2025 Genesis GV80 Review | Genesis Ups Their Interior Game

With the refreshed Genesis GV80, Genesis continues to target the German, rather than the Japanese competition, and that makes a great deal of sense to me. Although Genesis still marches to a different drummer with the steering and suspension tuning on the GV80, that differing personality sort of splits the difference between a Lexus RX or Acura MDX and the Mercedes GLE or BMW X5, ad that's not a bad place to be. The GV80's steering has been significantly improved, the suspension still targets the comfortable side of the segment, and the standard AWD system is programed to give the GV80 a strong rear power bias that makes it a competent dance partner on winding roads. The big change of course is inside where the controversial steering wheel has been ditched and a new enormous screen has been placed on the dash.
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[@vyseerx]

Never thought a Genesis would cost more than a Lexus !! Times change !! Glad that I chose a Genesis long before it was this expensive!!

[@naveenthemachine]

But even with the higher price the gv80 is worth it

[@APEXLWIAY]

I mean, you are paying for more, aren't you?

[@APEXLWIAY]

And I'm glad you bought one long before; things get expensive quite fast!

[@skeeterman7144]

I want to talk about Alex. I have a gv80 coming in about 10 days. I’ve watched countless car reviews in the past week. Alex is by FAR the most knowledgeable giving us detailed knowledge no one else has come close to doing. I’ve watched this video 3 times already because it’s packed with USEFUL information not heard from anyone else. What an excellent talent you are Alex. I’m astonished this review isn’t over 100,000 views by now.

[@tiffaneydionescharmer5239]

How is the new car?! I have to wait until the end of year.

[@skeeterman7144]

@@tiffaneydionescharmer5239 new delivery got pushed to June 13. 😒

[@221ddj]

The X5's 2nd row is tight and it's almost impossible finding a 3rd row variant on the lot. They typically direct you to the X7 for obvious pocket robbing reasons. The GLE is about as reliable as a deadbeat dad on Christmas. I'd marry a pornstar before I opted for a Mercedes. If comparing luxury 2 rows with a budget of $82K it's between the GV80 and X5. For me, the GV80 wins based on the infotainment, reliability, and the noise level of the A/C unit being significantly lower. The X5 is more fun to drive, better fuel economy and voice commands are better, but it'll come up short in every other comfort metric at $82K.

[@Swiggityswagger]

If you get the I6 version of the X5 it will be more reliable than the Genesis. And when you do need service you'll be glad you bought the BMW so you don't have to deal with the Hyundai/Genesis dealer networks. Personally, I'd save 10 grand and get an MDX Type S.

[@221ddj]

@@Swiggityswagger I traded my 2020 X5 for a 2021 GV80 when it first came out...the Genesis was better in every way except for the voice commands, gas mileage, and inline acceleration. No maintenance issues at all. I considered the MDX, but it's front wheel drive based, slow as hell and it looks cheap on the inside. To be fair, I didn't drive the Type S, but even so that only solves the speed. I recently added a G90 to my garage from a new dedicated Genesis dealer...BMW needs to take notes. The only place that I've had a better dealership experience than Genesis was at Lexus, and that's only because they gave me ice cream. You are very biased, like most people, and speaking from a place of ignorance...like most people when it comes to Genesis. I love cars, and I'm not a brand snob. At the fully loaded Genesis price points, Genesis is significantly better equipped than its European competitors and there is no direct competition from the Acura, Lexus, Infiniti trio. I've owned Lexus, Acura, Infiniti, BMW, Audi, Volvo, and Genesis...plus a Ford, Honda and a Jeep when I was relatively poor. The only repeat brands were BMW and Genesis.

[@AAcurse]

@@Swiggityswagger you get 10 year wareenty on genesis

[@jamesuthmann940]

Anyone else catch that this Genesis is playing "Invisible Touch"? ( 12:15 )😄

[@marlonmonsegue4853]

In my view Genesis should embrace hybrid in all their vehicles And both combustion power trains to be electrified to help with fuel economy This will definitely bump up the power as well

[@MalamIbnMalam]

Yes, that is what Mercedes has been doing as well.

