[Test Drive] Genesis Perfects Its First Hybrid Formula: "GV80 Hybrid"

Quiet as an EV when setting off
352 PS, exhilarating acceleration
Luxury and quietness, all in one

Hybrid vehicles from the five domestic automakers currently in operation are nearing the 3 million mark, with 2,926,196 on the road as of the end of September. Combining the advantages of internal combustion engines and electric vehicles, hybrids are no longer a new technology that surprises us.

But Genesis's first hybrid model, the GV80 Hybrid, demonstrates a high level of technical refinement. I drove the GV80 Hybrid around Seoul over three days and two nights, from October 28 to 30. It left me with the impression that it brings together the many strengths expected of a hybrid from a premium brand that has grown into a global player.

Genesis GV80 Hybrid. Genesis

Genesis GV80 Hybrid. Genesis

Aside from the front grille pattern and wheels, there are few exterior changes. The vehicle is slightly longer (by 10 mm), and the interior is largely similar, with only a few additional color options. With the GV80 already established as a premium model in Korea, Genesis has made the safe choice of leaving the design largely untouched.

When you take your seat and press the start button, it feels like you are getting into an electric vehicle. The engine remains quiet, while the car prepares to drive using electricity alone.

Even when you press the accelerator, the vehicle runs on electric power alone, much like other recently released hybrids. It is designed to make extensive use of EV mode, using the motor from the moment it starts moving until it reaches about 30 km/h, in order to minimize the vibrations and noise that can occur when the engine is running.

The biggest change becomes apparent once you hit the road: the powertrain. The 2.5-liter turbo engine is paired with a P1 starter motor, which starts the engine and generates electricity, and a P2 drive motor with a maximum output of 59.1 kW, which drives the vehicle and provides regenerative braking. These components are arranged in a parallel hybrid configuration. The combined maximum output is 352 PS, about 16% higher than the 304 PS of the GV80 2.5 Turbo.

Genesis GV80 Hybrid. Genesis

Genesis GV80 Hybrid. Genesis

On congested city commutes, the vehicle delivers strong acceleration, despite its large, near-full-size body, whether overtaking the car ahead or pulling away from a traffic jam. The engine turns on during acceleration, but the change in driving feel and the noise are minimal. Genesis says it is the first hybrid system to use a centrifugal pendulum absorber (CPA), which creates vibrations opposite in phase to those of the engine to cancel them out. The effort put into quietness is evident.

The suspension quickly settles the vehicle after it passes over speed bumps or uneven roads. A smoother ride is achieved with stiffer front and rear springs, as well as dual-valve electronically controlled shock absorbers that reduce impacts in real time.

I drove 44 km from Yeouido along Gangbyeonbuk-ro, crossing Olympic Bridge and continuing to Asia Media Tower. The fuel economy came to 11.9 km/L. Although I drove in Sport mode during the morning commute, fuel economy was close to the combined rating of 12 km/L. Drivers who focus on fuel-efficient driving may be able to achieve even better mileage.

Despite its large body, parking was not difficult, thanks to a range of convenience features, including a surround-view monitor and rear parking collision-avoidance assist. I also tried the smart parking assist feature. After identifying a parking space, the vehicle controlled its own steering and movement to park, which could be useful for drivers who are not confident parking.

Genesis GV80 Hybrid. Reporter Oh Hyungil

Genesis's hybrid vehicles are said to have come about in response to strong demands from U.S. dealerships. In that sense, the move is aimed at the U.S. market. That does not make the vehicle any less appealing to Korean consumers, however. Genesis's luxury and the comfort of a hybrid, which differs from that of an electric vehicle, give it a strong presence among recently introduced hybrids.

At 76.8 million won, it also appears competitively priced against imported rivals. One disappointment is its relatively unremarkable vehicle operating system, compared with Pleos, the next-generation infotainment platform, and Gleo AI, the artificial intelligence (AI) agent being installed in recent Hyundai Motor Company models.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.