The Genesis GV80 Wins the Comfort Argument, Concedes the Corners
Both reviews land on nearly the same trade-off as the smaller GV70 before it: genuinely superior refinement and cabin quality against established German rivals, paired with handling that doesn't pretend to compete on the same terms.
Illustration for editorial purposes
The Flagship That Prioritises Comfort Over Confrontation
Plenty of luxury SUV flagships try to match German rivals point for point on dynamics. Reviewers keep noting this one doesn't bother trying — it wins by being more genuinely comfortable and better resolved inside, not by out-cornering the establishment.
Specs at a Glance
| Body styles | GV80 SUV (5 or 7 seats), GV80 Coupe (5 seats) |
|---|---|
| Engines | 2.5L turbo four (300bhp), 3.5L twin-turbo V6 (375bhp), 3.5L e-Supercharger V6 (409bhp, Coupe only) |
| 0–60mph | 6.1 sec (2.5T) to 4.9-5.2 sec (Coupe e-Supercharger) |
| Warranty | 10-year powertrain warranty |
| Key rivals | BMW X5, Mercedes GLE, Audi Q7 |
Full Review Summary
The Drive
The Drive rated the GV80 Coupe's cabin as more classy and refined than recent BMW and Mercedes SUVs they'd tested, praising quilted Nappa leather and open-pore wood trim as genuinely upmarket. They found the ride sumptuous even on large 22-inch wheels, though were candid that the car's "container-ship-like" handling can't match German rivals' agility through corners, concluding most badge-focused German SUV buyers would actually prefer driving the Genesis if they gave it a genuine chance.
Autoblog
Autoblog praised the GV80 Coupe's proportions as more cohesive than the Mercedes GLE Coupe specifically, rating the design as genuinely desirable rather than a compromised, bloated SUV-coupe silhouette. They highlighted a 27-inch OLED display and Bang & Olufsen audio system as strong technology credentials, while flagging surge-happy throttle response at low speeds and increasingly ambitious pricing as real, if manageable, weaknesses.
🎬 Watch: Genesis GV80 Coupe review (same video, watch above ↗)
Trims & Engines at a Glance
Unlike German rivals, the GV80 keeps things simple — one petrol, one diesel, both with four-wheel drive and the same in-house automatic gearbox.
| Derivative | Engine | Power | Transmission | Body | 0–62mph |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GV80 2.5T Sport / Luxury / Luxury Plus | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo petrol, AWD | 300bhp | 8-speed automatic | SUV (5 or 7 seats) | 7.7s |
| GV80 3.0D Sport / Luxury / Luxury Plus | 3.0L 6-cyl diesel, AWD | 274bhp | 8-speed automatic | SUV (5 or 7 seats) | 7.5s |
A fastback-roofed Coupe body style is also offered, sacrificing the third row for a sportier silhouette. A broad exterior colour range is offered, with several premium metallic finishes available at extra cost. Check Genesis's UK configurator for current pricing.
Strengths
- Genuinely superior cabin refinement versus key German rivals
- Distinctive, cohesive styling, especially in Coupe form
- Strong technology credentials including a large OLED display
- Long 10-year powertrain warranty
Weak points
- Handling trails German rivals noticeably through corners
- Throttle response can feel surge-happy at low speeds
- Pricing has grown ambitious enough to erode the traditional value argument
- Genuine weight is impossible to fully disguise
Who It Actually Suits
Buyers who want genuine luxury-SUV comfort and refinement and are willing to trade some handling sharpness for it. The GV80 Coupe suits buyers specifically wanting a more distinctive alternative to the BMW X6 or Mercedes GLE Coupe.
More Genesis Reviews
Watch the Reviews
Genesis GV80 review ↗ (same video, watch above ↗)