[@Threxx]

I was half paying attention when you showed the mood curator feature, and between the musical note icon and fragrance icon I saw what appeared to be a tongue icon... and thought "man they really went for all the senses with this new infotainment system!"

[@goetzliedtke]

Great, a screen in white, gray, and pastels guaranteed to be hard for aging eyes to see.

[@magnoliap5824]

Good thing you aren’t wearing dark jeans with that light interior color. 😂

[@SilverScarletSpider]

28:51 ty for this segment. eloquently explains why the genesis gv80 stacks up in a different way compared to lexus rx and acura mdx type s vs the german bmw x7

[@rightlanehog3151]

Alex, "Rain drops and fire ants" could be the slogan for Texas Tourism. 🤔

[@kais295]

Yup. Texas is not for the weak

[@PaulHo]

Genesis > Germans.

[@etaesu83]

Paul Ho > Genesis

[@Toritori-ke9sf]

Not quite there yet. Genesis still doesn’t know how to build suspensions like the Germans. At lower speeds like at 45mph or 65mph it’s comparable to a German. You only start to notice how unpolished it is when you start hitting 90, 100, 120mph. Of course Genesis’s home country and American market don’t have an autobahn so they may just not care. But even a VW remains more consistent(not that the VW rides better, but it’s more consistent at various speeds) than Genesis.

[@etaesu83]

@@Toritori-ke9sf have you driven multiple models? I would agree with you. Just wanted to know your experience. I was shocked to see how planted in felt in a 5 series at 135mph. G90 feels stable but wallows a bit above 100mph. 7 series I was neutral on which is surprising cause the longer wheelbase. I like the suspension on the GV70 more than the GV80. Hate the suspensions on 2 series and 1 series but probably harsh from their handling focus. Golf R/GTI are great but the rest of the VWs are all very mediocre. Audi and Porsche, chefs kiss.

[@nicholasbabeaux2052]

Great review as always, Alex. I’ve always loved the GV80. It would be a difficult choice for me between the X5. The interior is beautiful here, but even the base B-52 engine in the X5 is fantastic, fuel, efficient, and much quicker than this. Honestly, honestly, I love both cars so I would have to drive them back to back on the same day lol

[@Thebusdriverandgamermorefan790]

I like Genesis vehicles for years & I buy this.

[@dwadd7528]

😂😂😂😂

[@MalamIbnMalam]

Alex has definitely lost some weight, well done!

[@TizzleT]

I wish Alex did a safety features breakdown like airbags and their locations, brake assist, driver assist. Etc.

[@tjs114]

With the variations in cameras, lighting and even screens; maybe it's time to put a Newton disc in your inventory for filming. Just sit it on the dash while filming so we can get an idea of the color shift when it comes to what things really look like. For example, the interior grey of this vehicle looks nearly military camo green on my screen.

[@amininshassi6370]

In your first look video of the 2025 GV80 at the LA Auto Show, you said that the front passenger seats finally gets the same range of adjustments as the driver's seat, including the tinflatable bolsters, thigh extension,and the ergo motion massage function.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Seems that may be just the coupe

[@amininshassi6370]

@@AAutoBuyersGuide Maybe.

[@ayushmalpeddi2793]

Genesis badge turns WAY more heads IMO. Lexus and Acura cars are very mainstream now and don't offer a much better experience than top trim Mazdas, Hyundai, and KIAs. Genesis on the other hand provides you with a better powertrain, RWD architecture, and a interior that would look more in place of a 6 figure car and a 60K car.

[@user-tk9jl4xc3z]

Very good review 👍🏻

[@aravindtirumularaju7374]

Please do a video with the 2.5T prestige trim too.

[@mig3872]

Thank you Alex. I'm thinking the 2.5 Advanced might be the sweet spot for me.

[@nicholasbabeaux2052]

Sur this is a great engine, not as good as the B58 but we will always wonder what this car would’ve been like if it had the 5.0 Tau engine Genesis used to use. I think from the onset Genesis should have used a 48 mild hybrid with this engine, it would’ve improved efficiency, and acceleration numbers.

