Are you in the market for a luxury SUV but don't want something that gets lost in a sea of BMWs and Mercedes? The Genesis GV80 certainly fits the bill; it offers the same comfort, luxury, tech and power you'd expect from a German crossover, but with a distinctive design that stands out from the crowd. Better still, it offers those luxury hallmarks without the budget-busting price tag (though the quality of the materials isn't quite up to the standards of the Germans). Due to the GV80's significant updates last year, we don't expect any major changes for 2026.
Edmunds spotlight: Value that's hard to beat
Although the GV80 isn't the least expensive SUV in its class, it's the most affordable among class leaders, which mostly consists of itself and German rivals like the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE. Those rivals generally drive slightly better or have marginally nicer interior materials, but remember, this is Genesis' first crack at a midsize SUV. Competitors have been doing this for decades, and you'll pay a lot more for the many years of refinement. For many buyers, it's hard to ignore the GV80's value statement. It's a luxury SUV that does nearly everything right and undercuts the competition by thousands of dollars.
Competitors to consider
Besides the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE, the GV80 competes against other midsize luxury SUVs like the Audi Q8 and the pricey but compelling Porsche Cayenne. An alternative with a lower starting price is the Lexus RX, which offers hybrid powertrains and many models to choose from. Although ranked lower than the GV80, the Lincoln Nautilus is a solid competitor that also offers good value if you stay away from the top Black Label model.