Finally drove a 3.5T…honestly I was underwhelmed.

[Silverct9a]

I own a 2023 2.5T Prestige and finally got my appointment for concierge service last week. Well they dropped off a loaner GV80 3.5T Prestige with the 20 inch wheels - naturally I was pretty excited since I intentionally never drove the 3.5T during the buying process as this vehicle purchase was for the wife and I was hoping to save the 10k and not fall in love with the bigger engine - Thankfully I was pretty impressed by the turbo 4.

Long story short, I walked away pretty disappointed with the performance and only noticed a slight smoothness improvement with the V6. Speed wise I barely noticed a difference...at one point I even pulled into a parking lot and popped the hood to make sure the vehicle really did have the V6 TT under the hood. Did I drive a dud or did Motortrend really get it right when they said the V6 barely offers a performance improvement over the 2.5T?

2024 Genesis GV80 Prices, Reviews, and Photos - MotorTrend

Interested in the 2024 Genesis GV80? Get the details right here, from the comprehensive MotorTrend buyer's guide.

www.motortrend.com

 

[Barber of Sevile]

Hmmm, was it in eco mode? No replacement for displacement imo. I'll trade up to a v8 if it's ever offered.

 

[EdP]

Hmmm, was it in eco mode? No replacement for displacement imo. I'll trade up to a v8 if it's ever offered.

True, but a turbo sure helps.
Genesis website does not lay out the differences very well, but usully, the larger engine also comes with features not available in the smaller engine model. The price difference is of about $7000 is considerable too.

Not having driven them I can't offer an honest opinion but the co$t to shave maybe a second off the 0-60 time is considerable. I want to be able to cruise at 80 mph and many modest cars today out accelerate the V-8 of years ago.

 

[GV80Fan]

I’m surprised about the report of no significant differences between the 3.5 and 2.5 experience. I test drove each of them thoroughly for 45 minutes before I chose the one I wanted. One vehicle might be better suited for one person and the other vehicle better suited for another. I can well understand having a preference for the features of either version versus the other but saying there’s no meaningful difference between the 2.5 vs 3.5 both in terms of engine performance or value of the amenities associated with each is not my experience. IMHO it’s very nice to have a choice between the real differences.

 

[jmpickrell]

I guess it's good to hear you were underwhelmed - helps with having purchased the 2.5. I personally wanted the v6 and the thing cruises like butter down the highway. I also liked that it came with the quilted seats and some other items that you didn't get with the 4 vs. 6. (I don't remember all the differences but there are a few.)

 

[BillZ]

I'm glad you're happy with your choice. I opted for the 6 cylinder Prestige in Canada when I bought my 2021 (ordering in December 2020 and receiving delivery in February 2021) because I wanted all the features it offered, a number of which were not offered on the 2.5. It seems that apart from the tiny minority of truly unhappy purchasers, most owners are very happy with the vehicle they bought in whatever configuration it came. I enjoy all the additional features I received, but I can't honestly say that I would have truly missed them if I never had some of them. I noted for example a post yesterday where a Canadian purchaser of the 2022 Prestige 2 row in 2022 indicated he had no concerns about not having HDA2 in his vehicle, something that was available in the 2021 Prestige which only came in a 3 row configuration. I personally think HDA 2 important because it will steer the car out of some potential collision situations in which HDA1 will not. Hopefully, I never have to test the feature, but it illustrates how most owners can be very happy with the model they chose whether or not it has "all the bells and whistles".

 

[jmpickrell]

I agree with your assessment @BillZ on owner purchase choice. I looked used for 21 models because I thought I really wanted the HDA2 features but then realized that I don't do enough highway driving to really need it (nor do I totally trust autonomous driving) so I decided to go new and accept it wouldn't have the HDA2. It is odd to me that Genesis saw fit to remove it from it's top model but Kia and Hyundai still have it in some of their models...... Seems like it should have been flipped. Remove it from the lower models and keep it in your luxury line.

 

[SebringSilver]

I think people buy the higher tier not only for the bigger engine but also for the added features that come with it.

 

[BillZ]

I agree with your assessment @BillZ on owner purchase choice. I looked used for 21 models because I thought I really wanted the HDA2 features but then realized that I don't do enough highway driving to really need it (nor do I totally trust autonomous driving) so I decided to go new and accept it wouldn't have the HDA2. It is odd to me that Genesis saw fit to remove it from it's top model but Kia and Hyundai still have it in some of their models...... Seems like it should have been flipped. Remove it from the lower models and keep it in your luxury line.

