Genesis GV80, the Korean luxury SUV arriving in 2020

It has been almost three years since talk of the Genesis GV80 began, a luxury SUV from the brand spun off from Hyundai. A car we have been eagerly awaiting, and which already has a launch date: it will be available in South Korea within a few weeks and will subsequently reach the international market. The final design follows the one presented at the time and, although there are changes to adapt this model for production, it looks just as spectacular as we expected.

The Genesis GV80 has been designed by design teams in South Korea, the United States and Germany and is intended to let enthusiasts of this type of vehicle in Asia, America and Europe find what they are looking for. One of the most visible changes compared with the concept model is the front grille. In the production version, a larger and less stylised grille has been adopted than the one we saw at the time.

Here the design line of Genesis has been followed, as already seen in the Genesis G90 2020. This means it is large, has the pentagonal shape expected of this brand, and light blocks that give it a very recognisable light signature.

Inside, the design has opted for a minimal number of physical controls, with one screen for climate control and another dedicated to the infotainment system. The instrument panel is fully digital, although some photos have also shown traditional instrumentation. This version, however, is believed to be available only in South Korea. At least in principle.

The two-spoke steering wheel is another visible and defining element of the interior. Also notable is the inclusion of a rotary gear selector, which returns after being replaced by a conventional gear lever. As for the SUV’s capacity, the Genesis GV80 will be available in a two- or three-row seating configuration.

It is built on a dedicated Genesis platform, which allows both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, helping to cover the needs of future buyers. As for engines, only those that will be offered to Korean buyers are known.

It will go on sale with three drivetrain options, although at launch there will only be a 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel engine producing 278 CV and a maximum torque of 589 Nm, with 0 to 100 km/h acceleration in 6.8 seconds. A few weeks later it will be available with a 3.5-litre turbocharged V6 engine producing 380 CV and a maximum torque of 530 Nm, reducing the 0 to 100 km/h acceleration to 5.7 seconds.

A third option will be a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo engine, with 300 CV and 422 Nm of torque. It is not yet known whether these models will be the ones reaching international markets, but it is possible that both America and Europe will receive these powertrains. The price is currently unknown, so we will have to wait a little to learn the cost of the new Korean Premium SUV.