The Genesis GV80 is a luxury midsize SUV that competes with the Audi Q7, BMW X5, Lexus GX, Mercedes-Benz GLE, and Porsche Cayenne. But with a starting price of US$59,000 it costs the least of all of them while offering one of the best combinations of style, luxury, and advanced technology.
For 2025, the Genesis GV80 has received what’s called a “mid-cycle” refresh, which typically involves updated exterior and interior styling and some new features. That’s indeed the nature of the GV80’s latest update, but these changes further enhance what was already a compelling model.
While the 2025 Genesis GV80’s powertrain and platform are the same, the SUV’s exterior, interior, driver-assist technology, and audio system have received meaningful improvements. New front-end styling includes an updated grille and larger air intakes. The exterior changes aren’t purely cosmetic, with new headlights now powered by advanced Micro Lens Array technology. This technology functionally improves the SUV’s forward lighting. There’s also a body-colored rear bumper, hidden exhaust outlets, and upgraded, monobloc front brake calipers.
All 2025 Genesis GV80s include standard all-wheel drive and an 8-speed automatic transmission. Two engines are available, starting with a 2.5-liter turbo four with 304 horsepower, 311 pound-feet of torque, and EPA ratings of 19 city mpg and 24 highway mpg. The turbo four is sold only as a two-row model, but it is loaded with features, especially given its low $59,000 starting price. These include 19-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, a navigation system, a power lift gate, wireless phone charging, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The available 3.5-liter V6, twin turbo engine makes 380 horsepower, 391 lb-ft of torque, and has EPA ratings of 16 city mpg, 22 highway mpg. V6 versions are only offered in the two highest trim levels, Advanced and Prestige, with the Advanced trim starting at $75,000. The V6 GV80 ups the standard equipment list with 20-inch wheels, an active suspension, a power-folding third-row seat, panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery, four-zone climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated rear seat, a new Bang & Olufsen audio system, and a head up display.
The GV80 also boasts high-tech features like digital key technology that lets you unlock and drive the car with your phone. It’s also got fingerprint recognition, allowing drivers to start and drive the car using a fingerprint reader. If you get the top GV80 Prestige trim you get both of those features, plus 22-inch wheels, upgraded leather on the seats and headliner, second-row seats with heating, ventilation and power adjustments, a heated center armrest, power-closing doors, power rear sunshades, a digital rearview, and an electronic limited-slip rear differential.
The Prestige trim starts at about $80,000, though our test car cost $82,150 because it featured Genesis’ “Storr Green” matte paint, which adds $1,350. Genesis told us the color is inspired by the green shades of Scotland. Regardless of the inspiration, the matte treatment looked fabulous on the GV80’s attractive body panels. This is another area where Genesis has found an opening. As with its cutting-edge tech in several areas, the company’s ability to offer unique interior and exterior colors has given it distinct appeal in a competitive segment that often feels too conventional.
The biggest news for the 2025 Genesis GV80’s refresh is its standard 27-inch OLED display screen, which combines the gauge cluster with the central touchscreen. Mercedes-Benz was among the first automakers to create this “wall of digital information” above the dash, but other automakers are rapidly following Mercedes’ lead. And while 27-inches sounds like a huge, potentially distracting screen, the wide-yet-short design manages to present a lot of information without overwhelming the interior design or compromising forward visibility and driver focus.
Engaging the screen to access the GV80s many features involves a control dial in the center console. This dial can be pushed, pulled, and turned, which is pretty common in modern luxury cars. But the dial also features a “touch pad” on its top surface, allowing drivers to “swipe” with their finger. This adds an additional, and surprisingly effective (after a short learning curve) dimension of control. Once we figured the touch-pad control option out we used it increasingly. It’s easy to imagine owners using this feature to rapidly move through the GV80’s display screen menus.
It’s easy to get caught up in the GV80s technology, but looking past the large display screen and advanced tech allows passengers to bask in the SUV’s plush cabin. The interiors of all Genesis models are beautiful, and the new GV80 is no exception. Premium materials, comfortable seats, and almost no engine or road noise at highway speeds validate its luxury pedigree. For 2025, the GV80 gets double-pane glass on the front and side windows to reduce road noise. Driving the Genesis GV80 illustrates how well these upgrades come together to deliver an upscale environment.
In addition to quiet and comfortable, the GV80 can be quick and confident, especially when placed in “Sport” mode. It’s not quite Porsche Cayenne nimble, but it’s on par with other European competitors and better than Lexus in terms of driving dynamics. Quick throttle response and a broad torque band from the twin-turbo V6 deliver authoritative acceleration. Conversely, putting it in “Comfort” mode and engaging the “mood curator” aligns cabin lighting, audio cues, seat massaging, and a cabin scent spray, all with the intent to elicit various relaxation or invigoration effects.
The Genesis brand has been finding success in recent years, hitting record sales while expanding its dedicated store count. That number of stand-alone Genesis faculties in the U.S., meaning stores that are fully separate from Hyundai (Genesis’ parent company) is up to 35. Genesis says it’s proud to be the only Korean luxury car brand, and it’s leaning into the Korean concept of “Son Nim” —which means Honored Guest — in the design and atmosphere at these dedicated facilities.
Hearing Genesis representatives quote the brand’s sales success is easy to understand after experiencing the latest GV80. Traditional buyers might still question the company’s ability to meet, let along exceed, the luxury standards set by older, more-established automakers. But if they drive the 2025 Genesis GV80 with an even remotely open mind, they’ll be forced to reconsider their definition of a modern, successful luxury vehicle. And which brands are making them.
This article was originally published on forbes.com and all figures are in USD.