It was my impression that HDA2 does more than operate on freeways. I believe it will steer to avoid intersection collisions as well and also do some other tricks. I had thought that wasn't a feature of HDA1, but I don't claim to be an authority on the subject. I think some of us like to brag about the options our cars have, even though some of them are more parlour tricks than useful. Self-parking is an example -- it takes so long you're risking your life from road rage from the guy in the pickup truck you're holding up. If the true value of an option is what people will pay for it, I don't think much consideration is being given to HDA2 on 2021 models since Consumer Reports advises against purchasing a 2021. Having said that (and knock on wood), I have had no problems other than a temporary inability to access valet mode which was eventually fixed by Genesis Connected Services who had screwed something up at their end. I'm happy with my choice.

 

[SebringSilver]

I just ordered the 2023 (but might end up as a 2024) electric GV70 and the sales manager confirmed that HDA2 is back.

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[Backslack]

You should have definitely noticed a difference in passing power at highway speeds between a 4 and 6 cylinder. Turbo 4-cylinders tend to feel fast at city speeds because of the off-the-line torque but basically lose all their grunt on the freeway.

 

[shunter2005]

I just bought a new 2.5 also. I haven't noticed any large dropoff in power on the freeway or highway. The GV80 is smooth as silk and will hit 75-80 in a flash if you need it. Not saying the 3.5 doesn't have more, but it sure seems like the 2.5 has plenty of get up and go, at least for an old guy.

 

[Silverct9a]

You should have definitely noticed a difference in passing power at highway speeds between a 4 and 6 cylinder. Turbo 4-cylinders tend to feel fast at city speeds because of the off-the-line torque but basically lose all their grunt on the freeway.

Upon reading the responses I feel I should give more context. I used all driving modes except 'Custom' but did NOT take it on the highway, although I hit 70 mph on a backroad.

I suspect the differences would have become more apparent at highway speeds...but in the city, it's barely perceptible and certainly not worth the additional 10k from strictly a performance standpoint so I agree with the Motortrend review that the 4-tenths of a second in 0-60 aren't worth the MPG hit. An argument however can be made for buying the 3.5T regarding the additional equipment not available on the 2.5T Prestige.

I suppose what I'm saying is if you're expecting this massive leap in performance over the turbo 4 due to two additional cylinders, and a full liter more of displacement especially in city stop-n-go traffic, you'll be a bit disappointed - I certainly was.

 

[SebringSilver]

As long as any one of us is happy with his/her purchase, that's all that matters.

 

[Crito]

300 HP used to be considered V8 muscle car territory. The four cylinder is impressive in that regard IMHO. I also actually had the evasive steering kick in once on a 6 lane highway -- was merging from left/fast lane to center lane at same time as a driver in right/slow lane decided to try and pass in center lane -- so really didn't want to upgrade my 2021 to a newer model with HDA1.

That said, Mercedes' tech is way better. They have AR navigation which Hyundai/Kia/Genesis only makes available in Korea and new US models are starting to appear with level 3 autonomy... plus 4 wheel steering and truly luxurious seats. I'll likely trade my GV80 in on a 2024 EQS electric SUV when available (November-ish). No more waiting hours at the stealership for a simple oil change! Woohoo!

 

[Barber of Sevile]

Upon reading the responses I feel I should give more context. I used all driving modes except 'Custom' but did NOT take it on the highway, although I hit 70 mph on a backroad.

I suspect the differences would have become more apparent at highway speeds...but in the city, it's barely perceptible and certainly not worth the additional 10k from strictly a performance standpoint so I agree with the Motortrend review that the 4-tenths of a second in 0-60 aren't worth the MPG hit. An argument however can be made for buying the 3.5T regarding the additional equipment not available on the 2.5T Prestige.

I suppose what I'm saying is if you're expecting this massive leap in performance over the turbo 4 due to two additional cylinders, and a full liter more of displacement especially in city stop-n-go traffic, you'll be a bit disappointed - I certainly was.

A 4 banger hauling a heavy vehicle is just a bad idea. It may not seem like it now, but wait till you get some miles on the clock. It's like an athlete, I'd rather play football with a linebackers body than a kicker playing linebacker. You do you though.

 

[Barber of Sevile]

300 HP used to be considered V8 muscle car territory. The four cylinder is impressive in that regard IMHO. I also actually had the evasive steering kick in once on a 6 lane highway -- was merging from left/fast lane to center lane at same time as a driver in right/slow lane decided to try and pass in center lane -- so really didn't want to upgrade my 2021 to a newer model with HDA1.

That said, Mercedes' tech is way better. They have AR navigation which Hyundai/Kia/Genesis only makes available in Korea and new US models are starting to appear with level 3 autonomy... plus 4 wheel steering and truly luxurious seats. I'll likely trade my GV80 in on a 2024 EQS electric SUV when available (November-ish). No more waiting hours at the stealership for a simple oil change! Woohoo!

 

[Crito]

The 8 gear trans makes all the difference. I rarely have to rev it out, except maybe to get around people who think their SUV is a sports car. The four banger is just fine.

 

[BillZ]

Six or four? Love the one you're with (CSNY)!

 

[Markdes]

If there had been an 8 available... I would have bought it instead of the 6.