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2020 Genesis GV80 will debut in the metal this month

The GV80 will then go on sale later this year.

Steven Ewing Former managing editor
Steven Ewing spent his childhood reading car magazines, making his career as an automotive journalist an absolute dream job. After getting his foot in the door at Automobile while he was still a teenager, Ewing found homes on the mastheads at Winding Road magazine, Autoblog and Motor1.com before joining the CNET team in 2018. He has also served on the World Car Awards jury. Ewing grew up ingrained in the car culture of Detroit -- the Motor City -- before eventually moving to Los Angeles. In his free time, Ewing loves to cook, binge trash TV and play the drums.
Steven Ewing
2 min read
Genesis GV80
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Genesis GV80

It's almost here. Finally!

Genesis

If you want to succeed in the luxury space these days, you've got to offer SUVs . That's one of the reasons why has struggled to gain traction in the US -- well, that and its nonexistent dealer network. But the SUV-shaped hole in the company's lineup will soon be rectified. Ladies and gentlemen, meet the new GV80.

Genesis shared the first images of its new SUV on on New Year's Eve, just a few hours before ringing in the new year, and we know it'll officially debut without the shadows of the teasers on Jan. 16.

The big, bold grille is not unlike the one seen on the new sedan; ditto the dual-strip LED head- and tail lamps. Overall, the exterior looks a lot like the original GV80 Concept that Genesis showed at the  New York Auto Show  in 2017. In fact, the production version might even look a little better.

Inside, the GV80 has a super clean aesthetic, with a large multimedia screen set back on the dashboard. There appears to be a second display on the center stack where the climate controls are housed, with two round dials for the temperature adjustments -- sort of like what you'll find in a new  Land Rover . Open-pore wood sits alongside quilted leather, and the center console has an electronic gear selector and interesting-looking controller for the infotainment system.

Genesis GV80
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Genesis GV80

We dig the minimalist interior design.

Genesis

Genesis isn't sharing any technical details just yet, only confirming that the GV80 will ride on a brand-new, rear-wheel-drive platform. That's a good thing, as these new RWD bones will likely go on to underpin the next-generation sedan, as well. A second SUV, tentatively called GV70, is expected to arrive in the coming years, riding on the G70's more compact platform.

The original GV80 Concept debuted with a hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain, but don't expect anything so forward-thinking to be offered in the production model. Genesis' twin-turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 is probably a safe bet, and we'll cross our fingers for the 5.0-liter V8, too. Both rear- and all-wheel-drive variants should be available.

The new GV80 will launch globally throughout 2020. Genesis' home country, South Korea, will get the GV80 in January, before it rolls out around the world. It can't arrive in the US soon enough.

Genesis GV80 is a boldly styled luxury SUV

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Originally published Dec. 31, 2019.
Update, Jan. 7: Adds confirmation of GV80's debut date.