It's no coincidence that Genesis's winged logo looks a lot like the badge on a Bentley. It's emblematic of the upstart Korean luxury brand's ambitious mission to join the ranks of upper-crust automakers that have amassed cachet over the past century. While Genesis isn't quite yet a household name, brand awareness and sales have notably increased since 2020. That's when the Genesis GV80 arrived and became an instant hit, earning our 10Best award and helping the marque's total U.S. sales rise from 5099 in 2020 to 15,301 in 2021. Now entering its fifth model year for 2025, the Genesis GV80 gets a makeover that makes the mid-size luxury SUV even better than before.
Fresh New Looks, Same Great Ride
Without a side-by-side comparison, the new GV80's alterations aren't immediately obvious. Its split headlights and large pentagonal grille are familiar, but a closer inspection reveals a new twin-spoke mesh design that gives the grille greater dimension and new microlens-array headlights adopted from the flagship Genesis G90 sedan. Additionally, the GV80's front end adds larger air intakes and a faux skid plate that together make it look wider and sportier.
While the slope-backed GV80 Coupe will introduce a 409-hp V-6 with an electric supercharger when it arrives later this year, the rest of the lineup continues with the standard 300-hp turbo 2.5-liter inline-four and the available 375-hp twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6. Both existing engines pair with an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive remains standard. We drove the top-of-the-line GV80 Prestige with the V-6. It's not nearly as strong or vociferous as the growling V-8s that power the BMW X5 M60i and the Porsche Cayenne S, but those rivals are at least $10,000 dearer than this Genesis.
While we wish the GV80 felt gutsier off the line and when we need to hustle past poky folks on two-lane highways, the 3.5T's smooth operation and the transmission's responsive shifting are otherwise a satisfying tandem. In our previous testing, a V-6-powered GV80 hit 60 mph in 5.3 seconds, and another returned 24 mpg on our 75-mph fuel-economy route. However, the GV80 3.5T's EPA estimates have dropped for 2025, falling from 18 mpg city and 23 highway to 16 mpg city and 22 highway.
The GV80 3.5T Prestige has standard 22-inch wheels, adaptive dampers, and an electronic limited-slip differential. Despite the big rollers and limited sidewall cushioning, it still delivers a gentle and quiet ride. Both traits help validate this SUV's luxury aspirations, and Genesis added more soundproofing material and thicker laminated glass to make the back seat even quieter. The tranquil cabin and the GV80's cohesive controls contribute to a relaxing driving experience—perhaps too relaxing. Don't get us wrong; we're all for being isolated from outside noise and road imperfections, but we'd also like more steering feedback to better appreciate the SUV's athleticism. Hopefully, the sportier Coupe will provide that and offer the option of stickier summer tires rather than the standard GV80's all-seasons.
A Snazzier Cabin with Better Features
Every GV80 gets a redesigned interior with a 27.0-inch OLED screen that dominates the dashboard, proving that Genesis is keeping pace with the times. We appreciate how the new display seamlessly combines the instrumentation and infotainment halves, although we'd like more choice of gauge design. The infotainment system is easier to use than before, as the screen now responds to touch inputs, and the old clickwheel on the center console has been replaced with a more intuitive rotary knob. Plus, volume and tuning functions are now knobs (replacing rollers) located higher on the center stack. Most important, Genesis finally offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, correcting one of our few minor gripes with the previous GV80. The cordless connection won't be available until later this year, but it'll be a free over-the-air update.
Genesis doesn't have a storied history like other legacy luxury brands, but it has broken the mold with its unique styling and top-notch execution. The GV80 build quality exceeds expectations for the price, and it's obvious that extra attention was paid to details such as the stitched patterns on the door panels as well as the look and feel of the switchgear. For 2025, there are more two-tone interior color schemes, including Earth Brown/Smoky Green and Glacier White/Ultramarine Blue. Our GV80 paired the latter combo with the new Storr Green paint, a near-perfect spec. It lacked the available third row, which comes only on the lesser 3.5T Advanced and is too small to be of much use.
We had mixed feelings about the outgoing GV80's two-spoke steering wheel. It's been replaced with a new three-spoke design that has better button placement and looks richer with the new Genesis emblem. The center console has useful revisions such as a new fingerprint scanner that lets you start the car without the digital key. The console also adds larger cupholders without the previous space-stealing cover. Instead, there's a new coverable cubby below the revamped climate controls; inside the bin is a wireless charging pad that offers better visibility.
The top-spec Prestige trim has all the latest and greatest features. These include the new Bang & Olufsen sound system that swaps the old 1050-watt Lexicon stereo for a 1400-watt setup that includes a Beosonic function, which allows you to adjust the sound profile without distortion. It's an upgrade we didn't know we needed. Want to stimulate four of your five senses? There's a new "mood curator" aped from the G90 for that. Basically, it plays atmospheric music, activates the ambient lighting, closes the window shades, triggers the fatigue-fighting driver's seat, and emits a cabin fragrance. All that's missing is a taste component, unless you want to lick the steering wheel.
Since it debuted, the Genesis GV80 has been a gem among mid-size luxury SUVs. It was already our pick of the litter, and now it's even better thanks to the mostly small, albeit meaningful, improvements. It continues to be refined, stylish, and chock full of tech—all at a price that won't approach six figures like the competition. The four-cylinder 2.5T still starts at $59,050, but the GV80 3.5T now has a $75,150 base price (nearly $9000 more than before). Most of that is from newly standard features that were previously part of the $7350 Advanced package. Meanwhile, the V-6 Prestige's $80,650 price is up only $2455, so it remains an absolute bargain versus its topflight rivals.
Circling back to the Bentley-like badge, the one on the refreshed GV80's nose is now made of metal instead of plastic. That's a small tweak that no one would've noticed, yet it shows that Genesis is still striving to elevate its status. That attention to detail is why Genesis and the GV80 continue to impress.
Specifications
Specifications
2025 Genesis GV80 SUV
Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5- or 7-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base: 2.5T Standard, $59,050; 2.5T, $60,050; 2.5T Select, $62,950; 2.5T Advanced, $66,950; 2.5T Prestige, $71,800; 3.5T Advanced, $75,150; 3.5T Prestige, $80,650
ENGINES
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 2.5-liter inline-4, 300 hp, 311 lb-ft; twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve 3.5-liter V-6, 375 hp, 391 lb-ft
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 116.3 in
Length: 194.5 in
Width: 77.8 in
Height: 67.5 in
Passenger Volume, F/M/R: 59/50/32 ft3
Cargo Volume, behind F/M/R (C/D est): 84/35/12 ft3
Curb Weight (C/D est): 4900–5100 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 5.4–6.2 sec
100 mph: 13.9–16.1 sec
1/4-Mile: 14.0–14.6 sec
Top Speed: 140–150 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 19–21/16–19/22–24 mpg
Eric Stafford’s automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a journalism degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual '97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a '90 Honda CRX Si.
