Genesis GV80 review

As mentioned on the previous page, your sole available engine is now the 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol. Official performance figures are 300bhp and 311lb ft, for a 0-62mph time of 7.7 seconds and a top speed of 147mph.

It's decently quiet and smooth while cruising, but it does become strained when worked hard – not surprising given the two-tonne-plus kerbweight. The eight-speed transmission is at least well calibrated and shifts through the gears smoothly.

IS IT AS COMFORTABLE AND RELAXING AS PROMISED?

It’s impressively quiet, for a start. That’ll be down to the double glazing, and the noise cancelling tech that works much the same way as your expensive pair of headphones. Take it from us: it’s highly impressive.

And it’s not the only clever bit of tech. There’s also a front facing camera system that scans the road ahead and adjusts the electronically controlled dampers to prepare for each bump or pothole (we've seen similar from Mercedes and DS). It works well enough on open sections of road, less so on rutted B-roads, where the ride becomes unsettled and you find yourself taking extra care to avoid any bumps and ruts.

Mind, that’s probably not helped by the minimum sized 20-inch alloys, rising to 22s in every other trim except base-spec. Watch out for those kerbs, too.

The lane cantering and active cruise system also has an AI component. Even when it's turned off it watches how sharply you make steering and speed corrections, and then aims to mimic you when you next turn it on. Meanwhile, terrain mode adjusts the four wheel and traction systems to help in any sticky situations. But let’s be honest, you won’t be taking this thing off-road.

IS IT GOING TO COST ME AN ARM AND A LEG TO RUN?

Well, Genesis claims 30.5-31.4mpg, but we averaged around 25mpg, which is really pretty poor. With returns like that, you can expect to get to know your local petrol station attendant on a first name basis the amount you’ll be visiting.

CO2 emissions of 241-248g/km are far from company car BiK friendly either, and while rivals offer ultra-low tax PHEVs, Genesis doesn’t, and says it won’t.