Genesis GV80 – RANKINGS, COMPARISONS AND INFORMATION SHEETS
WHY IS THIS INFORMATION IMPORTANT?
This page will tell you everything that you need to know about the Acura MDX. Buying a vehicle is a huge accomplishment and a huge financial outlay. We want you to have as much information as possible, so that you can make the best decision for you.
The Genesis GV80 (Korean: 제네시스 GV80) is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV manufactured by Korean luxury automaker Genesis, a luxury vehicle division of Hyundai.
Internally codenamed JX1, the vehicle was leaked in 3D on October 2019 and officially unveiled in January 2020 as the first SUV for the Genesis brand. It is a collaborative effort between Genesis design teams in Korea, Europe, and the United States. Built on a new rear-wheel-drive architecture, the doors, hood, and tailgate are made out of weight-saving aluminum.
The GV80 is available with three powertrains, a turbocharged 2.5-liter unit with 304 PS (224 kW; 300 hp), a turbocharged 3.5-liter unit with 380 PS (279 kW; 375 hp), and a turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel with 278 PS (204 kW; 274 hp) horsepower, which will only be available in select markets.
It features a navigation-based smart cruise control (ASCC), remote smart parking assist, an NFC digital key, an around view monitor (AVM), 22-inch wheels, Nappa leather seating, a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display with the 21-speakers Lexicon audio system, electric side curtains, and driver-controlled second and third row seating.
The safety system includes ten airbags, forward collision-avoidance assist, reverse parking collision-avoidance assist, driver attention warning, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, automatic high beam assist, and lane keep assist (LKAS).
— Source Wikipedia
- Official Page – Genesis GV80
- Price: Starts at $64,650
- Comparable to: Audi Q7, Mercedes-Benz GLS, BMW X7
- Reliability: This vehicle has a JDPower reliability rating of 81/100 which is considered GREAT.
- Maintenance costs: The MDX will cost approximately $4,080 to maintain over 10 years.
REVIEWS AND IMPRESSIONS
We have put together as many reviews and impressions as we could find. Each finds a way to touch upon something that the others missed. If you are serious about this vehicle then check out the videos at the end of our vehicle analysis section. If you have review or first impressions that helped you and that aren’t listed here, please contact us!
OUR SCORE
We rank the Genesis GV80 #5 in the Full-Size Luxury SUV Category.
SCORES BY PUBLICATION:
Kelley Blue Book: 4.8 / 5
Car and Driver: 10 / 10
USNews: 8.6 / 10
Edmunds: 7.9 / 10
J.D. Power: 80 / 100
Motortrend: 8.1 /10
What the critics have to say…
The 2021 Genesis GV80 provides a serene driving experience, which is exactly what you expect of a premium SUV. In the softly tuned Korean market model we sampled, the GV80 glided over bumps without exhibiting unruly body motions. That said, when we evaluated the U.S.-market version for our SUV of the Year competition, we called the ride “atrocious” for a luxury SUV and said that even in comfort mode it felt too stiff. We also came away feeling like the base 2.5-liter turbo-four was underpowered and overworked in an SUV of this size.
— Motortrend
Fledgling luxury carmaker Genesis has proven that it is quite capable of challenging European and Japanese luxury brands and now it’s getting into the premium SUV game with the 2021 GV80. The GV80 takes on the BMW X5 and the Mercedes-Benz GLE-class. Genesis’s first SUV is powered by a standard turbocharged four-cylinder or a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 engine; rear-wheel drive will be standard and all-wheel drive will be optional. We’ve sampled both engines and have conducted an instrumented test on both the V-6 and the four-cylinder; we can report that the new SUV delivers both agile handling and a serene ride. We were so impressed with the GV80 during our annual 10Best evaluation event, we gave it a spot on the 2021 list and an Editors’ Choice award.
— Car and Driver
HOW DOES IT DRIVE?
The GV80 can be outfitted with a turbocharged four- or six-cylinder engine, which on paper look great. The GV80 with the larger 3.5-liter V6 engine hits 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds. That’s decently quick for a midsize SUV, but most competitors with six-cylinder engines are slightly quicker.
Engine aside, the rest of the driving experience is average at best. The brakes are touchy and the steering heavy even when the GV80 is in Comfort setting. Handling isn’t sloppy, but most of the German SUVs feel tighter and more composed on a curvy road. If you intend to use the GV80 mainly as a highway cruiser, it’ll do great, and none of this other stuff will matter as much.
