2023 Genesis GV80: Premium Doesn't Mean Expensive

If you're looking for a premium crossover, you probably already know how much a BMW or Mercedes costs these days. It looks like it's time to look for an alternative.

The good news is that the modest Korean Genesis GV80 is almost as good as the German 3, provided you don't need the BMW's unrivaled handling and don't want to blind others with the light of a huge three-pointed star on the radiator grille. The visual effect produced by the GV80 and its handling are at the "quite satisfactory" mark, and the interior, driving performance and style of the large Korean crossover, with two or three rows of seats, are excellent. As for the engine, under its hood is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower, or a more powerful 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 producing 375 horsepower.

Exterior

If you want to be seen on the road, and not for vanity reasons, but for safety reasons, the GV80 can assure this. The big grille doesn’t look out of place like some modern BMWs, and its size is actually quite impressive. The Genesis design is timeless and owes some of its bold elegance to Bentley, which is no coincidence since Bentley’s former design director Luc Donckerwolke was the GV80’s chief designer. That doesn’t mean the GV80 is a Bentley relative, but it’s guaranteed to set it apart from the sea of German peers in the executive car park. Our car, which comes in a stunning matte paint job, is the Prestige 3.5T trim level. It has 22-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, a power liftgate and plenty of subtle interior touches that elevate it to luxury levels.

Interior

First, the GV80's cabin is cozy and roomy. Sometimes it has the third row, which makes room for eight passengers, though three would be cramped in the last row. Materials and build quality are excellent, and the Bentley styling continues here, especially when squinting at the steering wheel. The three-zone climate control system is one of the easiest to use. The tailgate isn't huge, but it opens up to a good-sized opening, and there's plenty of underfloor storage, making it very practical. The infotainment interface is in need of an update, but there’s a refreshed 2025 model on the horizon that brings a 27-inch OLED screen with all sorts of improvements. Those who buy the current model will have to live with a gear selector that could use some work and a menu structure that’s not the most intuitive. On the plus side, the 14.5-inch main screen is crisp and responsive.

Another oddity is the lack of wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on all trims, though when it comes to driver assists, there’s plenty of both, and the highway assist is among the best in the world. The incredibly generous suite of safety features has led to the GV80 earning the IIHS a Top Safety Pick+ award for 2023. Incidentally, the higher trims get a premium Lexicon audio system with 21 speakers, which is one of the nicest-sounding units around.

Engines

One of the few changes for 2023 is the arrival of standard all-wheel drive across the entire trim line, regardless of whether you choose the 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 300 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, or the 3.5-liter turbocharged six with 375 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. The engines’ power is transmitted through a silky, as befits a car of this class, eight-speed automatic transmission. As a result, the GV80 feels at home in the city and on the highway, guzzling fuel in fair quantities: the 3.5-liter models get about 12 liters in the combined cycle, and the 2.5-liter – almost 11 liters.

GBChoice Company can offer you one of these cars. See details here: https://gbchoice.com/buy-car/2023-genesis-gv80-v6