Genesis GV80 Interior: A Class Act Usefully Improved
The Genesis GV80’s interior is impressively luxurious for its price point, and it received a major upgrade last year, bringing it right to the top of the class. It’s still the roomy, comfortable, and luxurious mid-size SUV that we love, and you can have it with 3 rows, but be reminded that the Genesis GV80’s 7-seater interior option is only available above Base spec, and the third row is small.
The Luxury Genesis SUV: GV80 Interior Highlights
Standout cabin features include:
- A big 27-inch OLED display incorporating the digital gauge cluster and touchscreen infotainment system.
- A transparent, jewel-finished rotary Shift-By-Wire (SBW) gear shifter on the center console, tinted black on the 3.5T Prestige Black.
- A heated front console center armrest on Prestige trims.
- A standard 4-mode scent and interior Mood Curator (Vitality, Care, Delight, and Comfort).
- An in-cabin fragrance system, integrated into the climate control, with two exchangeable fragrance diffusers easily accessible in the ceiling of the glovebox. A complimentary set of 3 diffusers is included, and more can be bought from the Genesis Boutique.
- One-touch electrically foldable 3rd row with controls in the front, rear, and cargo area (Advanced trim and up).
Comparison with the 2024 GV80 Interior
The GV80 received its big interior revamp for the 2025 model year, and the 2026 GV80 continues in a similar vein. The separate gauge cluster and small infotainment screen are gone, the dashboard has been restyled, and the odd-looking two-spoke steering wheel is history, too. Here is a photo of the old interior, which you can compare to the other photos of the updated model in this article:
Comfort and Space
In the Genesis GV80 interior, the back seat is a little cramped by third-row standards, but this is nothing unusual in the mid-size segment, and the second row is generously spacious. Not all mid-size SUVs even offer three rows, so this one is more versatile than most, and the school run is probably going to be the typical reason for using the backmost pews. And if the kids need that 3rd row, the Genesis GV80 interior’s back seat will more than suffice. Here is how the measurements shake out:
| Seats | 5 (Base) or 7 (others) |
| Headroom Row 1 | 2 | 3 | 40.2 | 38.4 | 34.3 inches |
| Legroom Row 1 | 2 | 3 | 41.6 | 38.7 | 30.3 inches |
| Cargo Space Behind Row 1 | 2 | 3 | 71.7 | 36.5-38.7 | 11.7 cu-ft |
Feature Comparison of GV80 Trims
These features are standard on all trims:
- Heated power front seats with memory and Smart Posture Care
- Power-adjustable tilting/telescoping and leather-trimmed steering wheel
- 3-zone climate control
- Mood Curator
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink
- Proximity key with push-button start
- Rain sensor
- Adjustable ambient interior lighting
- 27-inch OLED gauge cluster/infotainment touchscreen combo with HD Radio, navigation, SiriusXM, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Genesis Connected Services, 4 USB-C ports, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming system, and a Wi-Fi hotspot
- 3 12V power outlets
- A fingerprint authentication system
- A wireless device charger
- A leatherette-trimmed dashtop
Here’s a comparison of features not standard on all trims:
| 2.5T RWD | AWD | 2.5T AWD Select | Advanced | Prestige | 3.5T AWD Advanced | Prestige / Prestige Black | |
| Leatherette / Leather / Nappa Leather Seats | S/-/- | S/-/- | S/-/- | -/S/- | -/S/- | -/S/- | -/-/S | -/-/S |
| Ergo Motion Driver’s Seat | – | – | – | – | S | S | S | S |
| Ventilated Front Seats | – | – | – | S | S | S | S | S |
| Heated / Ventilated 2nd Row Seats | -/- | -/- | -/- | -/- | S/- | S/- | S/S | S/S |
| 2nd Row Power Recline, Slide, & Cushion Tilt | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | S |
| Power-fold 3rd Row | – | – | – | S | S | S | S | – |
| Microfiber Suede Headliner | – | – | – | – | – | – | S | S |
| Heated Steering Wheel | – | – | S | S | S | S | S | S |
| Heated Front Center Armrest | – | – | – | – | – | – | S | S |
| 9-speaker Audio / Bang & Olufsen 18-speaker Audio | S/- | S/- | S/- | -/S | -/S | S | S | S |
| Digital Rearview Mirror | – | – | – | – | – | – | S | S |
| Panoramic Sunroof | – | – | S | S | S | S | | |
| Terrain Mode | – | S | S | S | S | S | | |
| Premium Finish Trim | – | – | S | S | S | S | | |
| Genesis Digital Key 2 Premium | – | – | S | S | S | S | | |
| 4-zone Climate Control | – | – | – | S | S | S | | |
| 2nd Row Climate Controls | – | – | – | – | S | S | | |
| Active Noise Cancellation | – | – | – | – | S | – | S | S |
| Acoustic Laminated Rear Side Glass | – | – | – | – | S | – | S | S |
| Power Door Closure | – | – | – | – | – | – | S | S |
Legend: S standard; O optional; – not available
The Downsides
The GV80’s cabin is a rich and rewarding place to spend time, with all the controls easily accessible, though some people might feel intimidated by the huge screen and all its embedded controls until familiarization has set in. The two similar rotary controls on the center console may also be confusing initially. The only real negative is shared with many other mid-size SUVs with three rows, and that’s that the third row is not very roomy, and more suitable for kids than adults.
Colors and Materials
You’ll realize that, once you get into the Genesis GV80, inside is where the Korean automaker has gone to great lengths to cement the Genesis brand’s premium status. The base trim may not have the others’ “Premium Trim Finish”, but it’s still a rich environment, with glossy piano-black trim, a leatherette-trimmed upper dashboard, leatherette upholstery on the seats, and a choice of an Obsidian Black (below left) or a Vanilla Beige Smoky Green interior. These color choices hold for the 2.5T Select trim too, with Vanilla Beige Smoky Green shown on the right below:
The 2.5T Advanced and Prestige and the 3.5T Advanced gain leather upholstery and an additional Earth Brown Smoky Green interior color scheme (left below in Prestige trim). The 3.5T Prestige maintains the status quo and colors, but with the leather upgraded to Nappa leather, a microfiber suede headliner and pillars, and the steering wheel a two-color item. The 3.5T Prestige Black comes only with an Obsidian Black interior, exclusive quilting, and Black Ash wood trim (right below):
Final Thoughts
Since its MY2025 update, the GV80 cabin has once again shot to the top of the class, and we continue to be amazed at the quality of the rich materials and the impressive standard features it offers at the price. The only real downside is the cramped third row, but at least there is one for the school run. The GV80’s cabin is a class act and a very pleasant space to spend time.
About the author
Cobus F. Potgieter
Reviews and Features Editor