Know who’s killing it? Well, sure, the NRA, but that’s not what we’re talking about. We’re talking about the Hyundai/Kia/Genesis triumvirate. With a stacked line-up across all three nameplates, they’re becoming ever more dominant, with their more German than German styling and performance. Granted, they’re in the midst of a seven-year low, sales-wise, but those same performance indications point to a stronger 2020.
While Hyundai and Kia strike this writer as being maybe a little too similar to the Chevrolet/Pontiac relationship, both brands are successfully serving their respective markets. Genesis, on the other hand, is sitting comfortably a tier above. They compare favorably to their luxury competition, be it BMW or Lexus.
One thing that Genesis hasn’t done, though, is offer an SUV. It’s an interesting exclusion when you think about how important the profit margin of high-riders is too manufacturers’ bottom-line. With a winning platform to underpin their sedans, it’s curious that they haven’t introduced a large-grilled ‘ute, even if it were little more than a rebadged Santa Fe.
Gotta Give Credit for There Not Being a Genesis-Badged Santa Fe
Instead of recycling an existing product, Genesis has once again demonstrated what’s making them different. Riding on an all-new rear-drive platform, the forthcoming GV80 will be the Korean brand’s first SUV. It will hit the market for 2021 and features two engine choices. The first is a 2.5-liter inline-four that produces a turbocharged 290hp and 310lb-ft of torque. This is the same powerplant that currently propels the Sonata N-Line.
The second engine is a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6. This will be an all-new engine that, along with the drivetrain, will underpin future Genesis products and stay exclusive to the brand. Specs haven’t been released for this motor yet, but it should offer a significant bump in power over the smaller I4. Both engines will be paired to an eight-speed automatic.
All-wheel-drive will be available with a Multi-Terrain feature which will be great for all those Genesis owners looking to drive through sand and/or mud. A limited slip-differential will optimize power-output, though these Genesis off-road drivers surely don’t need electronic assistance to get through rough terrain.
Both five-seat and seven-seat configurations will be available, housed inside a luxury-level interior. The aesthetic leans toward clean-and-simple, with a 14.5-inch display eliminating the need for buttons and knobs to clutter the dash. Thankfully climate controls will continue to be physical. Anyone living in a colder climate can appreciate not waiting for an infotainment unit to load before cranking the heat.
The Genesis GV80 Looks Exactly Like You’d Imagine It To
Driver info, including navigation, will be an augmented reality projection on the windshield, with a controller in the center-stack for choosing relevant information. The usual bundle of driver-assists will be included, too. One interesting is the inclusion of Smart Cruise Control with Machine Learning (SCC-ML.) A novel take on active cruise control, this version will learn to mimic the driver’s style and apply it to the other driving-assist programs. What this looks like in real-life will be interesting to see.
The outside styling is fairly typical for the segment. It’s large. There’s a massive, gaping grill. Lighting features are ultra-modern. It totally looks like something a rich asshole would be driving. As mentioned above, it’s more German than German.