gallon will be mid 20s. Go easy and you can see the right side of 32mpg. But at least it’s got a big tank so you don’t need to visit the pumps that often.

Don’t forget that this is a four-wheel-drive and it is really effective. What’s the next slipperiest thing to ice and snow? Wet grass. How I’ve whiled away the hours watching cars struggle up the steeply inclined school field, generally to fail in a flurry of mud and grass. Pointing up those same fields in the GV80, I engage the 4x4 and it moves off as if it is on dry tarmac, it’s so impressive.

When it comes to cars I can be a little fickle and am soon ready to move on to the next model, but not so with Genesis. The whole range is appealing and I’m very sorry to see the GV80 go. It may not be the car that people think it is but it’s just as good in every way.

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