Beats the Germans, but Not Around Corners

What makes a luxury car luxurious? Is it an elegant exterior, a lavish cabin, a fancy badge on the hood? All of the above? Genesis may still not be on most people’s radars when shopping for their first high-dollar acquisition after hittin’ it big, but as it turns out, the 2026 Genesis GV80 checks more “luxury” boxes than most of its European rivals.

Sitting atop the Korean automaker’s lineup, the GV80 flagship offers one of the most luxurious, if not the most luxurious, driving experiences in an SUV under $100,000. It boasts an elegant exterior design that, despite being five years old, still feels mostly fresh and commands plenty of looks. Inside, seating for five (seven in the SUV bodystyle), loads of tech, and, most importantly, a classy, comfortable cabin with many standard amenities one-up the likes of BMW and Mercedes.

I recently spent time with a 2026 Genesis GV80 in the range-topping 3.5 Prestige Black AWD trim. Specifically, it was the Coupe model, which, aside from the sloping rear roofline, is identical to its SUV counterpart. It came dressed in a gorgeous Uyuni White, a lovely pearlescent hue that is actually one of only two colors offered in the top trim. The cabin was lined in expensive-looking, quilted black Nappa leather and dark, open-pore wood trim along the dash, center console, and doors. My tester rode on 22-inch black wheels wrapped in Michelin Primacy Tour tires, which visibly enhanced the overall package but didn’t exactly improve the ride quality or, for that matter, the handling.

On the road, the GV80 feels sumptuous, and frankly, I can’t remember the last time I used that adjective to describe my experience in a normie car. And I get it, this particular unit came in at $91,545 (including $1,495 destination), but for all intents and purposes, it’s a regular production car that’s not limited nor exotic. Regardless, the way it carries itself on the road, whether it’s on city streets or the highway, is more akin to a British super-luxury machine than something mass-produced in Korea.

The 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 under the hood produces a healthy 409 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque, which it needs because this thing weighs 5,200 pounds. The motor pairs with an automatic eight-speed transmission, boasts an e-supercharger (which you can read all about here), and is a mild-hybrid unit with a 48-volt architecture. As a result, acceleration is strong, and there’s plenty of torque to go around. Step on the accelerator and you’ll feel the entire SUV lean back and propel you forward with force, but not ferocity. It’s not quick or agile, but its movements feel hefty and sometimes even sluggish despite the adaptive suspension.

With that said, I’d prefer a wheel/tire setup that offered a higher sidewall to enhance comfort even more, as that’s where this SUV shines. There’s no point in retaining the 22-inch wheels and lower-profile tires purely for looks.

And perhaps that’s the bit that will catch potential customers a bit off guard. While most of its European rivals offer nimbler handling and more responsive driving dynamics, they can’t match the Genesis’ overall level of refinement without adding a small car’s worth of optional equipment. The Genesis, meanwhile, doesn’t offer an engaging or peppy driving experience, but succeeds at cocooning the driver and passengers in a luxe experience they’ll likely favor over responsiveness. At least I would, if I wanted the most plush and fancy ride for my daily commute. In many ways, it’s give-and-take. Which one would you favor on a daily basis?

In terms of usability, the cabin is pretty to look at while remaining functional, though I have mixed feelings about the two similar knobs below the dash. One of them functions as a shifter, while the other, nearly identical one, controls the infotainment system. I often found myself confusing the two and using the shifter to operate the center screen (which is also a touchscreen) and vice versa. Besides that little situation, the tech experience is mostly smooth once you get used to where things are and how they work.

Verdict

I’ve found the last few BMW SUVs I’ve driven to ride too harshly, and the Mercedes SUVs too overloaded with senseless tech and cabin designs. And not to mention, both German automakers are going through a design crisis of sorts. Genesis outshines them in those areas, but it can’t keep up with them in the corners with its container-ship-like handling.

At $91,545, the top-of-the-range GV80 isn’t cheap, nor is it for everyone, but I’d also argue that the majority of people who are infatuated with their German badges and hood ornaments would enjoy driving this more. Just sayin’.

Genesis provided The Drive with a seven-day loan of this vehicle for the purpose of writing this review. 

2026 Genesis GV80 Coupe 3.5 Prestige Black AWD Specs

Email the author at jerry@thedrive.com