2024 GV80 Owner – 2 Weeks with a 2025 Loaner: My Thoughts

[glennr01]

Figured I’d share my experience in case anyone’s on the fence about trading up or buying a 2025 GV80.

I currently own a 2024 GV80 (3.5T Prestige), and I’ve had a 2025 loaner for the past two weeks while mine was in for service. Here are my honest observations:

The 2024 just feels more special. Everything from the quilted leather, the real wood, the door weight, and the overall design gives it a “mini Bentley” vibe. It’s one of the reasons I bought it — it had character, luxury, and presence.

The 2025 is still nice, but something’s missing. The new 27" screen is cool and the cabin is noticeably quieter. But it also feels more sterile. They’ve removed some physical buttons, and the interior has gone more minimalist — more tech-forward, but less warm. Materials are still good, but I noticed more plastic where there used to be polish.

Also, certain features that were standard or easier to get on the '24 now seem locked behind more expensive packages or trims. There’s a faint sense of decontenting, even though Genesis is pushing the 2025 as more upscale.

Bottom line: If you’re coming from a 2024, the 2025 might feel like a lateral move at best — or a downgrade in terms of charm and richness. The 2024 had that wow factor. The 2025 feels more like a nicely dressed Buick than a budget Bentley.

Would love to hear if anyone else has compared the two side-by-side.

 

[BillZ]

Figured I’d share my experience in case anyone’s on the fence about trading up or buying a 2025 GV80.

I currently own a 2024 GV80 (3.5T Prestige), and I’ve had a 2025 loaner for the past two weeks while mine was in for service. Here are my honest observations:

The 2024 just feels more special. Everything from the quilted leather, the real wood, the door weight, and the overall design gives it a “mini Bentley” vibe. It’s one of the reasons I bought it — it had character, luxury, and presence.

The 2025 is still nice, but something’s missing. The new 27" screen is cool and the cabin is noticeably quieter. But it also feels more sterile. They’ve removed some physical buttons, and the interior has gone more minimalist — more tech-forward, but less warm. Materials are still good, but I noticed more plastic where there used to be polish.

Also, certain features that were standard or easier to get on the '24 now seem locked behind more expensive packages or trims. There’s a faint sense of decontenting, even though Genesis is pushing the 2025 as more upscale.

Bottom line: If you’re coming from a 2024, the 2025 might feel like a lateral move at best — or a downgrade in terms of charm and richness. The 2024 had that wow factor. The 2025 feels more like a nicely dressed Buick than a budget Bentley.

Would love to hear if anyone else has compared the two side-by-side.

Sounds like you're driving a lower trim 2025 which shouldn't be compared with the Prestige. I'm intrigued by the comment that the 2025 is quieter. I had not heard (pun intended) that the 2025 had been improved on that score which was already a known feature of the GV80. Might you be driving on different wheels and tires in the 2025?

 

[Orangeman]

Agreed, not going to talk down just going to say my Wife loves her Cardiff Green '23 GV80 3.5 Prestige but with the direction Genesis is going (what's with hiding the exhaust and deleting the beautifully designed rear lower cowl) seeming to move it closer to Hyundai rather than farther apart it will be our first and last foray in to the brand. (I do like the G90 but have no need for a car)

..........

 

[glennr01]

Sounds like you're driving a lower trim 2025 which shouldn't be compared with the Prestige. I'm intrigued by the comment that the 2025 is quieter. I had not heard (pun intended) that the 2025 had been improved on that score which was already a known feature of the GV80. Might you be driving on different wheels and tires in the 2025?

You could be right on both accounts. But I do see a greater use of plastics, and - common to all trim lines - a significant difference in dashboard, dashboard controls, design philosophy, etc. The interior looks and feels like an EV - which, btw, I own an Ioniq 5 as well.

 

[Mcc]

Just curious , where do you see plastic on the 2025 that you did not see on the 2024

 

[Orangeman]

Where there used to be wood .......... like the cupholder cover (or lack thereof).........