[@juelzm149]

Very premature to get rid of that fantastic 5.0 Tau!

[@nicholasbabeaux2052]

@@juelzm149 , that and the 3.6 were amazing engines, very reliable too. Didn’t sound as good as the 5.0 in my jaguar, but it made more horsepower.

[@emoney1231]

I like over-the-air updates, but when it's "uhh... we just didn't get around to it," that's a little offputting, at least for a luxury car.

[@charlesduran8700]

The Korean models get the passenger memory seat package , why can’t we get that here

[@miraphycs7377]

pre-refresh interior looks more luxurious inside

[@MrGeezil]

No it doesn’t.

[@gestebu]

It certainly does in terms of gauge display especially. The new display looks non-luxury and it may very well be the same one used in the brand's lower end Kia/Hyundai products. At least BMW uses a curved display although I still think a separate binnacle for the gauge cluster looks better regardless of brand.

[@canadianaviator]

@@gestebuit’s a single oled display

[@billshoe22191]

I prefer the interior and exterior of the GV80 to the German competition. My only worry/ complaint about the GV80 is the lack of a turbo V8 in upper trims to truly compete with the Germans. It seems Genesis figured it would go all in on EV instead of developing a new ICE powertrain and I think that is going to bite them. Otherwise stunning car inside and out. Love the materials used inside and that there are still physical controls unlike the Germans. As far as the Japanese “competition” those are just lazy rebadge job of mainstream products and do not even compete against true luxury offerings like the Germans and Genesis.

[@TizzleT]

I for sure would be driving a GV80 if it had more power. 0-60 in 5.7 (?), not quick enough for me. So I went with a V8TT in a GLE.

[@AmericanRoads]

17 MPG? Seriously? 😂😭

[@denziiey]

for a V6 XD

[@goetzliedtke]

What is with the Genesis (and others) passion for Wehrmacht Feldgrau interiors?

[@AmericanRoads]

The screen is OLED? Burn-in waiting to happen...

[@garrettw99]

Yeah I wanna hear what Hyundai did to mitigate that. My QD-OLED Samsung TV shifts the screen every once in a while and has static image detection to dim static parts of the image

[@michaelpeterson5396]

I'm still very surprised that I don't see Genesis dealerships. No hyperbole, I've lived and traveled throughout SoCal and I've never seen one. Only a few models outside a Hyundai dealership. Seems like a missed opportunity honestly.

[@allenmovies]

I wish there was a hybrid version!

[@Jimmy-ph8xn]

Why is the screen OLED? LED is brighter and more reliable 🤔

[@Thisisjvmo]

I would pick the Genesis GV80 over the competition

[@SgtNuker]

The dash screen is the worst part of the GV80, right next to the twist dial for a gear selector. I see Hyundai still likes putting the navigation control next to the gear selector. Oh look, it's a dial as well! Literally everything else about the Genesis GV80 is great. It's the fact that the dash screen and gear selector are the way they are, that is the biggest detractor for me. While some argue that it provides cleaner lines and appearance, all I see is a fingerprint nightmare mixed with glare and a PitA to deal with at night and tired eyes.

[@samdovels1234]

I think that the touch screen climate control system is the biggest issue here, much worse than anything else you mentioned. What a stupid idea Hyundai/Genesis is implementing into their latest vehicles.

[@SgtNuker]

@@samdovels1234 I see what you're saying, but there are physical buttons for climate control. That being said, that fact that HVAC is in a screen is rolled into the fact that everything is a screen which only bolsters my point.

[@samdovels1234]

@@SgtNuker I hear what you say. Just to clarify, there is only one setting with a physical dial, the temperature control. The rest of the settings, like mode, fan speed, circulation mode, etc, are with touch controls, and that's very dangerous to use in middle of driving.

[@alwaysiyi272]

I slickly prefer the pre-refresh interior, cos to me the one screen layout looks kinda cheap, it’s the same kinda thing we see in Hyundai’s and Kia, obviously those have a split but it’s the same look which I feel cheapens the GV80, even tho it still looks good

[@sixpounder15985]

OLED screens for the dash … I don’t think that’s a good idea considering oleds can have burn in . That would be a headache in just a few years

[@chibonics101]

oled has much lesser than of burn in than regular LCD n LEDs...

