2022 Genesis GV80

Genesis may not yet have the cachet of its long-established competitors, but consumers now consider it a stand-alone luxury brand, rather than just a “higher-end Hyundai.” While all of Genesis’ products are world class, the GV80 was the brand’s first SUV and it came well-prepared to offer a serious challenge to the status quo. At 194.7 inches long, it takes on the BMW X5, Lexus RX and Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class while undercutting the Germans on price and besting the Lexus on performance. It’s hard not to be impressed by the GV80’s solid value proposition.

Introduced for 2021, the Genesis GV80 moves into 2022 basically unchanged. The GV80 starts with a turbocharged 2.5-liter (2.5T) four-cylinder, in rear- or all-wheel drive (AWD). The available turbo 3.5-litre (3.5T) V6 is all-wheel only. All use an eight-speed automatic and can tow up to 6,000 pounds. All seat five passengers except for the seven-passenger 3.5T Advanced+ package, but that version’s third row is cramped.

The GV80 features the signature giant Genesis grille, and thin headlamps that echo in the taillights and in twin light strips on the front fenders. Clever side-window styling gives it a sleek sloping profile, but rear-seat headroom is on par with its more upright competitors. It’s also mid-pack for cargo space, at 34.9 cubic feet with the second row upright (but an impressive 84 cubic feet with it lowered), and opening the tailgate reveals a wide opening and low lift-over for easy loading.

The interior is as handsome as the outside, although you’ll either love the top-trim diamond-quilted Nappa leather seats, or find them an old-fashioned throwback. The layout is inviting, with a wide center console dividing the front into “cockpit-style” sections, and little touches such as a knee pad on the side of the console for extra comfort. 

The controls are metallic buttons or knurled dials that look and feel substantial. The 14.5-inch center touchscreen sits atop the dash and doesn’t overwhelm it, and all trims include navigation and cloud-based voice recognition. However, the screen’s flat, console-mounted controller can be a bit awkward to use. 

All models—the 2.5T RWD, 2.5T AWD, and 3.5T AWD—start in Standard trim, which includes such features as a hands-free liftgate, rain-sensing wipers, a power-adjustable steering wheel, auto-dimming mirrors, and safety technologies including adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, highway driving assist, blind-spot monitor, lane-keep assist and forward automatic emergency braking. Pricing ranges from $51,295 to $61,695, including a $1,095 delivery fee. To put things in perspective, BMW’s X5 starts at $60,395.

Every GV80 can be optioned with an Advanced Package or Prestige Package ranging from $4,000 to $12,100. They vary in price and features, but the packages can include 22-inch wheels, massaging driver’s seats, Lexicon premium stereo, a head-up display, remote parking assist, and camera-view blind-spot monitoring. The only truly new element for 2022 is the Prestige Matte package, a $13,600 add on the 3.5T AWD. It includes dazzling matte paint and trim, but be cautious if you’re unfamiliar with such finishes. Matte coating requires specialized care products, and can’t go through a regular car wash.

Performance: 14/15

The GV80 starts with a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (2.5T) that makes 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. It’s available with rear- or all-wheel drive, and provides smooth, strong acceleration. For a tall large-ish SUV, it also handles quite well, courtesy of its rear-wheel-drive biased chassis and well-tuned suspension, closely related to that of the G80 sedan.

Should you want more, the available 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 (3.5T) produces 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. That’s more horsepower than almost all of its six-cylinder competitors, including vehicles like the BMW X5 xDrive40i, Acura MDX, Infiniti QX60, or Lexus RX350. Both engines use a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission.

The cabin is quiet, and the ride is very smooth. A rear self-leveling suspension is optional on the 2.5T, while 3.5T models include an electronically-controlled variable suspension with “road preview.” This uses a forward-facing camera to detect potholes or other asphalt imperfections ahead, and proactively adjusts the suspension to smooth out the ride.

Fuel Economy: 11/15

The rear-wheel drive 2.5T receives an EPA rating of 21 mpg city, 25 highway and 23 mpg combined, with AWD versions losing just 1 mpg on the highway. The 3.5T, which is AWD-only, is rated at 18 mpg city, 23 highway and 20 mpg combined. The GV80 finds itself mid-pack on fuel economy, matching some competitors in combined driving numbers, but falling short of others. In six-cylinder AWD configuration, the GV80’s 20 mpg meets that of the Lincoln Aviator, but the Acura MDX and Cadillac XT6 are rated at 21 mpg, and the Lexus RX350 and Infiniti QX60 at 22 mpg. There’s no hybrid version, and as with others in this segment, the GV80 uses premium fuel.