 

[Nabber]

I don't think that is plastic. I believe it is a stone (mineral) based product, with resin of course like most wood trim.

 

[glennr01]

Plastics along the sides of the center console, no longer quilted.

 

[Nabber]

Plastics along the sides of the center console, no longer quilted.

Ah, true. I have one of Sal's Luxury Quilted Armrests and it covers that. Looks great too but it's an added cost of course.

 

[Ernie3647]

Curious, so what are your thoughts on the different steering wheels.
By the way the controls are now reversed.
I think the interior is definitely better on the 2025
I know because I traded in a 2021 for it and I liked it's interior.

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[glennr01]

Curious, so what are your thoughts on the different steering wheels.
By the way the controls are now reversed.
I think the interior is definitely better on the 2025
I know because I traded in a 2021 for it and I liked it's interior.

Took a minute to get used to the new steering wheel—everything’s reversed, which felt awkward at first. Not sure why they changed it, but whatever. Personally, I prefer the older wheel: aluminum switches, knurled knobs, and a more distinctive design—it just felt more upscale. The new one gives off more of a Lincoln vibe, which isn’t necessarily a compliment.

Also curious how some of you see the new interior as an upgrade. To me, it feels pretty stripped down, especially around the center console—cheaper materials, less attention to detail. Thoughts?

 

[Londoner01]

Took a minute to get used to the new steering wheel—everything’s reversed, which felt awkward at first. Not sure why they changed it, but whatever. Personally, I prefer the older wheel: aluminum switches, knurled knobs, and a more distinctive design—it just felt more upscale. The new one gives off more of a Lincoln vibe, which isn’t necessarily a compliment.

Also curious how some of you see the new interior as an upgrade. To me, it feels pretty stripped down, especially around the center console—cheaper materials, less attention to detail. Thoughts?

I had a 2021 GV80 3.5T Prestige, now own a 2025 GV80 Coupe E-sc. To me the Coupe is so much more refined then the old 2021. It took me about 60 days to get use to the new steering wheel controls (buttons are reversed to the 2021). I like the new steering wheel design and control placement. As for interior, the Coupe uses a lot of carbon material (I guess it is not real carbon fibre, if it is, they did a good job, very high quality.
I feel the 2025 Coupe is far more refined compared to the 2021.

 

[steveinarizona]

Curious, so what are your thoughts on the different steering wheels.
By the way the controls are now reversed.
I think the interior is definitely better on the 2025
I know because I traded in a 2021 for it and I liked it's interior.

Reversing the steering wheel controls seems to me to be one of the stupidest things a car company can do. Car companies try to get you as a customer by starting with a less costly model and then moving you up as the years go by. A huge advantage in doing that is "familiarity" -- letting muscle memory work for you whereas on a new car from a different manufacturer you have to learn this all over again. I could care less which side has which controls BUT LEAVE THEM WHEREVER YOU PUT THEM (sorry for shouting but I think it was appropriate here).

I also am one of those who adamantly oppose the trend toward "minimalist" design. For one thing, I think it is more properly called "cheapist" design. It is much less expensive for car companies to make features part of the entire info system rather than giving you separate buttons and switches. For a mainline company, I can understand it. But a company claiming to be a luxury car company, minimalist design just, IMO, cheapens the car and takes it off my list of possible cars. I want buttons or switches for things I might want to do while driving (seat controls, radio controls, etc.; turn signals should be on a stalk on the left side, etc.). I walked by a Polestar showroom a few months ago and thought the Polestar 3 looked pretty nice. So I stopped in and took one look inside at the "minimalist" design and walked out thinking no way in hell would I ever buy that car.

