2022 Genesis GV80
- Stylish luxury SUV with optional third row
- Opulent interior
- 300-plus horsepower from 4- or 6-cylinder engines
- Rear- or all-wheel drive I4, standard AWD in V6
- Three years free maintenance
- GV80 pricing starts at $49,700 (plus $1,025 destination) | Price yours
- On sale now | See Genesis GV80 models for sale near you
Back for an encore, the 2022 Genesis GV80 remains Kelley Blue Book’s Best Midsize Luxury SUV, having earned the title a year ago when it made its debut. The competition hasn’t stood still, with remakes of the 2022 Acura MDX and 2022 Infiniti QX60 providing stiff competition. Also, the GV80 compares well to established rivals like the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE, Audi Q7, Lincoln Aviator, and Cadillac XT6.
In its repeat performance, Genesis demonstrates that it has set the bar high in the class on design, interior comfort, build quality, and performance. From its striking design to its choice of two powertrains, the 2022 Genesis GV80 delivers on many counts, all at a price that has its rivals scratching their collective heads. But that’s their problem. You, the shopper, benefit. Here’s a rundown of the attributes that contribute to the GV80’s winning performance.
Sleek Design
For a relatively new luxury brand, Genesis has moved quickly to establish a unique look. The GV80 aligns with other products in the range with its large, shield-shaped grille with a mesh texture. Twin LED lighting elements flank the grille and sweep around the front fenders. That twin-light theme repeats at the rear with LED taillamps.
In profile, there’s subtle sculpting of the body panels that blend elegantly with the sleek roofline. Not quite a 4-door coupe look, the Genesis GV80 has a sporty rake to the rear hatch that maintains rear-seat and a bit of headroom for models equipped with the optional third-row. There’s just enough brightwork to announce that this is, indeed, a luxury vehicle.
While the look is sleek, there’s a certain amount of athleticism in the design. Its cohesive shape can accommodate optional wheel packages of up to 22 inches without appearing ungainly.
First-Class Cabin
The interior of the 2022 Genesis GV80 is in keeping with its upscale exterior. The high-quality material and craftsmanship on display here show that Genesis has learned well from its European competition.
In top trims, lush Nappa leather covers the seats in a pleated pattern. Other surfaces use leather and soft-touch materials with plenty of stitching, further enhancing the cabin’s look. The front seats are comfortable and are heated and ventilated. Adding to a serene environment are standard features that include active noise cancellation and multiple-color ambient lighting.
Buyers can also opt for an upgraded Lexicon premium audio system with 21 speakers, along with power-adjustable second-row seats. An optional third row is also available, which boosts the maximum passenger count from five to seven.
Settling in the front row, you’ll notice a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster ahead of the 2-spoke steering wheel. In addition to multiple pages of information, the screen on most V6 models also projects left and right side images from the side cameras when the appropriate turn signal is activated. The images appear in the left and right circles for the tach and speedometer.
The main infotainment display is a 14.5-inch touchscreen in the middle of the dash. There’s a redundant rotary control on the console, along with a dial for the automatic transmission. The GV80’s premium look is also evident in the generous use of aluminum and wood accents and knurled aluminum knobs on most control surfaces.
A Choice of Drivetrains
The 2022 Genesis GV80 comes in one of two engine combinations: a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder making an equal 311 horsepower and lb-ft of torque, or a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6. The larger engine puts out 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. The engine output from both drives the rear or both axles through an 8-speed automatic transmission. The 4-cylinder comes standard with rear-wheel drive with all-wheel drive (AWD) as an option, while all V6s are AWD.
With more than 300 horsepower and lb-ft of torque in all configurations, the GV80 has more than enough power to give it quick off-the-line acceleration, plenty of muscle for merging and passing, and overall a relaxed feel at freeway cruising speeds.
It’s worthwhile noting that the engines are mounted longitudinally (fore-aft), which gives them a rear-drive bias, a key to spirited handling, off-road capability, and towing. On the last score, the max towing capacity on the GV80 is 6,000 pounds.
Driver and Safety Assists
The 2022 Genesis GV80 comes with a full complement of active and passive safety and driver assists. Among those standard features are blind-spot warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and cross-junction, and turning mitigation that reduces the effects of accidents when turning. On the passive side, all GV80 models come with 10 airbags, and the vehicle is a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Helping ease your daily drive or long highway cruise is the Highway Driving Assist II (HDA II) that comes standard on all models. The evolution of the adaptive cruise control maintains spacing with the vehicle ahead while it keeps the GV80 centered in the lane. While you have to maintain contact with the steering wheel, HAD II will steer the car, even making lane changes with a mere tap of the turn signal.
Multi-Faceted Value
A big drawing card is the attractive pricing of the 2022 Genesis GV80. Entry-level pricing for a rear-drive 4-cylinder model starts below $50,000. Add all-wheel drive, and those models will range in price from about $55,000 to $65,000. The 3.5-liter V6 models start under $60,000 and come with standard all-wheel drive. At the top of the range, the 3.5T AWD Prestige model will top $70,000, still quite competitive for a midsize luxury SUV.
But it’s about more than the sticker price when it comes to value. The 2022 Genesis GV80 comes with three years of complimentary scheduled maintenance, along with valet services that will help with service scheduling and vehicle pick-up and delivery. You get three years of navigation map updates and five years of 24-hour roadside assistance. Genesis also boasts a 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty along with an industry-best 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty.
Value, style, performance, and safety are a compelling combination that makes the Genesis GV80 the KBB Best Buy Midsize Luxury SUV of 2022.
Photo Tour: 2022 Genesis GV80
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