Genesis GV80 vs Holden Equinox
What's the difference?

Genesis GV80

$119,928 - $141,750

2026 price

View pricing & specs

Holden Equinox

$9,990 - $22,990

2020 price

View pricing & specs

Land Rover Discovery Sport

Mercedes-Benz EQ-Class

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes-Benz G63

Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLS

Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

Mini Countryman

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi Pajero

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Summary

2026 Genesis GV80

2020 Holden Equinox

By Marcus Craft

By Laura Berry

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Twin Turbo V6, 3.5L

Turbo 4, 2.0L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

11.9L/100km (combined)

8.4L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Prestige look and feel
Ride and handling
All-wheel drive

Good value
Advanced safety tech
Practical

Dislikes

Digital rear-view mirror
Driver visibility is constricted
No spare tyre

Big turning circle
Awkward looks
Holden closing down

2026 Genesis GV80 Summary

If you want luxury it will cost you. But that’s okay if the product or service you’re buying delivers on the promise or hype.

Posh has a price and even though times are tougher now, economically, and people’s belts are a little tighter, Genesis, Hyundai’s prestige spin-off, has released its GV80 line-up, which is headlined by the GV80 Black SUV and GV80 Black coupe.

These new range-toppers are based on the GV80 Signature 3.5-litre V6 turbo-petrol all-wheel drive and as such are now aimed at setting the gold standard for plush vehicles.

So, does the GV80 Black deliver? Read on.

View full pricing & specs

2020 Holden Equinox Summary

You might not think right now is the best time to buy a Holden, what with the announcement from General Motors about closing down its Aussie operations at the end of 2020.

That’s understandable but side-stepping around the Equinox could see you miss out on what is a practical, comfortable and safe mid-sized SUV.

You can also bet on some heavily discounted deals on the final Holdens which could see you pick up a huge bargain if you buy an Equinox.

I’ve tested the top-of-the-range Equinox LTZ-V in this review and along with taking you though its features and what the SUV is like to drive, I’ll cover what type of support you can expect to have after Holden closes down. The company has promised to take care of its customers with parts and services for at least the next decade.

Explore the 2020 Equinox LTZ-V in 3D below
https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=RnCngGtbQHx

View full pricing & specs

Deep dive comparison

2026 Genesis GV80 2020 Holden Equinox

Verdict

I rarely drive luxury vehicles so it doesn’t take much to impress me. However, it’s clear to anyone with half a brain (even me) that the GV80 is a premium ride and in Black guise it’s even better, albeit by increments only and those perceived improvements largely hinge on styling tweaks to the Signature platform on which it’s based.

Does it tick all of the boxes that someone considering this type of vehicle would want ticked? Sure it does and then some. But there’s plenty of stiff competition in the form of other premium AWDs on the market nowadays and even some 4WD wagons that offer similar levels of prestige.

Verdict

Overlook the Holden Equinox LTZ-V and you could miss out on a practical, spacious and value-for-money mid-sized SUV. Concerned about Holden’s exit from Australia and how this affects servicing and parts? Well Holden has assured us that it will provide servicing support for 10 years following its closure at the end of 2020. If anything, you could be picking up a bargain and one of the last cars to wear a Holden badge.

Genesis GV80 vs Holden Equinox What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Genesis GV80 vs Holden Equinox
What's the difference?