Safety & Driver Assistance Tech: 15/15

The GV80 earns the top five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and a Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It also has ten airbags, including a front one that deploys between the driver’s seat and the center console, preventing the driver and passenger from smashing into each other in a side collision.

Beyond its robust crash structure and passive restraints, Genesis also equips the GV80 with a long list of active-safety features. All trim levels include adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and highway driving assist, lane-keep assist, forward automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic high-beam headlamps. Even more systems are available, including a 360-degree camera, reverse emergency braking, rear occupant alert, and a blind spot monitoring system with a camera view that displays in the instrument cluster when you activate the turn signal, showing what’s alongside.

Comfort & Room: 14/15

The GV80 offers comfortable and supportive seats, fore and aft. Heated front seats are standard on the 2.5T and ventilated seats are optional, while both are standard on the 3.5T. Depending on the trim, you can also get 16-way power seats, a massaging driver’s seat, and power-adjustable rear seats with heating and ventilation.

Front-seat headroom is 40.2 inches, just marginally below the BMW X5’s 40.8 but slightly better than the Lexus RX’s 39.4. The competitor differences are also marginal for rear headroom, where the Genesis has 38.4 inches. The GV80’s 38.7 inches of rear legroom best all but Mercedes-Benz GLE’s 40.9 inches. Third-row space is always tight in this segment and the GV80’s optional way back seat is no exception. There are 30.3 inches of legroom back there, which is more than in the X5, XT6 or Aviator, but the Mercedes GLE still has an edge at 34.6 inches.

Infotainment: 13/15

All GV80s use a 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen situated on top of the dash. That’s become more common with many automakers, as it keeps your eyes up when you’re looking at the screen. The dash itself can also be lower, since it doesn’t have to accommodate the screen in the center stack, which improves visibility and makes the cabin look roomier. Navigation is standard, as is a 12-speaker system. A 21-speaker Lexicon premium stereo is optional. 

In addition to touching the screen, its functions can be activated with a controller on the center stack, though it can be clunky to use. You can also access several features using cloud-based voice control. Given that this is the luxury SUV segment, there are some curious omissions that lost it a point. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, but they’re not wireless. A WiFi hotspot is unavailable, as is a rear-seat entertainment system. And while a wireless charger is standard on the 3.5T but optional on the 2.5T.

Cargo Space & Storage: 14/15

The two-row GV80 clocks in at 34.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up. Access is through a hands-free power liftgate on all trim levels, and the opening is wide so it’s easy to put cargo inside.

With the seats up, it has more cargo capacity than most competitors, save for the BMW X5, with a whopping 56.5 cubic feet. But when you lower the GV80’s 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, its 84 cubic feet tops the class and nearly ties the much larger Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class. Small item storage space is also plentiful. Upfront, the GV80 has twin cupholders, a covered cubby, and a lidded box in the console, with an open storage compartment under it. 

Style & Design: 9/10

The GV80 is an attractive and muscular machine from almost any angle. The exterior is cleverly drawn together with lighting patterns that match on the front, rear, and front fenders, and accented by delicat detailing apart from the vast “crest” grille.

The interior is equal parts luxury and functionality, with good visibility, quality materials, and attention to detail. The upholstery ranges from faux “leatherette” to quilted Nappa leather, and with available wood trim. Everything feels substantial and well-done. The look is clean and relatively minimal, although not as austere as the Volvo XC90’s Scandinavian simplicity.

Is the 2022 Genesis GV80 Worth it? Which GV80 is the Best Value?

At a starting price of $51,295 with delivery fee, and topping out at $69,095, the GV80 isn’t the least-expensive in the segment but still manages to feel value-packed, luxurious and unmistakably stylish. The Lexus RX350 is cheaper, starting at $46,645 and gets better gas mileage, but isn’t as stylish or as fun to drive. The Mercedes-Benz GLE starts at $56,750, while the BMW X5 sDrive40i begins at $61,595.

Most buyers will be satisfied with the 2.5T, and equipping it with all-wheel drive and the Prestige package will take you to $67,095 and give you such upgrades as a digital cluster with 3D gauges, leather seats, three-zone climate control, premium stereo, head-up display, variable suspension, and extra safety technologies.

How Much Does it Cost to Insure the 2022 Genesis GV80?

The GV80 costs about the same to insure as most of its competitors. According to our data, a typical 30-year-old female driver with clean record can expect an average annual premium of $2,124, though this averages all 50 states. That compares to $2,348 for the Mercedes-Benz GLE 350, $2,072 for the Lexus RX350, $2,011 for the Volvo XC90 and $2,180 for the Lincoln Aviator. To get a more accurate picture of your potential insurance expenses, visit our car insurance calculator.