2025 Genesis GV80 Review: Subtly Supreme
The verdict: Though it might not look all that much different from the outgoing SUV, the refreshed 2025 Genesis GV80’s reorganized interior and upgraded tech go a long way in elevating an already lush luxury SUV.
Versus the competition: With a focus on occupant comfort, extended upholstery and attention to detail, the new GV80 is one of the most outright luxury-focused three-row SUVs available. It’s not quite as dynamic as the Germans, but a loaded GV80 feels plush in ways that require spending a whole lot more with other brands.
Having trouble sussing out what’s different about the 2025 Genesis GV80? No worries; from the outside, this is certainly one of the subtler refreshes we’ve seen thus far from the South Korean luxury brand. But please, step into my — er, Genesis’ — office and you’ll find a comprehensively reworked interior that ups the tech, style and elegance of the brand’s biggest hauler.
Related: 2025 Genesis GV80: Light Face-Lift, New Coupe Variant
With the exception of that slightly poked-and-prodded exterior, refreshed interior, and some pricing and packaging revisions, everything’s exactly where it was left on the 2024 model. At Genesis’ invitation, I traveled to the Lone Star State to motor this leather-lined leviathan through the verdant backroads outside Fort Worth — and also scream “howdy” while staring at some longhorns. (Per our ethics policy, Cars.com pays for its own airfare and lodging when attending manufacturer-sponsored events.)
Terrific Turbo
… Not that I had much chance to do so, given that my GV80 test car was both distractingly well equipped in the Prestige trim and muscled through Cow Town with the top twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 heart. The same 375 horsepower and 391 pounds-feet of torque as before are on tap, routed to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. It’s enough twist to sling the 5,000-pound SUV to 60 mph in what feels like the six-second range.
Numbers, shmumbers. All you need to know is that the twin-turbo sixer is preternaturally smooth, remarkably well isolated, and dispatches on-ramps and passing zones with gusto. Importantly, it feels like a premium powertrain, particularly with the smooth, draped-in-velvet transmission tuning. It’s certainly one of the more buttery SUV hearts out there, and even though it’s not the most powerful, it still has a stellar amount of scoot for its intended purpose.
Fresh Threads
Its intended purpose being hauling five to seven folks comfortably and quietly, of course. That’s where the biggest changes come into play; the interior is comprehensively updated for 2025, with much of the front occupant space resculpted and revised. The most obvious upgrade is the sprawling 27-inch organic light-emitting diode display. It stretches from in front of the driver to the center of the dash, replacing both the prior infotainment screen and instrument panel.
For the driver display, there’s the full range of stylistic and organizational configurability, including a suite of themes to pick from for the virtual gauges. Both Hyundai and Kia are benchmarks for their digital architecture, so it’s no surprise their corporate-cousin Genesis’ latest infotainment interface is intuitive and clear, buoyed by fast processing and impressively high resolution.
The GV80 now has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though it wasn’t quite ready on the test cars we drove. I used tethered CarPlay via the dual USB-C ports up front, but I’m sure owners will make good use of the wireless function when it comes online in tandem with the repositioned wireless charging pad.
Much of the center console and lower dash is also touched up for the new model year. The rotary gear selector is now faceted crystal rather than a blobular doughnut-like crystal insert with ridged bezel, which is a not-insignificant bit of interior jewelry. A well-damped panel under the touch-sensitive climate controls retracts for access to charging ports while the climate panel itself is slightly revised with smaller, more elegant knobs (among other changes).
Ride and Handling (With a Focus on Ride)
The steering wheel is new, as well — a traditional three-spoke design instead of the dual-spoke one of the outgoing SUV. Steering feel is unchanged, however, and is just as smooth, digital and unremarkably composed as ever. Ditto for the “proactive” adaptive suspension that oscillates between pleasantly firm in Sport mode to pillowy and isolating in Comfort.
If there’s a weirdly specific line in the Texas dirt to draw, it’s where Genesis positions its SUVs regarding perceived performance. If we think of basic Lexus SUVs as almost entirely comfort-oriented and the slightly downmarket Acura crossovers as cutting the difference between Lexus’ comfort and the Germans’ sportiness, the GV80 cuts the difference between Lexus and Acura, operating on a similar wavelength to Infiniti of the early 2010s.
So, the GV80 is respectably capable on tighter country roads and demonstrates body composure that belies the speed, size and segment. It’s no Acura Type S or mid-level performance offering from BMW or Mercedes-Benz, but that’s positively fine. In fact, I’ve spewed more words than the GV80’s handling and dynamics require since this excels more at hauling passengers than ass.
Lavish Luxury
And in that regard, it’s fabulous. At least in my loaded-out trim, this is easily one of the most comfortable and pampering SUVs in the class and is positively dripping with interior details both large and small. Extended upholstery color is a Genesis “thing,” and seeping the main cabin color into nooks and crannies is a reliable method to elevate the experience, especially when the main surfaces are quilted, piped and hide massage functions.
It’s the little things. Rear garment hooks appear to be frosted metal, and most trim pieces wear some sort of similar matte metal, including the available dual flip-down vanity mirrors for the second row that serve as an excessive if not welcome bit of luxe kit. Upper trims bump tunes and ongoing rap beefs via a highly configurable Bang & Olufsen system, each speaker housed behind a meticulously etched aluminum grille made in house by the storied audio house.
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Subtle Style
Need curb appeal, too? The prior GV80 already had plenty of that, but supremely subtle tweaks elevate the latest iteration … subtly. From a short distance, you and passing Genesis superfans will notice a new “double mesh-type” grille and a revised lower front end with larger openings. The headlights are of the “Micro Lens Array” variety — or simply put, incorporate a line of distinct light points. Around back, the lower bumper is body-colored and slightly different and … that’s it. The front brake calipers are now monobloc as standard, and if someone gets a little too close for comfort to your new SUV, they’ll notice the badge on the snout is revised and a bit more elegant.
All in all, this is simply a meaningful mid-cycle update to this luxury mid-size SUV. Without driving the base turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder — that’s sure to happen later — or sampling the all-new GV80 Coupe, I can say a loaded, top-spec 2025 GV80 is a wonderful place to wick away the hours either out on the open road or gridlocked in traffic.
If this sounds garage-worthy, you’re not going to pay a cent more than you would in 2024 provided you’re fine leaving some stuff on the factory shelf. The 2025 GV80 starts at the same $59,050 (including destination) but ditches the rear sunshades, digital key function, heated steering wheel and spare tire of all things that were previously standard. All of that is available one tier up on the mononymous 2.5T trim that will set you back an additional $1,000.
Naturally, I am a bougie dude and highly recommend saving your money for the maxed 3.5T Prestige trim that runs just over $80,000. You’ll thank me when you hit the massage seats.
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