2025 Genesis GV80 First Drive Review: Style And Substance

Genesis made its debut in 2015, separating itself from Hyundai to become a standalone luxury brand. The name Genesis had formerly been used only for the flagship model within the Hyundai lineup, but the company wanted to turn it into something more. Today, that ‘more’ includes the refreshed 2025 Genesis GV80 SUV.

The idea behind the Genesis brand was to do what Honda did when it introduced Acura, or Toyota when it introduced Lexus. Nine years later, the idea worked so well that Genesis is moving toward independence from Hyundai and redefining what it means to be a luxury brand. The GV80 shows off its winning strategy.

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What Is Luxury?

The Genesis lineup includes sedans, crossovers, SUVs – and a coupe-style SUV coming for 2025 – all of which stand out not just from Hyundai, but from other premium vehicles. Genesis is proving that luxury isn’t just about building an expensive car: It’s about blending design, comfort, and technology into a cohesive package.

All of that requires keen attention to detail with carefully chosen materials that are eye-catching and sumptuous, and interiors that are comfortable, quiet, and welcoming – this is how Genesis went from merely a flagship vehicle into a respected luxury brand. Genesis invited CarBuzz to Fort Worth, Texas, to get behind the wheel of the new GV80 and experience its latest evolution.

Exterior: Refined Elegance

Already a striking SUV, the GV80 now shows off a refreshed exterior. The highlight of this new look is the beautiful double mesh two-line crest grille, which is bracketed by dual-line headlights. It creates an elegant first impression that catches the eye without being too flashy. The air intakes below this are also a bit larger, and at the rear, the lower bumper detailing and hidden exhaust outlets are subtle updated from the outgoing model.

There are two new 20-inch and 22-inch wheel designs for the GV80. Like the grille, they add visual impact without overwhelming the design. None of these changes are dramatic; most people won’t notice the difference without parking the old GV80 and the new one side-by-side, but that’s okay. It’s an evolution of the Genesis design aesthetic, not a wholly new one – and that’s a good thing when the foundation is strong to begin with.

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Interior: A Warm Welcome

The interior of the GV80 is attractive with premium materials from the door panels to the dashboard to the seats. There’s no bad choice here in terms of which trim to buy, but rather a personal decision as to which one suits your preferences. The Genesis design team carefully selected materials for how they look and feel to create a welcoming space, and there’s the expected wood and leather, but also a bit of the unexpected to make the GV80 special.

Unique design elements include thread made from recycled plastic bottles and basalt. Yes, there’s thread made from stone in the GV80. The design team also pressed layers of old newspapers together to create unique patterned surfaces and, if you look closely, you can even make out some of the letters in the print.

Trims, Seats, and Pricing

The 2025 lineup will have various trims to pair with two engines, and depending on the trim and powertrain combination, can be had with two rows of seating, or three. Pricing on the base model is the same as it was for 2024 at $57,700, but it’s worth noting that this model will only arrive later in the summer. The aptly-named 2.5 trims come with a 2.5-liter engine and numerous standard features like power front seats with heating, dual-zone automatic climate control, and ambient lighting.

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There’s also a solid list of safety features, with the Genesis safety suite also standard on other cars in the stable that have earned the brand high praise from the IIHS. On the GV80, standard safety includes forward collision warning, lane keeping assist, blind-spot collision avoidance, and rear cross-traffic alert, among others.

The top two trims have a more powerful 3.5-liter engine and the option for a third row with pricing of $73,800 and $79,300, before destination. Our test car had only two rows, but looking at the overall size of this SUV, it’s a solid bet that the third row isn’t expansive. If you want the extra seating now and then, sure, it’ll probably work out okay. But if you plan on using the third row every day, you’re going to fare better with a larger vehicle.

Sit Back And Relax

The seating we did get to experience was comfortable and supportive with quilted Nappa leather surfaces in an eye-catching pattern from the seat cushion to the headrests. The front seats were modestly bolstered with enough support to make the long day of driving an easy one without being too tight.

Rear seats aren’t quite as plush, but they still offer plenty of comfort. There was ample legroom and headroom even for the six-foot crowd, with room enough for three adults abreast over short drives. Independent controls for heat and A/C on the back of the center console help ensure everyone rides in comfort.

If that ride includes no one in the front passenger seat, then whoever rides in the back is in for a treat. There are two buttons on the side of the front passenger seat, easily accessed by the driver or rear passenger. They slide the whole front passenger seat forward and then tip it down to make extra room to stretch out.

