Genesis GV80 Around View Monitor Review — Perfect Finish

Upgrade Your Genesis GV80: The Power of a New Grille and 360 Camera Calibration

As vehicles age, owners often seek ways to refresh their appearance and recapture that new-car feeling. For the Genesis GV80, a popular upgrade is swapping out the original front grille for the newer model's design. This seemingly simple change can dramatically alter the vehicle's overall aesthetic. In this case, the owner opted for a sleek black edition grille, completing the front bumper's transformation. The final touch? A precise calibration of the around view monitor system, ensuring a truly seamless and high-quality upgrade.

The desire to update a vehicle's look is natural. When a manufacturer releases a facelift or minor model change, incorporating updated design elements like grilles, bumper lines, and headlight patterns, it's common for owners of older models to wish for similar enhancements. The GV80's new grille replacement goes beyond a mere part swap; it's an experience that elevates the entire vehicle's image. Many owners report a 'like-new' sensation, often stating they no longer feel the need to purchase a brand-new car just for updated styling.

Choosing Your GV80 Grille: Black vs. Chrome

When ordering the genuine new-style grille for the GV80, customers typically have two primary options: the classic chrome (silver) finish or the sportier Black Edition. This particular GV80 owner chose the Black Edition, which perfectly complemented the car's Cardif Green body color, creating a striking visual harmony. While the chrome option offers a timeless elegance, the black grille provides a more modern and sophisticated appeal. The best choice often depends on the vehicle's existing color and the owner's personal preference, but considering the body color beforehand can lead to greater satisfaction.

A significant advantage of the black grille is its ability to create a cohesive look, especially on vehicles with black, white, or dark metallic paint schemes. It integrates seamlessly, enhancing the vehicle's inherent design language.

The Crucial Integration: Sensors and the Around View System

A key aspect of the new grille installation is the integration of the front parking sensors. The placement and design of the sensor housings differ between the old and new grilles. How this is handled significantly impacts the final aesthetic. There are two main approaches:

1. Order New Black Sensors: This involves purchasing new, black-finished sensors specifically designed for the new grille. While this option incurs a slightly higher cost, it results in an exceptionally clean and uniform appearance. Every element, from the grille mesh to the sensors, is unified in black, creating a truly integrated design.
2. Reuse Existing Sensors with Painting: This method involves using the original sensors and having them painted to match the new grille. It's a more budget-friendly option, but the color match might not be perfect, potentially leading to slight discrepancies in hue.

In this specific GV80 upgrade, the owner opted for the first method, purchasing new black sensors. This decision ensured a flawless finish, where the sensors blend perfectly with the black grille, maintaining the intended design integrity. Furthermore, the physical location of the cameras often changes between the old and new grilles. Therefore, after the physical installation of the new grille, a crucial step is recalibrating the 360 camera system. This ensures the around view monitor accurately displays the vehicle's surroundings, providing the full benefit of the enhanced visibility system.

The around view system, often referred to as a 360 camera, uses multiple cameras around the vehicle to create a bird's-eye view on the infotainment screen. This is invaluable for parking and navigating tight spaces. When the grille is changed, the camera's perspective shifts, necessitating recalibration to maintain accuracy. This final step is essential for the around view system to function correctly and provide the driver with a reliable, undistorted image.