Luxury is in the eyes of the beholder, right? What happens then if you want a luxury SUV, but you don’t want to go beyond USD $80,000? There’s the Lexus TX at USD $56,000 – a spacious three-row SUV with hybrid options, 12.3-inch touchscreen, plenty comfortable, blending reliability with luxury. There’s a BMW X5 at USD $62,000, sporty handling meets BMW standard luxury levels, including refined interior, and a 375-hp inline-6. There’s the Audi Q7 at USD $60,000, three-row versatility, sharp interior and Turbo V6 option.
Then there are Genesis SUV models. The GV70 starts at CAD $61,000 (USD $41,000) with a turbo 4-cylinder, and can go to CAD $80,000 (USD $58,000) for a top level. The 2025 Genesis GV80 2.5T Advanced AWD, the base model, starts at CAD $75,000 (USD $54,000). I drove the Prestige edition, which, okay, starts at CAD $95,000 (USD $68,000) in Canada. But you get the point I am trying to make. Let’s compare the GV70 and the GV80.
Genesis GV80
Size and Dimensions
A compact luxury SUV, the GV70 is smaller and more agile, ideal for city driving, especially those who have navigate tight parking spots in condo buildings.
- Length: 185.6 inches
- Wheelbase: 113.2 inches
- Width: 75.2 inches
- Height: 64.2 inches
- Cargo Space: 28.9 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 56.9 cubic feet with seats folded.
- Seating: 5 passengers (no third-row option)
A midsize luxury SUV, the GV80 is larger and offers more interior space, better suited for families or those needing extra cargo room.
- Length: 194.5 inches (almost 10 inches longer than GV70)
- Wheelbase: 116.3 inches
- Width: 77.8 inches
- Height: 67.5 inches
- Cargo Space: 34.9 cubic feet behind the second row (36.5 cubic feet in two-row models), expanding to 71.8 cubic feet with seats folded. With the third row, cargo space behind it is reduced.
- Seating: 5 passengers standard, with an optional third row for up to 7 passengers (available only with the 3.5L V6 engine).
Luxury SUV: Performance and Powertrains
Both Genesis SUVs share similar engine options, if that’s your shopping focus, but the GV70’s lighter weight results in slightly better fuel efficiency. Both come with standard all-wheel drive (AWD) and an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The GV70 has a 2.5L Turbocharged Inline-4: 300 horsepower, 311 lb-ft of torque, does 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds (as per Car and Driver testing), with fuel economy at 22 mpg city/28 mpg highway (EPA estimates). The 3.5L Twin-Turbo V6 GV70 does 375 horsepower, 391 lb-ft of torque, 0-60 mph in 4.6-5.0 seconds (per Car and Driver testing), with fuel economy of 18 mpg city/ 4 mpg highway.
The GV80 has a 2.5L Turbocharged Inline-4, generating 300 horsepower, 311 lb-ft of torque, doing 0-60 mph in 6.0 seconds (estimated, slightly slower due to heavier weight), with fuel economy at 19 mpg city/24 mpg highway. The 3.5L Twin-Turbo V6 has 375 horsepower, 391 lb-ft of torque. 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds (per Edmunds testing)., and fuel economy of 16 mpg city/22 mpg highway.
GV80 Coupe Variant (which I had) offers a high-performance 3.5L V6 with an electric supercharger, producing 409 horsepower (not available on GV70).
GV80
Genesis GV70
Luxury SUV: Features and Technology
Both SUVs are fully equipped with luxury features, but the GV80 lording over its GV70 sibling, with more premium standard features, reflecting its higher price point.
Standard features in the GV70 include 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment, 8-inch digital gauge cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, leatherette seating, heated/power-adjustable front seats, fingerprint authentication, adaptive cruise control, forward collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot monitoring. Optional are Nappa leather, Lexicon 16-speaker audio, microfiber suede headliner, surround-view camera, 27-inch OLED display (standard on 2026 models, may be available on some 2025 trims).
Standard features in the GV80 are 27-inch OLED infotainment and gauge cluster display (a significant upgrade over GV70’s standard setup), genuine leather upholstery (vs. GV70’s leatherette), adjustable ambient lighting, Mood Curator (adjusts lighting, music, and fragrance), Bang & Olufsen 18-speaker audio (optional), electronically controlled suspension with road preview, evasive steering assist, reverse automatic emergency braking. Optional are Four-zone climate control, heated second-row seats, third-row seating, matte wood trim, Active Noise Control, Integrated Memory System with Smart Posture Care.
Safety
Both models prioritize safety with similar advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), but the GV80 includes a few additional standard features.
Common features for both are orward collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking (with pedestrian/cyclist detection), There are no significant exclusive safety features with the GV70, but all trims include a robust suite of ADAS. An exclusive with the GV80 is standard evasive steering assist, forward attention warning, reverse automatic emergency braking. Optional features include front/rear parking sensors and a surround-view camera (also available on GV70).
Both SUVs receive high safety ratings. Both were solid in my respective drives, both city wide and during longer highway drives.
GV70
Overall Experience
My call? The GV80 Coupe that I drove obviously was a much superior experience, but the price point of CAD $104,500 reflects that. If you’re at that $80,000 budget mark, or around that, do you push the GV70 with all the options or go for a base GV80?
The GV70 is tuned for a balance of sportiness and comfort, it’s more agile and engaging, especially on twisty roads. Its suspension favors compliance over razor-sharp handling. The smaller size makes it easier to maneuver in urban settings. The GV80 emphasizes luxury and comfort, with a smoother, quieter ride (near-silent at highway speeds). The available electronically controlled suspension with road preview enhances ride quality by proactively adjusting to road conditions. The GV80 Coupe offers a sportier feel but isn’t as agile as the GV70.
I am going GV70 with all the options but only because of my realities living downtown in a big Canadian city, with underground, tight condo parking realities. I liked the sportier design, driving dynamics, and the fact it’s more of a compact, more agile SUV.
Images: Mark Keast
I am a 50-something Torontonian who loves everything about my city. It’s been my home, my playground, for my entire life. I went to school here. I met my wife here. I own real estate here. I love writing about the transformation of my city on the world stage, which hasn’t been anything short of dramatic. That continues on, as I write this. I write on the real estate scene. I write on travel and fashion. I like following the world of luxury watches.
But I love writing about cars – check that, luxury cars, a level of superior, engineering sophistication, high performance and style, that transports you not just from one destination to another but also out of whatever you are going through on a particular day, whatever mood you are in, all to another head space. It’s complete and total exhilaration, head to toe.
Check out my stories, and email me direct at mkeast@regardingluxury.com
