2025 Genesis GV80 Review

When we first drove the Genesis GV80 back in 2021, we were impressed by the very high level of luxury, quality and comfort in the premium brand’s first flagship SUV. Now an updated GV80 is upon us with refreshed styling and upgraded features, as Genesis continues to challenge the status quo in the increasingly competitive luxury segment.

Along with the update Genesis has also simplified the GV80 line-up. There’s just a single highly specified model for 2025 – the GV80 3.5T All-Wheel Drive priced at $129,114 plus on-road costs. The previously available 2.5T Rear-Wheel Drive and 3.0D All-Wheel Drive models have been dropped from the line-up. However, a new, stylish GV80 Coupe now accompanies its wagon body counterpart priced at $135,114 before ORCs.

Like most mid-life refresh these days, they come with a price hike. The GV80 is no exception but it’s a significant $20k increase from the original stickers in 2021. Take the 2021 prices as introductory prices to lure buyers to the new brand and you’ll get why there’s such a sharp rise.

Nevertheless, the GV80 in updated form has a more refined and resolved design. Although subtle, the restyled, Genesis signature two-line ‘Crest Grille’, new ‘Micro Lens Array’ headlamps and rejigged front bumper form the fresh, more elegant front fascia of the SUV.

There’s still a lot of shiny chrome garnishes down the sides of the car, intersected by large wheel arches housing new-look alloys, in the case of our test vehicle the optional 22-inch wheels with new two-line motif. Changes in the rear include new taillight clusters and revised rear bumper with distinctive V-shape chrome trims to match the crest grille up the front.

Overall the GV80 is still a beautiful large SUV with the refresh bringing a lift in sophistication and style. The signature two-line look continues to define the styling, making it unmistakably Genesis.

Inside is where things have really turned up a notch. The previous interior was already a strong expression of opulence and class. This new one is even more so. From the super exquisite detailing to the elegant design, this interior feels like it belongs to a car costing twice as much. Think in the realm of Porsche and Jaguar and you’re pretty close.

Highlight of the new interior is of course the 27-inch single, continuous piece of ultra-wide OLED display that combines both the driving instrument cluster and infotainment display into one module. With superb clarity and definition, it looks absolutely cutting-edge.

The instrumentation half of the display is somewhat customisable, with the ability to display the map not just from the built-in satellite navigation system but also from your phone via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Now that’s rare in the segment.

The instrument cluster is customised using the steering wheel buttons and it can be quite confusing and cumbersome. For starters scrolling through the available on-screen widgets isn’t very intuitive, secondly the capacitive touch and scroll button on the steering wheel doesn’t work very well.

The infotainment half of the display is a touchscreen which is good to have because now you don’t have to rely solely on the fiddly centre console rotary dial to operate the system. Granted the rotary controls has been improved but it’s still far easier to just use the touchscreen directly. The rotary dial replaces the previous rotating disk but this has introduced another problem. There’s now two dials in the centre console, the other being the drive selector. Some of our drivers occasionally confused the infotainment dial with the drive selector. That said, it’s more of a matter of getting used to.

The usual array of storage compartments and cup/bottle holders can be found throughout the cabin, however the glovebox is small, the centre storage beneath the armrest isn’t very deep and the door pockets aren’t very thick. What’s cool, though, is that the centre storage has a segment-first built-in UV steriliser designed to rid your phone off germs and bacterias!

Cabin space is what you’d have come to expect from a full-size SUV, with both the first and second row seats afforded with generous leg and headroom. The third row has decent legroom but is tight in headroom, making them more suited to children than adults. Accessing the third row is as simple as pressing a button to tilt and slide the second row seats forward.

Further back, there is plenty of space for luggage. Cargo capacity is rated at 735L with the third row stowed away, expandable to a cavernous 2,147L with the second row also folded.

Equipment level is generous in the GV80. Keyless entry is featured however we notice quite often there’s a delay in unlocking the doors which can be an inconvenience.

