Jerry Perez
What makes a luxury car luxurious? Is it an elegant exterior, a lavish cabin, a fancy badge on the hood? All of the above? Genesis may still not be on most people’s radars when shopping for their first high-dollar acquisition after hittin’ it big, but as it turns out, the 2026 Genesis GV80 checks more “luxury” boxes than most of its European rivals.
Sitting atop the Korean automaker’s lineup, the GV80 flagship offers one of the most luxurious, if not the most luxurious, driving experiences in an SUV under $100,000. It boasts an elegant exterior design that, despite being five years old, still feels mostly fresh and commands plenty of looks. Inside, seating for five (seven in the SUV bodystyle), loads of tech, and, most importantly, a classy, comfortable cabin with many standard amenities one-up the likes of BMW and Mercedes.
Jerry Perez
I recently spent time with a 2026 Genesis GV80 in the range-topping 3.5 Prestige Black AWD trim. Specifically, it was the Coupe model, which, aside from the sloping rear roofline, is identical to its SUV counterpart. It came dressed in a gorgeous Uyuni White, a lovely pearlescent hue that is actually one of only two colors offered in the top trim. The cabin was lined in expensive-looking, quilted black Nappa leather and dark, open-pore wood trim along the dash, center console, and doors. My tester rode on 22-inch black wheels wrapped in Michelin Primacy Tour tires, which visibly enhanced the overall package but didn’t exactly improve the ride quality or, for that matter, the handling.
On the road, the GV80 feels sumptuous, and frankly, I can’t remember the last time I used that adjective to describe my experience in a normie car. And I get it, this particular unit came in at $91,545 (including $1,495 destination), but for all intents and purposes, it’s a regular production car that’s not limited nor exotic. Regardless, the way it carries itself on the road, whether it’s on city streets or the highway, is more akin to a British super-luxury machine than something mass-produced in Korea.
Genesis
For anyone willing to look beyond the usual European suspects, the 2026 GV80 Coupe makes a compelling case that world-class luxury doesn’t require a German or British badge — just the right combination of design, comfort, and value.
