The 2022 Genesis GV80 isn’t a perfect midsize luxury SUV, but it’s undoubtedly a lot closer than you might expect from an upstart luxury automaker. Check out the categories of our Expert Rating to get our test team’s in-depth evaluation.
The Genesis GV80 debuted last year as the brand’s first SUV. Slotting above the similarly new GV70 in both size and price, the GV80 is a proper rival to some well-established competitors, including the Acura MDX, Audi Q7, BMW X5, Lexus RX, and Mercedes-Benz GLE.
But that doesn’t mean it’s a case of copy and paste. Genesis’ take on the luxury SUV is unique to the South Korean brand and all the better for it.
For style, the 2022 Genesis GV80 has a big shield-shaped grille flanked by a quad headlight design. Inside are premium materials and standard seating for five people. For the Advanced+ trim Genesis adds a third row for a total of seven seats. But all GV80s go big on technology.
There’s a large touchscreen along the top of the dash, for instance, plus loads of standard driver-assist features. On the higher trim levels, you’ll also find a trick gauge cluster display with 3D graphics and an info-packed head-up display.
ENGINE AND IMPLEMENTATION
This mid-size luxury crossover has the same underpinnings as the G80 sedan and is available with rear- or all-wheel drive. The engine choices start with a 300-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder and escalate to a 375-hp twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6, the latter of which delivered a brisk 5.3-second 60-mph time at our test track.
With the turbo-four, the GV80 delivered a slower 6.1-second 60-mph time, but many drivers won’t miss the extra power. After driving both versions of the GV80, we can say that the new SUV feels athletic in corners and delivers a quiet ride, but buyers seeking more thrills could consider a Cayenne or an SQ8.
ENERGY AND REAL-WORLD MPG
The EPA estimates that GV80 models with the four-cylinder engine should deliver 21 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway; going with the V-6 reduces those to 18 mpg and 23 mpg respectively.
We haven’t had the chance to put the V-6 version through our 75-mph highway fuel economy test, but the GV80 with the turbocharged four-cylinder delivered exactly on its promise of 25 mpg highway. For more information about the 2022 Genesis GV80’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
INTERIOR, CONVENIENCE, AND BOOTH
The 2022 Genesis GV80‘s interior is nicely finished with burled-wood trim, metal accents, and integrated ambient lighting; a large slim-shaped infotainment display keeps things upscale but uncluttered.
Despite the fancy materials, the interior design provides a sense of minimalism that feels truly elegant in person. The front seats are comfortable, supportive, and available with a massage function that feels legitimately relaxing.
A standard three-across bench seat in the second row allows for up to five passengers; the third row of seats is an optional feature but space back there is limited and should be considered a place solely for kids.
We fit 13 carry-on suitcases behind the second row and the 2022 Genesis GV80 swallowed a total of 28 with the second row folded flat.
IN-VEHICLE INFOTAINMENT AND INTERCONNECTION
A slim, 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen stretches across the middle of the GV80’s tailored dashboard.
The fact that the screen is touch-sensitive is most likely to provide the front-seat passenger an opportunity to change the radio station or manipulate the navigation system because the screen itself is quite a reach from the driver’s seated position.
Luckily, a click-wheel controller is mounted on the center console so the driver can interact with the system, and it works quite well.
PROTECTION AND DRIVER-ASSISTANCE ASPECTS
A full suite of driver-assistance features as standard, including a semi-autonomous driving mode, which learns how the owner drives and mimics that person’s driving style while in use.
For more information about the 2022 Genesis GV80’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.
PHOTOS
FULL SPECIFICATIONS
2021 Genesis GV80 3.5T AWD
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 7-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE AS TESTED
$66,475 (base price: $60,175)
ENGINE TYPE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement
212 in3, 3470 cm3
Power
375 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque
391 lb-ft @ 1300 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): multilink/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 15.0-in vented disc/14.2-in vented disc
Tires: Michelin Primacy Tour A/S, 265/50R-20 111W M+S GOE
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 116.3 in
Length: 194.7 in
Width: 77.8 in
Height: 67.5 in
Passenger volume: 140 ft3
Cargo volume: 12 ft3
Curb weight: 5009 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 5.3 sec
100 mph: 13.8 sec
140 mph: 33.6 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 6.1 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.1 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 4.1 sec
1/4 mile: 13.9 sec @ 101 mph
Top speed (mfr’s claim): 149 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 170 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.82 g
Standing-start accel times omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 16 mpg
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 20/18/23 mpg
2021 Genesis GV80 2.5T AWD
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE AS TESTED
$64,825 (base price: $55,675)
ENGINE TYPE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, port and direct fuel injection
Displacement
152 in3, 2497 cm3
Power
300 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque
311 lb-ft @ 1650 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): multilink/multilink; Brakes (F/R): 15.0-in vented disc/14.2-in vented disc; Tires: Michelin Primacy Tour A/S, 265/40R-22 106W M+S GOE
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 116.3 in
Length: 194.7 in
Width: 77.8 in
Height: 67.5 in
Passenger volume: 108 ft3
Cargo volume: 34 ft3
Curb weight: 4814 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 6.1 sec
100 mph: 16.0 sec
130 mph: 34.3 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 7.0 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.4 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 4.5 sec
1/4 mile: 14.6 sec @ 96 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 163 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.86 g
Standing-start accel times omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 16 mpg
75-mph highway driving: 25 mpg
Highway range: 520 miles
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 22/21/25 mpg
