The GV80 is the first SUV from Genesis, and it’s likely to put Hyundai’s luxury brand on the radar screen for many buyers. We found it to be quick, quiet, beautifully-appointed, and enjoyable to drive. Its two biggest downsides—a frustrating infotainment system and sub-par fuel economy—could give buyers pause when shopping against other luxury midsized SUVs such as the Audi Q7 and BMW X5, though.
The driving experience is an absolute treat, thanks in large part to our test vehicle’s uplevel turbocharged V6. It belts out a super-smooth 375 horsepower and gets up to speed lickety-split, running from 0 to 60 mph in 6.0 seconds, making it one of the quickest in the class. The eight-speed automatic transmission works in perfect harmony with the engine, providing nearly imperceptible shifts exactly when the driver needs them. Unfortunately, our tested model only managed 18 mpg overall, which is a few mpg behind the GV80’s direct competitors. All-wheel drive comes standard.