2025 Genesis GV80 Gains All-New Interior Design

The Proof is in the Fit

Price does not guarantee style when it comes to design and fashion. A $5,000 pinstripe suit can look like a bed sheet without a tailored fit, while a $20 straw cowboy hat from a gas station can pass for a Stetson if it sits symmetrically with the face. Style is about the fit and finish and the attitude you carry with it, a design philosophy Genesis has capitalized on to create vehicles that punch above their MSRP weight class with considerable force.

I recently had the opportunity to spend a day with the newly redesigned 2025 Genesis GV80. This mid-size luxury SUV received exterior styling touch-ups, focused primarily on an all-new interior layout that adds premium audio, innovative tech, and eco-friendly materials.

The Genesis Brand

For context, Genesis is currently the only luxury car brand from South Korea and has steadily been growing its presence in the United States with 35 dealerships across 17 states. Its target audience is car owners looking to trade in their German and Japanese-built leather interiors for something fresh with a premium feel. They’ve managed to stand out in the crowd with a signature diamond-crest front grille and build quality that performs as well as it looks. 

Styling Touch-ups on the 2025 Genesis GV80

Spotting the differences between the 2025 Genesis GV80’s redesigned exterior and the outgoing model is like studying an oil painting. Take the time to notice the subtle but critical changes, like the redesigned Genesis emblem featuring a bolder engraved texture. At the front, the GV80 cuts through the night using the brand’s iconic two-line headlamps design equipped with the latest MLA (Micro Lens Array) technology that allows headlights to be smaller, lighter, and more efficient. The diamond crest G-Matrix grille has an enhanced double mesh design resembling a Glen Check pattern suit. 

Underneath the glamor grille are larger air vents and a lower skid plate design decorated with silver flare. Other design cues include Monobloc front brake calipers as standard, and two new optional wheels designed sized 20 and 22 inches. In addition to the new Storr Green and Storr Green matte finish exterior color options. However, be aware of the delicate requirements for maintaining a factory satin or matte finish because satin paint is hand-washed only, like a cashmere sweater or lingerie. 

My favorite exterior touch-up is the G-Matrix design in the rear body-colored bumper covering the exhaust tips. Nothing short of a political bumper sticker ruins a vehicle’s rear design like the sight of untreated, corroding exhaust pipes peeking out the bottom. A smooth profile and wind tunnel sculpted roofline give the SUV a sporty flare while maintaining a graceful presence that commands attention. It’s the kind of vehicle that motivates you to dress up because people are going to look in your direction.

This is the kind of SUV that’ll make you want to shop for pocket squares.

Inside the All-New Genesis GV80 Interior

Once you step inside, you’ll notice the most significant change in the GV80’s interior, a 27-inch OLED digital screen placed horizontally from the driver to the center console. This massive screen houses the digital gauge cluster and infotainment to look like one continuous display. Even on a bright sunny day, the display was crystal clear and vibrant, but I wish the designers had opted to tuck the screen into the dashboard molding for a better visual aesthetic. Doing so would also help distinguish Genesis digital displays from Hyundai models, but I digress. 

Other interior design changes include a new steering wheel design, a different wireless charger location, touchscreen HVAC controls with aluminum vent grille covers, and a B&O premium audio system that allows you to control the sound levels based on location throughout the cabin. 

Fingerprint recognition is standard on the GV80, providing a third method to start the vehicle without using a smartphone app or a key fob. One detail I did not like is the double dial on the center console. One manages the infotainment settings, and the other is the gear selector. Both dials look similar in size and texture, so be ready to grab the wrong one. 

Driving the new GV80 allowed me to test out the new and improved B&O sound system, which has an intuitive interface that gives me complete control over where the sound goes. However, I also enjoyed driving it in the tranquility of silence thanks to Active Road Noise Control, which detects road noise coming into the cabin. I nestled in the luxuriously appointed Nappa leather upholstery and lumbar cuddling power seats.

Genesis introduced three new interior colors to the 2025 GV80: Earth Brown, Bordeaux Brown, and Glacier white. These colors contrast beautifully with the Smokey Green and Ultramarine blue two-tone options. Further accenting the allure of the cabin are new textile materials like Newspaper Wood, made from compressed recycled newspapers to create an eye-catching striped pattern, and Basalt, made from basalt stone that’s been melted, processed into a yarn, and woven into a crosshatch pattern. 

Performance and Fuel Economy

All this talk about luxury and I have yet to discuss performance. The GV80 engine options carry over from the 2024 model. The standard engine is a turbocharged 2.5L four-cylinder producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. Out of the seven available trim levels, only the top two get to flex a twin-turbocharged 3.5L V6, making a stout 375 hp and 391 lb.-ft of torque. Both engines are managed by an eight-speed automatic. All-wheel drive and a 6,000-pound tow rating are standard across the board. 

In Sport mode, the plush SUV uses its ADAS road-reading electronically adjustable suspension to stiffen the ride and tighten throttle response to the degree that passengers will feel every minor adjustment you make when steering, braking, and accelerating. Be wary if you’re traveling with passengers prone to motion sickness. Comfort and Smart mode provide plenty of pep in its step to live in the fast lane with a preferred ride quality.

You feel the weight of the SUV when the road twists and bends, but its AWD performance assures you that it will hang on if you throw it into a turn at speed.

Fuel economy is one area where it fails to surpass expectations with mediocre MPGs. The 3.5L V6 has an EPA estimated rating of 19 mpg combined, 22 highway and 16 city. The 2.5L four-banger turbo performs slightly better, averaging 21 mpg, 24 highway and 19 city. The GV80 would greatly benefit from a hybrid or plug-in hybrid variant.

Six Figure Luxury at Under $80,000

For pricing, the entry model starts at $59,000 and reaches the $80,000 mark at the top of the range, with well-equipped variants in between. 

A top-of-the-line 2025 GV80 3.5T Prestige AWD has a starting MSRP of $79,300. It comes loaded with 22-inch alloy wheels, Nappa leather upholstery with a microfiber suede headliner and pillar trim, power heated and ventilated second-row seats, heated front console armrest, soft power door closure, power rear door sunshades, a digital rearview mirror, vanity mirrors for the second row, and a rear electronic limited-slip differential.

The 2025 Genesis GV80 is available now.