2025 Genesis GV80 Prestige Review: Road Trip Tested

Three to five hundred miles. That’s the distance covered in most week-long vehicle test drives. Over that distance, we try to report everything we’ve felt and learned about a vehicle in a relatively short period of time. Occasionally, we get to really test out a vehicle, like this 2025 Genesis GV80 Prestige. 

This isn’t our first encounter with the significantly updated GV80 luxury SUV. Kyle attended a first drive of the vehicle earlier this year. But this is the first time we get to really test one out, with a planned 1,600 miles to drive over 8 days.

What’s New for 2024:

As mentioned, the 2025 model year sees the Genesis GV80 receive its first big refresh. The exterior gets a few tweaks, mostly around the front end, while the interior gets a more signification overhaul. Some new touches inside include a more conventional steering wheel as well as a large 27-inch-wide infotainment screen.

Exterior Style:

The 2025 Genesis GV80 is a mid-size SUV measuring in at a length of 194.5 inches (4,940 mm). The 2025 front-end update emphasizes the brand’s two-line theme, incorporating it into the grille and enlarging it around the headlights. The front also includes bigger air intakes and an update to the skid plate. At the side, the chrome trim is new as well as a choice of two new wheels. Our tester has the larger, optional 22-inch alloys. 

Powertrain and Fuel Economy:

Under the hood, not much has changed for the GV80. There’s a choice of two engines, including the 375 horsepower 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 equipped in our test vehicle. With 391-pound feet of torque, there is plenty of grunt to motivate this SUV. 

That stated, with a curb weight of 5,148 pounds (2,335 kg), the GV80 isn’t exactly swift. It’s a bit leisurely to accelerate at highway speeds unless in the Smart or Sport drive mode. With 3 people and a load of gear, it never felt overly strained, just not as swift as some German turbocharged six-cylinder competitors. It’s too bad the e-supercharger version of the 3.5-liter turbo is only available in the GV80 Coupe as it would probably provide that little bit extra power we’re missing. 

After 1,600+ miles of mostly highway driving, we averaged 21.5 mpg (10.9 L/100 km). That puts it near the top end of the official EPA figures of 16 mpg (14.4 L/100 km) city and 22 mpg (10.6 L/100 km) highway. Although premium gas is not required, Genesis recommends using it to achieve full performance. It’s all we used for our entire journey.  

As equipped, the eight-speed automatic is a very good unit, providing smooth shifts and is seemingly always in the proper gear. On our travels, we encountered a few heavy downpours but never really tested the all-wheel drive system. 

Handling and Drivability:

The Genesis GV80 is decidedly set up for comfort first, handling second. It drives somewhere between the sportier BMW X5 and plusher Lexus RX. Even with 265/40R22 tires at all four corners, broken roads aren’t a big deal for the GV80 as it allows minimal intrusions into the cabin. Toss this Genesis into a corner and it will negotiate it well enough, albeit with amble body roll and some potential tire squealing. 

The 2025 Genesis GV80 with the 3.5-liter turbo comes with four-piston brake calipers front and rear, squeezing down on 14.9-inch rotors. There is an electronic rear limited-slip differential to help the mid-size SUV rotate through corners. While driving up and down Mt. Washington, neither the engine nor the brakes were ever overly strained. 

Ride Quality and Comfort:

Besides absorbing bumps, minimal road and wind noise protrude into the cabin. The driver’s seat has massage functionality that can self-initiate on longer drives to help the driver avoid getting cramps and muscle stiffness. Although no other seats have the massage feature, the front passenger and two outboard middle-row passengers get heated and ventilated seats like the driver. 

The Driver’s seat power adjusts 16 ways, while the passenger’s is 12-way power-adjustable. Headroom for each row of seats is as follows: the first row gets 40.2 inches, the second row receives 38.4 inches, and the third row makes do with 34.3 inches. Legroom is much the same story with the front row offering the most space at 41.6-inches, while the second and third rows get 38.7-inches and 30.3-inches respectively. 

As the numbers suggest, the second is wholly capable of accommodating adults while the third row is more suited to occasional use, mostly by adolescents. There is a four-zone climate control equipped on the GV80, with the third row possessing its own HVAC controls. As we found during the long journey, even if no one is using the third row, it’s best to have that climate control operating to help keep middle-row passengers comfortable.  

Interior Style and Quality:

As noted earlier, the interior receives a bigger refresh, including a big 27-inch infotainment screen as well as a more conventional steering wheel. Yes, the football-shaped wheel is no longer. New materials and controls are found throughout the updated interior including the crystal gear selector and HVAC controls.

Our Prestige tester includes optional napa leather seats with diamond stitching and the microfibre suede headliner. These touches, plus various other high-end materials, received a lot of praise from passengers for their quality and style. Anyone entering the GV80 Prestige’s cabin instantly realizes they’re in a premium SUV. 

Tech and Safety:

A fully loaded mid-size is going to come with a ton of standard equipment, and some highlights include power-folding third-row seats, Bang & Olufsen 18-speaker sound system, a wireless charging pad, a surround view monitor, and a panoramic sunroof. One feature I always thought was over the top but came to appreciate on the trip was the soft close doors. On multiple occasions, one of us wouldn’t properly close our door, but instead of having to open it slam it back shut, the GV80 took care of it for us. 

Another technology I utilized a lot on the trip was the active lane centering system. Although not hands-free, it does a great job maintaining the middle of a lane without ping-ponging from line to line. It can even assist with lane changes. But it can also get confusing, especially in construction zones, and wrestling control of the steering wheel back from the computer requires some effort. 

While on the topic of confused technology, the 2025 Genesis GV80 has a driver distraction feature that monitors the driver and displays messages on the driver information screen if it senses a driver is tired, distracted, etc. On several occasions, the system sent me warnings to keep my eyes on the road even though they were. It also sent a few messages that I should take a break from driving when I was not fatigued. 

Final Thoughts:

The Genesis GV80 was already a strong player in the mid-size SUV segment. Every vehicle in that class seems to specialize in something, and for the GV80, I’d argue it’ style. Aesthetically, not much matches the GV80’s looks inside and out, and the 2025 updates have only improved on them. 

After 1,600+ miles over 8 days, the GV80 also proved itself to be a great road trip companion. Although there were a few minor faults, the SUV’s strengths outweigh them. By the end of our adventure, everyone on board was still quite pleased with the GV80 and were sad to see it go.