2021 Genesis GV80 SUV priced from $90k in Australia with 3 engines

The forthcoming 2021 Genesis GV80 will be available with two specification levels and three engines when it launches in Australia this October, the brand revealed this afternoon. Designed to compete with the BMW X5, Audi Q7 and Mercedes-Benz GLE, the first crossover SUV by the Genesis – the luxury brand of the Hyundai conglomerate – will be available from $90,600 (plus on-road costs) in Australia.

In a move clearly designed to challenge the established German options in the large luxury SUV segment in Australia, two of the three available engines for the Genesis GV80 will be refined, high-torque six-cylinder units. All three motors are new.

Meanwhile, in a shot across the bow of base models from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi, the GV80 will include a substantial range of luxury equipment as standard – including heated and ventilated front seats, a 14.5-inch infotainment system, 21-speaker premium stereo and new five-star crash rating-mandated safety technologies like automated intersection emergency braking and a centre airbag.

Kicking off the range at the $90,600 price point is a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 224kW of power and 422Nm of torque. As the entry point to the 2021 GV80 range in Australia, this engine will provide the lineup’s sole five-seat option and also be the sole rear-wheel-drive GV80 for Australia. AWD – which combines with a third row bringing seating to seven – will be a $5,000 upgrade for the 2.5-litre turbo petrol.

The six-cylinder ranks commence with an eagerly-awaited three-litre straight-six turbocharged diesel engine that will appeal to those who tow. The GV80 diesel makes 204kW of power and 588Nm of torque, making it the most muscular – by torque – of the engines available. AWD and seven seats are standard for the six-cylinder cars. The diesel six is priced at $103,600.

From there, it’s a step into a 3.5-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine – the unit Genesis is labelling the GV80 ‘flagship’ motor. This engine produces 279kW of power and 530Nm of torque, and is priced at $108,600.

All GV80 variants utilise a Hyundai Group eight-speed torque converter automatic gearbox, while the two six-cylinder variants are also fitted with an electronically controlled, mechanically locking limited slip differential on the rear axle for additional handling prowess. Michelin is supplying the tyres for the GV80 range, which will measure 265/50 R20 on the four-cylinder, and 265/40 R22 on the six-cylinder variants.

Standard specification will include a safety suite that stocks forward AEB with car, pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane tracing assist with road edge recognition, rear cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring by radar and camera, active cruise control with stop and go, automated high beam, junction emergency automated braking, and 10 airbags.

Included kit inside takes in genuine leather and wood trim, with a 12-way adjustable driver’s seat and heating/ventilation for the front pews plus a power-adjustable steering column. There’s a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation and DAB radio plus wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Audio is served up by a 21-speaker 1,050-watt Lexicon by Harman stereo, while there is a separate rear temperature control, ambieint lighting and a panoramic sunroof.

A Luxury Package priced at $10,000 will bring a particularly opulent set of features to the GV80. These include quilted Nappa leather upholstery, 18-way adjustment for the driver’s seat, heating and ventilation doubling to the second row, tri-zone climate control, soft-close doors, a digital instrument cluster, noise cancellation, a heated steering wheel, power sun shades, a suede headliner and power-operated second and third row seats.

The GV80 will be covered by a five year, unlimited kilometre warranty – and the purchase price will include five years or 50,000 kilometres of scheduled maintenance, with a scheme that will see a Genesis service centre pick up and return your vehicle while leaving you with a loan car, mirroring a service offered with Lexus cars in Australia since that brand’s inception.

2021 Genesis GV80 Australian pricing

GV80 2.5T RWD: $90,600

GV80 2.5T AWD: $95,600

GV80 3.0T diesel AWD: $103,600

GV80 3.5T V6 AWD: $108,600