AutoTrader SCORE
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STYLING9/10
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Safety9/10
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PRACTICALITY8/10
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USER-FRIENDLINESS8/10
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FEATURES9/10
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POWER8/10
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COMFORT9/10
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DRIVING FEEL8/10
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FUEL ECONOMY8/10
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VALUE8/10
The 2024 Genesis GV80 is the largest SUV available from this brand, which is the luxury division of Hyundai.
It underwent some minor changes this year, including an updated version of its highway driving assist, and an available third row in the upper trim level. A GV80 Coupe with sportier rear styling is also on its way later this year.
The Genesis GV80 starts as the 2.5T Advanced at $76,000, which is the brand’s all-in pricing with delivery and dealer fees before taxes. The 3.5T Advanced is $83,000, while my tester, the 3.5T Prestige, is $90,500. The Prestige can be further equipped with that third row for an extra $2,000 for a total $92,500 before tax.
Styling: 9/10
The GV80 is an elegant-looking vehicle both inside and out. It’s long and lean in profile, with a slope to the rear windows that makes the roof look lower without actually bringing it down, preserving rear-seat headroom. The Advanced trim rides on 20-inch wheels, while the Prestige has 22-inch rims – better-looking, but also pricier when it’s time to replace those tires.
The interior features a great deal of real wood trim, and a microfibre headliner in place of the cloth on the Advanced. The seats are clad in Nappa leather, and their diamond quilting is unique to the Prestige.
Safety: 9.5/10
The 2024 Genesis GV80 received the top five-star rating from the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It also earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the not-for-profit Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for 2024, scoring the top “Good” on the updated side impact test, which better simulates being struck by a large SUV, and the updated front test that now assesses potential injury to a rear-seat passenger as well as those in front. However, it got the next-step-down “Acceptable” for its headlight performance and front pedestrian detection.
Standard driver-assist safety technologies include emergency front and rear braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic high-beam assist, a head-up display, rear occupant alert, surround-view cameras, and remote parking assist that can drive or back the vehicle into a spot via the key fob.
Highway driving assist is also standard and it’s been updated for 2024 with lane-change assist, but it can be a bit annoying. If you tap the turn signal, the GV80 will check first and then change lanes itself. But you must keep your hands on the wheel, and if you apply a bit too much pressure, the system thinks you’re overriding it and shuts off. As well, on several occasions during this test, the highway driving assist tended to follow off-ramps rather than stay in its lane of travel.
Features: 9/10
Genesis models are sold by trim level, with no options other than colour (including extra-charge matte paint) or accessories such as cargo liners, and in this case, that extra third row. Features on the Advanced include rain-sensing wipers, three-zone climate control, heated steering wheel, panoramic sunroof, auto-dimming mirror, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a wireless charger, eight-inch digital instrument cluster, 12-speaker sound system, and 12-way power-adjustable front seats.
The Prestige tops that up with a 16-way driver’s seat, power-adjustable and ventilated rear seats, a 21-speaker surround audio system, 12.3-inch digital cluster, and electronically-controlled suspension with road preview that looks ahead for bumps and potholes.
User-Friendliness: 8/10
Overall, most of the GV80’s controls are easy to use, especially since there are dials and hard buttons for some of the functions, but the climate controls are encased in a shiny black screen that washes out when sunlight hits it, rendering them invisible. The infotainment screen is operated by touch or with a console-mounted dial. That dial shares console space with the gear selector dial, and while they’re not exactly the same – the knurling on them is different – most automakers put the shifter at the top, and the infotainment dial closer to the centre armrest, where one’s hand naturally tends to migrate when scrolling through functions. On several occasions, I changed the radio station when I meant to change gears.
Practicality: 8/10
The GV80 offers 988 L of cargo space behind the rear seats, more than most of its competitors. Power-fold that second row, which folds almost flat, and you get 2,378 L of space. Those seats stow in a 40/20/40 split, which allows you to carry long items in the centre with a rear-seat passenger on either side. Small-item storage up front includes a covered console box and a tight-but-usable open cubby under the console. The GV80 can also tow as much as 2,721 kg (6,000 lb).
