Genesis GV80 Review 2024

Taking on well-established luxury SUVs is a challenge for any car manufacturer. The Genesis GV80 is the contender from Hyundai’s upmarket brand, designed to compete with the likes of the Audi Q7, German counterpart the BMW X5 and Britain’s Land Rover Discovery. Read our Genesis GV80 review to see what we make of it.

Just as with other offerings from the brand, the Genesis GV80 aims to provide a high specification that matches or exceeds key rivals, but with the potential for better value.

There’s no mistaking the Genesis GV80 from the outside, with the possible exception that it could be potentially confused with a Bentley Bentayga from some angles.

The substantial front grille and twin, slim headlight design is an established styling cue for the brand, and in a segment where presence is a large part of the appeal, the Genesis GV80 has it in abundance.

While the rest of the car is more conventional, there’s no doubt that its appearance gives it the status of something more than just another large SUV.

Inside, the Genesis GV80 shares the impressive design and quality seen in other Genesis products. The layout is relatively straightforward, and although it has a large, central 14.5-inch infotainment screen, it does not dominate the cabin as it is set relatively far back on the dashboard.

The centre console is wide and helps to give the cabin a cosy feel without eating into the available space, while the control layout is simple enough to understand.

Better still is that the quality on offer is high, especially if you choose a model above the entry-level Premium trim, which means higher-quality Nappa leather and real wood.

The switches and buttons operate with a reassuring solidity, while there is very little evidence of cheap plastics.

As you would hope for a car of this size, interior space is generous, with an optional third row of seats to make it into a six or seven-seater, although limited headroom means it is only a realistic option for children.

Five-seat versions offer increased boot space, as they do not need to accommodate the third row.

From launch, the Genesis GV80 was offered with a choice of a 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel engine with 278PS and a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol with 304PS, although the diesel option has been discontinued for new buyers, leaving the petrol as the sole option at present.

Both offer respectable performance and economy given the car’s size, but a hybrid or electric version would provide buyers similar options to those offered by rivals.

The Genesis GV80 is designed to offer driver and passengers a high level of comfort, and that is reflected in the driving experience.

The ride quality is good over almost any kind of surface, although the large wheels mean that at low speeds,  smaller imperfections can make their way into the cabin.

It’s also undemanding to drive in spite of its size, and although it is not as engaging as the BMW X5, it handles respectably well.

The space available in the front of the Genesis GV80 is limousine-like. Both occupants have all the head and legroom they could possibly need, with a wide range of adjustment in the electrically controlled seats making it easy to get comfortable.

There’s plenty of elbow room, too, even though the centre console is particularly wide. That contributes to the generous amount of storage, even if the door bins are averagely-sized.

In the second row of seats, there is enough space to accommodate tall adults, with the ability to slide the seats forward and backwards to increase legroom if required.

There is also the option to specify two individual rear seats rather than a bench, to provide more generous space and additional comfort for two passengers rather than three.

A pair of rear seats can also be specified, creating a six or seven-seater depending on the arrangement of the second row. These seats fold into the floor when not in use, but headroom is quite limited so they are best suited for children rather than adults.

Boot space is 735 litres with the second-row seats in place, which should be large enough for most eventualities.

At this price point buyers have an expectation of high quality, and the Genesis GV80 does not disappoint.

Right from opening the driver’s door, it is clear to see that time and money has been spent to create a welcoming, impressive cabin.

The design is straightforward rather than eye-catching, but there are plenty of nice touches that give the cabin a lift, such as the mix of leather and metal finishes, and the quilted leather on the seats for an extra touch of luxury.

The high specification, regardless of trim, also boosts the feeling of quality.

All the major controls feel solid to the touch and click with a satisfying precision, and although there are a few areas where cheaper plastics are in evidence, they are tucked away where you are unlikely to encounter them too often.

As standard, the Genesis GV80 comes with a 14.5-inch centre screen with navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, voice activation and DAB radio.

As well as functioning as a touchscreen, it can also be operated by a central circular controller, with the facility to enter text by using a small touchpad, as well as voice inputs.

The screen itself is clear, with well-defined menus that make it easy to get to the required function without having to delve into numerous sub-menus too often.

Although the screen is large, it is mounted quite far back on the dashboard, so if you have the seat set back it will be more of a reach to use it.

The optional Innovation Pack adds a larger 12.3-inch digital instrument panel as well as a head-up display, both of which work well and make it easier for the driver to control various functions on the move. The displays can be altered to show navigation, audio and other functions.

Sound quality on the standard audio system is impressive, but there is also the option of an upgraded Lexicon audio set-up. This is a available as a separate option on earlier cars, but standard on new models with Luxury Plus trim.

It adds an external amplifier, additional speakers and surround sound, and delivers exceptional audio performance.

At the time of writing, new prices for the Genesis GV80 start at £60,000, but the standard specification is impressive.

Moving up through the range sees the price tag increase significantly. Luxury trim starts at £66,000 while Luxury Plus at the top of the range is £75,000, but has almost every possible imaginable.

Compare this to the cheapest BMW X5 at £70,000 and Mercedes GLE at £78,000, and it starts to look like better value.

