The advent of new model-year cars and SUVs means we too have gotta move ’em out, so here’s a scattershot roundup of recent Genesis brand drives — the high-end Hyundai luxury label that’s gradually grabbing a few more owners from German and Japanese brands, even here in Colorado. I just had a pleasant re-experience with the 2025 version of the very first Genesis I ever drove, the large GV80 SUV, a Prestige-level trim priced at over $81,000. A new, swept-roof Coupe model arrives this year, to directly compete with similar German models.
Ours was the traditional SUV shape, with room for five and more quilted Nappa leather and suede headliner than you can imagine possible. As I noted, it’s the nicest automobile interior this side of a Lincoln, with a beautiful cabin layout, simplified but glossy controls and seats that perch you in a posture-forward position, and then electronically enhance that each hour that you’ve been on the road. There are also automatic cologne dispensers – happily depleted before my drive and satin-glass-touch infotainment and HVAC controls like a new phone, plus interesting multicolored wood grain on the dash.
The two oversized knobs are indeed either infotainment or transmission controls; learn which is which quickly. You’ll have to decide if mirror-styled exterior highlights seem a little gauche to you, but the 22-inch wheels, the crosshatched wire grille and Bentley-esque face are all very imposing touches, as well as exhaust ports that.