2023 Genesis GV80

　　

2023 Genesis GV80 Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　As a relatively new brand, Genesis has the daunting task of breaking into the luxury vehicle market, which has long been dominated by German carmakers. With the introduction of the GV80 two years ago, it was clear that Genesis would make its entrance with a bold statement. The GV80 has presence and audacious styling that shakes the class to its core, with its oversized shield grille and daring double-stripe lighting motif.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Genesis GV80 2.5T 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$217/mo  for GV80 2.5T

　　GV80 2.5T

　　2.5T 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $55,800 MSRP3.5T 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $62,950 MSRP3.5T Advanced + 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $70,850 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　Whether you're a fan of the GV80's looks or not, it's difficult to deny its key attribute: value. In order to get a similarly long list of features from Audi, BMW or Mercedes, you'd have to pay several thousand dollars more. On top of that, Genesis offers one of the most generous warranties in the industry, bolstering long-term assurance. On the downside, the GV80 is held back by an awkward infotainment interface, a rather small third-row seat, and a V6 engine that could stand to be more fuel-efficient.

　　For 2023, Genesis has discontinued the rear-wheel-drive version of the GV80 2.5T (the 2.5T is the one with the four-cylinder). This was formerly the least expensive way to get a GV80, so budget-minded buyers will likely be a little disappointed, but we suspect most GV80 shoppers are looking to get AWD anyway.

　　Genesis has also dropped the 3.5T Prestige Signature trim, along with its rear captain's chairs and second-row wireless charging pad. Taking its place is a new 3.5T Prestige Matte trim that features matte exterior paint and matte finish wood trim.

　　The Genesis GV80 certainly makes a strong impression and shows that the company has the potential to match or surpass the established luxury brands. There's certainly more to like about it than not, and it's all laid out in our Expert Rating below.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the GV80 drive? The GV80 can be outfitted with a four- or six-cylinder engine — both are turbocharged with power figures that look impressive on paper. Our test GV80 came with the larger 3.5-liter V6 engine. In our testing it covered 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds at the zzdcar test track. That's decently quick for a midsize SUV, but most competitors with six-cylinder engines are slightly quicker.

　　Engine aside, the rest of the driving experience isn't all that remarkable. The brakes respond a little abruptly at times, the steering effort is a tad heavy even in its Comfort setting, and although the handling isn't sloppy, most of the German SUVs feel tighter and more composed on a curvy road. If you intend to use the GV80 mainly as a highway cruiser, it'll do great, and none of this other stuff will matter as much.

　　

Comfort

8.5/10

　　How comfortable is the GV80? One of the most important aspects for any luxury vehicle is comfort, and the GV80 does this better than many. One of the highlights is excellent ride comfort. All V6-equipped GV80s come with an electronically controlled suspension system that uses a forward-facing camera to read the road surface ahead and make suspension adjustments quickly on the fly.

　　The tri-zone climate control is also a highlight for its ease of use and effectiveness. The same goes for the heated and ventilated seats that are standard in all but the base trim. Seat comfort is solid as well, especially with the upgraded seats in the Prestige trim that have additional adjustments. Genesis also does a commendable job of insulating its cabins against sound and vibrations, and the GV80 is no exception.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below