Genesis is finally getting into the hybrid game with the GV80 Hybrid, a new variant of the mid-size luxury SUV that promises better fuel economy. The gas-electric powertrain uses a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-four engine, augmented with electric motors to deliver 347 horsepower. That fits neatly in between theGV80’sexisting nonhybrid powertrains, the 300-hp turbo 2.5-liter four-cylinder and the 375-hp twin-turbo 3.5-liter six-cylinder. A Genesis representative confirmed toC/Dthat the GV80 Hybrid will come to the U.S., saying that further details, including timing, will be shared “later this year.”
We don’t yet have specific fuel-economy estimates for the hybrid powertrain, but Genesis claims that when equipped with rear-wheel drive and 19-inch wheels, it delivers a 25 percent mpg improvement compared to the nonhybrid. Given that the GV80 2.5T is EPA-rated for 22 mpg combined, that means we can expect somewhere around 27 mpg combined for the hybrid. Genesis also hasn’t said whether it will offer both rear- and all-wheel drive configurations for the GV80 Hybrid on our shores; the current nonhybrid 2.5T does offer a RWD variant in the U.S.
The GV80 Hybrid looks nearly identical to the nonhybrid, save for a different grille and wheel design. But there are a few features to set it apart, including a Stay mode that runs all vehicle functions off the battery while stationary, ensuring that the engine won’t turn on if you’re sitting in the vehicle for an extended period of time.
The new hybrid model also has a driving mode that automatically adjusts the level of regenerative braking based on navigation data and the distance between the GV80 and the vehicle in front of it. The GV80 Hybrid will give Genesis a competitor to othermid-size hybrid luxury SUVs, although many of its rivals, including the Volvo XC90, BMW X5, and Mercedes-Benz GLE-class, offer plug-in hybrid setups rather than a conventional hybrid.
