2025 Genesis GV80 Review

Genesis’ GV80 has been one of the market’s best mid-size luxury SUVs in recent years. However, its price has increased for the 2025 model year—and MotoPickers is here to help you determine whether it’s worth your money. Genesis’ 2025 GV80 is a mid-size luxury SUV that seats up to seven and starts at $57,700—up $700 from the 2024 version.

MotoPickers Rating: 9.6/10

New additions to the 2025 model include fresh exterior design tweaks, like updated metal badging with more detail. The 2025 GV80 is the first Genesis to feature this redesigned badging. Separate novelties include a meaner-looking lower bumper front clip and skid plate, helping balance the SUV’s urban aesthetics with rugged yet refined visuals. Headlights contain more individual lighting units, while the body-color exhaust now sits under the redesigned bumper. 

The 2025 GV80 retains its smooth ride feel, and horsepower remains the same as the previous year. We’ll explore this in more detail during our review’s performance analysis segment. Our review underscores how purchasing a 2025 GV80 means receiving an abundant selection of standard features—even within the base version.

However, we’ll also mention any less desirable attributes for this 2025 SUV so you get a fuller sense of whether it meets your driving needs. Learn more about the new Genesis GV80 below. 

Exterior design spotlight

One of the 2025 GV80’s most eye-catching exterior features is its sleek two-line LED headlamps, which flank an all-new double mesh G-Matrix Crest grille, creating stellar first impressions. The headlamps also have auto-on/off functionality to accommodate oncoming traffic during nighttime. Large corner air intakes below the headlamps keep the twin-turbo engine cool while providing a sharp look. 

The rear tail lights also contain an LED design, but the windshield wiper slightly detracts from the vehicle’s overall exterior appearance. Drivers can opt for this model’s newly available 22” alloy wheels with all-season tires, available 20” wheels, or the base model’s standard 19” wheels. The 2025 GV80’s side profile reveals well-placed chrome trim around the windows.

This SUV’s eight exterior color choices include: 

• Alta White
• Uyuni White
• Vik Black
• Savile Silver
• Makalu Gray
• Capri Blue
• Storr Green
• Storr Green Matte

A panoramic sunroof is standard on all 2025 GV80 trims except the base version, but a power hands-free smart liftgate with auto-open functionality comes with every grade. The outside mirrors are power-folding and add flair by projecting Genesis’ logo onto the ground via puddle lamps. You can turn the puddle lamps off if preferred.

Interior overview

The 2025 GV80 boasts a spacious second row bolstered by features like an available power seat recline and optional heated seats. Available Nappa leather upholstery further enhances the interior’s luxury. Genesis minimally processes its Nappa leather seating surfaces to maintain the hide’s organic appearance. Synthetic leather is standard.

While the second row provides plenty of room, the optional third row is cramped for adults. Cargo capacity behind the second row measures an impressive 36.5 cubic feet (cu. ft.). Folding down the rear seats expands this storage to 84 cu. ft. 

A mood curator system presents four modes with adjustable features like ambient lighting and fragrances, including Vitality, Delight, Care, or Comfort. Vitality energizes and invigorates passengers with vibrant ambient colors and uplifting fragrances, a dynamic that can be especially helpful during long drives. Delight shifts ambient lighting to warmer colors and sweet fragrances, while Care utilizes softer and cooler colors and calming scents. Comfort aims to establish a home-like setting with warm colors and inviting fragrances.

The base model features a high-gloss Piano Black finish on the dashboard and additional cabin elements, which forms a contemporary appearance and contributes to the interior’s spaciousness. All trims except the entry-level version contain matte-finish wood trim, while a leatherette-wrapped upper instrument panel and power front seats with 4-way power lumbar support come standard. 

Drivers looking to level up their comfort behind the wheel may want to consider selecting the 2025 GV80’s optional power cushion extender, bolster, and ergo motion feature. The power cushion extension provides additional thigh support, while the bolster component supplies side bolster customization within the driver’s seat. Ergo motion mitigates driver fatigue with design elements like gentle movements facilitating increased circulation and comfort.

All tilt and telescoping steering wheel adjustments feature power controls, but you’ll need to move past the base version to pair the system with a heated steering wheel. Available aluminum door sill plates add another layer of interior luxury, while optional active noise control helps reduce road and wind noise from entering the cabin.

Performance and handling

Genesis’ 2025 GV80 offers two powertrain options: a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, each offering 300 and 375 horsepower, respectively. These robust powertrains can receive additional support from an available limited slip differential and optional electronically controlled suspension. 

The limited-slip differential delivers power to the rear wheels based on current grip levels, which is especially helpful during situations like cornering. For example, if you hit a patch of ice and one rear tire begins to lose traction, the limited-slip differential will redistribute power to the wheel with a higher grip, increasing your control. 

Opting for the electronically controlled suspension with road preview means smoother rides. A front-facing camera makes real-time suspension adjustments based on the upcoming road surface it’s analyzing, helping absorb impact from tedious obstacles like potholes. 

All 2025 Genesis GV80 trims contain an 8-speed automatic transmission for increased driver engagement and seamless shifting. Drive modes within this SUV include:

• Snow
• Sport
• Comfort
• Eco
• Custom

Snow mode helps you avoid wheel slippage in winter conditions by easing your throttle response for calmer acceleration and increasing power distribution between front and rear wheels in tandem with all-wheel drive (AWD). Conversely, Sport mode enhances throttle response for quicker acceleration while implementing stiffer suspension, mitigating body roll during sharp turns.

Comfort mode will provide the smoothest handling, while Eco prioritizes fuel management. The GV80’s gas mileage hasn’t ever been anything special, but the 2025 version has slightly lower fuel economy than its predecessor due to more exterior elements. Drivers can expect a 2025 GV80 to deliver 16-19 MPG in the city and 22-24 MPG on the highway.