Used examples are relatively rare, but nearly new cars are available with substantial savings over new list prices. We found a 2021 Genesis GV80 petrol in Luxury spec with just 15,000 miles for only £45,000.

With only the petrol engine option currently available for new vehicles, running costs for a large and relatively weighty SUV are likely to be high.

Official combined fuel consumption of 26.2mpg means that real-world figures could easily dip below 20mpg in town driving, while the CO2 emissions of 241g/km will make it an expensive choice for company car buyers.

In contrast, the diesel version performs better, with official combined fuel consumption of up to 33.2mpg, which should make running costs more palatable for used buyers.

Insurance is also likely to be significant, with insurance groups ranging from 45 for the Premium versions up to 48 for the Luxury Plus specification.

The Genesis GV80 leans more heavily towards the comfort end of the scale, although it is worth bearing in mind that even the most humble version rides on 20-inch wheels, with some models using 22-inch wheels that are not ideal for a settled ride.

At speed, the Genesis GV80 is calm and controlled, making it easy to effortlessly cover big distances with little fuss.

This is helped by a monitoring system that uses a camera to scan the road for imperfections and automatically adjust the suspension to suit.

However, at lower speeds the ride is less composed, with the 22-inch wheels in particular picking up niggly road surfaces and transmitting them through to the cabin. 

The rest of the driving experience is relatively relaxed. The steering offers less feel than the best in the class and does not have a great deal of weight to it either, which can leave the driver feeling a little disconnected.

But it is accurate and sharp without being too sensitive at higher speeds.

Drive the Genesis GV80 with a little more enthusiasm and it copes relatively well for a car of this size and weight.

There’s no shortage of grip which is reassuring for the driver, and although there is some body roll it never feels excessive.

It is capable rather than great fun, but should be more than sufficient for most buyers.

For new Genesis GV80s, the sole engine option is a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol, which provides a useful 304PS and 422Nm of torque and is mated to a standard eight-speed automatic transmission.

All versions are fitted with four-wheel-drive as standard, which ensures good traction in a variety of weather conditions.

This certainly helps the Genesis GV80’s performance, as it can reach 62mph from rest in 6.9 seconds, which is impressive for an SUV of this size and is competitive with rivals.

It is also quite refined, considering it is a four-cylinder unit, partly helped by the sound insulation which helps to filter out the majority of unwanted noises. It combines well with the automatic transmission, which offers smooth gearchanges and is rarely caught out by sudden demands for acceleration.

Although no longer available for new cars, the six-cylinder diesel engine may be a better choice for used buyers.

It offers 278PS, slightly less than the petrol version, but provides considerably more torque with 588Nm. This ensures it is only slightly slower in terms of acceleration, but with considerably better fuel consumption. It is also a refined unit, and the extra torque makes for relaxed progress.

Whether buying new or used, the Genesis GV80 is not currently available with a hybrid or pure electric powertrain. This will limit its appeal for some buyers.

Euro NCAP tested the Genesis GV80 in 2021 and it achieved the maximum five stars, with an exceptionally high 91% score for adult occupant protection and 87% for child occupant protection.

Pedestrian mitigation was less impressive, however, with a rating of 66%, while the safety assist rating of 88% is very high.

The standard safety specification is comprehensive, including smart cruise control, blind spot collision assist, lane keeping assist, forward collision avoidance, intelligent speed limit assist, lane following assist and highway driving assist.

Both the petrol and diesel versions of the Genesis GV80 offer the same impressive towing capacity, with 750kg unbraked and 2272kg braked.

This makes the SUV an excellent choice for those who need to tow on a regular basis.

The Genesis GV80 Premium specification offers Preview ECS (electronic control suspension), dual front LED headlamps, 10 airbags, smart cruise control with stop and start, lane following assist, blind-spot collision avoidance and rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist.

Buyers also benefit from 20-inch alloy wheels, a black gloss interior finish, 12-way power front seats, eight-inch digital instrument display, 14.5-inch navigation with Genesis Connected, keyless entry, power tailgate, rear view camera, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Genesis GV80 Luxury specification adds 22-inch alloy wheels, a real wood interior finish, heated steering wheel, leatherette dashboard, quilted seats, heated front and rear seats, rear side curtain, rear air-conditioning and premium cabin filter.

Genesis GV80 Luxury Plus adds dual front LED headlamps with adaptive driving beam, a two-tone leather heated steering wheel, suede headlining, pillars and sun visors, Nappa leather seats and electric lumbar support passenger seat.

There’s also an Ergo-Motion driver’s seat, heated and ventilated seats in rows one and two, forward collision-avoidance assist, parking collision-avoidance assist, remote smart parking assist, blind-spot view monitor, highway driving assist, Lexicon audio system and active road noise cancelling.

Buyers also get a dual rear monitor, wireless phone charger, head-up display, laminated glass front and rear, 12.3-inch digital instrument display, surround vew monitor, electric rear side curtain, front and rear soft door close and hot and cold cupholder.

The Genesis GV80 Sport trim is as Luxury, but adds dark chrome exterior trim, copper brake callipers, 22-inch alloy wheels in black and aluminium interior trim.