Revamped for 2025, the classy-looking Genesis GV80 has a tech-rich interior and extra power

By Colin Ryan

The midsize luxury SUV has great value for the price, and an outstanding warranty

Pros

Great valueGreat warrantyClassy inside and out

Cons

No hybrid versionTight third row

What's new?

Mid-generation revampNew Coupe version

The revised 2025 Genesis GV80 is the latest iteration of our favorite midsize luxury SUV. Pricing starts at $59,050.

Since the GV80 launched, it's won the KBB Best Buy award for midsize luxury SUVs. And we suspect this revitalization will keep the GV80 at the top of its game.

At its most basic (that's a relative term, as standard equipment levels are high), the GV80 is a 5-seater, although a third seating row is available with the bigger of the two engines offered. A quick caveat, though - the information here relates to the domestic Korean market. We're assuming the version bound for the United States will see these same changes.

Genesis is opening more standalone dealerships, offering an authentic luxury vehicle buyer experience. That can only be a good thing, as some of our consumer reviews didn't feel that a corner of a Hyundai dealership (Hyundai (HYMTF) is the parent company of Genesis) was the ideal setting, even though they liked their new GV80.

What's new for 2025

Having debuted for the 2021 model year, it's time to refresh. Some minor exterior tweaks center on a shallower (from top to bottom) yet wider grille flanked by new headlights, while the exhaust pipes are now hidden. The cabin receives more changes, especially with a new display unit incorporating an instrument cluster and an infotainment touchscreen.

Both engines gain a little more power. There's also an all-new 2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe, which is reviewed separately.

On-sale date

The 2025 Genesis GV80 will go on sale this summer.

2025 Genesis GV80 pricing

The 2025 Genesis GV80 starts at $59,050. That's for the base version with the smaller engine, yet it's still well-equipped and comes with all-wheel drive as standard. The cost of entry for the stronger turbo V6 engine is $75,150.

   GV80 2.5T Standard  $59,050 
   GV80 2.5T           $60,050 
   GV80 2.5T Select    $62,950 
   GV80 2.5T Advanced  $66,950 
   GV80 2.5T Prestige  $71,800 
   GV80 3.5T Advanced  $75,150 
   GV80 3.5T Prestige  $80,650 

These are the manufacturer's suggested retail prices including the $1,350 factory-to-dealer delivery fee (destination charge).

Although the GV80 is considered something of a bargain when all the standard features are taken into account, it's not the cheapest of the class. The Acura MDX, Lincoln Nautilus and Lexus RX all begin in the low 50s. The 3-row Lexus TX starts in the mid-50s and the Volvo XC90 kicks off in the high 50s. The Audi Q7 is priced from around $60K, while the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE are more in the mid-60s.

See: The multi-talented 2025 BMW X5 stands out among midsize luxury SUVs

Before buying a new GV80 luxury SUV, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Resale values are a little below average. If this is important, check out the competition from Acura or Lexus.

Power, ride and handling

Changes under the hood of the 2025 GV80 luxury SUV mean that the 2.5T gets a 4-horsepower bump to 304 hp, sufficient muscle to sprint from a standstill to 60 mph in about six seconds. That's probably quick enough for most people, but luxury buyers tend to want something beyond the adequate.

The more popular engine option is a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, now generating 380 hp (up from 375 in 2024), which puts the GV80 on the same level as the base BMW X5, matching its ability to do the 60-mph sprint in about 5.3 seconds. It also brings more equipment, such as an adaptive suspension for maximum comfort balanced with careful control.

Either way, we enjoy driving the GV80. Genesis has tuned the ride quality to compliment this SUV's luxury appointments.

We've spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of midsize luxury SUVs, including the Genesis GV80.

Fuel economy

Despite the extra muscle, we don't anticipate 2025's GV80 fuel economy figures to change much from the year before. The 2024 2.5T achieves 22 combined mpg (20 city, 24 highway). The 3.5T returns 20 combined mpg (18 city, 23 highway). Premium gasoline is required for both engines.

