Hyundai continues its pushinto the luxury SUV segment with the Genesis GV80.

The Korean car industry is at record levels of confidence and the latest evidence of this is Hyundai’s Genesis GV80.

What Lexus is to Toyota, Genesis is to Hyundai. It is the brand’s luxury division and does a tidy trade in the United States and other select markets.

The newest Genesis vehicle is a large SUV which shows that Hyundai isn’t afraid of competing in the large luxury gravel travel market.

Named GV80, this is Hyundai’s idea of an XC90-type rival. It features a strong design with split-level head- and taillights. The grille has an imposing hexagon pattern finishing too.

The platform architecture for GV80 is rear-wheel drive, although there will be an all-wheel-drive option too, for those who require the additional traction.

In concept, this is a luxury touring SUV, not a dedicated adventure vehicle. So don’t expect the most advanced traction control or low-range gearing.

Powering the GV80 is an advanced turbodiesel engine. Displacing 3-litres in capacity, this diesel engine will be of interest to followers of the Hyundai brand. It boosts 205 kW and 588 Nm of torque, driving through an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The GV80’s cabin features an array of advanced comfort technologies. One of the more impressive innovations, concerns noise management, with tiny speakers capable of producing road noise mitigating sound waves.

Recognising that luxury SUVs travel great distances, driver fatigue management was a major design goal for the GV80 team. To ensure optimal comfort for whoever is at the controls, the driver’s seat has seven active air cells.

The steering wheel is a two-spoke design and most of the materials and trim appear to be top quality. Infotainment interfacing is via a 14.5-inch centre console touchscreen.

Although Hyundai does not market its premium Genesis vehicles in South Africa, there could be a possibility that the 3-litre turbodiesel engine mayeventually come here. In another Hyundai product, such as the brand’s forthcoming double-cab bakkie.

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