Quick Spin: 2021 Genesis GV80 3.5T Advanced

2021 Genesis GV80 3.5T AWD Advanced Plus

Miles driven: 496

Fuel used: 29.5 gallons

CG Report Card

Room and Comfort	A-
Power and Performance	B
Fit and Finish	B+
Fuel Economy	C
Value	B

Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup.

Big & Tall Comfort

Big Guy	B
Tall Guy	A

Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester.

Drivetrain
Engine Specs	375-hp 3.5L
Engine Type	Twin-turbo V6
Transmission	8-speed automatic
Drive Wheels	All-wheel drive

Real-world fuel economy: 16.8 mpg

Driving mix: 65% city, 35% highway

EPA-estimated fuel economy: 18/23/20 (mpg city, highway, combined)

Fuel type: Premium gas required

Base price: $65,550 (not including $1045 destination charge)

Options on test vehicle: Cardiff Green metallic paint ($500)

Price as tested: $67,095

Quick Hits

The great: Posh, comfortable cabin; quietness; long list of available comfort and convenience features

The good: Satisfying acceleration; confident, distinctive styling

The not so good: Mediocre observed fuel economy; steering and ride composure aren’t quite at the level of class leaders

More Genesis GV80 price and availability information

CG Says:

When Korean automaker Hyundai launched its Genesis luxury division for the 2017 model year with a lineup of traditional passenger cars, many industry observers thought that the lack of SUV offerings hampered the fledgling brand’s chances for success. The Genesis G90, G80, and G70 sedans are all fine vehicles that stack up very well to pricier rival models, but the bottom line is that cars just aren’t selling as well as crossover SUVs are, and a brand can’t be a serious player in the luxury or mainstream categories without an SUV lineup.

It didn’t take too long for Genesis to remedy that situation. The new-for-2021 GV80 launched as Genesis’s first SUV, and the smaller GV70 is launching as a 2022 model. We got our first taste of the GV80 as a 2.5T Prestige AWD model, which is the top version of the GV80 with the standard 300-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine—you can check out our review of that vehicle here.

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This time around, we got to sample the GV80’s step-up engine choice—a 375-hp 3.5-liter turbo V6—in an all-wheel-drive Advanced+ model. We’ve experienced this engine before in the 2021 Genesis G80 sedan, and appreciated its authoritative acceleration and all-around refinement. In terms of quietness and smoothness, as well as acceleration, it’s a notable upgrade from the base 2.5 four. However, rear-world fuel economy declines from the 4-cylinder GV80’s already mediocre numbers. In tests that consisted of a similar mix of city/highway driving, we averaged just 16.8 mpg in our V6 GV80 tester, compared to 19.2 mpg in the 4-cylinder version. The majority of the GV80’s comparable class rivals do better.

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Quick Spin, Consumer Guide Automotive — The front seats and second-row seats are comfortable and nicely trimmed, with plenty of space for most adults.

Genesis is following a curious strategy for the GV80’s available third-row seat—it’s available only on the 3.5T Advanced+ model. So, if you want third-row seating with a 4-cylinder engine, or with the premium full-lux features of the Prestige trim (which include 22-inch wheels, soft-close doors, 3D digital gauge cluster, power-adjustable ventilated second-row seats, and upgraded leather upholstery), you’re out of luck.

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For many buyers, that won’t be a big issue. That third-row area is rather cramped, so the seats are best suited for children or occasional use for short trips. And when the third-row seats are in use, the rear cargo area isn’t particularly spacious—it’s big enough for a medium-sized grocery run and not much more. Still, we appreciate having the passenger/cargo-hauling versatility of a third row for situations when an extra seat or two is necessary, like giving your kid’s classmate a ride to baseball practice.

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Comparing the as-tested prices of our two GV80 test vehicles is illuminating. Aside from the Advanced and Prestige trim-level upgrades, the only options are extra-cost paint colors and accessory items such as a reversible cargo tray and a rear bumper applique. So, even though it forgoes the Prestige-trim features of our two-row 4-cylinder GV80 test vehicle, the bottom-line price of this three-row V6 is $2270 more: $67,095, compared to $64,825. The prodigious V6 power and third-row seat should be worth that premium to a good number of shoppers, and overall, the GV80 compares favorably price-wise with its European competition.

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