Genesis GV80 Black 2026 Review
Premium brands can have a hard time of it in Australia. Some have fallen by the wayside, yet other relatively new players such as Genesis are slowly but surely increasing volume and being seen as a viable alternative to European brands. A reinvigorated 2026 GV80 range arrives with two body styles (SUV wagon and SUV Coupe), two engine offerings and two trim specs (Signature and Black). The new Black SUV wagon model tested here sits on top of the range with its 3.5-litre V6 turbo-petrol powertrain and extensive, unique black-out exterior and interior colourways.
How much does the Genesis GV80 Black cost?
The 2026 Genesis GV80 Black is $136,000 in the 3.5-litre V6 seven-seat wagon specification tested here, or $141,500 for the five-seat Coupe.
Less expensive models include the GV80 Signature Coupe ($137,500) GV80 Signature V6 in six- ($135,000) or seven-seat layouts ($132,000) and the 2.5-litre turbo-petrol four Signature seven-seater for $120,000 (all prices plus ORCs).
Alternatives to the Genesis include the German trio of Audi Q7 (from $120,530), BMW X5 (from $139,900) and Mercedes-Benz GLE (from $144,900). All prices exclude on-road costs.
What equipment comes with the Genesis GV80 Black?
There is a long list of features wedged into the 2026 Genesis GV80 Black, and we won’t be able to cover them all. But the highlights you’ll want to know about include what you get for $4000 more than the Signature 3.5 seven-seater for the GV80 Black.
The Black’s unique feature bundle externally consists of black-painted wheels, brake calipers, body cladding and G-Matrix grille as well as dark-tinted Genesis front emblem and tailgate lettering. It also gains Road-Preview Electronic Control Suspension.
Inside, the Black is afforded exclusive features, which include a dark-tinted Genesis steering wheel logo, quilted Nappa leather upholstery with black suede inserts, unique welcome and goodbye screen animations, Black Ash authentic wood trim, various black garnishes, bezels and switchgear as well as black aluminium speaker grilles.
Like all updated MY26 GV80s, the Black gains the Digital Key 2.0, a smartphone (or smart watch) app-controlled system for remote door lock/unlock and remote engine start.
It also now has what Genesis calls ‘Hydro G-Bushings’ in the front suspension, previously fitted in the rear suspension only. These bushings contain fluid to absorb external vibrations better than conventional rubber units can.
Other highlights (shared with the GV80 Signature 3.5 seven-seater) include 22-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, power tailgate, auto folding, heated, electro-chromatic side mirrors, digital rear-view mirror, electronic limited-slip rear differential, Genesis logo puddle lamps and Dynamic Welcome Light.
The interior has powered front seats (and power folding second/third row seats) with massage function for front seats and heated/ventilated front and second row outer seats. There’s also a heated, power-adjustable steering wheel and powered second-row window sunshades.
The centre console lid is heated (activated with heated front seats), and the console box interior even has UV-C sterilisation. Climate control can be individually adjusted in the second and third row of seats and there are air vents placed in the second and third rows, too.
There is no spare wheel fitted, instead, you get a tyre mobility kit.
The GV80 is served by a comprehensive after-sales package. It gains a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty for private buyers and free scheduled servicing five years/75,000km. You also gain 10 years/unlimited kilometres for roadside assistance.
As the first owner, you are offered Genesis To You. This is a free concierge service that covers pick up/drop off of your vehicle (plus the use of a courtesy car) for warranty issues or servicing during the first five years/75,000km. However, it’s only available within a 70km radius from a Genesis service outlet.
How safe is the Genesis GV80 Black?
The 2026 Genesis GV80 Black does not have an ANCAP crash test rating as no V6 model has been tested. However, the 2.5-litre four-cylinder variant gained a five-star result in 2021, and unless there is some significant structural difference, you’d expect the V6 to offer similar safety.
In any case, there is no lack of active safety features.
The highlights include lane keep assist, forward collision-avoidance assist, rear cross traffic alert, remote smart parking assist, highway driving assist 2, smart cruise control, high beam assist, LED headlights with Intelligent front lighting system and surround view monitor with 3D function.
There are three top-tether anchorages and two ISOFIX child seat fittings in the second-row seat.
