By Pros
KBB’s Midsize Luxury SUV Best Buy for 2023
Sumptuous interior, amenities
Cons
Optional third row is tight
What’s new?
All-wheel drive now standard
Redesigned infotainment knob
Prestige Signature trim gone
The Genesis GV80 is KBB’s highest-rated midsize luxury SUV of 2023 and a Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Award winner. Pricing starts at $55,550.
The Genesis brand is still a relative newcomer to the luxury car world. However, in its brief time on the market, it has impressed us with some of the finest premium automobiles money can buy. The Genesis GV80 is the Korean luxury brand’s offering in a competitive class of midsize SUVs, including the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, and Lexus RX. The Genesis is a class leader because of its roomy, luxurious interior, fantastic engine choices, and outstanding value proposition. And those are just some of the reasons we named it our Midsize Luxury SUV Best Buy for 2023.
The 2023 Geneis GV80
Genesis
2023 Genesis GV80 pricing
The 2023 Genesis GV80 starts at $55,550. From there, the pricing varies depending on the engine and the trim. The 3-row GV80 3.5T Advanced+ trim starts at $70,600 and the top GV80 3.5T Prestige model begins at $75,100. The GV80 is more affordable than most European rivals like the BMW X5, Audi Q7, and Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class.
GV80 2.5T: $55,550 : Most popular
GV80 2.5T Advanced: $62,050
GV80 3.5T: $62,700
GV80 2.5T Prestige: $67,300
GV80 3.5T Advanced: $68,900
GV80 3.5T Advanced+: $70,600
GV80 3.5T Prestige: $75,100
These are the manufacturer’s suggested retail prices and don’t include the $1,095 factory-to-dealer delivery fee.
Before buying a GV80, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Genesis GV80 resale values have proven to be about average for the segment.
What’s new?
The Genesis GV80 gets a few notable improvements for the 2023 model year. For starters, all-wheel drive (AWD) now comes standard on every model. The GV80 also receives a redesigned infotainment control knob with less of a learning curve. The 4-seat Prestige Signature trim has been discontinued, which isn’t a significant loss since the lower, more affordable trims of the GV80 are the most popular.
Driving the 2023 Genesis GV80
Driving the Genesis GV80 is a pleasant experience. The standard turbocharged 4-cylinder engine provides more than enough thrust for the daily commute and more spirited driving. The ride is relaxed and comfortable, especially with the optional Road Preview feature, which uses cameras to read the road ahead and adjust the suspension accordingly.
It gets more exciting, of course, if you upgrade to the turbocharged V6 engine in the GV80 3.5T models. This turns up the power and torque ratings, improving this SUV’s performance while keeping the pricing and fuel economy pretty reasonable.
The personality of the GV80 changes a bit depending on which of the five drive modes you select. Scroll between Comfort, Snow, Eco, Sport, and Custom modes to make the drive more efficient, more sporty, or provide better driving conditions in poor weather. The drive modes adjust things like shift points, suspension stiffness, and throttle response.
We’re glad that all-wheel drive is now standard on the 2023 Genesis GV80. This ensures good all-season traction and a more confident grip on dry pavement.
Sumptuous interior
Although Genesis doesn’t have the same brand panache as more established names like Mercedes-Benz and BMW, the interior of the GV80 is luxurious by anyone’s standards. The design looks sophisticated, and we love the feel of the interior materials.
The available quilted Nappa leather is on par with the fanciest SUVs we’ve driven in this class, and the available Ergo Motion driver’s seat adjusts to meet your needs in support and posture. It has massaging settings and can make the side bolsters snugger when you turn on Sport mode.
One thing we love about this interior is the unique color combinations available. You can go the conservative route with a traditional black or tan interior, but if you’re feeling adventurous, there’s a Smokey Green leather option and an available Ultramarine Blue dash.
We tried the second-row seats, and there’s plenty of room for average-sized adults. The seat comfort and the smooth ride mean you won’t hear any complaints from back-seat passengers. You can even get ventilated second-row seats as an option, which is an uncommon feature.
When we try to climb into the third row of the GV80 3.5T Advanced+ model, we don’t have much legroom or headroom, but these extra seats are suitable for children. Don’t think of the 3-row GV80 as a minivan alternative, but rather a roomy midsize SUV with a small reserve tank of passenger capacity.
The cargo space in the GV80 is above average in this class. Cargo space is good behind the second-row seats and enormous when you fold down the back seats. Not only that, but a wide opening makes it easy to load and unload large items.
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Head-turning design
The Genesis GV80 has a sharp design language that Genesis calls “Athletic Elegance.” It’s a stylish look that sets it apart from its more mainstream rivals. The GV80 is the biggest SUV in the Genesis lineup, and its size is comparable to the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class. It’s a little smaller than midsize SUVs with roomier, standard 3-row seating like the Acura MDX and Audi Q7.
Our favorite features and tech
Two excellent enginesYou can’t go wrong with either engine available under the hood of the GV80. The base 4-cylinder engine is both powerful and efficient, and the beefier turbo V6 adds more muscle.
Fantastic warrantyThe GV80 is backed by a reassuring, best-in-class 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Available third rowThe GV80 3.5T Advanced+ adds a convenient third row of seats, adding to the versatility of the GV80. These are nice in case you need extra seating in a pinch.
Remote Smart Parking AssistThis available feature lets you park your SUV without being in it. Press and hold the button on the key fob while the GV80 gets itself in and out of parallel and perpendicular parking spots.
14.5-inch infotainment systemA user-friendly and feature-rich infotainment system with a massive 14.5-inch screen comes standard in the GV80. Standard tech features include Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM, and four USB ports. The audio is upgradeable to a superb Lexicon 21-speaker sound system.
Highway Driving AssistThis collection of features can shoulder some of the driving effort by combining driver assistance features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist, and it can even pass on the highway automatically.
Two great engines
The 2023 Genesis GV80 lineup features a choice of two great powertrains.
2023 Genesis GV80 2.5T: Most popular
The base engine in the Genesis GV80 is popular for good reasons. With a 300-horsepower rating and up to 24 mpg on the highway, it strikes a good balance of performance and efficiency. All-wheel drive (AWD) comes standard, as does an 8-speed automatic transmission.
2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder300 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm311 lb-ft of torque @ 1,650 rpmEPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/24 mpg
2023 Genesis GV80 3.5T: Stronger performance
The twin-turbo V6 in the GV80 3.5T model adds more muscle to this premium SUV and comes with a slight fuel economy penalty. This is a worthwhile trade-off if you’re willing to sacrifice a little efficiency for more power and torque. Like the standard 4-cylinder engine, the V6 is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission, and AWD comes standard.
3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6375 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm391 lb-ft of torque @ 1,300 rpmEPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/23 mpg
More GV80 fuel economy information is available on the EPA’s website.
Class-leading warranty
The Genesis GV80 boasts a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. This is the best warranty in its class, bringing a lot of peace of mind to Genesis owners.
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This story originally ran on KBB.com.