Comfort: 9/10
The GV80 is extremely comfortable, starting with those supportive quilted-leather seats. Headroom is slightly less than with some rivals, such as the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, but it’s still fine for most passengers, and legroom front and rear matches or exceeds that of most competitors. Big wheels with low-profile tires can often make for a harsh ride, but the GV80 Prestige doesn’t suffer any for its 22-inch rims. That might be the result of that road-preview suspension, which adjusts ahead of time when it realizes the asphalt ahead isn’t smooth sailing. The cabin is also extremely quiet, which further adds to this SUV’s luxury feel.
Power: 8/10
The GV80 2.5T, as the name suggests, uses a turbocharged 2.5L four-cylinder engine, making 300 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. Tested here is the 3.5T, with its twin-turbocharged 3.5L V6 that makes 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. All models have standard all-wheel drive (AWD).
The 3.5L is capable of some pretty swift moves, with strong and effortless acceleration and buttery-smooth shifts from its eight-speed automatic transmission. But it’s also beautifully-behaved in slower situations, where it’s easy to modulate the throttle when taking off gradually from a light, or creeping through traffic.
Driving Feel: 8/10
Although it’s the brand’s largest SUV, it doesn’t feel as big as it is once you’re out on the road thanks to its responsive handling. The steering is well-weighted and it’s a pleasure to drive, tucking into curves with satisfying confidence, and manoeuvring without issues in tighter parking lots. Braking is smooth and efficient. It also does a great job of racking up highway miles in coddled comfort and would make a good long-distance road-trip vehicle.
Fuel Economy: 8/10
The GV80 3.5T is rated by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) at 12.9 L/100 km in the city, 10.4 on the highway, and 11.8 in combined driving. It needs premium-grade fuel. In my week with it, I averaged 13.3 L/100 km.
It’s a bit thirstier than its competitors, some of which employ mild-hybrid technology to reduce consumption. The Audi Q7 with a V6 is rated at 11.4 L/100 km in combined driving, but the Mercedes GLE-Class is 10.8, while the Infiniti QX60 is 10.7, and the BMW X5 and Lexus RX 350 are 9.4 and 9.9, respectively.
Value: 8/10
The GV80 is $76,000 with its four-cylinder and $83,000 with the V6, while my 3.5T Prestige tester was $90,500. That’s a lot of money, but it’s also a lot of vehicle with numerous higher-end features. If you’re within range of a dealer, you can also get the vehicle brought to your house for a test-drive, and if it needs service, someone will pick it up and leave a loaner.
By comparison, the Infiniti QX60 comes in below the Genesis at $61,660 to $77,260; and the Lexus RX 350 at $62,055 to $77,555. Others are higher: The Audi Q7 starts at $76,85 to $94,815; the Mercedes-Benz GLE at around $83,00 to $92,000; and the BMW X5 at $88,480 to $92,980 (all prices include delivery).
The Verdict
When it first came on the stage, Genesis had a bit of an identity issue. The vehicles were luxurious and very well-equipped for what you paid, but they were still – well, Hyundais, and not what you’d proudly park outside the country club alongside well-established premium marques. That’s not the case any longer, and if you’re in this market, you definitely want to look at it alongside those brands. The 2024 Genesis GV80 is a comfortable vehicle with good performance that’s definitely worth a test-drive.
| Engine Displacement | 3.5L |
|---|---|
| Engine Cylinders | V6 |
| Peak Horsepower | 375 hp @ 5,800 rpm |
| Peak Torque | 391 lb-ft @ 1,300 rpm |
| Fuel Economy | 12.9 / 10.4 / 11.8 L/100 km cty/hwy/cmb |
| Cargo Space | 988 / 2,378 L seats up/down |
| Model Tested | 2024 Genesis GV80 3.5T Prestige |
| Base Price | $90,500 |
| A/C Tax | $100 |
| Destination Fee | Included |
| Price as Tested | $90,600 |
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Optional Equipment
None
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