2025 Genesis GV80 vs. 2025 Acura MDX: Head-to-Head

October 29th, 2024 by

A luxurious 2025 Genesis GV80 parked in front of a modern building, with a woman opening the door to step inside

Both the Genesis GV80 and the Acura MDX vehicles are standout models in the midsize 3-row luxury SUV segment, offering versatility, high-end interiors, and impressive safety ratings. Yet, the Genesis GV80 (spoiler alert) pulls ahead with superior luxury feel, advanced tech, and an industry-leading warranty that makes it an obvious choice. For those on the fence, or just plain curious, here’s an in-depth look to help you decide which one is the ultimate fit for your luxury SUV needs.

1. Performance and Fuel Economy

Genesis GV80: Turbo Power and Smooth Performance

The 2025 Genesis GV80 comes with two engine options, both of which provide ample performance without sacrificing refinement. The base model features a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-4 producing 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, giving it plenty of punch to handle daily drives in Springfield, VA and highway cruising with ease. For those who crave even more power, the 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 churns out an impressive 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque, allowing the GV80 to reach 60 mph in just under six seconds. AWD is also standard across all trims, proving it to be not just a looker, but a highly capable one. 

Fuel Economy (standard AWD): The 2.5-liter engine offers 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway, while the V6 gets a slightly lower rating at 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway.

Acura MDX: Sporty Agility with Solid Fuel Economy

The Acura MDX sticks to a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 that produces 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque, coupled with a 10-speed automatic transmission. For added thrills, the MDX Type S includes a 355-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, paired with Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, designed to optimize handling in various driving conditions. 

Fuel Economy (standard FWD): The standard FWD MDX achieves 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, while the AWD Type S model falls slightly to 17 mpg city and 21 mpg highway.

2. Interior Comfort and Features

2025 Genesis GV80 interior and cabin

Genesis GV80: Luxurious and Spacious

Inside the 2025 GV80, you’re surrounded by top-tier materials and a beautifully crafted interior. Genesis has outfitted the GV80 with soft-touch leather, metal accents, and an upscale 27-inch OLED Multimedia screen spanning the dash. This spacious cabin offers heated and ventilated seats for both the front and rear passengers, and even heated armrests—small but thoughtful details that emphasize luxury.

In terms of seating, the GV80 is designed primarily as a two-row SUV with an optional third row on the V6 model. While the third row is best for children or smaller adults, the second row boasts ample room, making long journeys comfortable and cramp-free for all passengers. The GV80 also offers a quiet cabin experience, thanks to superior noise insulation.

Acura MDX: Functional but Falls Short on Luxury

The 2025 MDX also offers a premium interior, though it doesn’t quite reach the GV80’s level of sophistication. The MDX provides stitched leather accents, an available 16-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a more straightforward cabin layout. Acura has focused on functionality, so while the materials are of high quality, they don’t carry the same rich ambiance as the GV80’s nearly artistic interior.

The MDX’s third row also remains limited in space, making it suitable for children but cramped for adults. While the cabin is quieter than previous models, thanks to extra sound insulation, it still doesn’t match the GV80’s near-silent interior. The MDX gives off a premium feel for sure, but compared to the GV80, it feels like a Honda Pilot playing dress-up. 

3. Infotainment & Technology

Genesis GV80: Cutting-Edge Connectivity

Genesis has made a leap in infotainment for the 2025 GV80. The 27-inch OLED screen is one of the largest and most vibrant in its class, providing drivers and passengers alike with intuitive controls and vivid graphics. This model now includes wireless smartphone connectivity—a long-awaited feature—and standard wireless charging, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. The GV80 even offers a Wi-Fi hotspot capable of supporting up to five devices.

Acura MDX: Solid Technology but Missing the Wow Factor

The 2025 Acura MDX features a new 12.3-inch touchscreen and digital gauge cluster, finally leaving behind its touchpad system in favor of more user-friendly tech. Acura has also equipped the MDX with wireless smartphone integration, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and available Bang & Olufsen sound systems ranging from 19 to 31 speakers.

However, compared to the Genesis’s sprawling screen and luxury-driven technology, the MDX’s infotainment feels solid but not particularly groundbreaking. It gets the job done, but it doesn’t push boundaries the way the GV80 does.

4. Warranty and Value

Genesis GV80: Best-in-Class Coverage

One area where Genesis clearly stands out is its unmatched warranty. The GV80 offers a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and an industry-leading 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Genesis also includes three years or 36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance and five years of unlimited mileage roadside assistance, providing buyers peace of mind and reducing long-term ownership costs.

Acura MDX: Good Coverage, But Not Exceptional

The MDX offers a respectable warranty package, with a 4-year/50,000-mile limited warranty and a 6-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty. While the MDX’s complimentary maintenance is covered for the first two years or 24,000 miles, it falls short of Genesis’s  industry -leading coverage. For those looking to minimize unexpected costs, the GV80 remains the clear winner in this category.

Conclusion: The GV80 Takes the Lead

While the 2025 Acura MDX offers nimble handling and impressive tech updates, the 2025 Genesis GV80 does everything so much better.  The GV80’s upscale cabin, high-powered engine options, and generous warranty make it the top pick for drivers looking for more than just practicality in their luxury SUV. The Genesis GV80 is a little pricier ($57,700 vs $51,200) than the MDX, but the cost difference is seriously worth it. But don’t take our word for it – discover the GV80 in person yourself! We have plenty of GV80 available here at Genesis of Springfield, VA, so give us a call or visit 7619 Loisdale Rd Unit B, Springfield, VA 22150 for more details! 

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