The Genesis GV80 went into production in 2020 for the 2021 model year, positioned as a mid-size luxury SUV, aiming to compete with European models on price and provide an alternative to similar Lexus and Toyota models. Genesis crossed 100,000 total sales for the SUV halfway through 2025 and set a new annual sales record at 25,444 GV80s sold, so it’s fair to say the nameplate has succeeded.
Back in 2021, this car was selling at a base price of $48,900, which was fair, but not exactly a bargain-hunter’s dream. Thankfully for us, it depreciates like a true luxury SUV.
The GV80 Is A True Luxury Car
2021 Genesis GV80 Front ViewGenesis
The GV80 has always been priced below comparable German vehicles, but that doesn’t mean you’re settling for less. Genesis made a real effort at building a cushy mid-size SUV, and it shows. Take a look at the available powertrains to see what we mean.
Engine
2.5-Liter Turbocharged 4-Cylinder
3.5-Liter Twin-Turbo 6-Cylinder
Power
300 hp
375 hp
Torque
311 lb-ft
391 lb-ft
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
When we test drove this car, back when it was brand new, we were impressed by the ride and easygoing handling. It’s not the sportiest SUV out there, but it offers some fun on winding backroads, and the adaptive suspension feels plush without being floaty. Five years later, we still think the GV80 shames its competitors.
The GV80 Has Always Been The Real Deal
Standard features include power-everything, leather seats, and a leather steering wheel. Every time we’ve taken the SUV for a ride, we’ve remarked on the upscale feel in the cabin.
At $48,900 for the entry-level rear-wheel-drive model in its debut model year, or $59,650 for the top-tier model with a 3.5 twin-turbo engine, all-wheel drive, and heated front seats, the GV80 has always punched above its weight. Whether in ride quality, handling, or the interior experience, the GV80 is the real deal, not a halfway compromise between luxury and practicality.
A Fair Price Made Even Fairer
2024 Genesis GV80 Interior side shot of cabin and front seats Ian Wright/CarBuzz/Valnet
Looking at each trim on a 2023 Genesis GV80 and comparing the MSRPs to our current trending prices, based on our own price tracker, here’s what we find.
Base MSRP
Trending Price
2.5T AWD
$55,800
$37,257
3.5T AWD
$62,950
$42,755
3.5T Advanced+ AWD
$70,850
$40,492
Three years ago, we might have recommended the 2.5T AWD as the sweet spot of price and performance, but time has evened these prices out, so that you’re looking at a difference of just $3,235 from the bottom trim to the top, compared to a difference of $15,050 a couple of years ago.
If you want to go back a couple more years, we have the 2021 Genesis GV80 starting at just $29,818, with the top trim going for a mere $32,764. We have no reason not to recommend a 2021 model, but it might be harder to find an older GV80 with low miles. The 2023-2024 range represents a sweet spot where the car has lost a nice chunk of resale value, but it hasn’t been driven to scrapyard-grade just yet.
We like every version of this seven-seater, but the top trim includes a head-up display, cooled front seats, heated rear seats and steering wheel, a built-in massager, and a high-end 21-speaker sound system. At these prices, it’s a no-brainer upgrade.
There Are Plenty Of Low-Mileage Models To Be Found
Checking in with the marketplace to see what we can find, here’s what we turn up.
- An 81,141-mile 2024 3.5T Prestige is selling for $37,990 in Ohio.
- A 60,077-mile 2023 3.5T Advanced+ is selling for $39,990 in Texas.
- A 50,517-mile 2022 3.5T Prestige is selling for $39,990 in Arizona.
- A 51,270-mile 2024 3.5T is selling for $41,590 in Nevada.
- A 40,177-mile 2024 3.5T is selling for $44,590 in North Carolina.
These listings are meant to give you an idea of what’s out there. There’s no telling what will be available when you’re ready to buy, but they should give you an idea of what to expect. Some sellers are trying to sell these cars at like-new prices five years in, but there are plenty of reasonably priced models available with low mileage, so there’s no reason to settle for a subpar deal.