Compared with the Acura MDX, the 2024 2.5T does better by one mile per gallon. An all-wheel-drive Lexus RX 350 manages 24 combined mpg. And the BMW X5 xDrive40i is much more economical than the 3.5T, rated at 25 combined mpg.

Tech-rich interior

Part of the GV80's revamp for 2025 happens in the cabin. The most apparent change is a single display unit measuring 27 inches on the diagonal. The section in front of the driver has digital gauges, while the part above the redesigned center console is the infotainment touchscreen. The steering wheel goes from a 2-spoke to a 3-spoke example. The optional rear-seat entertainment system for the second row includes 14.6-inch screens. New interior colors are Glacier White, Earth Brown, and Bordeaux Brown.

Like any other luxury SUV, the materials and build quality in the GV80 are suitably swish. The second-row seats split and fold in 40/20/40 fashion. And where they're fitted, the third-row seats do so 50/50. The legroom in the second row measures 38 inches, sufficient for adults of average size. The 30.3 inches of legroom in the third row makes that space better suited to the younger, shorter, and most flexible family members. With the second and third rows folded down, the maximum cargo space is 84 cubic feet. That's quite good for the class in general, but the Acura MDX does better.

You might like: The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE raises the bar for luxury SUVs, and now there's a plug-in hybrid version, too

Classy exterior

The GV80 grille gets shallower and wider for 2025, and the exhaust pipes disappear from view. The overall effect is that we think the GV80 looks even more expensive and imposing than it did before. Some of our consumer reviews said their Genesis GV80 was often confused by onlookers for a Bentley. This state of affairs is likely to continue.

Our favorite features and tech

HeatThe GV80 comes with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel as standard. These are typically optional extras in rival vehicles. And they're wonderful to have when it's cold outside.

Blind Spot View MonitorThis feature goes beyond the standard blind-spot monitoring and shows real-time video down the side of the vehicle in the digital driver's display as a turn signal is activated. It's an extra layer of reassurance when you're about to change lanes. The monitor is part of the Advanced package.

Quiet cabinAll versions of the GV80 have acoustic laminated glass for the windshield and front side windows, making it suitably hushed for a luxury SUV. Genesis also says it has improved the tailgate's sound insulation.

Digital KeyA phone app replaces conventional keys, with the added advantage of sharing access with other users.

Bang & Olufsen audioUp until now, Genesis vehicles have offered excellent Lexicon sound systems, but that looks set to change in 2025. It seems the company is now going with B&O systems. That's hardly a step down. We've heard plenty of great B&O audio in Audi and Aston Martin products.

Prestige SignatureThe highest GV80 3.5T trim features fine Nappa leather upholstery and a pair of power-adjustable captain's chairs for the second row.

Engine and transmission

A refreshed-for-2025 GV80 midsize SUV retains the same engines as before, but boosts their outputs. The base unit is a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine making 304 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. The upgrade is a turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 developing 380 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque.

Both engines connect to an 8-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is standard across the 2025 GV80 range. Maximum towing capacity is 6,000 pounds with either powertrain.

5-year/60,000-mile warranty

Like its parent company, Hyundai, Genesis offers the best warranties in the business. The new-vehicle warranty lasts five years or 60,000 miles (whichever happens first), roadside assistance is provided for five years with unlimited mileage, scheduled maintenance is free for the first three years or 36,000 miles, and powertrains are covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles.

Also on MarketWatch: Mercedes-Benz is making a radical change to the iconic G-Wagen

Safety ratings

The current generation of GV80 SUV has been named a Top Safety Pick+, the highest accolade from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It's also earned a maximum 5-Star overall score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). We expect the 2025 model to test to these levels.

KBB's car review methodology.

This story originally ran on KBB.com.

-Colin Ryan

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05-13-24 0458ET

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