2023 Genesis GV80 vs 2022 Genesis GV70

The 2022 Genesis GV70 boasted a unique appearance, inheriting some styling elements from other Genesis models. It featured quad LED strips for headlights and taillights, along with a large, shield-shaped grille. The GV70 combined these elements with a sloping roofline and ribbed detailing, giving it a muscular profile. This blend of SUV bulk and athletic, car-like elements made the GV70 appear both rugged and sleek. The Sport Prestige models added unique styling features, including a model-specific front fascia with big vents, 21-inch wheels with a web pattern, and dark chrome trim. The interior had an elliptical theme inspired by an airplane wing, with most controls housed in a thin elliptical pod. The design was minimal, with a touchscreen perched atop the dashboard and hidden air vents. The GV70 offered a wide array of interior color options, and the material quality in the Sport Prestige test car was luxurious, featuring Nappa leather upholstery with suede seat inserts.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 exuded sophistication and grace with its quad-lamp headlights and bold grille. This midsize SUV was stately, measuring just over 16 feet long. The quad lamp look was echoed in the rear with four-part taillamps above the dual exhaust. The hands-free liftgate was boxy, but the SUV maintained an elegant look, especially with the matte Brunswick Green paint job. Inside, the dark green color continued on the quilted leather seats, complemented by thin horizontal air vents, metal, and matte wood trim. The center console featured three large dials for infotainment, transmission, and drive modes. The two-spoke steering wheel added a unique touch. The 14.5-inch infotainment screen, though slightly awkwardly placed, was a minor annoyance in an otherwise spacious and luxurious interior.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options: a base 2.5-liter turbo-four engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 generating 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both powertrains came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). The GV70 included a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, features more common in sporty coupes than compact SUVs. The Sport+ drive mode added aggression, holding high revs and sharpening throttle response. However, the GV70's chassis felt big and heavy, lacking the sharpness of competitors like the Acura RDX, BMW X3, or Porsche Macan. The steering was adequate but not precise enough for spirited driving. The GV70 excelled in highway cruising but had a firm ride, even in Comfort mode, and lacked the solidity expected from a true luxury vehicle.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 was available only in all-wheel drive (AWD) with a choice of a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine or a turbo 3.5-liter V6. The smaller engine produced 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, while the larger engine delivered 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The GV80 was not particularly athletic or nimble, taking about five and a half seconds to reach sixty, slower than some competitors. However, it excelled at highway driving, with smooth power delivery and shifts. The electronically controlled suspension scanned the road for roughness, and active noise cancellation ensured a smooth and quiet commute.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered mid-pack interior space for its segment. Despite its car-like roofline, it provided the same front-seat headroom as a Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and the same back-seat headroom as a BMW X3. Legroom in both rows was adequate, and rear-seat visibility was good. Cargo space was 28.9 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded, placing the GV70 in the middle ground between competitors. The daringly-designed interior compromised storage space, with a slim center console and thin door pockets. However, a covered storage cubby with USB ports was included. The front seats in the Sport Prestige test car were heavily bolstered, featuring heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 compensated for its lack of fun-to-drive characteristics with luxury touches and features. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard, with ventilated front and rear seats in the tester. The Ergo Motion driver’s seat helped reduce fatigue with inflatable pockets. Nappa leather seats were sumptuous, and a third row was available, though legroom was limited. The GV80 featured Genesis puddle lamps, a proximity key, and a digital key. A tri-zone climate control system and an optional 21-speaker stereo system added to the luxury. The GV80 offered one of the largest cargo spaces in its class, with 34.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 84 cubic feet with the seats folded. Towing capacity was 6,000 pounds with trailer brakes.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The tile-based layout and crisp graphics were user-friendly, and the glass rotary controller was functional with pinch-and-zoom functionality. Higher trims included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 3D effect and a 12-inch head-up display. The GV70 featured a digital-key option and a fingerprint scanner for starting the car. Genesis Connected Services included remote camera activation, driver profiles, last-mile guidance navigation, and a valet mode.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 12.3-inch 3D digital gauge cluster. The infotainment screen was slightly out of reach, and the dial was cumbersome to use. The dial detected handwriting for navigation and radio searches. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, though not wirelessly. The GV80 included wireless charging, four USB ports, a 12-volt outlet, and a 110-volt outlet. Remote smart parking assist allowed the car to maneuver in and out of tight spaces without the driver inside.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 came standard with numerous safety features, including lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, blind-spot and forward collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, a driver-attention monitor, and Highway Driving Assist. It also had eight standard airbags, including a front-center airbag. Optional features included Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-change functionality and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. Crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 was equipped with advanced driver’s aids, including forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. A video feed of the car’s blind spot was displayed in the digital gauge cluster. Highway Drive Assist used cameras, radar, and navigation for hands-on/eyes-up driving aid. The NHTSA gave the GV80 a full five-star overall safety rating, and the IIHS rated it Good for crashworthiness and Superior for front crash prevention.