Genesis GV80 standard equipment:

• 27-inch OLED display with navigation
• AM/ FM/ DAB+/ USB/ Apple CarPlay / Android Auto
• Wireless phone charger with UV steriliser
• Bang & Olufsen premium audio system with 18 speakers
• 18-way power adjustable front seats with massaging function
• 12-inch colour head-up display (HUD)
• 4-way power adjustable 2nd row seats
• 2-way power adjustable 3rd row seats
• Heated and ventilated 1st and 2nd row seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Heated rear view mirrors
• Power operated rear window sunshades
• Power operated tail gate with hands-free opening
• Power door latch (soft close doors)
• Panorama glass sunroof with power sunshade

With the previous 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine and 3.0-litre turbo diesel V6 engine dropped from the line-up, the GV80 is now offered with the sole remaining powertrain which also happens to be the most potent – the 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine developing 279kW of power and 530Nm of torque, paired with all-wheel drive.

It’s one of the smoothest and most refined V6s we have driven to date. It’s quiet on cruise but also sounds satisfyingly enthusiastic when prodded. With torque peaking from a low 1300rpm and hangs on until 4500rpm, coupled with a responsive throttle, the 2.3-tonne SUV is swift getting off the line and the build up of speed is as effortless as it is quick. The rush to 100km/h from a standstill is accomplished in just 5.6 seconds.

The 8-speed torque converter automatic transmission is equally refined and sorts out the right ratio most of the time without much fuss. Combined with the silky V6, the drive is splendid and relaxing for the most part.

The V6 is quite thirsty on fuel, though. With a real-world tested combined average of 13.4L/100km, it’s not the most efficient powertrain out there. The figure also falls short of the claimed 11.9L/100km. Some sort of mild hybrid setup would certainly help in this department.

Like the powertrain, which has been tuned more towards refinement than sportiness, the handling has also taken the same approach. The GV80 feels more luxurious than sport to drive. It’s still pretty composed around the bends and the steering is precise and direct, but its European counterparts are still more nimble and engaging in the back roads.

What it does best is eating up the miles, for it’s such a comfortable SUV to ride in. A plush suspension tune aside, it’s got several more tricks up its sleeve to truly ensure occupant comfort be it for short trips or longer journeys. The Pre-View Electronic Control Suspension can scan the road ahead and optimise the dampers to suit the road conditions. The Engine Mounting Control Unit use the same road data to reduce driving vibrations. Lastly, Crosswind Stabilisation assists with high-speed driving during strong wind conditions.

The new update also aims for a quieter ride through noise-absorbing tyres and materials, as well as improved sound damping in the tailgate. Indeed, the cabin is one of the most quiet in the segment.

The GV80 boasts a comprehensive suite of safety features as detailed in the list below. One minor annoyance is that the speed warning setting doesn’t stick after power off and always defaults to both visual and audible warning on start up. Because there’s no ability to set a speed offset, it chimes even at 1km/h over the limit.

Genesis GV80 safety features:

• 10 airbags
• Blind-Spot View Monitor
• Driver Attention Warning
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist
• High Beam Assist
• Lane Keeping Assist
• Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance
• Safe Exit Assist
• Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go
• Surround View Monitor
• Tyre Pressure Monitoring System

The GV80 is backed by a 5-year and unlimited-kilometre factory warranty. It also comes with free scheduled servicing for the first 5 years or 50,000km, which could potentially save you $4k to $5k in servicing cost.

To sweeten the deal further, the Genesis Concierge Service will arrange for the pickup and delivery of your GV80 when it is due for scheduled maintenance or warranty services. While your car is serviced, a Genesis courtesy vehicle is left at your disposal.

For extra peace of mind, you are also seamlessly enrolled in a complimentary 5-Year 24/7 Roadside Assistance program once you take delivery of your GV80.

Verdict

2025 Genesis GV80 3.5T AWD pricing and specification