2026 Genesis GV80: Midsized luxury that almost drives itself

Our staff writer Sam reviews the 2026 Genesis GV80, a brand new luxury car with all the benefits you’d expect in a new vehicle! Check it out below.

With refinement and elegance on par with Mercedes, BMW and Audi, the petrol-powered 2026 Genesis GV80 is an elegant, smooth ride offering a lot of power while still being graceful and suave. 

Quite the dreamboat indeed.

Genesis prides itself on being seen and getting noticed, especially from the inside. Your touchscreen is 27-inches, so it really is an infotainment system that can be distracting since it plays cartoons for you even as you approach the car.

Make sure you are wearing comfortable, clean clothing so you can truly enjoy the ride, and try not to nod-off while driving; the automotive opulence, namely the interior quiet, has been compared to the inside of a bank vault (I wouldn’t know, I have never been inside one).

I did enjoy driving this year’s GV80. What’s not to enjoy?  

The ride is smooth; the driving is even smoother. Even when traffic attempts to bother you, the car almost puts you at rest, as though you are seated in your favorite recliner. So therein lies the challenge: the comfort is overwhelming.

The available engines are impressive as well. There are seven trim levels: Four 2.5T trims, which offer 300 horses and 311 pound/feet of torque; as well as three 3.5T trims, offering 375 horses and 391 pound/feet of torque.

Yet there are a few concerns.

Realistically, you will not be able to get into this year’s GV80 for anything less than $60K USD, but in this case, you really will get what you pay for.

Mileage is about 18 City / 24 Highway, which isn’t bad, but rivals do better. And on the base trims (2.5Ts), Rear-Wheel Drive is standard, and you have to pay more to get All-Wheel Drive (standard on the 3.5Ts). 

Standard equipment does include a turbo, synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, power liftgate, forward collision avoidance, blind-spot collision avoidance, safe-exit assist and (my favorite) Bang & Olufson audio.

For other cool stuff, you will have to pay extra. When all is said and done, you could be spending closer to $80K USD.

I tested the top-top-top tier 3.5T Prestige Black AWD, seen here.

Wow. And Wow again. Dark exterior trim, 22-inch black wheels, and Obsidian Black Nappa Leather on the inside. It was indeed like riding in a very comfortable hotel suite. 

So you know, yes, there is an available third row of seats, but I would use it only for your little dogs or sparse equipment. It really is too cramped back there for anything human or adult, at least in our category of beasts.

While quite capable as a rugged workhorse SUV, the 2026 Genesis (not electric) GV80 is clearly for those who want the pampering and can afford it. Keep in mind, this a midsized SUV, so for many of us Bears, despite all the elegance, it can still get a little cramped.

And a little uncomfortable if you like to eat and slurp a bit while you drive.