There are 10 airbags fitted in the GV80; dual front, front centre side, driver’s knee, front thorax and pelvis, rear thorax and side curtain airbags.
What technology does the Genesis GV80 Black feature?
The 2026 Genesis GV80 Black has plenty of tech.
Noteworthy inclusions are the oversized 27-inch OLED integrated multimedia cluster and navigation screen, a 12-inch Head Up Display (HUD), Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging and a premium B&O 18-speaker audio system. There’s a 12volt charging port in the first and second rows, a USB port in the front and two USB ports in the second row.
The GV80 Black also has fingerprint authentication, which uses a touch pad on the centre console to allow individual settings for infotainment, seats and personalised drive settings.
What powers the Genesis GV80 Black?
The 2026 Genesis GV80 Black is powered by a direct-injection, twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine developing 279kW and 530Nm. An eight-speed automatic then delivers torque to all wheels via an electronic, variable-torque-split clutch with active torque control.
How fuel efficient is the Genesis GV80 Black?
There’s a combined average fuel figure of 11.7L/100km for the 2026 Genesis GV80 Black according to official figures, with a 95RON unleaded requirement when filling its 80-litre fuel tank.
We achieved exactly 11.7L/100km with a mix of stop-start traffic, arterial and freeway use. Although, that figure rose to 15.9L/100km when driven exclusively within city limits.
What is the Genesis GV80 Black like to drive?
There is a great collaboration here between engine, transmission, steering and suspension that makes the 2026 Genesis GV80 Black a good thing to drive.
It’s responsive – and quick when you want it to be with a claimed sub-6.0 second 0-100km/h sprint time — with excellent engine noise suppression in the cabin. The artificial engine sound, which you can set up in the infotainment menus, is quite realistic. However, it’s better to have the unfiltered, yet muted growl of the V6 doing its thing.
The predictive suspension damping is a bit of a mixed bag. In the main it appears to do a great job of suppressing road irregularities but when driving over the worst bumps it’ll thump through them.
Ultimately, this is a heavy SUV that does a pretty good job of changing direction, but it isn’t a particularly sharp steerer for enjoying threading it through the more twisting B roads, even when the firmer suspension settings are engaged.
What is the Genesis GV80 Black like inside?
The first impression here is of a lush, spacious, well-crafted interior. The 2026 Genesis GV80 Black receives a big tick for perceived quality as the shutlines are good, while the materials look and feel high quality.
With the large digital dash sweeping through to the infotainment screen, everything is clear to see and access. The menus are simple to navigate, and controls are easily accessed, too. What we don’t like so much is the speed warnings. They’re often wrong and generally irritating. Thankfully they are rather simple to switch off, but it’s a process you need to complete every time you turn the car on.
While space for five adults is good, it’s likely only sub-teens will be comfortable getting in or out of, or sitting in, the third row. The rearmost seats are tight for headroom and placing feet comfortably is abetted by an angled floor.
Storage pockets and bins are plentiful across the three rows. Except for cup holders being available in all three rows, the storage pockets and bins are a bit on the small side. There are 328 litres of boot space with all three rows up, 727L with the third row folded and 2147L with both second and third rows folded.
Should I buy a Genesis GV80 Black?
For a large, premium seven-seater for the family that isn’t in the same mould as every other SUV in your suburb, the Genesis GV80 Black is certainly something a bit different.
In the current high fuel price climate, perhaps the V6 could be more fuel efficient, but at least Genesis offers a 2.5-litre turbo-petrol four if that’s of concern. Yet, the speed warnings are irritating, the third row is tight and the GV80 isn’t as good value as it once was.
Although the aftersales provisions, including Genesis To You, help manage costs and are also very attractive for time-poor buyers. Overall, the GV80 presents with a well-matched powertrain and suspension package, the build quality is solid and it is stacked with features.
2026 Genesis GV80 Black at a glance:
Price: $136,000 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 3.5-litre V6 turbo-petrol
Output: 279kW/530Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 11.7L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 272g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested
- Well-rounded powertrain and suspension
- Heaps of standard kit – pleasing build quality and materials
- Few brands can match its aftersales provisions
- Diminishing value equation against legacy/premium brands
- Speed warnings can be wrong and chimes grate
- Third-row seating is tight for anyone except younger children
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
