The first-ever Genesis SUV has made its North American debut and is already making its presence felt in South Beach. The Genesis GV80 is the brand’s latest offering as it introduces “Young Luxury” and puts the old guard on notice in the process. With Super Bowl LIV nearly upon us, Genesis chose Miami as the perfect backdrop for the SUV’s Stateside debut. In a packed house of partners, media, and friends of the brand, we were in attendance as Genesis Motor North America CEO Mark Del Rosso unveiled the latest interpretation of their iconic “athletic elegance” design language.
You can see why the Genesis G90’s mid-cycle refresh was such a departure from its previous years even when most just expected a few slight edits. The brand’s signature Quad Lamp graphic leads the way, utilizing the simplest of lines to communicate the brand’s distinct identity. The new Crest Grille helps to make for a grand entrance, but does so with proportions and attention to detail in mind.
The “V” in GV80 stands for versatility, giving us a crossover-like design in a mid-size SUV dimension that’s aimed at being your mobile oasis. Every touch point has been refined with purpose as Genesis wants to ensure our journeys are stress-free, regardless of the destination. The GV80’s Road Active Noise Cancellation is an industry first and leverages the science of digital signal processing to quiet the cabin. For longer journeys, the world’s first active motion driver seat will leverage air cells to reduce fatigue from long hours of driving. If you prefer to be driven, one-touch comfort controls allow for limousine-level relaxation in the second row seats. Heated and ventilated seats are available for the first two rows as well. And yes, there is a third row.
With soft materials covering every surface and quilted leather finishing the seats, Genesis has spared no expense to deliver a truly refined interior. Tech is managed through a 14.5-inch, split screen infotainment display that sits front and center atop the dashboard. Genesis is minimizing the number of buttons and switches you see to simplify the experience. Underneath it all is a ton of advanced safety tools helping to keep passengers safe and comfortable, several of them being world-first technologies.
The Genesis GV80 is built on a rear-wheel-drive platform with all-wheel drive being optional. North America has the choice of two turbocharged engines, a 2.5-liter and a 3.5-liter option, both mated to an eight-speed transmission.
Look through the gallery to see some more of the Genesis GV80 and expect it to arrive in showrooms this summer. Also expect more details around pricing and performance to be released at launch.
