Genesis may still be a fairly small brand in Australia, but it has indicated customers could be waiting up to 10 months for its SUV models.

    Speaking with CarExpert at the Australian media launch for the electric GV60 and Electrified G80, Genesis’s local boss Connal Yan said wait times on the GV70 and GV80 are “not desirable”, but claims the company is better placed than a number of rival manufacturers.

    “At the moment, GV70 would be somewhere around 10 months, and GV80 would be around 8-10 months” Mr Yan said.

    “I would say it’s not a desirable period of time, but I think we’re very happy that we’re still taking orders, which some other brands to my knowledge have stopped doing so. And, I think the wait time on average is still shorter than some other competitors.”

    When asked about any particular variants posing challenges to the local division, Mr Yan said it’s a “floating situation, but of course naturally the more sought after models are more difficult”.

    “For example, the GV70 3.5T model that we’re selling the most that would have the longest wait, but even if you order the 2.5T it doesn’t guarantee you’ll get it much quicker,” Mr Yan added.

    The GV70 is the most popular Genesis locally by some margin. So far in 2022 there have been 350 units registered (as of August 31), more than twice the volume of the next most popular model, the larger GV80 (164 units).

    It might be a while before Genesis starts challenging BMW or Mercedes-Benz in the sales race, though. As it stands, the GV70 does about one-tenth of the volume achieved by the top-selling X3 and GLC.

    Later this month Genesis will launch the Electrified GV70, the brand’s third EV after the GV60 and Electrified G80.

    Based on the combustion-powered GV70, the Electrified model boasts a 360kW/700Nm dual-motor electric drivetrain hooked up to a 77.4kWh battery, good for a 0-100 dash in just 4.2 seconds and a driving range of 445 kilometres.

    Priced from $127,800 plus on-road costs, the Electrified GV70 is in the ballpark of the Audi e-tron 50 quattro ($138,323), Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 (from $122,724) and the BMW iX3 ($114,900).

    The most expensive combustion-powered GV70 – the 3.5T AWD Sport – costs $89,067 before on-roads when equipped with the Luxury Package, representing a premium of almost $40,000 over its ICE equivalent.

    The larger GV80 has been treated to a handful of running changes in the past 12 months, including the availability of a new six-seat interior with second-row captain’s chairs, as well as a revised locally-tuned Electronically Control Suspension and “minor steering hardware change” in six-cylinder models.

    “The aim of the software changes was to better manage body control movements across certain road speeds,” said Genesis Australia product development manager Tim Rodgers.

    “The revisions don’t change the character of GV80, but in terms of body motion the SUV now feels a bit more tied down.”

    Other tweaks include restyled, colour-coded rear brake calipers with the Genesis wordmark.

    MORE: Everything Genesis GV70
    MORE: Everything Genesis GV80

    James Wong

    James Wong is the Production Editor at CarExpert based in Melbourne, Australia. With experience on both media and manufacturer sides of the industry, James has a specialty for product knowledge which stems from a life-long obsession with cars. James is a Monash University journalism graduate, an avid tennis player, and the proud charity ambassador for Drive Against Depression – an organisation that supports mental wellness through the freedom of driving and the love of cars. He's also the proud father of Freddy, a 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI .

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