2025 | car reviews | genesis | genesis gv80 | reviews | suvs
Genesis continues to make some of the best luxury vehicles on the market. Last year, we drove the Genesis GV80 Prestige and thought it was excellent. For 2025, the high-end SUV has a dynamic new grille, new high-tech headlights, and a new dashboard with an ultrawide display panel. Its sophisticated looks are as good as ever, and it drives like a dream.
The overall look of the GV80 is classy and sophisticated, with a hint of power. It looks great from all angles, but we really like it from the side. We dig the slightly sloped roofline; this is the one spot where you can see the dual line graphic on the wraparound headlights, side vents, and taillights. Our GV80 came painted in a rich new color called Storr Green. This deep, matte green finish feels at home among the trees and isn’t garish or gaudy in the least. Our test vehicle rolled along on huge 22-inch allow wheels with a black and silver finish.
Genesis improved upon its expansive grille with a new double-bar diamond mesh design. Nothing was wrong with the prior grille, but the updated criss-cross appears even more deluxe. A coordinated diamond pattern continues onto the lower fascia and vents this year, too. The new micro-array LED headlights are super slick, providing a jewel-like look and crisp, bright white illumination. Like the GV80 Prestige we tested last year, this one came equipped with the 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, which outputs 375 horsepower and a quick-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission. It feels quick off the line, too. This all-wheel-drive powertrain can launch the SUV from 0 to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds.
As expected, the GV80 handles like a dream, offering a supremely smooth, whisper-quiet ride. In addition to excellent insulation and vibration control, it has an active noise-canceling system to help mitigate road noise. An electronically controlled adaptive suspension does a great job absorbing bumps while providing enough feedback that it doesn’t feel disconnected. It doesn’t ride as crisply as its little brother, the GV70, but that’s based on a smaller, lighter platform. We enjoyed using the Highway Drive Assist 2 system out here in the countryside. This feature does a great job maintaining your speed, a safe driving distance, and keeping the SUV centered in the lane. It’s not a hands-free system but requires very little driver input when engaged. Sensors are also enabled to ensure you’re paying attention.
Genesis is at the top of their game when it comes to interior design, and the updated GV80 interior is as lovely as ever. While it’s similar to the last model year, there are a few notable updates. First and foremost, the separate displays have been replaced with a single 27″ screen that combines the instrument cluster with the multimedia touchscreen. More and more vehicles are going with a combined unit, but this one is nicer than many because it’s one screen, not separate screens with a gap in the middle. This kind of attention to detail puts Genesis vehicles a cut above. We’re also pleased that Genesis is finally offering wireless Android Autio and CarPlay connectivity.
The center stack has a cleaner and more refined look this year, and more buttons have been replaced with touch-based inputs. Our vehicle was tricked out with classy matte wood trim panels with a sharp-looking zig-zag pattern. Genesis prides itself on making materials from what they look like, so all the metallic accents are made from real metal, not plastic. The backlit crystal shift knob looks elegant too, but I still think it’s too easy to mix up the circular media control knob with the shifter if you’re trying to use them by touch. The premium Bang & Olufsen sounds simply stellar and can achieve concert-level volume without distortion.
The creamy-smooth Nappa leather seats offer exceptional comfort and plenty of power adjustments to dial them in to your liking. The driver’s-side leg extension is especially nice for taller people. Both front seats offer heating and ventilation, while the driver’s seat has an “Ergo-Motion” massage feature, which helps reduce driver fatigue. It would be nice if Genesis offered massages for the front passenger seat, too, but alas, they don’t. In addition to driver seat memory, a Smart Posture Care feature adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel, and mirrors to optimal positions based on your height, inseam, and weight.
The second-row seats are similarly comfy and feature the same high-quality materials. These seats offer a powered recline function and can lean back quite far for added relaxation. Legroom and headroom are ample, and the outboard seats offer heat and ventilation. There’s also a third climate zone back here, along with dual USB-C charging ports. A dual-pane sunroof ensures all passengers can enjoy extra daylight or moonlight, and the side windows have power-operated sunshades for added comfort on hot days. Reach up, and you can feel the luxurious microsuede headliner. The LED-illuminated makeup mirrors are a nice touch, too. If you’ve got kids snoozing back here on a road trip, the driver can activate Quiet Mode, which directs all sound to the front seats.
For cargo handling versatility, the second-row seats fold in a 40/20/40 configuration, which means you can carry longer items like skis while still maintaining seating for four passengers. Cargo space behind the second row is rated at 34.9 cubic feet, expanding to an impressive 84 cubic feet with the seats folded. There are also some thoughtful touches back here, including a small, netted area to the side that’s perfect for a first aid kit. There are also power pushbutton controls for lowering and raising the back seats and a 12-volt DC power outlet. The hands-free power liftgate is handy if you’ve got your hands full with bags. It automatically opens when you approach with the key fob in your pocket – but not before flashing the taillights and beeping to let you know it’s been activated.
If we had to use one word to describe every Genesis vehicle we’ve driven, it’s “sublime.” The Korean automaker offers the kinds of details and quality previously reserved for luxury European automobiles. The 2025 GV80 builds on an exceptional SUV with some appealing design refinements and a sleek, modern update to its screens and center stack. You can’t go wrong with any GV80 model, but the Prestige grade we drove gives you the most luxurious materials and features. The base price for the 2025 GV80 3.5T Prestige AWD starts at $79,300. Our test vehicle had a sticker price of $82,150, including freight and handling – its only upgrade being the matte green paint. As with all Genesis vehicles, that price includes an outstanding warranty package with 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage, 5-year/60,000-mile overall vehicle coverage, and 3-year/36,000-mile complimentary maintenance and service valet benefits.