We lived with the Genesis GV80 to see why this luxury SUV is challenging German rivals

We lived with the Genesis GV80 to see why this luxury SUV is challenging German rivals, and the results are more complicated than a simple spec sheet suggests. While the 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine provides enough shove to rearrange your internal organs, it is the sheer audacity of the styling that makes the German establishment look a bit, well, invisible. The AWD system and 279kW of power ensure that this 2.3-tonne lounge room on wheels moves with more grace than its proportions imply. Whether it actually makes sense over a BMW X5 or Mercedes GLE depends entirely on how much you value being asked “What is that?” at every petrol station.

The Genesis GV80 and the luxury SUV hierarchy

If you are the sort of person who buys a car because of the badge on the nose, you can stop reading now and go back to your spreadsheet of Porsche finance options. The Genesis GV80 does not have a hundred years of history to fall back on, but it does have a grille that looks like it was stolen from a medieval knight’s face. I found that driving this in Brisbane is a bit like wearing a purple suit to a funeral: everyone notices, even if they are not quite sure it is appropriate. It is a massive, unapologetic statement of intent from a brand that was barely a whisper a decade ago.

The interior is where the Genesis really starts to make the Germans look a bit stingy with their options lists. I noticed that almost every surface is covered in something that once lived or was carved out of a forest: leather, wood, and actual metal rather than the “metallic-inspired” plastic you find in entry-level Mercs. The highlight is the 27-inch OLED screen that stretches across the dashboard like a widescreen cinema for your navigation maps. It is crisp, bright, and significantly more impressive than the iPad-glued-to-the-dash aesthetic found elsewhere.

However, not all that glitters is ergonomic gold. The rotary dial for the infotainment is located right next to the gear selector, and more than once I found myself trying to change the radio station only to accidentally put the car in neutral. There is also a UV sterilizer in the center console to kill the germs on your phone, which feels like a feature designed by a very specific type of person. It is a lovely place to sit, provided you have daintier fingers than mine and do not mind the occasionally laggy keyless entry system.

Performance is handled by a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine that produces 530Nm of torque from a remarkably low 1300rpm. On the road, this means the GV80 feels effortless rather than aggressive, gathering speed with the silent determination of a rising tide. It will do the 0 to 100km/h sprint in 5.6 seconds, which is plenty for an SUV that weighs as much as a small moon. The AWD grip is reassuring, though you should not mistake this for a sports car: it prefers a gentle cruise to a frantic dash.

Living with the GV80 and the AWD reality

Out in the real world, the Genesis GV80 behaves like a very tall, very heavy limousine. The suspension uses a camera to scan the road ahead for bumps, adjusting the dampers before you even hit the pothole. It is clever technology that mostly works, although the massive 22-inch wheels on my test car still found a way to let me know when the local council had neglected the tarmac. It is quiet, refined, and exceptionally good at isolating you from the chaos of the morning commute.

However, the 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine has a thirst that would make a sailor blush. During my week of mixed driving, I averaged about 13.4L/100km, which is a fair margin away from the official claims. If you are worried about the polar bears, this is probably not the vehicle for you, especially since there is no hybrid option currently available to save your conscience. You are paying for the smoothness of that V6, and the price at the pump is part of the deal.

The steering is light and accurate, but there is no hiding the fact that this is a large, 4.9-metre-long object. Parking requires the full use of the 360-degree cameras, which fortunately are among the best in the business. The Genesis GV80 comes as a seven-seater, though the third row is strictly for people you do not like very much or children who haven’t hit their growth spurt yet. With those seats folded, the cargo space is cavernous, easily swallowing more gear than the equivalent BMW or Mercedes.

Ownership is perhaps where the GV80 makes its strongest case. Genesis includes five years of free scheduled servicing and a concierge service that picks the car up from your house so you never have to visit a dealership. In a world where luxury is defined by time, not having to sit in a waiting room drinking bad coffee while your oil is changed is a genuine perk. It makes the $130,000 asking price feel slightly more palatable when compared to the Germans who will charge you for every floor mat and metallic paint option.

Ultimately, the Genesis GV80 is for the person who is bored of the status quo. It is for the buyer who wants a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine and a cabin that feels like a boutique hotel, without the baggage of a traditional prestige badge. It is not as sharp to drive as a Cayenne, nor is it as fuel-efficient as a Lexus hybrid, but it has more character than both combined. If you can live with the fuel bills and the occasional ergonomic quirk, it is a brilliantly executed alternative to the usual suspects.