Genesis GV80: Towing plus Sex Appeal
Oct 12, 2023
Like boats, vehicles present some needs to compromise. There are two good uses for an SUV: towing your boat and schlepping your gear and family. A third attribute for the Genesis is turning some heads at the marina or boat club when you show up dockside.
Let’s start with functionality. The GV80 is rated at 2,722 kg towing capacity. That means it’s perfect for pulling a 25-foot bowrider and trailer or a normal pontoon boat. On the sailing side, that means easy work to tow a Shark24 or even an Etchells 22, but a J88 might mean it’s time to get a Chev Suburban or an Infiniti QX80, both of which have another 1,000 kg of towing capacity but a somewhat higher sticker price. We will get to aesthetics and dimensions in a minute.
good space for gear with power folding rear seats
The third attribute is the one that takes the Genesis up a notch. It is a sleek, modern, and very attractive ride with a luxury interior and a long list of equipment attributes that you will appreciate. Like small things – the rear seats have a power fold-down button which is great but there is a second button beside the tailgate opening so you can fold those seats down remotely as you load in gear. A small thing, but when you’re holding something heavy like a dinghy outboard, it’s a welcome convenience.
Handsome dockside
Back to looks for a sec; beauty is in the eye of the boat owner, but for a pretty large vehicle, the GV80 looks very sporty on the outside while the interior delivers restrained swank all the way. Seats are yummy comfortable; the ride is cushy without being marshmallow and the cabin is very noise insulated. Power rear sunshades, surround view monitors, parking warnings, front and rear collision alerts, and tons more are pretty well de rigueur in the 2024 luxury world. The GV80 adds a pretty fine heads up display, electronically controlled suspension and an optional third row of seats. Big screen display is expected these days, but the Genesis takes it a little further with wide screen multi-view that shows you several angles, like back up and aerial view (in HD), at once as well as radio, heater, and other controls. After you drive for a bit, it seems normal, but in the context of what was available even five years ago, it’s quite impressive. Oh yeah, the sound system is really nice!
launch with style
If trailering or simply arriving in style is on the agenda this is a fine choice. It’s considerably more compact than a Suburban (70cm shorter) and about the same size as a Jeep Cherokee. Some folks like the big American vehicle look but is the techy, jazzy luxury esthetic is what you’re after this could be the baby for you!
-John Morris
