CarBuzz was invited down to Miami, Florida for the US debut of the 2021 Genesis GV80, the company's first SUV model. While we didn't have an opportunity to drive the GV80, we had ample time to sit in the car and get some first impressions of it. We believe the GV80 will be a class leader in the luxury segment, much like the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade are in the mainstream market. Part of the GV80's potential success will hinge on its fabulous interior. In fact, we've picked out five specific details of the GV80's cabin that we think you should pay attention to.
1. New Infotainment
The infotainment system that Genesis currently uses in its vehicles is perfectly adequate. But as with all automotive-related areas, there is always room for improvement. The GV80 houses its updated infotainment system on a larger 14.5-inch screen, which still has touch functionality for quick access. Most drivers will likely opt to use the new control knob, which combines directional arrow buttons with a swipeable glass touchpad.
The system feels similar to what Acura and Lexus use, but this Genesis system feels more intuitive and less distracting because it only needs directional swipes from your finger rather than constant touch. And in typical Genesis fashion, the GV80 has plenty of physical buttons for quick access to the map, navigation, radio, media, and settings.
2. Quilted Leather
If you want to jazz up a luxury interior in 2020, you add quilted leather. That is exactly what Genesis did with the GV80. Base models may not have the same level of upscale feel you see here but the examples we sat in were simply exquisite. The soft leather chairs feature diamond quilting in the first and second rows and there's even a quilted leather pad on the center console for the passenger to rest their knee. On higher trim models, those amazing seats will be heated and ventilated in the first and second rows and the first row will also offer a massage function.
3. Lots Of Screens
Many automakers are starting to replace analog gauges in their vehicles with varying levels of success. Hyundai recently started doing this in the Palisade and Sonata and now Genesis has taken these efforts to the next level. We didn't have much of a chance to play with the GV80's digital gauges but they looked very well-designed when we hopped in the driver's seat.
The center screen is also well-designed and features the same familiar layout we've come to love from Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis infotainment. Some of the climate controls have also been replaced by a touchscreen but Genesis has not made the mistake of replacing functions such as temperature adjustment with touch controls.
4. Metal Knurling
When it comes to luxury interiors, the details matter. Genesis has gone all out with the GV80's cabin and it clearly shows in the little details. All of the knobs and button surrounds feature knurling, a process of impressing a diamond-shaped or straight-line pattern into a surface. The result is high-quality touchpoints throughout the cabin, which are supplemented by expensive leather, wood, and glass surfaces. All of the details you touch in the GV80 feel expensive.
5. Luxury For All
The GV80 features heating and ventilation in the first and second rows. Even high-dollar SUVs like the Mercedes-Benz GLE and BMW X7 don't have ventilation in the second row. This means you will be comfortable in the GV80 no matter where you sit. Well, the third row doesn't seem very comfortable for larger adults, but no SUV of this size features a massive third row, so we'll give Genesis a pass. At least access to the third row comes with the simple press of one button and both the second and third rows can be folded using controls mounted in the cargo area.