Get yourself a BMW — people often advise that if you are an enthusiast and love to stay connected with your car while driving it, get yourself a BMW. And that is exactly what has been the trademark of BMW for years. The German automaker makes one of the best driving machines that offers plenty of performance and has one of the best driving dynamics. Interestingly, BMWs with good driving dynamics are not limited to their sedans.
BMW also has some of the best driving SUVs, like the X5. The X5 has been one of the preferred choices among buyers for its character. The big BMW makes a statement when it is out on the road. It has a great road presence, and although it is massive in size, it is surprisingly quick on flat surfaces and agile around the corners. Let us put it this way: the BMW X5 is the Brock Lesnar of the automotive world.
The BMW X5 Is Hard To Beat If You’re Looking For Performance And Prestige
The standard X5 comes with a 3.0-liter, turbocharged, inline-six gas engine with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology. This engine is capable of producing 375 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque. But if you want more power, you can get the same engine with PHEV technology. In PHEV guise, the engine puts out an impressive 483 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, making it 0.6 seconds quicker than the regular model in a zero-to-60 mph run.
Of course, for extreme performance, you can get yourself an M version, but not many would get it for daily usage. That said, the X5, although a performance-centric SUV, is loaded with features. However, the SUV is often ignored by interested buyers who are looking for luxury. Yes, many BMWs, including the X5, have a sporty character that comes at a cost of luxury. And for such buyers, one of its key rivals has set a new standard with its offering and price.
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Luxury Alternatives Deliver Competitive Packages
Now, when we talk about a luxury BMW rival, the first brand that comes to our minds is Mercedes-Benz. Both these German brands have been competing with each other for decades, and both these brands have different approaches to attracting customers. BMW, as we all know, loves to make cars with the best driving dynamics. On the other hand, Mercedes-Benz focuses on luxury and a more peaceful driving experience. So, it is quite natural to consider the Mercedes GLE as the luxury alternative to the BMW X5.
However, the X5 rival that we are talking about is not the GLE. In fact, it comes from one of the eastern brands that has successfully gained tremendous respect from all over the world. Known to offer some of the most reliable cars, the Korean automaker Hyundai has the best alternatives to BMW. Shocking, right? Well, Hyundai knows that buyers may not take it seriously while competing with giants like BMW or Mercedes. So to create its own space, Hyundai launched its sub-brand Genesis in 2015. And the SUV that has recently taken the spotlight from BMW is the Genesis GV80.
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The Genesis GV80 Makes Its Intentions Known At First Glance
Genesis has come a long way in the automobile industry and has emerged as one of the more successful brands. However, even today, not many are familiar with a brand called Genesis. So, launching a flagship SUV under a brand that is lesser known and taking on the likes of the X5, Genesis had to stand out from the crowd. And the GV80 is the prime example.
Just look at the SUV, and it is definitely not an ordinary-looking SUV. Right from the front profile, the GV80 has its presence with that large grille and twin sleek lighting setup. The hood sports some strong cuts and creases, and overall, the GV80 has plenty of chrome that exudes luxury. Similar to the front profile, the side isn’t ordinary. Unlike the boxy design of the X5, the GV80 gets curved angles with a sloping roofline. In fact, many may argue that there is a design inspiration from luxury brands. So the GV80 surely has a design that looks like it belongs to a wealthy businessman.
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Interior And Features Continue Its BMW-Rivaling Package
If you have those questions, then let us tell you. Genesis has done an excellent job with the interior. Once you step inside, you will be surprised by the interior design and the quality materials used. Everything you see or touch is covered with high-quality stitched leather. What Genesis has also played smartly is the color combination for the interior. It has options for regular combinations, like white upholstery with basalt dashboard and door trims. However, the options for getting tan or vanilla upholstery with a smoky green dashboard give it a unique and luxurious blend.
