The Genesis GV80 comes far closer to perfection than many rivals with very competitive pricing. We review trims, powertrains, and more here.
The GV80 is a car that goes up head-to-head with legacy brands like BMW, Audi, and Porsche. For 2024, it does so with a few improvements like a standard Wi-Fi hotspot, an available power-folding third row, and the return of the Signature trim with a four-seat configuration.
2024 Genesis GV80 – genesis.com | Shop 2024 Genesis GV80 on Carsforsale.com
Good engines
Exceptional interior
Above-average safety tech
Would benefit from a hybrid option
Waiting for a performance coupe option
An SUV that scares the establishment
The Genesis GV80 is available with two different engines that each leverage an eight-speed automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive. The base engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 300 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. According to the EPA, it gets up to 20 mpg in the city and 24 on the highway. Those aren’t world-beating figures but they find a nice balance between power and efficiency in this crowded segment.
Above the 2.5-liter engine is an available 3.5-liter turbocharged motor with 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. That’s much more closely in line with mid-trim rivals from Porsche, BMW, and Audi. It gets up to 18 mpg in the city and 23 on the highway so the penalty isn’t too big should your commute be mostly at highway speeds. It’s worth noting that despite the power, the eight-speed transmission, and the standard all-wheel drive, this isn’t a truly athletic SUV.
Genesis leans into the luxury more than it does the performance side of things with the GV80 and you can feel that from the driver’s seat. Adaptive suspension is available or standard on most trims and it soaks up the bumps with ease. At the same time, the GV80 offers decent handling and good feedback but isn’t a true competitor to cars like the Porsche Cayenne when it comes to outright performance.
It’s hard to describe just how plush and posh the interior of the GV80 is without physically showing it to someone. The dash, center console, seats, and door cards all feature high-end materials, excellent detail work, and tight panel gaps. In addition, the design is somewhat timeless with a clean line that flows from one side of the cabin to the other bisecting the infotainment system from the rest of the control switchgear.
The seats are above average and that’s to say nothing of the upgraded seats that are available with more adjustment, Nappa leather upholstery, and a massaging function. Notably, Genesis offers a few different seating configurations behind those front seats. Many GV80s will feature a flat bench-style second row. A third row is also available though it’s very cramped for anyone other than children.
In some cases, the GV80 is available with a pair of second-row captain’s chairs and seating for four total. It’s also available with ventilated outboard second-row seats which is incredibly rare. Behind the second row, you’ll find 34.9 cubic feet. That dips to just 11.6 cubic feet of storage behind the optional third row but with all the seats folded down that expands to 84 cubic feet.
Just like last year, every GV80 benefits from a wide landscape-oriented 14.5-inch infotainment screen. It supports both touch inputs and those from a click-wheel controller in the center console. Both approaches work well and receive snappy responses from the system. The menu layout is easy to grasp and keeps the learning curve gradual.
Wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are also standard features throughout the lineup. Genesis offers its remote Connected Services feature as a free service for the first three years of ownership.
Those who want even more content can add niceties like a 21-speaker sound system and a system that shows a live view of one’s blind spot in the gauge cluster when the indicator stalk is activated. It’s an excellent feature that we’re surprised isn’t standard on more cars.
Genesis is generous when it comes to safety tech too. Every GV80 comes with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot intervention, and parking sensors. On top of that, it’s an IIHS Top Safety Pick+, the firm’s highest award.
The GV80 is available in five trim levels with slight variations based on engine choice. We break down the details below.
The base GV80 with the 2.5-liter engine kicks things off with all-wheel drive, 19-inch wheels, faux-leather upholstery, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, manual rear sunshades, a 14.5-inch infotainment system, integrated navigation, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 12 speakers, a wireless device charging pad, and seating for five. Those who select the 3.5-liter engine get 20-inch wheels, an adaptive suspension, a panoramic sunroof, and ventilated front seats.
The Advanced trim with the 2.5-liter engine gets 20-inch wheels, a panoramic roof, leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, an automated parking system, a blind-spot view monitor in the gauge cluster, a surround-view camera system, and a 21-speaker sound system from Lexicon. The 3.5-liter version also adds upgraded front seats with more adjustments, tri-zone climate control, heated second-row seats, a power-folding third row, and a heads-up display.
The Prestige trim is the last one for buyers dedicated to the 2.5-liter engine. It comes with 22-inch wheels, an adaptive suspension, tri-zone climate control, upgraded front seats, heated second-row seats, a heads-up display, and an upgraded gauge cluster with 3D effects.
The 3.5-liter version also includes soft-close doors, an electronic limited-slip differential, upgraded leather upholstery, a microfiber suede headliner, power-adjustable second-row outboard seats with ventilation, and power rear side-window shades. Notably, the 3.5-liter version reverts back to a five-seat configuration at this trim level.
This trim is only available with the 3.5-liter engine and comes with matte paint and matte finish real wood trim.
This trim is also only available with the 3.5-liter engine and gets heated and ventilated second-row captain’s chairs along with second-row wireless device charging. Those chairs drop the total seating down to just four.
It’s hard to argue that any other SUV in the luxury category offers as much for this little. Pricing for the GV80 maxes out just above $80,000 which is where other cars like the Porsche Cayenne start.
Additionally, the GV80 comes with a full 10-year powertrain warranty and three years of complimentary. It’s available as a super-luxury four-seat SUV or a family-hauling seven-seater. Keep in mind too that this value is only improved with new car incentives.
2024 Genesis GV80 – genesis.com | Shop 2024 Genesis GV80 on Carsforsale.com
Those shortcomings are the lack of specialized trims and powertrains. While the four-cylinder and V6 available under the hood of the GV80 are both good, neither scores particularly high on the efficiency or performance scale.
We’d love to see Genesis lean into a super fuel-efficient version of the GV80 with hybrid technology. On the other end of the scale, it could also benefit from a far more performance-oriented version with about 150 more horsepower than the V6 offers. Perhaps that’s what we’ll get with the upcoming GV80 coupe.
The GV80 has an available third row but we’d suggest only using it for kids or pets.
The Genesis GV80 is its own brand. Similar to how a Cadillac and Chevrolet and divisions of General Motors, the Hyundai and Genesis brands are divisions for the Hyundai Motor Corporation.
Premium gas is recommended by Genesis but not required. The car will run better on 91 octane or above, but it’s not required.