Genesis GV80

• The starting 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine offers a solid 300 hp of power and 422 Nm of torque. While the 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 motor gives 375 hp and 530 Nm of torque. Both engines get an 8-speed automatic transmission, with standard all-wheel drive.
• Not the most fuel-efficient SUV, but you can expect between 8 and 9 km/liter in KSA’s normal combined driving.
• The drive eases a lot with the 8-speed transmission, which is smooth and works flawlessly.  It reads road conditions ahead through navigation data and adjusts gear selection before you need it. This predictive logic makes highway cruising particularly effortless.
• The ground clearance adjusts automatically for easier entry and exit, a thoughtful touch for a luxury SUV.
• Rear-wheel steering improves driving significantly; despite the GV80's 4,945 mm length, you won’t find parking very hard; rather, it is quite manageable. The system reduces the turning radius noticeably, making city driving less stressful.

Some limitations:

• At times, you may feel that the steering lacks precision and feedback because Genesis prioritizes comfort over sportiness.
• You won’t get hybrid or diesel options available in the current KSA lineup.
• The 3.5L V6 is not the most efficient if you mostly drive in the city. The 2.5L is far better in efficiency, but may not have the punch. 

• City driving feels surprisingly manageable for such a large luxury SUV. The 360-degree surround-view monitor makes parking easier. Remote Smart Parking Assist 2 can park itself remotely using your key fob, making it suitable for tight spaces.
• The steering is smooth and has adequate weight and precision for confident driving. Electronic stability systems help with seamless driving, and you hardly feel any anxiety about the size of the SUV. 
• On the highway, Highway Driving Assist 2 combines adaptive cruise control with lane centering and automatic lane-change assistance. Once the turn signal is activated, the system checks blind spots and performs lane changes automatically if safe. Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control adjusts speed before curves and speed-limit changes.
• On highways, the adaptive air suspension takes care of any bump or uneven roads perfectly. Active noise cancellation and acoustic laminated glass make sure your every ride is comfortable and you arrive at your destination fresh. 
• The suspension has multiple automatic modes; on the highway, control increases stability at higher speeds, while on the rough road, management raises ride height when detecting uneven surfaces. The system adapts continuously without driver input.

Some compromises:

• One thing is clear: the handling is comfort-focused, not sporty. That means the GV80 is not for enthusiasts. The body roll exists during spirited driving.
• Wind noise becomes noticeable above 150 km/h if you drive that fast; otherwise, the cabin insulation is excellent.
• Ground clearance is suitable for paved roads and light trails only that we encounter across our cities and towns across KSA. The GV80 is a perfect city and highway SUV, designed that way primarily.

• The cabin gets Nappa leather seating surfaces, premium wood accents, and painstaking attention to details across every minor aspect of the cabin. The front seats come with heating, ventilation, and Ergo Motion massage functions. The second row also has heating and power recline.
• What you will find most fascinating inside the cabin is the massive 27-inch OLED curved display spread across the instrument cluster to the center console. You see split-screen functionality, including navigation, vehicle status, and entertainment in parallel. It is quick to use and highly responsive. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.
• Your entertainment needs are fulfilled by the Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system with 18 speakers, which undoubtedly offers excellent audio quality. The audio system uses aluminum speaker covers designed in Denmark and creates an immersive listening experience that makes your time in the car exceptional.
• Another special highlight of the Genesis is the Mood Curator, a unique interior ambiance system. It integrates adjustable ambient lighting, customizable fragrances, and preset themes like Vitality, Delight, Care, and Comfort. Each mode adjusts lighting, music, and scent to create a specific atmosphere. It sounds funky, but in reality, it enhances long drives.
• Digital Key 2 is here to transform your smartphone or smartwatch into the vehicle key. 
• The heated and sanitizing armrest connects to the seat warmer, while built-in UV-C LED lamps sterilize items during driving. You will appreciate this, as it includes practical features designed for the post-pandemic era. 
• The 5-seat is the standard configuration, while the 6-seater features independent second-row captain's chairs, and the 7-seater gets a power-folding third row. The third row operates electrically with one-touch controls.
• The boot capacity is 735 liters behind the second row. When the seats are folded, the available space is sufficient to accommodate all cargo needs. 

The Genesis GV80 blends Korean engineering with luxury features that try to challenge German dominance.

• There are 9 airbags covering driver, passenger, side, curtain and knee positions. The high-tensile steel safety cage with energy-absorbing crumple zones provides exceptional collision protection.
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2 detects vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. It predicts collisions at intersections and during lane changes, providing warnings and automatic emergency braking when necessary.
• Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist offers visual and audio warnings when vehicles enter blind spots. The innovative Blind-Spot View Monitor showcases real-time video in the instrument cluster during lane changes, showing exactly what's alongside you.
• Safe Exit Assist prevents rear doors from opening if approaching vehicles are detected. The system protects passengers exiting on busy streets. The Electronic Child Safety Lock remains active even if the button is pressed when danger is detected.
• Lane Keeping Assist and Lane Following Assist use front cameras to detect lane departures. It alerts the driver with haptic, visual, and audio warnings through the steering wheel, and if the driver does not respond, it takes the car back to the center.
• If you are reversing and if there is any approaching car, the Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist warns you. If there is a chance of collision, it automatically applies brakes. You will find this function useful when parking in crowded areas.
• Driver Attention Warning monitors steering patterns and issues alerts if drowsiness or inattention is detected. Furthermore, the system ensures the driver takes breaks during long highway driving; this is necessary to keep him fresh. 

What to Note:

Most of the top-end features are available in KSA; that is what we found in the test vehicles, but you need to verify the same of their availability and support at their dealers. For example, Highway Driving Assist 2 and Bang & Olufsen audio.

The advanced driver assistance systems provide support but certainly not the best, so paying attention is quite vital.