2026 Genesis GV80

The Genesis GV80 is a relative newcomer in the competitive midsize luxury SUV class, but it’s quickly become one of our favorites. Going toe-to-toe with the big guys like the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE, the GV80 impresses with its striking design, gorgeous interior, and pleasant driving experience. On the practical side, it has plenty of space, an optional third row, and the best warranty coverage in its class. The GV80 is an SUV that satisfies practical needs while indulging its fortunate owners in a high-class luxury experience.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of midsize luxury SUVs, including the Genesis GV80.

The 2026 Genesis GV80 adds the Prestige Black trim to both the SUV and the Coupe. As its name implies, it adds a darkened appearance package to the loaded Prestige trim. Also, the optional third row of seats used to be exclusive to the Advanced trims, but now comes in both the Advanced and Prestige models. Finally, a new rear-wheel-drive (RWD) option is available, which eeks out slightly better fuel economy than the base engine with all-wheel drive (AWD). The base 2.5T model is the only one you can get with RWD.

Pricing for the Genesis GV80 is a little lower than German rivals like the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE, but a bit higher than the Lexus RX and Lincoln Nautilus. Meanwhile, the sleek GV80 Coupe’s price tag is similar to those of the BMW X6, Mercedes GLE Coupe, and Porsche Cayenne Coupe.

Before buying a GV80, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Genesis GV80 resale value is below average for the segment. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The Genesis GV80 is a pleasure to drive, regardless of what’s under the hood. The standard turbo 4-cylinder engine makes a strong case as the sensible choice, packing 300 horsepower and having the lowest price tag and fuel costs of this SUV’s engine options. The 4-cylinder even has the same max tow rating as the V6 options: up to 6,000 pounds. The available twin-turbo V6 delivers a nice power and torque boost, but its acceleration is almost too relaxed to excite enthusiasts. A twin-turbo V6 with an electric supercharger is optional on the GV80 Coupe and offers a slight performance improvement over the regular twin-turbo V6 while maintaining the same estimated fuel costs.

So, you can’t make a bad choice under the hood, but what about the rest of the driving experience? The GV80 is about as poised as anything else in this class, which is to say its ride is smooth, its cabin is quiet, and its steering and braking strike a balance of sporty and comfy that’s hard to get just right. Enthusiasts looking for an SUV that’s both luxurious and exciting might be better served by one of the GV80’s German rivals, but we think the driving experience of this Genesis is exactly what a lot of shoppers in this class are looking for.

Powertrain

If you thought the GV80’s exterior was gorgeous, wait till you see the interior. Any doubt that a Korean luxury SUV could be as nice inside as established European competitors will be put to rest by climbing in the driver’s seat of a Genesis. We’ve heard some complain that the GV80’s front seats are on the firm side, but we’ve found them comfortable and supportive on long drives, especially with the Ergo Motion driver’s seat that can adjust automatically with the drive mode or just to reduce fatigue.

Material quality is top-notch, and it’s even available with some adventurous color options like Smoky Green contrasted with Earth Brown or Vanilla Beige. The 27-inch OLED display, combining the infotainment display and digital gauge cluster, is pretty and user-friendly. As for climate controls, it’s a combination of tactile knobs and screen-based controls. We generally think the more physical controls, the better, but this is one of the less frustrating screen-based climate control systems we’ve tested.

Second-row occupants enjoy 38.7 inches of legroom, which is about average for a midsize luxury SUV. The third row in the Advanced and Prestige models (only in the SUV, not in the Coupe) offers 30.3 inches of legroom. That’s about the same as the third row in the Acura MDX, but the MDX has much more cargo space behind the third row. The available third row adds versatility to the GV80, but at 11.6 cubic feet, there’s hardly any cargo space when that third row is in use. Anyone looking for a more adult-friendly third row will need to look elsewhere, since the GV80 is the biggest SUV Genesis offers (for now).

Good Engines
There’s no bad engine in the Genesis GV80. The base turbo-4 delivers a nice balance of performance and efficiency, while the available turbo V6 adds considerable thrust while retaining driving serenity. The turbocharged and supercharged V6 available in the GV80 Coupe delivers over 400 horsepower, giving this fastback SUV the sporting performance its sleek design suggests.

27-Inch OLED Display
Every Genesis GV80 comes with a beautiful 27-inch OLED display that houses the digital gauge cluster and the central infotainment display. The graphics are pretty, the interface is user-friendly, and it has wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. This is one of the better infotainment experiences in midsize luxury SUVs.

Great Safety Scores
The Genesis GV80 earns a 5-Star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the coveted Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It earns these top safety awards not just because of its favorable crash-test results, but because of its proven ability to avoid collisions with its automatic emergency braking system.