The $60,000 Question: WHY Does The Kia Telluride Look SO Much BETTER Than The All-new Genesis GV80?

Since the initial pictures of the Genesis GV80 dropped earlier this week, Agent 001 and I have been talking quite a bit. We haven't spent an abundance of time on the subject but we've been a bit perplexed.

While the Kia Telluride has a rather strong and more squared-off design that's been widely accepted, the company got a bit more creative with the Hyundai Palisade. The former looks more Range Rover meets Volvo, and the latter looks like the Cadillac Escalade passed through a South Korean design house.

And now there's the Genesis GV80, which is supposed to be the best of the trio. And it looks like a Bentley Bentayga made love to an Nissan/Infiniti.

If that sentence alone didn't make it clear to you, I will now. It's not good.

I will give credit where it's due, however. I really dig what Genesis did with the interior.

All that said though, we've got to wonder: WHY does the Kia Telluride look SO much better than the flagship, Genesis GV80?

MDarringer - 1/4/2020 12:08:47 AM

-1 Boost

Hyundai-Kia is trying really hard to be stylish but are producing misses (Optima, Sonata, Palisade, G90, GV80...) and very few hits (Telluride, Soul, Stinger). You can tell they are trying but not succeeding.

Truthy - 1/4/2020 9:25:27 AM

-1 Boost

I agree that some of their styling seems gimmicky. On the other hand, it is better than Lexus with the character lines running all over seemingly unrelated to each other.

dumpsty - 1/6/2020 10:54:42 AM

0 Boost

Exterior proportions & consumer expectations.

Telluride: Proportions are spot-on for a large-ish midsize SUV. Also, simple design for front/rear fascia, lights fit what's expected for the Kia brand. Upscale but not over-wrought. Would be even better with a stronger engine option.

GV80: This is a concept design we've seen maybe 2 years ago? It's not bad, but it's not spectacular. Not enough to be compared to GLE, Q7/8, X5/6. Don't doubt it will have comparable content to compete with the XT6, Aviator, Armada, MDX.

If this was a new Lexus GX on a unibody platform, the industry would have lost their minds in excitement.

Truthy - 1/4/2020 12:10:55 AM

+4 Boost

I don't think the Teluride does look better, just different. You have only seen the GV80 in pictures, so it is hard to make a judgement yet.
Plus, the Kia is based on a FWD platform, which is well disguised, whereas the GV80 is on a RWD platform. They did a magnificent job with the details on the Teluride. With the same effort on this new platform I will be looking forward to driving it.

carloslassiter - 1/4/2020 8:16:01 AM

0 Boost

The current Telluride design is conservative modern and cool, but for the next generation I'm sure Kia will screw and make it weird and ugly. It's kind of what they do.

jeffgall - 1/4/2020 8:41:42 AM

+1 Boost

I do t see the appeal of either. The more I look at the Telluride headlights, the space between the headlights and the grille, and the grille itself, the more I hate it.

The Hyundai, err Genesis, grille is just ridiculous and gaudy. It will probably appeal well to tasteless people who can’t afford one of the real luxury brands. And that is the whole problem with Genesis as a brand. It says to people, “I’m just not able to afford a Mercedes, BMW, or Audi (In reality these are probably people who cross shop Lexus), and I don’t want to be seen in a fully loaded Accord, so I settled for this.” On the other hand, Genesis drivers feel “screw they man,” I’m getting the same for less. But reality is you get what you pay for. My friend had a Genesis G80 and I could see it clearly where the cost savings were made.

Truthy - 1/4/2020 9:23:01 AM

0 Boost

Or, some people do not need a German badge in an attempt to impress people. Truly, how much better is an A6 than the G80? Have you driven a 3-Series lately? Not the ultimate driving machine nor is the interior great.

MDarringer - 1/4/2020 10:41:34 AM

-3 Boost

To answer this question: "... how much better is an A6 than the G80...", the answer is that the G8 not only looks more refined, it is also far more reliable attesting to the superior quality of its design and engineering.

Truthy - 1/4/2020 2:50:58 PM

-1 Boost

Absolutely. And the Infotainment interface is far better. And I cannot wait until the new generation on a new platform comes out.

jeffgall - 1/4/2020 4:52:51 PM

+2 Boost

A6 feels light years ahead of the G80 in terms of build quality, fit and finish, and materials. On top of that, the genesis suspension setup is not able to handle the power or does well with the AWD.

skytop - 1/4/2020 11:34:44 AM

+2 Boost

The Telluride looks like a GM inspired trite SUV.

MDarringer - 1/4/2020 12:24:22 PM

-3 Boost

Trite is better than BMW/Audi/Lexus garish.

Truthy - 1/4/2020 2:52:07 PM

+1 Boost

First, the GM design is good. The Telluride is more refined and will age very well.

valhallakey - 1/4/2020 2:52:45 PM

+3 Boost

Externally they both have their appeal, different yes but still both nice designs.

jtz7 - 1/5/2020 6:41:11 AM

0 Boost

I think it is because they didn't rush either the Telluride because Kia already has CUVs in their line up where Genesis brand needs CUVs ASAP.

jtz7 - 1/5/2020 6:43:18 AM

+1 Boost

The face of GV80 wouldn't be so bad looking if the grille wasn't oversized.

TomM - 1/6/2020 6:59:00 PM

+1 Boost

My local Kia Dealer just closed up shop over the weekend. Five different dealers in the last 4 years. ANd not a bad location - near at least 10 other long term dealers within a mile or so.

MDarringer - 1/6/2020 9:05:24 PM

+1 Boost

That was an example of gross mismanagement. Kia franchises are usually quite healthy.