[@user-qj3yo5pm2k]

Awesome

[@philhenderson3516]

I personally dislike the changes. The prior interior looked MUCH BETTER and more distinctive. The continuous screen trend is tiring and takes away much of the charm of the design. It's like all manufacturers are adopting the same trend for no reason but to, perhaps, save costs for having a single unit? As for the exterior, the front end is better, but the rest... wheels look awful and removing the exhaust tips from the rear was a mistake, definitely a step backwards.

[@cpg8000]

Now all they need to do is change the hideously uncomfortable seats and we’re good 👍🏼

[@PoppaCYS]

I was hoping for a redesign for 2024. I hate the exterior's ostentatious look... especially the chrome grill and chrome accentuations on the side.

[@drive-channel1834]

GV80 doesn't have the "flipping magic-ball shifter knob" like the GV60 ?

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

No, thank heavens

[@amigatommy7]

Not a G90 but close enough?

[@gabi90000]

It’s getting to close in pricing to germans. While the fit and finish is on the same level with the germans, when it comes to engine , chassis, handling Genesis is still behind . Cut 10% in pricing and I think we have a winner.

[@blackwhirlwind1245]

I agree, the staring price being 60K is insane, not to mention 82K is basically German rivals’ price. I think they are going after Germans, but not quite there yet. They should just focus on competing with Japanese brands, Genesis is already losing to Japanese, but with current prices, it’s not even competitive to Japanese rivals.

[@homelessmillionaire1]

20%

[@jjpark1989]

I agree with your sentiment, but after owning a KIA, BMW and a Mercedes I can say with confidence that the repair bill for the Korean cars will be much easier to bear. Actually I had the most problems with my BMW, then Benz and surprisingly the KIA gave me the least problems and that was my working SUV too. There were too many electrical problems in the German cars. Not to mention their warranty lacks in comparison to the Korean manufacturers.

[@RandyReed-xw4kk]

Did the dash change a lot? I don’t remember a screen as big. I don’t like it.

[@alliejr]

Also the poor resale value.

[@mrgurulittle7000]

Why does the refresh feel cheaper? It’s not as nice inside.☹️

[@normanli7085]

I like the prerefresh grill and back end better. Seems like fake exhausts and vents aren't just on the German euro brands.

[@mrgurulittle7000]

@@normanli7085Agree.

[@27kwanchi]

31:07 The X5 does NOT have a third row

[@ltkwok]

I own a Genesis GV60. Not a fan of big grills; Genesis or Lexus.

[@doublehh666]

Raindrops in the sky and fire ants in the ground. Yup sounds like Texas in May

[@iSlandeRon]

Previous interior was more luxurious.

[@chad_rs]

My *almost* fully loaded 2024 X5 was the same price as this. This Genesis is a hard pass for me. I also can’t help but feel it needs a Sport Prestige trim like that GV70, because the only spec being a grandpa one turns away a lot of potential buys. That and these sitting on Hyundai lots. Much rather go to a BMW showroom.

[@dmack7265]

Those 3rd rows are simply pointless.

[@goetzliedtke]

Alex, you and your folks all complain about the lack of side headroom, yet you swoon over the very feature that causes the problem - big "shoulders". That can also be called tiny tops but under either name the feature is stupidly impractical. Slab sides are not a sign of weakness nor are they costing extra drag.

[@Jgjginkg244]

Japanese gave up competing (vehicle wise) against Germans because of their short comings and didn’t have what it takes. Today, ‘these’ Japanese cars are substandard with luxury price.

[@naveenthemachine]

Acura or Mazda aren’t that bad but Lexus especially absolutely yes is beyond substandard

[@orig_gee_man]

That front grill is worst than a prison fence.

[@johnholst]

To each his own, I guess. I LOVE the change! Looks even better in person!

[@Pollo3330]

Prison vs Person

[@havanadaydreamin7260]

Couldn't tell ya.......never been in prison!

