The Genesis Gv80, the inaugural SUV from the luxury brand Genesis, has undergone rigorous testing to evaluate its safety performance. This comprehensive review delves into the crash test ratings and safety features of the GV80, providing a detailed analysis for prospective buyers and safety-conscious drivers. We examine the results of small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side impact, headlight performance, and front crash prevention systems, offering a complete picture of the gv80‘s safety capabilities.
Small Overlap Frontal Crash Test: Driver and Passenger Side Performance
The small overlap front test simulates a collision where only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts a barrier. This is a demanding test that assesses how well the vehicle structure protects occupants in a severe frontal crash. The Genesis gv80 was evaluated on both the driver and passenger sides.
Driver-Side Small Overlap Front Test
The 2021-2025 Genesis gv80 models earned a “Good” rating in the driver-side small overlap test. Key findings include:
- Structure and Safety Cage: Rated “Good,” indicating the structural integrity of the gv80 held up well during the crash.
- Driver Injury Measures: All injury measures for the head/neck, chest, hip/thigh, and lower leg/foot were rated “Good,” signifying a low risk of significant injuries to the driver in this type of collision.
- Restraints and Kinematics: Driver restraints and dummy kinematics were also rated “Good,” showing the airbags and seatbelts effectively controlled the dummy’s movement and provided good protection.
The test results demonstrated that the gv80 effectively maintained the driver’s survival space. The dummy’s position after the crash, relative to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel, confirmed excellent structural performance.
The frontal and side curtain airbags worked in coordination to protect the head from contacting hard structures or external objects, further contributing to the “Good” rating.
Technical measurements from the driver-side test (Test ID: CEN2101) showed minimal intrusion into the occupant compartment. For instance, the maximum intrusion at the lower hinge pillar was just 1 cm, and at the footrest, it was 7 cm. Driver injury measures were also low, with a Head Injury Criterion (HIC-15) of 247 and chest maximum compression of 27 mm. Femur loads were also low, indicating good leg protection.
Passenger-Side Small Overlap Front Test
The passenger-side small overlap test is crucial for assessing the protection offered to the front passenger. The 2021-2025 Genesis gv80 also achieved a “Good” rating in this evaluation.
- Overall Passenger-Side Evaluation: “Good” rating, mirroring the driver-side performance.
- Structure and Safety Cage: “Good,” indicating consistent structural integrity across both sides of the vehicle.
- Passenger Injury Measures: All passenger injury measures (head/neck, chest, hip/thigh, lower leg/foot) were rated “Good,” demonstrating equally robust protection for the passenger.
- Restraints and Kinematics: Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics were rated “Good,” similar to the driver’s side, ensuring effective occupant protection.
Technical measurements for the passenger side (Test ID: VTP2102) were comparable to the driver’s side, with minimal occupant compartment intrusion and low injury measures for the passenger dummy.
Moderate Overlap Front: Updated Test for Enhanced Rear Passenger Safety
The moderate overlap front test, updated in 2024, evaluates occupant protection in a frontal collision involving a larger portion of the vehicle’s front end. The updated test also places a focus on rear passenger safety. The 2024-2025 Genesis gv80 models built after August 2023, featuring improved rear seat belts, were tested and received a “Good” rating.
- Overall Evaluation: “Good” rating in the updated moderate overlap front test.
- Structure and Safety Cage: “Good,” maintaining structural integrity in this type of crash.
- Driver and Rear Passenger Injury Measures: All injury measures for both the driver and rear passenger (head/neck, chest, thigh/hip, leg/foot for driver; head/neck, chest, thigh for rear passenger) were rated “Good.”
- Restraints and Kinematics: Both driver and rear passenger restraints and dummy kinematics were rated “Good,” indicating effective performance of the restraint systems.
The gv80 demonstrated excellent protection for both front and rear occupants in this demanding test. The rear passenger dummy’s head remained a safe distance from the front seatback, and injury values indicated a low risk of injury.
Technical measurements (Test ID: CEF2403) showed minimal footwell intrusion and good control of steering column and instrument panel movement. Driver and rear passenger injury measures were also low, reinforcing the “Good” rating.
Side Impact: Updated Test for Enhanced Protection
The side impact test was also updated to better reflect real-world side crashes, using a heavier barrier and higher impact speed. The 2024-2025 Genesis gv80 models were evaluated under this more stringent test and achieved a “Good” overall rating.
