By Casey Williams
MyCarData

(September 27, 2024) Many of us would love to drive a Bentley Bentayga luxury crossover, but virtually none of us will ever rise to a station in life to afford one.  Its big mesh grille, gleaming headlamps, chiseled bodysides, and giant wheels convey a sense of presence and potential.  While I completely get it is no Bentley, the 2025 Genesis GV80 has just a touch of that panache to make you feel and look special.

And, it is clearly a Genesis with its large chrome mesh grille flanked by more chrome and four strands of tiny LED headlamps.  The side view presents a strong shoulder line, gently sloping roof, a sweep of chrome to break up the lower bodysides, and upturned rear window – all planted over 22” wheels.  Faux front fender vents hint at The Old World, but are not the best work of Genesis’ talented designers.  A wide concave plaque across the foot-operated hatch connects the GV80 to other Genesis models with thin lighting elements and GENESIS spelled in chrome.

Get inside.  You may first notice the 22” OLED dash screen, but your eyes will soon acknowledge diamond-stitched Nappa leather seats, matte finish wood, and microfiber headliner…just like a Bentley.  But, you might also enjoy Bang & Olufsen audio, panoramic sunroof, heated/ventilated front seats, and tri-zone automatic climate control.  Even the steering wheel and front armrests are heated.  Rear seats power adjust too.  

Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and console charging keep devices connected.  It all works well, though it’s easy to confuse the gear selector with the infotainment controller – nothing like putting your car into satellite radio instead of reverse.

Check the safety list and you may suspect some latent Swedish heritage.  A head-up display seemingly hovers over the hood to keep speed, navigation, and safety status in eyesight, butthere’s also adaptive cruise, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and rear cross path detection with braking.  Add to that a digital rearview mirror, rear seat reminder, and Safe Exit Assist that keeps passengers from stepping into traffic.

There’s no V-12 engine beneath the bonnet, but our GV80 runs the asphalt rapids with a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine that tickles the all-wheel-drive system with a stout 375 horsepower and 391 lb.-ft. of torque.  An eight-speed automatic transmission keeps the engine in the right range to deliver wonton power wherever you request it, but it comes at the price of fuel economy:  16/22-MPG city/highway.

The Brits have never been just about surging power.  Riding in a Bentley or Jaguar is about the serenity of seemingly butter smooth roads and hushed crowds beyond the vehicle’s confines.  In the same spirit, the GV80 is near silent inside – whether rolling up to a drive-through or slapping down miles on the Interstate.  An electronic suspension and adjustable drive modes let pilots control the level of comfort or sportiness for the chassis, steering, and throttle response.  Even the seat tightens its bolsters when it detects you want to play.

The GV80 is no Bentley, but it is a very gratifying way to travel.  Every part of it reeks of style, performance, and pleasure.  And while it doesn’t carry a sticker to match upper crust Brits, it isn’t cheap either.  Base models start at $57,700, but our Prestige trim came to a loftier $81,300.  At that, competitors include the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE, Audi Q5, Lincoln Nautilus, and if you want to go all-electric, the Cadillac Lyriq.