If you’re into motoring, golf, or really playing catch up with the news lately, chances are that you’ve come across the report of an accident involving Eldrick “Tiger” Woods and a luxury SUV.
Before going deeper into the vehicle that Tiger drove, let’s discuss some facts.
On February 23, 2021, at around 7:00 in the morning (Pacific Standard Time), Tiger Woods got involved in a single-vehicle rollover accident while driving a Genesis GV80 in California. The luxury crossover was loaned to him as the honorary host of the 2021 Genesis Invitational – an annual event partnership between the automaker and PGA Tour since 2020.
At this point, it has been reported that Tiger suffered multiple injuries to his lower right leg because of the accident, including open fractures and trauma. But ultimately, Tiger is okay and recovering at this moment, though it’s unclear whether the leg injuries he suffered will allow him to go back to teeing again. Our thoughts go to him and his family.
Now, we’ve been seeing queries about the Genesis GV80 loaner that Woods drove and its origins, so here’s a quick explainer.
What is the Genesis GV80?
First, let’s discuss Genesis. Just like what Infiniti is to Nissan, Lexus to Toyota, and Acura to Honda, Genesis is the luxury counterpart of the South Korean carmaker Hyundai.
No, it isn’t a Chinese brand and yes, it was a spin-off from the previous Hyundai Genesis sports car that once sold in the Philippines. It even has the same wing emblem – although a tad pimped up to spell premium.
In North America, the Genesis brand rivals European nameplates in the premium class – which explains its affiliation with golf, a known pastime for the affluent market.
The Genesis GV80 was introduced in January 2020 and stands as the first SUV from the Korean luxury marque. Design-wise, the GV80 was a global vehicle, styled in collaboration between numerous design teams of Genesis. Built atop a rear-wheel-drive architecture with most parts made out of aluminum, the GV80 is Genesis’ primer to the SUV-hungry global market. It also is a benchmark to the new “Athletic Elegance” design language for the automaker – seen on the twin-line execution and was eventually absorbed by the luxury sedans that came after it.
Under the hood, the GV80 is powered by either a 2.5-liter inline-four or a 3.5-liter V6, both gasoline-fed and turbocharged. However, the midsize crossover is also propelled by a turbocharged 3.0-liter oil-burner – but this diesel mill is exclusively offered for the South Korean market.
Of note, the GV80 rivals the BMW X5 and Audi Q7 directly in terms of size, but a bit on the advantage in terms of pricing. The most affordable GV80 in North America right now has a sticker price of $48,900 (around P2.4 million), while the most expensive AWD Prestige version sells for $70,950 (around P3.5 million).
In the Philippines, Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) actually offered the Genesis G90 flagship luxury sedan for indent order back in 2017 for around P7.5 million. It made a grand appearance at the Manila International Auto Show that year. In 2018, there were reports of HARI’s intention to officially bring the luxury brand here, although that’s the last time we’ve heard about it.