- Overall Evaluation: “Good” rating in the updated side impact test.
- Structure and Safety Cage: “Good,” indicating robust side structure.
- Driver and Rear Passenger Injury Measures: Driver injury measures (head/neck, torso, pelvis, head protection) were all rated “Good.” Rear passenger injury measures (head/neck, torso, head protection) were rated “Good,” while pelvis protection was rated “Acceptable.”
- Head Protection: Both driver and rear passenger head protection were rated “Good,” highlighting effective side curtain airbag performance.
Technical measurements (Test ID: VTS2318) indicated minimal B-pillar intrusion into the occupant compartment. Driver and passenger injury measures were low, although rear passenger pelvis protection was slightly lower but still within the “Acceptable” range.
Headlight Performance: Superior Visibility
Headlight performance is a critical safety feature, especially in nighttime driving. The Genesis gv80’s headlights were evaluated, and all trims received a “Good” overall rating.
- Overall Rating: “Good” for headlight performance across all trims.
- Low and High Beam Types: LED projector low beams and high beams.
- High-Beam Assist: Yes, the gv80 features high-beam assist, which automatically switches between high and low beams based on traffic conditions.
- Visibility: Low beams provided good visibility on straightaways and curves. High beams offered good visibility on the straightaway right side and fair to good visibility on curves. High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of the low beams.
Technical measurements confirmed good average minimum useful illumination distances for both low and high beams in various driving scenarios, with no glare issues detected for low beams.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle and Pedestrian Detection
Front crash prevention systems are essential for mitigating or avoiding frontal collisions. The Genesis gv80 features a standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist system, which was evaluated for both vehicle-to-vehicle and pedestrian scenarios.
Vehicle-to-Vehicle Front Crash Prevention 2.0
The gv80’s vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system earned a “Good” overall rating.
- Overall Evaluation: “Good” rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention.
- Performance: The system successfully avoided collisions in tests at 31, 37, and 43 mph with both centered and off-center passenger car targets. It also avoided collisions with a motorcycle target at 31 and 37 mph and significantly reduced speed in a 43 mph test with a motorcycle target.
Pedestrian Front Crash Prevention
The pedestrian front crash prevention system in the gv80 also received a “Good” overall rating.
- Overall Evaluation: “Good” rating for pedestrian front crash prevention.
- Performance: The system avoided collisions with a crossing child at 12 mph and significantly reduced impact speed at 25 mph in daytime tests. In nighttime tests, it avoided collisions with crossing and parallel adults at lower speeds, both with low and high beams. At higher speeds (37 mph parallel adult), the system avoided collision with high beams and significantly reduced impact speed with low beams.
Seat Belt Reminders: Comprehensive System
Seat belt reminders are vital for ensuring occupant safety. The Genesis gv80 has a comprehensive seat belt reminder system that received a “Good” rating.
- Overall Evaluation: “Good” rating for seat belt reminders.
- Front and Second Row Reminders: The system includes audible and visual alerts for unbelted front occupants and visual alerts for second-row occupants, meeting all evaluation criteria for initiation time, duration, and volume.
Technical measurements confirmed the audible signal sound pressure level was significantly higher than background cabin noise, ensuring effective alerts.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH): Acceptable Rating
Child seat anchors, or LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children), are evaluated for their ease of use. The Genesis gv80 received an “Acceptable” rating for its LATCH system.
- Overall Evaluation: “Acceptable” rating for child seat anchors.
- Number of LATCH Positions: The gv80 has two rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and one additional position with only a tether anchor.
- Ease of Use: While generally acceptable, some lower anchors were noted as being deep in the seat or requiring slightly more force to attach to.
Conclusion: The Genesis GV80 – A Safe and Secure Luxury SUV
Overall, the Genesis gv80 demonstrates exceptional safety performance across a range of rigorous crash tests and safety system evaluations. Achieving “Good” ratings in most categories, including small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side impact, and headlight performance, the gv80 stands out as a safe choice in the luxury SUV segment. Its advanced front crash prevention systems and comprehensive seat belt reminders further enhance its safety credentials. While the child seat anchors received an “Acceptable” rating, the gv80‘s strong performance in critical safety evaluations underscores its commitment to occupant protection, making it a trustworthy and secure vehicle for drivers and passengers alike.