[@orig_gee_man]

@@havanadaydreamin7260 should see a movie or documentary sometime, it might help

[@PeaceChanel]

Peace.. Shalom.. Salam.. Namaste 🙏🏻 😊 ✌ ☮ ❤ 🕊

[@MichaelBrown-ny3et]

No apple car play?

[@homelessmillionaire1]

Beautiful Hyundai

[@blackwhirlwind1245]

82K is reaching German prices, I don’t think it’s going to be competitive, especially when Lexus(the best selling luxury brand) and Acura(probably 2nd best) offer lower prices and still offer premium materials and features.

[@naveenthemachine]

Lexus doesn’t offer a luxury car. The RX is a joke. The interior is significantly worse than the gv80. In fact it has one of if not the worst interior in the segment.

[@johnholst]

Like Alex said, this isn't really a Lexus/ Acura competitor. It's a far superior luxury machine. However, it's more reliable and 10 to 20 percent cheaper than its German competitors. It's a unique place to sit in the market.

[@naveenthemachine]

@@johnholst but at the top end the RX isn’t far off in price from the top end gv80 but I agree the RX is subpar all around. The worst in class

[@johnholst]

@@naveenthemachine I don't mean the RX is a bed vehicle. It's just not really in the same category as all the real rwd platform luxury rigs. GV80 is a great machine.

[@billshoe22191]

Genesis interiors are miles better than the piano black plastic Acura MDX and whatever rebadged fwd based Toyota, Lexus is offering. Genesis is a real luxury brand where Lexus and Acura are lazy rebadged Honda/Toyota mainstream fwd products

[@goetzliedtke]

So, the new black is paper mâché.

[@gestebu]

I think you meant to say the new gloss/piano black.

[@Jimmy-ph8xn]

Too expensive. I know it’s got a ton of options that would cost $20k more with Merc/BMW, but it’s just not there yet as a brand.

[@justinking8220]

The vehicle is nice but I'm not spending that kind of money on a non brand

[@TheCarCrazyGuy]

Although the Genesis is nice, I don’t think it’s going to hold up long-term and resale value as well. I would stick with the Japanese brands personally and give up the luxury on the interior side.

[@homelessmillionaire1]

For some reason I trust your POV

[@mrgurulittle7000]

The many beams in the headlights combined with the overall front looks hideous. RWD so it’s useless in the snow although it’s a “crossover”.

[@user-bd9lw9jp9t]

korean car is very nice

[@tonywong9105]

As much as I like and support the Korean brands (owning one Hyundai and one Kia now, both PHEV), the fact that this GV80 is lacking a fuel efficient powertrain is certainly a deal breaker for me. I know Genesis can do it, please hurry!

[@naveenthemachine]

If fuel economy is your concern you shouldn’t even be shopping in this category

[@ALMX5DP]

@@naveenthemachinewhy not? Seems like they are interested in that aspect so who are you to tell someone else what they should or should not be interested in?

[@kfx3907]

They will. They are now developing the ones that is even better than the normal hybrid system with far more range with better efficiency and power. Plus, new 2.5L turbo- hybrid is going to launch next year.

[@naveenthemachine]

@@ALMX5DPif you’re shopping for a hellcat or x5 are you going to lose your hair over the fact that it only gets 13-15mpg? No because it doesn’t matter. If you can’t afford the low mpg on a luxury car then you can’t afford the car period. It’s just a fact You don’t see Trackhawk owners crying about mpg even though they paid 100k

[@ALMX5DP]

@@naveenthemachine different people have different priorities and desires. Do you not understand this concept?

[@ayushmalpeddi2793]

FYI the Lexus RX is 1000% a GV70 competitor. NOT a GV80 competitor. RX and GV70 have identical combined legroom according to Edmunds specs. Furthermore the GV70 has 10 more cubic feet of space than a RX. Lastly both vehicles have VERY similar luxury/tech/etc. RX offers ventilated rear seats but the GV70 offers the ergo motion massage seats. Either way it's insane a base engine RX with all the options is over 65K!!! Its slower, smaller, and maybe even less luxurious than a GV70, let alone a GV80. RX offers a smoother ride but it handles extremely poorly for the fsport and 500h variants.

