Overview
In less than 15 years, Genesis has gone from being the name of a Hyundai sedan with uncertain prospects to being an undisputed luxury brand making some of the most sophisticated ways of getting from here to there. We get more proof of that every time someone asks if the GV80—a former C/D 10Best winner—is a Bentley. Under the SUV’s sleek skin, a standard turbocharged four-cylinder packs a good punch, but the optional twin-turbo V-6 unlocks noteworthy performance. All models feature an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Genesis still acts like a challenger against established brands such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW, improving its original formula of offering great bang for one’s luxury buck. Stately allure, designer interiors, and luxe cabin finishes make every GV80—especially the plusher variants—look and feel like they should cost thousands more while actually costing the same or less than the most popular SUVs in the class.
What’s New for 2024?
Genesis has made just a few nips and tucks to the GV80 this year. Every trim gets a standard Wi-Fi hotspot with the ability to connect to five devices. The Cardiff Green and Brunswick Green exterior colors are no longer available, nor is the Maroon Brown and Smokey Green two-tone interior. The Advanced package comes with a power-folding third row, and it sacrifices its compact spare for a tire-repair kit. The Prestige Signature trim returns to the lineup after taking a year off, available in three color combinations: Mauna Red exterior over a black interior, Brunswick Green Matte over Urban Ground and Beige, and Vik Black over black. All three sport dark chrome exterior trim.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
All GV80s come bearing plentiful standard features including navigation, a 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, heated front seats, wireless charging, and a power liftgate. There is no poor choice here. We’re fans of the extra power provided by the twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 that costs an extra $7000. We’d also opt for the Prestige trim that upgrades to nappa leather seating, a large digital gauge cluster, a panoramic roof, adjustable rear seats with heated and cooled cushions, and 22-inch wheels.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
This mid-size luxury crossover has the same underpinnings as the G80 sedan and comes standard with all-wheel drive. The engine choices start with a 300-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder and escalate to a 375-hp twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6. We hustled the turbo four to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds on our test track. The V-6 model cut that time to a brisk 5.3 seconds. After driving both versions of the GV80, we can say that the new SUV feels athletic in corners and delivers a quiet ride, but buyers seeking more thrills could consider a Porsche Cayenne or an Audi SQ8.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The EPA estimates the four-cylinder GV80 models will deliver 20 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway; going with the V-6 reduces those to 18 mpg and 23 mpg respectively. We haven’t had the chance to put the V-6 version through our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test, but the GV80 with the turbo four over-delivered by a touch, returning 25 mpg highway. For more information about the GV80’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Photos don’t do justice to how rich and elegant the GV80’s interior is. Even the lower trims are finished with classy touches like burled wood trim, metal accents, and integrated ambient lighting. The large rectangular infotainment display set into the dash keeps matters upscale but uncluttered. The front seats are comfortable, supportive, and available with a massage function that feels legitimately relaxing. A standard three-across bench seat in the second row allows for up to five passengers; a third row of seats is an optional feature, but space back there is limited and should be considered a place solely for kids. We fit 13 carry-on suitcases behind the second row and the GV80 swallowed a total of 28 with the second row folded flat.
Infotainment and Connectivity
A slim 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system stretches across the middle of the GV80’s tailored dashboard. Drivers who don’t have long arms might find it quite a reach to use the touchscreen, though. Luckily, a click-wheel controller sits on the center console and works quite well. Every GV80 also comes with wireless charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot that can accept five devices, wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and three years of complimentary Genesis Connected Services.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
A full suite of driver-assistance features is standard, including a semi-autonomous driving mode, which learns how the owner drives and mimics that person’s driving style while in use. For more information about the GV80’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard adaptive cruise control with semi-autonomous driving mode
- Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Among its rivals, the GV80 offers one of the best standard warranty packages with its extensive powertrain coverage. The BMW X5 and the Volvo XC90 offer the same amount of complimentary maintenance, but neither the Mercedes-Benz GLE-classnor the Land Rover Range Rover Sport offers such a policy.
- Limited warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles
- Complimentary maintenance is covered for three years or 36,000 miles
Specifications
Specifications
2021 Genesis GV80 3.5T AWD
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 7-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE AS TESTED
$66,475 (base price: $60,175)
ENGINE TYPE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement
212 in3, 3470 cm3
Power
375 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque
391 lb-ft @ 1300 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): multilink/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 15.0-in vented disc/14.2-in vented disc
Tires: Michelin Primacy Tour A/S, 265/50R-20 111W M+S GOE
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 116.3 in
Length: 194.7 in
Width: 77.8 in
Height: 67.5 in
Passenger volume: 140 ft3
Cargo volume: 12 ft3
Curb weight: 5009 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 5.3 sec
100 mph: 13.8 sec
140 mph: 33.6 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 6.1 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.1 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 4.1 sec
1/4 mile: 13.9 sec @ 101 mph
Top speed (mfr’s claim): 149 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 170 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.82 g
Standing-start accel times omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 16 mpg
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 20/18/23 mpg
2021 Genesis GV80 2.5T AWD
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE AS TESTED
$64,825 (base price: $55,675)
ENGINE TYPE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, port and direct fuel injection
Displacement
152 in3, 2497 cm3
Power
300 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque
311 lb-ft @ 1650 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): multilink/multilink; Brakes (F/R): 15.0-in vented disc/14.2-in vented disc; Tires: Michelin Primacy Tour A/S, 265/40R-22 106W M+S GOE
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 116.3 in
Length: 194.7 in
Width: 77.8 in
Height: 67.5 in
Passenger volume: 108 ft3
Cargo volume: 34 ft3
Curb weight: 4814 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 6.1 sec
100 mph: 16.0 sec
130 mph: 34.3 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 7.0 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.4 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 4.5 sec
1/4 mile: 14.6 sec @ 96 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 163 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.86 g
Standing-start accel times omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 16 mpg
75-mph highway driving: 25 mpg
Highway range: 520 miles
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 22/21/25 mpg
