What Makes a Car Feel Luxurious? This Brand Has Some Ideas

“That’s a gorgeous car!” a man shouts as my friend and I get into our ride for the weekend—the new Genesis GV80 Coupe. As I slide into the seat and buckle my crimson-red seatbelt (which, like the matching trim and vehicle gauges, adds to the coupe’s “sportier” aesthetic) and we start to pull away from the parking space, the man is still standing there, watching us drive off and staring at the car like a kid at the Santa Clause Parade.

I don’t exactly blame him. It is a gorgeous car: all refined, sculpted lines, with a roof that slopes towards the back and gives the car a more “athletic” feel than its regular GV80 SUV counterpart and the distinctive (if trendy) front crest grille. The interior boasts plenty of carbon fibre accents further reinforcing the sporty feel. The Nappa leather interior in ours was a gorgeous Ultramarine, with quilted seats and red, racing-inspired contrast stitching throughout.

We pull up our destination, the ever-so-quaint southwestern Ontario town of Elora, on the wide OLED touchscreen. The drive will take about two hours. That’s plenty of time to immerse myself in the car’s more unique features, like mood curator, which syncs the car’s sound system, lighting and even fragrance (yes, this car has a scent diffuser. How chic would it be if the brand partnered with an aspirational fragrance house like Dyptique?) to all work to a specific theme.

There are four core “moods” to choose from: Vitality, Delight, Care and Comfort. I switch on Delight, which changes the lights to a soft glowy amber as soothing spa-like music comes through the Bang & Olufsen speakers—all 18 of them—as my seat kicks into massage mode. As far as driving the car goes, as a city girl I wouldn’t call myself the best at it, so I’m happy to find the GV80 Coupe handles nicely, the leather-wrapped steering wheel feeling firm but responsive. My friend, a self-proclaimed “car person,” notes that the car is not technically a performance-tuned variant (a zippy sports car, it is not). But we both agree most people will be more than happy with its acceleration and stable, competent handling, which makes for a confident, comfortable drive.

Several of those mood curations later, we park at the Elora Mill, a rustic-luxe hotel and spa that serves as the town’s crown jewel. True to its name, the former sawmill hangs over the Grand River, its limestone facade a perfect complement to the rugged, rocky canyon beneath it. The town is adorable—and knows it. Cheese boutiques, local decor shops and pottery studios line the two main streets of 19th century buildings. There’s a bit of gilding the lily here, as even the rugged shoreline is lit up in colourful spotlights.

The Elora Mill has become a destination in its own right, thanks in part to its well regarded restaurant. We decided to really indulge by booking seats at the chef’s table. Located inside the actual kitchen, our dinner spans over five courses (not counting the crab-apple sorbet palette cleanser). Each course is prepared by a different chef, and is personally served and introduced by the person who cooked it.

The venison tartare and buttery scallop are the highlights here—especially when you consider that these bespoke dishes are being prepared at the same time, by the same staff, as a 50-person wedding dinner happening simultaneously in the actual restaurant nearby. But the kitchen is never chaotic or stressful. It’s a treat to watch everyone from the prep cooks to the pastry chef execute their magic.

This, to me, is one expression of luxury. And it’s one that Eric Marshall, director of Genesis Canada, might just agree with. “Luxury is more than aesthetics—it’s how something makes you feel,” he tells me once I’m back home from Elora. Sitting at that high top in front of the chef’s stations, feels like being in on a secret. In the hallway just outside the kitchen, passersby slow down, or even pause to peek at what we’re eating, maybe wondering why they hadn’t thought to book the same special treatment.

If it’s that luxury feeling you’re after, whether a car or a dining experience, you’re spoiled for choice. And so I ask Marshall what makes the GV80 Coupe stand out in a crowded market of elite automobiles. “The real standout feature of any Genesis is our ownership experience,” he offers, explaining that owners benefit from a “worry-free” five-year warranty that includes complimentary scheduled maintenance with valet service, at-home pickup and delivery for service appointments, remote access and 24/7 enhanced roadside assistance.

The next day, it’s time to check out of the Elora Mill. Continuing with the “worry-free” theme of the weekend, our car is valeted to the hotel’s front driveway. A few more approving glances from strangers later, we’re on the road again—not a worry in sight.