Why the Genesis GV80 is Winning Hearts Over the Benz GLE

This post was sponsored by KS Autoplan.

What do owners think about the 2025 Genesis GV80, which has outperformed the Mercedes-Benz GLE?

Hello, I’m Double Look, an automotive influencer.

Last weekend, I enjoyed a test drive of the Genesis GV80 while going on a date in downtown Seoul.

As it is a model that my wife and I consider our dream car, we made sure to thoroughly experience it and gather detailed owner feedback.

Today, I will share the pros and cons of the Genesis GV80 compared to the Mercedes-Benz GLE for those who are also contemplating between the two models.

Let’s dive into the model comparison and owner evaluations.

What are the sales figures for the 2025 Genesis GV80?

The GV80 is Genesis's mid-size SUV model, and it recorded a total of 39,369 units sold in 2024, making it a best-selling car.

It ranked second among Genesis models, following the G80 (45,373 units), thanks to its spacious and practical interior, luxurious design, and advanced driving assistance and safety systems that have garnered high popularity.

My wife and I frequently visit golf courses, and we appreciate that it can accommodate four passengers comfortably while providing a satisfying ride quality, making it a model we keep an eye on.

What do GV80 owners think?

The 2025 GV80 offers a choice between a 2.5-liter gasoline turbo and a 3.5-liter gasoline turbo powertrain, along with options for 2WD or AWD.

Recently, the launch of the luxurious and robust Black Edition has expanded the range of options available.

Before making our purchase, my wife and I gathered evaluations from three owners, and their feedback aligned with my personal experience during the test drive, which I want to share with my subscribers.

The advantages highlighted by owners include Genesis's luxurious interior and a wide range of convenient features.

All menus are intuitively organized, and the navigation system, along with the augmented reality driving assistance, enhances the overall driving satisfaction.

Compared to imported vehicles, especially the competing Mercedes-Benz GLE, owners noted that the intuitive and convenient menu operations, including navigation, give the GV80 a competitive edge in usability.

Owners also appreciated the various drive modes and terrain modes, which enhance driving enjoyment and satisfaction, allowing them to recognize the selected mode through changes in the display.

One owner mentioned that although they don’t often drive at high speeds, they find the sports mode display to be the most appealing and select it frequently.

While domestic cars have historically lagged behind imports in terms of interior satisfaction, the introduction of the Genesis GV80 has created a competitive premium mid-size SUV that boasts strong driving performance, stability, and advanced features suited to Korean terrain.

My wife chose the "Ultramarine Blue & Glacier White two-tone" interior, remarking that she preferred its brighter and more vibrant atmosphere over the Mercedes-Benz GLE.

In the past, she expressed a preference for the interior of the Mercedes-Benz GLE, suggesting we purchase it, but after test-driving the 2025 GV80, her opinion has changed.

Above all, the upgraded design that appeals to women seems to be attracting more buyers who are choosing it over the more expensive and less user-friendly Mercedes-Benz GLE.

Personally, if I had judged solely based on engine performance, I might have chosen the BMW X5, but since I am deciding on a family car that everyone will use, my wife’s and parents' opinions have significantly influenced the decision.

What are the drawbacks of the 2025 GV80 according to owners?

I know several owners of the GV80 with the 2.5-liter gasoline turbo and the 3.5-liter gasoline turbo, and they all share a common complaint: the real-world fuel efficiency is lower than the specifications, leading to economic concerns.

Typically, real-world fuel efficiency exceeds the specifications, but even after extended use, complaints about fuel efficiency continue to accumulate.

Unfortunately, the 2025 GV80 does not offer a hybrid model, making it less appealing for those who drive long distances, even if they are satisfied with the design and space.

Recently, amidst the sluggish sales of electric vehicles, hybrid model sales have surged, and I hope the GV80 will soon introduce a high-efficiency hybrid model.

Despite these drawbacks, owners have expressed a desire to give the Genesis GV80 a score of 9 out of 10 for its space utilization and value for money.

My wife and I often go for golf outings with four people, and considering the ample space, ride quality, and overall value of this mid-size SUV, we believe choosing the 2025 GV80 is the most rational decision.

We decided on the 5-seater for its spaciousness after test-driving it, and to ensure safety during winter driving, we opted for the AWD drivetrain.

Furthermore, to reduce maintenance costs due to our long driving distances, we boldly chose the 2.5-liter gasoline turbo engine over the 3.5-liter engine.

Estimated information for the 2025 GV80 Gasoline Turbo 2.5 AWD 5-seater.

Let’s first check the estimated price for the Genesis GV80 Gasoline Turbo 2.5 AWD.

Vehicle price: 71.35 million won (approximately 53,800 USD)

Acquisition tax: 4.54 million won (approximately 3,400 USD)

Bond discount: 190,000 won (approximately 143 USD)
=> Estimated total: 76.12 million won (approximately 57,600 USD, including additional costs)

In addition, if you apply the recommended options, such as natural leather seats and luxurious aluminum trim included in the Signature Selection I (1.5 million won, approximately 1,140 USD), and the AWD-exclusive Popular Package (5.4 million won, approximately 4,070 USD), the estimated purchase price rises to 83.48 million won (approximately 63,000 USD).

Considering that the Mercedes-Benz GLE sells for well over 100 million won (approximately 75,500 USD), even with substantial options, the GV80 offers better value for money compared to competing models.

The 2025 GV80 has gained popularity among owners, recording an average of over 3,000 units sold monthly in 2024, but for those in their 30s and 40s, a purchase price exceeding 80 million won (approximately 60,000 USD) can be a significant financial commitment.

For those individuals, I recommend KS Autoplan's long-term rental and leasing options that allow you to use the vehicle without the burden of a large upfront cost, even with a zero deposit.

KS Autoplan collaborates with over 20 financial institutions, carefully comparing options based on customer needs before presenting the final estimate.

Visiting our website's event bulletin board will allow you to check limited-time special offers on popular vehicle models in collaboration with financial institutions, so if you have a specific model in mind, please take a look at the list.

You can easily apply for a quote on our website, and you will quickly receive information on the lowest price comparison and delivery dates.

Since our costs are lower than those of commonly known companies like Company S and Company L, you can receive competitive quotes; however, there may be differences by model, so it’s best to check directly.