[Edaily Reporter LEE YUNHWA ] “It fully lives up to expectations for Genesis’s first hybrid (HEV) model.”

After driving the Genesis GV80 Hybrid for two days, what stood out most was the sheer driving satisfaction. After driving approximately 50 km in downtown Seoul, the cumulative fuel economy was 13.4 km per liter—a figure that exceeds the official combined fuel economy rating of 12.0 km per liter.

The most impressive aspect was the stable ride quality. The moment the car crossed a speed bump, the impact on the front wheels was transmitted smoothly, as if the edges had been rounded off, and the body did not sway even after the rear wheels had cleared the bump. This is thanks to the newly applied dual-valve electronically controlled shock absorbers, which independently manage the impact as the wheels rise and fall. Bouncing is reduced, and vibrations subside quickly. The refined suspension, which has been retuned to handle the heavier body resulting from the hybrid system, was clearly noticeable on everyday roads.

On the winding road leading to the Octagonal Pavilion on Bukaksan Mountain, I was reminded that this is a large SUV with a curb weight exceeding 2.2 metric tons. The body didn’t lean significantly in corners, and it remained remarkably stable even on rainy downhill stretches. The fact that heavy components, such as the hybrid control unit and battery, are positioned between the front and rear axles to maintain driving balance also plays a role.

Quietness is another of this car’s strengths. When pulling away, it accelerates quietly—much like an electric vehicle—with high torque. The engine does not engage until the drive motor’s output increases enough to shift into second gear, making the transition even smoother. Even when exiting the underground parking garage of an apartment building at speeds below 30 km/h, EV mode is maintained, eliminating the engine noise that typically increases during a cold start. Once the engine starts running, it maintains a consistent feel without frequent start-stop cycles. Every time you drive this hybrid, you don’t have to put up with the noise and vibration caused by the engine constantly turning on and off.

There’s no shortage of power either. The 2.5-liter turbocharged engine and the 59.1 kW drive motor are combined in parallel, resulting in a combined system output of 352 마력—16% higher than the previous 2.5-liter turbocharged gasoline model (304 마력). It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.1 seconds (according to Genesis’s own standards). Acceleration while cruising felt more substantial and solid than in the internal combustion engine model, and switching between driving modes—such as from Sport to Comfort—provided plenty of driving enjoyment.

The thrill of rear-wheel drive is still very much alive. Hybrids that maintain a longitudinally mounted engine and rear-wheel drive are rare even on a global scale. Rather than a sensation of being propelled forward during acceleration, there’s a sense of comfort as if being gently pushed from behind, creating an atmosphere befitting a luxury SUV. It’s also a welcome feature that buyers can choose between rear-wheel drive (2WD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) according to their preferences. Of the approximately 1.23 million new cars registered in Korea through September of this year, hybrid vehicles account for 34 percent—though the vast majority are front-wheel drive. Among rear-wheel-drive SUVs with a longitudinally mounted engine, hybrid models that offer a choice between 2WD and AWD are few and far between, even on a global scale.

The latest driver-assistance features also reduced driving fatigue. After a stop-and-go commute home, Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2) and the Driving Assistance Package II significantly eased the burden while driving on the highway in the city. On dark roads, when you turn on the turn signal, the system automatically and safely changes lanes, reducing even hazards that the human eye might easily miss. The capacitive steering wheel (HoD) detects the driver simply by resting a hand on it—without the need to periodically move the wheel—and continues to provide driving assistance. The transparent chassis surround-view monitor proved useful when parking. It renders the vehicle’s image on the screen transparent, revealing blind spots such as rocks or curbs beneath the car.

The GV80, Genesis’s first hybrid model, was well worth the wait. Throughout the drive, it was clear that this hybrid SUV—with its quiet operation, smooth ride, ample power, and comfortable driving assistance—is a model truly befitting the Genesis brand.