Infotainment: An Immersive Display

A little over a decade ago, infotainment systems were just coming into their own. They had small screens with mediocre graphics that made following complicated directions a challenge. Today, infotainment is a key feature both in terms of functionality and appearance. The GV80 has a new 27-inch OLED display that runs horizontally across the dashboard, housing both the infotainment screen and the instrument cluster. Information covers the entire display surface, so there’s no awkward black space in the middle where the two meet. The single screen creates a streamlined, cohesive look rather than chopping up the information into multiple displays.

As good as it looks, the screen isn’t as integrated as what’s in other vehicles. It sits upright on top of the dashboard rather than being set back into the surface, which would make it feel more like a part of the overall design rather than looking like a late addition. The large screen does, however, give the vehicle a modern, high-tech appearance while also being functional and easy to operate.

Wireless Connectivity Coming Soon

For now, there’s wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but an over-the-air update with wireless connectivity is rolling out by the end of the year. The redesigned center console includes wireless charging relocated further forward, which makes it easier to stow your phone and less likely that you’ll leave it behind. A set of USB charging ports for both front and rear passengers keep everyone’s devices charged.

New this year is a premium audio system from Bang & Olufsen, available on all but the base model. This 18-speaker system is designed to provide rich, full sound throughout the GV80 for an immersive audio experience no matter where you sit. It’s easily controlled through the touchscreen, where you can adjust the sound to your preferences and choose which speakers play. You can listen to your music while the kids nap, but you don’t have to listen to theirs when they’re awake.

Cargo: Room For Everything

There’s a large cargo area in the GV80 with 34.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 84 cubic feet behind the first row. With three rows equipped, there’s just 11.9 cubic feet behind the rear-most perches, so you can realistically only manage a few bags of groceries or maybe carry-on luggage. If you do choose to go with the third row, consider how that affects the ability to carry cargo even when the seats are folded. An adjustable handsfree power liftgate is standard and there’s a nice low load floor so heavy items are easier to stow. There’s underfloor storage in the cargo area that includes a spot to secure the cargo cove when not in use and the GV80 can tow up to 6,000 pounds properly equipped.

Powertrains: Gas Engines Only

There’s no news here, with the same two engines that were available last year carrying over. The base engine is a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque with a 2.5-liter V6 doing duty higher up in the range. We spent our drive time in the 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6, which delivers 375 horsepower with 391 lb-ft of torque. Both are paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

There’s no hybrid option, which will be a disappointment for those who prioritize fuel economy. According to the EPA, the 2025 models take a slight hit in fuel economy. The base engine gets an EPA-estimated 19/24/21 mpg on the city/highway/combined cycles. Those numbers fall to 16/22/19 mpg with the more powerful engine, which is a bit of a sacrifice for the big gains in performance. There’s no electric version either, although if that’s what you need, there’s always the smaller Electrified GV70 .

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Driving Impressions: Well-Mannered And Responsive

Although the GV80 is available with two engine options, the entirety of our drive time was with the more powerful 3.5-liter. It has more than enough horsepower to get the GV80 up to speed with strong acceleration. In heavy highway traffic, it’s easily able to pass slower vehicles with a light foot on the gas. No need to mash the pedal, but if you do, you’ll be rewarded with a nice burst of speed.

The transmission shifts smoothly and quietly, going largely unnoticed, which is exactly what you want in a luxury vehicle. This isn’t a performance SUV – it’s a luxury SUV, so its main focus is on passenger comfort, which includes keeping the ride calm, relaxed, and composed. You won’t hear the engine, even under hard acceleration, nor are there any vibrations in the cabin. The GV80 delivered a genuinely luxurious ride in our time with it.

Enjoying The Drive

With comfort high up on the priority list for all occupants, the driver is not forgotten. Handling is responsive, although not sporty. It’s easy to get comfortable and simply enjoy driving rather than feeling tense. We spent the better part of a full day driving the GV80 and never felt road weary. Whether you’re on a long road trip or just dealing with the daily commute, the GV80 makes the drive an enjoyable one.

The 2025 Genesis GV80 SUV isn’t all new, but rather offers a series of improvements that make it a more solid offering than ever before. While there’s no change in powertrains or the overall drive, its more eye-catching style and upgraded infotainment help it look and feel more the part of a luxury car at a surprisingly low price for the segment.