 

[Jhon]

Reversing the steering wheel controls seems to me to be one of the stupidest things a car company can do. Car companies try to get you as a customer by starting with a less costly model and then moving you up as the years go by. A huge advantage in doing that is "familiarity" -- letting muscle memory work for you whereas on a new car from a different manufacturer you have to learn this all over again. I could care less which side has which controls BUT LEAVE THEM WHEREVER YOU PUT THEM (sorry for shouting but I think it was appropriate here).

I also am one of those who adamantly oppose the trend toward "minimalist" design. For one thing, I think it is more properly called "cheapist" design. It is much less expensive for car companies to make features part of the entire info system rather than giving you separate buttons and switches. For a mainline company, I can understand it. But a company claiming to be a luxury car company, minimalist design just, IMO, cheapens the car and takes it off my list of possible cars. I want buttons or switches for things I might want to do while driving (seat controls, radio controls, etc.; turn signals should be on a stalk on the left side, etc.). I walked by a Polestar showroom a few months ago and thought the Polestar 3 looked pretty nice. So I stopped in and took one look inside at the "minimalist" design and walked out thinking no way in hell would I ever buy that car.

I have to agree with you on the minimalist design. That is why I did not like the Tesla design. Just one big screen. I like the normal dashboard displays.

 

[glennr01]

I’m seeing signs that the whole 'iPad-style interior' trend is on the decline—many people, wisely, still prefer the tactile satisfaction of real buttons and switches. But more than that, the obvious cost-cutting is starting to cheapen the overall experience. Genesis, are you aiming for luxury or settling for Chevy?

 

[Londoner01]

I have to agree with you on the minimalist design. That is why I did not like the Tesla design. Just one big screen. I like the normal dashboard displays.

As mentioned above, I now have a 2025 GV80 Coupe, traded in my 2021 GV80 Prestige. 3.5T. Interestingly on the 2021 I used Apple Car Play with "Waze" nav, I did not like the built in Genesis and complained many times the OEM nav lacked many street names on the screen compared to Waze. Because the 2025 has a 27 inch screen, I use the built in Genesis maps. The main reason is I can extend the map across the whole 27" or most of it. The OEM nav works well and directions etc are also displayed on the HUD. I have noticed in some areas the OEM map shows just a few street names, but in other areas MOST of the street names are displayed. But if you are using the nav, any street you specify shows up and gives directions.

 

[pmonag]

As mentioned above, I now have a 2025 GV80 Coupe, traded in my 2021 GV80 Prestige. 3.5T. Interestingly on the 2021 I used Apple Car Play with "Waze" nav, I did not like the built in Genesis and complained many times the OEM nav lacked many street names on the screen compared to Waze. Because the 2025 has a 27 inch screen, I use the built in Genesis maps. The main reason is I can extend the map across the whole 27" or most of it. The OEM nav works well and directions etc are also displayed on the HUD. I have noticed in some areas the OEM map shows just a few street names, but in other areas MOST of the street names are displayed. But if you are using the nav, any street you specify shows up and gives directions.

Does the 2025 display directions in the HUD when using Apple Maps or Google maps in CarPlay? I know the OEM map will show directions in the HUD, but wonder if apple/google maps directions will show in HUD? Thanks in advance.

 

[Londoner01]

Does the 2025 display directions in the HUD when using Apple Maps or Google maps in CarPlay? I know the OEM map will show directions in the HUD, but wonder if apple/google maps directions will show in HUD? Thanks in advance.

I checked last night concerning CarPlay and HUD. Yes Apple Maps is displayed on HUD but NOT Waze or Google Maps. Again my vehicle is the 2025 CANADIAN GV80 Coupe. .

 

[Mcc]

Yes Apple Maps is displayed on HUD

What exactly is displayed, map directions, next turn? Is it a map or just text?
Picture would be great if possible.

 

[Londoner01]

What exactly is displayed, map directions, next turn? Is it a map or just text?
Picture would be great if possible.

The HUD using Apple nav software, displays exactly the same as if you were using Genesis nav. I will send pictures later.