Genesis unveiled its GV80 midsize SUV in 2021, receiving praise for its high-quality interior, smooth ride, and standard tech features. However, Edmunds compared it to the newly redesigned Lexus RX for 2023 to determine which one is worth the investment. The GV80 offers two engine options, a 300-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder, and a 375-horsepower turbocharged V6. On the other hand, the Lexus RX has a broader lineup with four available powertrains, including hybrids, ranging from 275 to 366 horsepower. While the GV80 is faster in daily driving and highway passing, the RX excels in fuel economy, with the RX 350h achieving up to an EPA-estimated 36 mpg combined compared to the GV80’s 22 mpg combined.
In terms of comfort and utility, the GV80 impresses with its well-controlled driving, exceptional ride quality, comfortable seating, and spacious cargo area. It also features an available forward-mounted camera that reads the road surface ahead to adjust the suspension. The Lexus RX is known for its smooth ride, comfortable seats, and quiet interior, but the GV80 edges it out in terms of ride quality, cargo space, towing capacity, and the availability of a third-row seat, albeit small. Both SUVs come equipped with advanced technology features, with the GV80 offering a larger touchscreen display and standard navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto integration. The RX, on the other hand, has wireless connectivity options for smartphones, unlike the GV80 which requires a USB cable.
In the features and value category, both SUVs are well-equipped, but the RX has a lower starting price of around $50,000 for the base model compared to the GV80’s starting price of over $59,000. However, as the models get more expensive, the price gap narrows, with the RX 500h priced similarly to the GV80 3.5T. Genesis offers a superior warranty with five years/60,000 miles for basic coverage and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, compared to Lexus’ four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty and eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for hybrid powertrains. Edmunds experts find the GV80 slightly more appealing overall due to its superior comfort, utility, and distinctive style.
Overall, the Lexus RX is a solid choice for those seeking comfort, reasonable pricing, and reputable build quality, while the Genesis GV80 stands out for its comfort, utility, and unique design. Edmunds’ experts favor the GV80 due to its superior ride quality, additional features like a third-row seat, and slightly more appealing overall package. Despite the RX’s lower starting price and impressive fuel economy in hybrid models, the GV80 excels in various areas, making it a top contender in the luxury SUV segment. Car shoppers looking for a well-rounded, stylish, and comfortable SUV may find the Genesis GV80 to be the better choice compared to the Lexus RX.