Another key point to highlight has to be the integration of technology in a luxury space. Although the cabin is wrapped in leather, one cannot miss the large 27-inch OLED screen that dominates the rather clean-looking dashboard. Some other important features include:
- Power rear sunshades
- An 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system
- Four zone+ climate control
- A heated steering wheel
- Smart cruise control with stop & go functionality
- Heated and ventilated front and rear seats
- A 16-way power driver seat
- Multiple charging ports
Also, being a luxury SUV, the GV80 comes equipped with acoustic laminated glass and active noise cancellation for those silent drives. Apart from these convenience features, the GV80 comes with a solid package of safety features. The list includes 10 airbags, ADAS, vehicle stability management, traction control, brake assist, and a few more.
A Perfect Family SUV
To compete with the likes of the BMW X5 or even the Mercedes GLE, the GV80 has to be a perfect family SUV. Yes, it ticks other boxes that include quality, features, and technology. In terms of dimensions, the GV80 is similar to that of the BMW X5. It is 194.5 inches long, 77.8 inches wide, and 67.5 inches tall. Also, it has an impressive wheelbase of 116.3 inches.
The constantly-adjusting optional ergo-motion driver’s seat remains a nice fatigue-reducing extra. Both front seats have enough room to make even very tall drivers comfy all day, and they’re nicely but not aggressively bolstered.
– Alex Kwanten for TopSpeed
Unlike the BMW, the owner of the GV80 will likely spend the maximum time on the rear seats. For the rear seat, the GV80 offers headroom of 38.4 inches, legroom of 38.7 inches, and shoulder room of 58.3 inches. So, accommodating three passengers in the rear seats should not be an issue. Adding to the practicality and the versatility is the fact that the GV80 is a three-row SUV. Yes, there is an additional row of seats that can accommodate kids for shorter drives. If not for kids, you can fold down the last row of seats and create a cargo space of 11.6 cubic feet.
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Engine Specifications
The Genesis GV80 has been made available with multiple engine and drivetrain options. For starters, the base and the mid-variants are offered with a 2.5-liter turbo inline-four. This engine produces 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. On the other hand, the higher trims are offered with a larger 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6. The bigger engine produces 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of maximum torque.
2026 Genesis GV80 Performance Specs
|
Engine |
2.5-Liter Inline Four, Turbocharged |
3.0-Liter Twin-Turbo V6 |
|
Horsepower |
300 HP @ 5,800 RPM |
375 HP @ 5,800 RPM |
|
Torque |
311 LB-FT @ 1,650-4,000 RPM |
391 LB-FT @ 1,300-4,000 RPM |
|
Transmission |
8-Speed Automatic |
8-Speed Automatic |
|
Driveline |
RWD / AWD |
AWD |
Both these engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Now, although on paper the power output is very similar to that of the larger engine when compared to BMW, in reality, the German automaker’s SUV is slightly quicker to 60 mph from standstill. Having said that, the base variant of the GV80 is offered in RWD guise, while all the other variants come with AWD.
10 Reasons The Genesis GV80 Dominates The Luxury SUV Segment
The GV80 succeeds because it focuses on comfort, design, and value first, then layers in technology and performance without being too much.
Value For Money Alternative To The BMW X5
So now comes the big question: Is the GV80 worth buying over the BMW X5? There could be multiple answers to this question, and all are positive. Yes, the X5 has much better brand value in the market compared to the Genesis GV80. But you should not forget that Genesis is just a sub-brand of well-established Hyundai Motors. The GV80 is spacious, has a reliable powertrain, has high-quality materials, and comes loaded with features and technology.
What also makes the GV80 an attractive purchase is the cost at which it is offered. The 2026 GV80 starts at $57,700, making it more than $10,000 cheaper than the 2026 X5‘s $68,300 starting price. Although more affordable than the X5, the GV80 does not, by any means, feel cheap. So having been equipped with high-quality materials and reliable engines, the GV80 deserves your attention.
Sources: Genesis, BMW, Mercedes-Benz