A Used GV80 Offers More Power For Less Than A New Highlander
2021 Genesis GV80 Rear 3/4 ViewGenesis
You can’t argue with that new-car smell, but, pragmatically speaking, there are plenty of reasons to recommend a low-mileage GV80 over a brand-new Toyota Highlander. To start with, we can consider the price.
2026 Toyota Highlander SUV. Rear, three-quartersToyota
An entry-level Highlander starts at $46,270, with a top-tier Platinum hybrid model going for $55,675 before options. So, the highest-trim Highlander will cost you $15,183 more than the highest-trim 2023 GV80. We’re not knocking the Highlander, but a twin-turbo GV80 is simply more luxurious and more powerful than a comparable Toyota.
Engine
2.4-Liter Turbocharged 4-Cylinder
2.5-Liter Hybrid 4-Cylinder
Power
265 hp
243 hp
Torque
310 lb-ft
175 lb-ft
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
eCVT
We had fun behind the wheel of the Highlander the last time we drove it. As our Senior Road Tester Ian Wright put it:
“It’s lauded for kicking on and off when needed as stealthily as a cat that knows there’s a Thanksgiving turkey on the counter. Between that and the CVT gearbox, the Highlander is smooth to drive.”
– Ian Wright, Senior Road Tester.
To be clear, we’re not disparaging either of these SUVs. We’re only pointing out that a used GV80 with a V6 has 110 more horsepower than the most powerful version of the 2026 Highlander, at a five-figure savings.
Ownership Costs Favor The Toyota, But…
For annual ownership costs, we’ve sourced data from RepairPal for maintenance, FuelEconomy.gov for fueling expenses (assuming 15,000 miles a year, split 45/55 between highway and city driving), and CarEdge for insurance (for a 40-year-old driver with good credit and a clean record).
2023 Genesis GV80
2026 Toyota Highlander
Maintenance
$524
$489
Fuel (AWD)
$4,000
$2,700
Insurance
$2,907
$2,401
Annual Ownership Expense
$7,431
$5,590
Your results will vary, but these numbers show a GV80 owner spending $1,841 more each year than a typical Highlander owner. We haven’t even factored in depreciation, and it’s easy to see why it’s not entirely fair to compare any car to a Toyota in terms of running costs.
That said, it will take a little over eight years to offset the price difference at purchase. You might be spending $153 more each month to own the Genesis, but that’s after having saved roughly 100 times that amount by buying the used Genesis over the new Highlander.
The Genesis GV80 Is Reliable Enough To Compete With Toyota
2021 Genesis GV80 Interior View DashboardGenesis
According to CarComplaints, only the 2021 GV80 has any complaints on file, and they’re all for issues like peeling paint rather than expensive powertrain problems. JD Power gives the 2023 model a Quality & Reliability rating of 81/100, putting it in spitting distance of the 2026 Highlander at 84/100.
The 2023 GV80 has been subject to four recalls in total. Briefly:
- 65,517 Genesis models were recalled in 2023 for exploding seat belt tensioners.
- 31,440 Genesis models were recalled in 2024 for fuel pump failure.
- 32,594 Genesis models were recalled in 2025 for instrument panel display failure.
- 94,760 Genesis models were recalled in 2026 for a fuel leak, potentially leading to engine fire.
Some of these recalls sound concerning, but there are no open investigations, and there are only 40 NHTSA complaints for the car in total. Add that to a five-star overall safety rating, and the GV80 is in a strong position as far as the NHTSA is concerned.
Ultimately, we have no reason to recommend a new Highlander over a GV80 at the moment, unless you insist on driving a brand-new vehicle.
Sources: Toyota, Genesis, NHTSA, JD Power, CarComplaints, CarEdge, FuelEconomy.gov.