Technology

Genesis has added a sprawling 27” OLED infotainment system to the 2025 GV80, which delivers data like navigation, media, weather, audio, and more. All trims come with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, and a 90-day SiriusXM trial accessible in all states except Arkansas and Hawaii. Consider complementing this model’s wireless smartphone connectivity with the upgraded Bang and Olufsen sound system with 18 speakers and a 14-channel amplifier.

Four USB-C ports and three 12V power outlets throughout the cabin enhance passenger connectivity. The 2025 GV80 streamlines your reception of vital driving data with the available Head-Up display, which projects information like speed, navigation, and incoming calls onto your windshield within your road line of sight. 

Changing gears in this mid-size SUV is easy thanks to the shift-by-wire dial, which allows you to rotate between gear positions instead of using a traditional shifter. This gear dial contains a jewelry-inspired design and ambient lighting that changes depending on its position. Fingerprint authentication within the 2025 GV80 helps you start your car, load profile settings for your seat or side mirrors, and enable radio presets.  

Selecting the available digital rearview mirror expands your environmental awareness by using a backward-facing camera to produce a widened digital perspective via your rearview mirror. Genesis Connected services, which are complementary and smartphone compatible, include helpful features such as stolen vehicle recovery, automatic collision notifications, and more.

Genesis continually updates safety and performance technology within the 2025 GV80 through wireless over-the-air software updates you can perform anywhere. The automaker also includes its Genesis Pay service, which helps you complete tasks like reserving and paying for parking or purchasing fuel at compatible stations from your SUV.

Safety Features

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) have not released crash protection ratings for the 2025 Genesis GV80. Still, you can learn more about this SUV’s safety capabilities below, starting with standard offerings. 

Forward-Collision Avoidance Assist with pedestrian and cyclist Detection can detect an impending collision with these parties. Triggering the system will result in driver audio and visual alerts and automatic braking if necessary. 

Additional standard features within the 2025 GV80 include: 

• Lane Keeping Assist
• Driver Attention Warning (detects distracted driving) 
• Blind-Spot Detection (non-upgraded version)
• Safe Exit Assist
• Advanced Rear Occupant Alert

Now, onto the available features. 

Available safety features

Available Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist warns you of approaching cross-traffic while you’re reversing and can apply brakes to help you avoid an accident. We suggest selecting this SUV’s available Blind-Spot Monitor, fostering peace of mind during lane changes with a side camera view shown in the instrument gauge, which activates upon turn signal initiation. 

While the IIHS hasn’t yet scored the 2025 Genesis GV80, its 2024 predecessor won the non-profit organization’s highest grade of Top Safety Pick+.

Pricing and value 

Let’s take a closer look at the starting prices and fuel economy of the 2025 GV80’s six grades before covering warranty information: 

• GV80 2.5T Standard (base) – $57,700 (19/24 MPG)
• GV80 2.5T Select – $61,600 (19/24 MPG)
• GV80 2.5T Advanced – $65,600 (19/24 MPG)
• GV80 2.5T Prestige – $70,450 (19/24 MPG)
• GV80 3.5T Advanced – $73,800 (16/22 MPG)
• GV80 3.5T Prestige – $79,300 (16/22 MPG)

Genesis gives 2025 GV80 customers a five-year or 60,000-mile basic warranty, whichever comes first, and a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Purchasing a new Genesis means complimentary scheduled maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles, which includes oil changes.

Customers will also receive Genesis Concierge, which personalizes the 2025 GV80’s luxury with live support from an agent helping you schedule service appointments, learn more about vehicle features, and more.

The competition

The 2025 Genesis GV80’s main competitors are:

• BMW X5 and X6
• Mercedes-Benz GLE
• Audi Q7 and Q8

Each of these competitors have higher starting prices than the 2025 GV80. While the new GV80 struggles slightly in terms of fuel economy, you’ll find that its rivals are within the same ballpark. In our view, the GV80’s exterior is also more eye-catching, especially with its new updates. You’ll also find that BMW’s X5 and Some Mercedes-Benz GLE trims don’t contain standard all-wheel drive.

Final verdict

There’s a strong case for the claim that the Genesis GV80 is the best mid-size luxury SUV available today with its delicately balanced design—and that’s why we’re giving it a 9.6/10 overall rating.

While its base price has increased slightly, it still offers value that exceeds or is equivalent to its competition. The exterior retains its urban-focused design but adds some rugged elements, like a new lower bumper front clip and skid plate, for more visual versatility. 

BMW’s 2025 X5 does have higher standard horsepower at 375, but the pricier X6 contains the same horsepower output and starts at around $75,000. In our view, you’re better off selecting a higher-grade 2025 GV80 if you want to save money while gaining additional power.

As our review mentions, several desirable 2025 GV80 features are available as upgrades. Still, the SUV’s extensive trims help you attain some of these systems without spending an arm and a leg, and keep you from feeling overwhelmed trying to select a grade. We recommend opting for a trim above the entry-level grade, as doing so will yield modern must-haves like a panoramic sunroof. 

Regarding utility, this SUV is practical in addition to its sleek style. Folding down the rear seats gives you over 80 cu. ft. of cargo space, and even with the rear seats up, you’ll receive close to 40 cu. ft. of storage. We also recognize Genesis’ concerted effort to increase interior ergonomics beyond cargo with features like shift-by-wire gear shifting, ample wireless connectivity, and the various moods you can set via ambient lighting and fragrances.

The 2024 Genesis GV80 won’t give you a significant advantage during off-roading, but its refreshed exterior design, robust engine options, and advanced technology make it a formidable contender within its segment.