Name: Genesis GV80 (2021 - present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Genesis GV80
Rating: 59.0

Summary

The Genesis GV80 is a large SUV that arrived in the UK in Autumn 2021, pitched as an alternative to the likes of the Audi Q7, BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE in the high-end SUV market.

Genesis is a spin-off upmarket brand owned by Hyundai and the GV80, alongside the G80 saloon, is part of its first foray into the European automotive market after successes in Asia and the USA. There is another SUV available in the range, the smaller Genesis GV70.

You won’t be able to buy a Genesis at a traditional dealership; you can take a test drive from your front door on request, orders are delivered to the customer, and cars are collected from the owner for servicing over a standard five-year care plan, as the brand looks to provide an attractive premium ownership experience.

Described by Parkers as “a luxury car for non-car people”, the Genesis GV80 does not have the notoriety of its established German rivals, and therefore less resale value, but reviewers generally agree that the large SUV is a capable contender in many areas.

Auto Express affirm that the GV80’s interior quality is among the best in its class, equipped with a longer list of entry-level on-board tech than most of its competitors. Auto Trader highlights the GV80 for its value-for-money, calling it a “Premium SUV for regular money”.

However, despite the upfront savings, Auto Trader also points out that the Genesis GV80 has comparatively poor running costs with no hybrid models in the range, and the majority of reviewers remain unimpressed by the SUV’s ride comfort and driving dynamics, culminating in a driving experience which Top Gear labels a “let-down”.

As of February 2025, the Genesis GV80 holds a New Car Expert Rating of D, with a score of 59%. Although it earns top marks for its safety rating, the rest of our categories return poor to very poor results. Also worth noting is that we don’t yet have meaningful reliability data for the GV80, so check back again soon.

More Genesis Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features

GV80 highlights

Five years of free servicing
Good equipment levels
High-quality interior
Smooth diesel engine

GV80 lowlights

No electrification offered across range
Poor fuel economy
Rigid ride comfort
Rivals have more resale value

Key specifications

Body style: Large five-door SUV
Engines: petrol, diesel
Price: From £58,320 on-road

Launched: Autumn 2021
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert+

Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol automatic Luxury
Score: 7.7 / 10
“If the badge doesn’t bother you, the Genesis GV80 is certainly worth a look. You do get the feeling, however, that the chances of Genesis establishing itself will be markedly improved by the arrival of its more distinctive cars with hybrid and electric propulsion. The GV80 is as good as many of its rivals – but it doesn’t stand apart from them.”
Read review

Auto Express+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Genesis GV80 has impressed us in many ways. Its quality is up with the best in the market, while the level of standard kit is beyond most. But for a slightly fidgety ride, we found the GV80 comfortable and hugely appealing, not least with the new way of buying one.”
Read review

Auto Trader+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“Genesis is a new face on the premium SUV block, the GV80 impressing with its quality and spec but facing some fierce rivals.”
Read review

Business Car+

Model reviewed: 3.0-litre diesel automatic Luxury
Score: 6 / 10
“It will take a brave company car driver with deep pockets (for the tax if nothing else) to be tempted by this large SUV.”
Read review

Carbuyer+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.4 / 10
“The Genesis GV80 is a big SUV that’s worthy of consideration if you fancy a change from the German stalwarts.”
Read review

Carwow+

Score: 8 / 10
“The Genesis GV80 looks like a cut-price Bentley Bentayga yet doesn’t feel too far off in terms of comfort. The engine selection is limited though, with no electric option as yet, and the ride can be harsh at times.”
Read review

Daily Mail+

Model reviewed: Range overview
“Is this a Korean copycat ‘Bootleg Bentley’? To be fair, the Bentley Bentayga is a league beyond the new Genesis GV80 in terms of luxurious quality and performance. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, the chaps in Crewe should feel flattered by the GV80’s impressive homage to their skills.”
Read review

Heycar+

Model reviewed: 3.0-litre diesel Luxury Line
“Considered in isolation, the Genesis GV80 is a comfortable, spacious and luxurious SUV. However, it lacks the posh badge of rivals and residuals are likely to suffer badly as a result. “
Read review

Motoring Research+

Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol automatic
Score: 7 / 10
“On balance, the Genesis GV80 is a better car to own than to drive – the exact opposite of a Range Rover Sport, perhaps. If you crave an easy motoring life, or you simply want something different to the premium norm, it’s worth arranging a to-your-door test drive. For me, though, the BMW X5 and Lexus RX both offer a better all-round package in this competitive class.”
Author: Tim Pitt
Read review

Parkers+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.6 / 10
“Honestly, we came away liking the Genesis GV80, and would happily recommend one as long as drivers are aware of its foibles. The Genesis is a luxury car for non-car people.”
Read review

The Sun+

Model reviewed: Range overview
“The GV80 cabin is really where it’s at. Every bell and whistle. Yet also calm and airy and coated in leather. Noise-cancelling tech means it’s whisper-quiet unless you press a button for more engine roar. Other impressive kit includes a 15-inch central touchscreen with augmented-reality satnav.”
Read review

The Sunday Times+

Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol automatic
“Even in ‘comfort’ mode, this car rides like a light aircraft in a tropical thunderstorm, heaving and crashing and lurching on even smooth bits of tarmac. It’s not the most uncomfortable car I’ve ever driven, but it’s close.” (Jeremy Clarkson)
Read review

Model reviewed: 3.0-litre diesel automatic
Score: 9 / 10
“This is a very strong first entry into the seven-seat all-wheel-drive SUV segment from Genesis. It impresses in terms of ride quality, comfort and technology, and is keenly priced to steal sales away from Audi, Mercedes, BMW, Volvo and Range Rover.”
Read review

The Telegraph+

Model reviewed: 3.0-litre diesel automatic AWD Luxury
Score: 4 / 10
“Despite some good technology and a likeable if loquacious diesel unit, the dynamics of this huge SUV are simply not good enough compared with the very capable non-German opposition, let alone the Germans themselves.”
Read review

Top Gear+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 5 / 10
“Big plush SUV from new-to-Britain Genesis, part of Korea’s Hyundai Group. Lots of on-paper promise, a let-down on the road.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: December 2021
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 91%
Child protection: 87%
Vulnerable road users: 66%
Safety assist: 88%

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of February 2025, the Genesis GV80 has not been assessed by Green NCAP. If it happens, we will publish the results here.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of February 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Genesis GV80 to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.

As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the GV80, we’ll publish the results here.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	26 mpg	E	25 – 26 mpg	E – E
Diesel models	33 mpg	E	32 – 33 mpg	E – E

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	241 g/km	D	241 – 241 g/km	D – D
Diesel models	231 g/km	D	231 – 231 g/km	D – D

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	46	D	45 – 48	D – D

The Genesis GV80 is an expensive car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

We don’t yet have servicing and maintenance costs, but the data we do have is all at the most expensive end of the spectrum. Of particular note is poor fuel consumption, since that will usually be your biggest running cost each month.