[@naveenthemachine]

Well there’s a reason the RX is the worst luxury crossover in the segment It doesn’t do anything well

[@homelessmillionaire1]

It doesn't do anything well, but sell...

[@naveenthemachine]

@@homelessmillionaire1 best selling doesn’t mean a thing. A RAV4 outsells a cx5 but is it better than a cx5 in performance handling design comfort luxury build quality etc? No

[@kromahj]

@@homelessmillionaire1 sell don’t means it better, example: McDonald sell more burger than Five Guys . That don’t mean McDonald burger is better than Five Guys burger

[@ALMX5DP]

@@kromahj that is a rather imperfect comparison. Lexus and Genesis sell for around the same price, and have a similar number of dealers in their US network. McDonald’s sells their burgers for quite a bit less and have over 10x the restaurants that Five Guys has.

[@goetzliedtke]

I also have to object to your fascination with driving in a greenhouse. Moonroofs, sunroofs, and all the other combinations are another impractical feature outside of semi-tropical rain forests (where they are useless for their primary purpose as you never get to see the sun).

[@swainp2012]

Not a EV? ☹️

[@johnholst]

The GV90 will be a full ev. This will likely get a hybrid instead.

[@ralphealcarr4699]

First comment!!! 😂

[@georgedoolittle7574]

Foreign Badges suffering from a serious problem of lacking in differentiation. These interiors are pathetic with GM Model Year 2025 readying for what appears to be a big time smackdown of even Tesla. Tesla still remains the top of the line for in vehicle "quietude" and ambience. Huge fan of captain's chairs if you're going big and luxe which this is neither of the latter. Verdict: still cheap Korean stuff

[@fighter835]

Wait.. What.. Tesla has by far the worst interiors of the luxury brands. Fit and finish on Tesla is garbage, no real customization options, garbage seat design, and the center piece of the interior is an iPad...

[@naveenthemachine]

@@fighter835I’d say Tesla comes in a step ahead of especially Lexus in interiors

[@whiteandnerdytuba]

Quit pretending lower cost reduces price.

[@naveenthemachine]

Still the best Asian luxury suv Rest in Peace Lexus RX. The gv80 has ostensibly wiped out the RX from any existence To an extent genesis has objectively wiped out Lexus entirely from existence. Soon it’ll be time to say “Lexus who? I thought they went out of business” Well done Genesis

[@huanronghu4432]

and ur the one that has Lexus living in ur head rent free

[@naveenthemachine]

lol but you know what I said are facts. You’re saying that with your eyes closed 😂. How about you actually open your eyes and see what the competition offers vs that overrated RX

[@ruffmadman]

​​@@naveenthemachine the Lexus RX outsells the GV80 multiple times over, it's not even a competition. And the fact that the GV80 brings a lot of compromises of a RWD Drivetrain and lack of a hybrid makes it a non-starter for many.

[@ALMX5DP]

@@naveenthemachineI don’t see any facts from you. You said Lexus will “soon” be out of business but no evidence on when or how that might take place.

[@kfx3907]

@@ruffmadmanThey will put new E-Hybrid system in the near future so let's wait and see.

[@mikeymyke]

Just a heads up if you live in Toronto or San Francisco, do NOT buy this car, it will get stolen

[@philhenderson3516]

Care to share more info? Do these vehicles suffer from the same Hyundai/Kia immobilizer issue?

[@justinking8220]

Dude really trying to sell this car hard lol.. these reviewers are really becoming bad car sales men😅

[@naveenthemachine]

He’s right though. The gv80 is the best Asian luxury suv

[@alexandervaldes7324]

Too expensive for a Hunday with some tuning and some make up.

[@naveenthemachine]

There’s a huge difference between saying the gv80 is a fancy Hyundai and saying that the RX is just a fancy Camry

[@johnholst]

So much dumb in that statement !lol

[@Discussions1]

Poor reliability

[@naveenthemachine]

Your comment is what has poor reliability

[@thomaspalmer6453]

Genesis is very good reliability.