If you’re shopping for a midsize luxury SUV in 2023, you won’t find a better buy than the Genesis GV80.
That sentence may surprise a lot of people. The GV80 doesn’t have the profile of the Lexus RX (America’s best-selling luxury vehicle) or the BMW X5.
But those cars can’t match its brilliant balance of rich surroundings, engaging driving dynamics, and long-term financial good sense. The GV80 has won our 2023 Best Buy Award in the midsize luxury SUV category.
We Do Your Homework
There are a lot of new car awards. But there’s nothing quite like our annual Best Buy Awards.
Many publications give a trophy to the new car that impresses them the most. But they tend to grant awards to cars with impressive track performance that, frankly, doesn’t do you much good on your commute or for your budget.
We award cars that are good decisions for the buyer.
Our editors drive more than 300 new cars every year. They look for cars that are pleasant to drive, comfortable, offer intuitive entertainment and information systems, and have a long list of modern safety technologies. They study reliability data and run the numbers on buying and owning each car, factoring in depreciation, resale value, insurance, maintenance, financing, fuel, fees, and taxes.
When it’s all done, we list the vehicle that best balances driving pleasure, capability, and long-term affordability.
Among luxury SUVs, nothing hits those notes as cleanly as the GV80.
Beating the Stalwarts
How did Hyundai’s lesser-known luxury brand beat out more established names?
Partly, with elegance. All midsize luxury SUVs are well-appointed, but the GV80’s cabin is a work of art. Designers did a wonderful job integrating high technology with style. High-tech features like a 14.5-inch infotainment screen meld organically into a dashboard that looks classically inspired. Genesis offers a wider variety of interior colors than most rivals, allowing buyers to express their personal style.
Partly, with driving fun. The 300-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine in the Genesis GV80 is one of the most exciting base engines in its class. You can opt for a 375-horsepower twin-turbo V6, but it isn’t necessary.
And partly, with a financial argument that’s hard to refute. A best-in-class 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty means the GV80 won’t likely require expensive repairs until 2033. Luxury car buyers are often people careful with money. That guarantee resonates.
Taken together, those make the GV80 the best buy in its class.
