2021 Genesis GV80
- First SUV from Genesis
- Available in 5- or 7-seat configurations
- Turbocharged 4- or 6-cylinder engine
- Lots of modern tech, thorough safety suite
- Available electronic limited-slip rear differential
- GV80 pricing starts at $48,900 (plus $1,025 destination) | Price yours
- On sale now | See Autotrader listings right here on KBB.com
Genesis is Hyundai Motors’ luxury brand. The 2021 GV80 is its first crossover SUV model. Based on the stellar platform of the impressive G80 luxury sedan, the new Genesis GV80 has made quite the splash in its debut year, taking the title of Best Midsize Luxury SUV in the 2021 KBB Best Buy Awards.
That’s quite an accomplishment. This is a competitive category that includes proven players such as last year’s winner, the BMW X5, plus others like the Audi Q8, Cadillac XT6, Lincoln Aviator, and Mercedes-Benz GLE. While each of these midsize luxury SUVs shines in its own way, the 2021 Genesis GV80 has won us over with a wide variety of strengths that range from a high level of sophistication and elegance to an outstanding chassis with a pair of good engines. And, oh yeah, the new GV80 also is packed with a generous amount of standard equipment that includes impressively thorough technology and safety suites.
Outstanding style
The big new Genesis GV80 – available as a 5- or 7-seater with a fairly tight 3rd-row seat for two – has a graceful arc to its profile, and the front fascia is highlighted by a gigantic diamond-mesh grille that looks like it was pulled straight off the Genesis G90 sedan. On the GV80, where it’s situated between stacked slot-style headlamps, the grille looks classy without being garish.
Many people say the GV80 reminds them of a Bentley. High praise, indeed. We particularly like the character line that runs the length of the vehicle. Together with rounded fender forms, it helps to give the GV80 a crafted, sophisticated look. Of note, the GV80 hood, liftgate, and doors are all made of weight-saving aluminum. Although the available 22-inch alloy wheels would seem huge, they don’t look overly large on the attractive new GV80.
Two excellent powertrains
The GV80 offers a choice of two powertrains, both longitudinally mounted as in the G80 sedan. The base engine is a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-4 that makes 311 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 311 lb-ft of torque from 1,650 rpm to 4,000 rpm. More substantial and pleasantly smooth is the twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 that pumps out 375 hp at 5,800 rpm and a healthy 391 lb-ft of torque from a deliciously low 1,300 rpm to 4,500 rpm.
Both engines mate to an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. The 2.5-liter GV80 can be ordered with rear- or all-wheel drive (AWD); the 3.5-liter comes exclusively with AWD.
Although the 2.5 gets a little bit grumbly during low-rpm acceleration, both powerplants endow the Genesis GV80 with more than ample power for relaxed merging, easy passing, and comfortable highway cruising. Both also benefit from Active Sound Design, a standard technology that subtly enhances engine sound via the GV80’s audio system.
Elegant interior
The GV80 has a lush cabin, highlighted by a 14.5-inch-wide multi-purpose touchscreen perched atop a dash with a central vent running horizontally across most of its width. While the vehicle’s interior looks elegant and refreshingly devoid of controls, numerous capabilities are within easy reach via the knurled metal multimedia controller wheel on the GV80’s center console.
In addition to an attractive 2-spoke steering wheel with minimal switches, the 12.3-inch instrument cluster in the top GV80 trims features a round analog speedometer and a circular digital tachometer. Why go to the trouble of having digital and analog gauges in a single panel with an attractive 3D look?
We learned the answer as soon as we used the turn signal – the tach disappears and instantly becomes a super helpful video feed that shows the GV80’s rear three-quarter blind-spot. Pretty nifty, that Blind-Spot View Monitor, which comes standard on most of the 3.5-liter models.
Leather with diamond-pattern stitching adorns much of the GV80’s cabin, which also benefits from massaging seats, active noise cancellation, and ambient LED lighting in multiple colors. While there’s excellent space for adults in the first two rows, the optional 3rd-row bench is best suited for a couple of kids. Power-adjustable rear seats are available, as is a premium Lexicon sound system with 21 speakers.
Technology & safety
As you’d expect from the first Genesis SUV, there’s no shortage of modern technology. One example is Highway Driving Assist II (HDA II). Standard on all 2021 Genesis GV80 SUVs, HDA II eases the strain of long highway drives by using the adaptive cruise control to maintain the gap between the vehicle ahead while also keeping the GV80 centered in its lane via gentle automatic steering corrections.
HDA II works only at speeds below 90 mph, and only when the GV80 driver’s hands are on the steering wheel. Another neat trick (that unfortunately went untested in our drive): HDA can make autonomous lane changes instigated by nothing more than the turn signal.
Standard GV80 safety features are highlighted by 10 airbags and a blind-spot warning system, plus a driver-attention warning and a multi-talented automatic emergency braking system tuned to work with stopped cars and pedestrians, plus situations in which an oncoming vehicle in the opposite lane ahead makes a left turn in front of the GV80.
Competitively priced
As well-made and generously equipped as today’s midsize luxury SUVs are, they aren’t inexpensive. But the new Genesis GV80, not surprisingly, is among the lower-priced models.
A rear-drive 4-cylinder Genesis GV80, the 2.5T, starts at $48,900. With AWD, the 4-cylinder GV80 ranges from $54,650 to $63,400. With the V6 – our preferred powertrain – the AWD GV80 starts at $59,150, which climbs to $70,950 for the top 3.5T AWD Prestige model. Add to those prices a destination fee of $1,025.
For comparison, the BMW X5 (not available with a 4-cylinder engine) starts at about $60,000. The Mercedes-Benz GLE 350, powered by a turbo 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, begins at $54,750, while a Lincoln Aviator – equipped with a stout twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 that has 400 horsepower – starts at $51,100.
The Genesis GV80, we also should report, comes with three years of complimentary scheduled maintenance, and its respectable 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty is backed by a superb 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty. Along with that, you get three years of map updates and five years of 24-hour roadside assistance.
With its excellent driving manners, top-notch quality, outstanding warranty, and a healthy dose of modern safety and infotainment technology, the handsome and attractively priced new Genesis GV80 has bumped aside some established players and taken the title as the KBB Best Buy Midsize Luxury SUV of 2021.
More 2021 Genesis GV80
Build and price your own 2021 Genesis GV80 to see this week’s Fair Purchase Price, 5-Year Cost to Own, and more, or see Autotrader listings right here on KBB.com.
