Sunday Drive: 2025 Genesis GV80 Prestige – A week of refined luxury, performance
When it comes to midsize luxury SUVs, the 2025 Genesis GV80 3.5T Prestige stood out in a very competitive segment. From its over-the-top design to an impressive array of features, this SUV impressed us with its unique blend of performance, luxury and value that we found hard to ignore.
Spending a week with the GV80 going about our everyday driving certainly allowed us to make a thorough assessment of its capabilities, comfort and presence on the road, particularly through a scenic Sunday drive and our daily commutes.
Exterior: Striking looks with a commanding presence
The 2025 GV80 Prestige had an exterior design that commanded our attention. It combined sharp, clean lines with bold styling designs that reflected its luxury pedigree.
Up front, the signature crest grille was flanked by Genesis’ quad headlights, which stood out as a distinctive design element. During our test drive, the GV80’s sleek silhouette and 22-inch alloy wheels turned heads everywhere we went, especially while cruising around our native Springville.
The gray color scheme with chrome accents provided us a sense of sophistication. Plus, the GV80’s robust proportions — especially its long wheelbase and wide track — gave it a road presence that exuded confidence and gave us the same feel when driving. The elevated stance, coupled with the designer’s unique bodywork, ensured it would hold its own alongside rivals like the Mercedes-Benz GLE and BMW X5.
Interior: Comfort and class in every detail
Inside, the GV80 Prestige oozed luxury. The cabin felt more like a high-end lounge, thanks to a thoughtful combination of premium materials, strong design and cutting-edge technology. The napa leather seats and open-pore wood trim gave it a polished yet welcoming feel. Heated and ventilated seats in both the front and rear offered extra comfort for both us and anyone in the rear seats, particularly as the autumn nights were starting to turn chilly.
What stood out the most for us was the 14.5-inch infotainment display, controlled via a dial or touch. During our weeklong drive, we found the system to be intuitive and responsive, easily handling navigation, music and calls through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Lexicon premium audio system delivered crystal-clear sound, adding to the luxury experience whether we were commuting down Interstate 15 or taking the scenic byway routes through Provo Canyon.
The panoramic sunroof was a highlight during daytime drives, flooding the cabin with natural light and showcasing the incredible Utah Valley scenery that we are lucky to enjoy every day.
Spaciousness was another strength, with ample legroom in both rows and enough cargo space (up to 84 cubic feet with the rear seats folded) to accommodate everything from groceries to weekend gear. Loading up the back after a Costco run in Orem was hassle-free for Deanne thanks to the hands-free power liftgate.
Performance: Power to spare with refined dynamics
The GV80 featured a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine, that delivered a potent 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system that ensured no matter the terrain, the GV80 was prepared. Accelerating onto highways like I-15 was smooth and effortless, with the engine’s torque providing plenty of grunt for overtaking slower traffic.
Despite its size and power, the GV80 maintained a refined ride. Thanks to its electronically controlled suspension, the SUV handled bumps and rough surfaces with ease. Whether it was cruising through the city streets of Springville or climbing the steeper roads leading up Provo Canyon, the GV80 remained composed.
We were most impressed with the fact that the GV80’s performance had the ability to adapt to different driving conditions. The SUV offered multiple drive modes — Comfort, Eco, Sport and Custom — which altered the throttle response, transmission shift points and suspension tuning to suit any of our driving needs.
In Comfort mode, the ride felt plush and relaxed, ideal for a leisurely drive out west towards the lake. Switching to Sport mode sharpened the steering and quickened shifts, making it perfect for navigating tighter roads in the Wasatch Mountains.
Fuel efficiency and hybrid considerations
While the twin-turbo V-6 delivered an exhilarating performance, we found that fuel economy to be about average for the segment. The GV80 was rated at 18 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. Over the course of our week in Utah County, which included a mix of city driving and highway cruising, we averaged around 20.1 mpg.
This wasn’t bad for a vehicle of its size and power, though not class leading. For those prioritizing efficiency, a hybrid option may be in the works for future models, but as of now, Genesis has not released any hybrid or electric versions of the GV80. For that, you would have to get into the all-electric GV70.
Technology and safety: Leading the pack
Safety was at the forefront of the 2025 Genesis GV80’s design, with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance technologies. The Genesis Safety System included forward collision avoidance, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist and blind-spot monitoring.
A standout feature was highway driving assist, which made longer stretches on the freeway from Provo to Ogden feel less taxing when Craig had to make the drive up. The system combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering, keeping the vehicle steady even on curves and in traffic.
Another tech highlight was the remote smart parking assist, which allowed us to park or retrieve the vehicle using the key fob to move the car forward and backward — a convenient feature when dealing with tight parking spots.
At the end of the week
Genesis continues to build its reputation as a premium brand, and the GV80 was a testament to how far they’ve come in just a few years. If you’re looking for a luxury SUV that delivers on all fronts — from style to performance to features — the 2025 GV80 3.5T Prestige should be at the top of your list.
Base price: $79,300
Destination charge: $1,350
Price as driven: $81,300
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- Deanne with the Genesis GV80 in front of the Springville Museum of Art as we ended our luxurious week enjoying all that the SUV had to offer in comfort and technology.
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- Inside the Genesis GV80.
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- The new 2025 Genesis GV80.
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- Inside the Genesis GV80.
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- The new 2025 Genesis GV80.
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- Inside the Genesis GV80.
