The Truth is Powerful
Enlarge Image The GV80 is a sharp-looking SUV. The 2021 GV80 is arguably the most important vehicle in Genesis ‘ lineup, especially given America’s seemingly insatiable appetite for SUVs . It’s a model that faces a lot of robust competition — from European automakers in particular. But the good news for Genesis is that the GV80 is, in a word, brilliant. My test GV80 has the base engine: a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-four, which puts out a healthy 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The GV80 uses an eight-speed automatic transmission and while rear-wheel drive is standard, this one has all-wheel drive. In the US market, this AWD system includes an electronic limited-slip rear differential, which helps with power delivery and handling. The all-wheel-drive GV80 2.5T is EPA-estimated to return 21 miles per gallon in the city, 25 mpg on the highway and 22 mpg combined. Over a week of testing, I saw 21.8 mpg.
The GV80’s ride is nicely controlled, and there’s a noticeable difference between the different suspension settings. In its standard setting, the GV80 nicely coddles passengers while driving over broken pavement or highway expansion joints. Still, nice as it is, the GV80 lacks the driving-on-a-cloud sensation […]