IS IT RELIABLE AND HIGH QUALITY?
Is the Genesis GV80 Reliable?
The 2021 Genesis GV80 has a predicted reliability score of 81 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average, and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.
Genesis GV80 Warranty
Genesis covers the GV80 with a five-year/60,000-mile limited warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
HOW COMFORTABLE IS IT?
If comfort is your number 1 priority then the GV80 does this better than many. One of the highlights is excellent ride comfort. All V6-equipped GV80s come with an electronically controlled suspension system that uses a forward-facing camera to read the road surface ahead and make suspension adjustments quickly on the fly.
The tri-zone climate control is also excellent, both for its ease of use and effectiveness. The same goes for the heated and ventilated seats that are standard in all but the base trim. Seat comfort is solid as well, especially with the upgraded seats in the Prestige trim that have additional adjustments. Genesis also does a commendable job insulating its cabins against sound and vibrations, and the GV80 is no exception.
WHAT IS THE INTERIOR LIKE?
The interior is hit or miss. On one hand, the user interface is different, looks cool, and offers different ways of interacting with the infotainment. But the clickable rotary wheel is hard to use and kludgy. The screen’s inconsistent menu structure is a UI / UX designer’s nightmare. The combination results in an infotainment system that is unintuitive and often distracting when on the go.
The GV80 is comparable in passenger space to the average midsize SUV. One exception: Headroom is a little tighter. Access to the optional third row is better than in most any other vehicle in this segment, but the third row is quite small and best reserved for kids. The step-in height feels a tad higher than average, but the seat height is right at hip level for the average adult, which allows you to slip in pretty easily. Visibility is exceptional. The optional surround-view camera is great and worth getting.
WHAT IS THE TECHNOLOGY LIKE?
There are plenty of advanced driver aids, and most of them come standard and function very well. Genesis’ smart cruise control with highway driving assist is one of the better systems in the class and even allows for some hands-off operation when conditions permit.
The available 21-speaker premium audio system is also quite impressive in the sound quality it delivers, though Genesis seemed to take a step back with the navigation map, forgoing street names on the display in exchange for a cleaner look. It took the WAZE approach, rather than the Google Maps approach. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone integration is included but isn’t wireless yet.
WHAT IS THE CARGO SPACE LIKE?
The GV80’s cargo area is wide and accessible. The second row has a 40/20/40-split configuration and can fold flat at the touch of a button. Power-folding/unfolding third-row seats are one touch too.
Underfloor storage in the cargo area is limited, but you can store the luggage cover here when it’s not in use. Up front, storage for personal effects is better than in the average luxury SUV. But the door pockets are tiny, and plugging your phone in to access Apple CarPlay or Android Auto creates a mess of wires up front. The small bonus storage area underneath the center console can be useful.
IS THIS VEHICLE A GOOD VALUE?
While the GV80 lacks a bit of that high-end heft in some of its switchgear and trim, it gets the fundamentals right and offers lots of luxury features for thousands less than the competition. In terms of quality, it looks and feels like it’s a level above typical Japanese luxury SUVs but a step behind the Germans.
One area Genesis has an indisputable lead is warranty coverage. Its five-year/60,000-mile basic and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage far exceeds anything its competitors offer, and they include three years/36,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance.
IS THE genesis gv80 A GOOD SUV?
Yes, the Genesis GV80 is a good SUV. This crossover offers two punchy turbocharged engines, has engaging handling, and gets good gas mileage. The interior is exactly what you expect from a luxury SUV: It’s handsome, stylish, and replete with top-shelf materials. There are two rows of roomy, comfortable seats and plenty of standard features, including a large infotainment display.
SHOULD I BUY THE AUDI Q7?
The GV80 is definitely worth your consideration. In addition to the litany of positives listed above, this Genesis is one of the most affordable vehicles in the class, making it a stellar value.
THE FINAL WORD
The all-new 2021 Genesis GV80 is one of the most well-rounded vehicles in it’s class. It’s driving experience seems to be love hat, more than some of its classmates, but it has fairly nimble handling, and its interior is as nice as any competitors, including those from BMW, Mercedes, and Audi. Even better, the GV80 carries a lower price tag than many better-known competitors, making it a strong value.