Genesis GV80 vs Skoda Kodiaq

What's the difference?

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.

The new Skoda Kodiaq Select 140TSI is a quiet achiever. It may not be as flashy as some of its rivals, and the engine won’t knock your socks off, but it delivers where it counts. This is a well-rounded seven-seater that’s comfortable, practical and cleverly equipped with more standard features than you’d typically expect from a base grade. If you’re after a family SUV that flies under the radar but ticks all the right boxes, the Kodiaq deserves a close look.

I most frequently test and review vehicles that are tall, bulky and have plenty of ground clearance – usually 4WDs – so the GV80 is, in my experience, a mild revelation.

Firstly, it’s low and sleek and practically oozes – yes, oozes – prestige. Word of warning here. If you don’t like black as a colour on your car you’re in the wrong place because the GV80 Black and GV80 Coupe Black are only offered with – you guessed it – a black exterior and interior.

Secondly, this G80’s interior is a plush mix of quilted Nappa leather upholstery with black suede inserts, black ash wood trim, an abundance of soft-touch surfaces and very impressive all-around fit and finish. The interior of the cabin makes a strong style statement but it’s not over the top.

Genesis Motors Australia also says it has used a range of eco-friendly materials, including leather upholstery and door trims dyed using recycled carbon-black extracted from waste tyres. So, there’s that.

The cabin more than matches its rivals, such as Audi Q7, BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE, in terms of pure styling and as for practicality? Well, keep reading…

From the outside, the new Kodiaq looks more athletic than bulky, with a long and low stance that gives it a sleeker profile than many of its taller, boxier rivals.

The new restyled grille, 19-inch alloy wheels, and distinctive C-shaped LED tail lights give it an understated but handsome roadside presence. This is an SUV that favours quiet confidence with a European flair.

Step inside, and the cabin continues that design language with a stylish, angular dashboard and a well-considered layout that’s both practical and premium in feel. The black leather upholstery, crisp technology displays are complemented by Skoda’s clever new multi-function rotary dials.

Even in the base Select grade, the interior punches above its price point.

The GV80 Black is the same size as the standard GV80 – 4940mm long (with a 2955mm wheelbase), 1975mm wide and 1715mm high – so nothing has changed there.

And because the Black treatment is all about the looks, inside and out, the interior remains the same as standard for roominess and practicality. So, let’s dive into it.

First up, the 27.0-inch multimedia touchscreen dominates upfront, which is handy because it’s from here you operate most of the GV80’s controls. Thankfully, though, there are some physical dials and buttons, as well.

That screen is big, the colours are clear and crisp and the on-screen controls are easy to use, even for a true luddite like me.

Same goes for the driver display and the 12-inch head-up display. Clear to read and versatile enough in configuration choices to set them up as you want.

Then, everything flows on from that well-appointed dash.

The steering wheel is heated and power adjustable. By the way, I still don’t see why a heated steering wheel is a thing in Australia. Nowhere on this continent is cold enough to warrant it.

All seats are soft but supportive and very comfortable as you’d expect in a prestige vehicle with an interior that’s replete with “rich textures and bespoke materials”, according to Genesis.

There’s adequate seating room all-around, but the third row is squeezy and best suited to children or other height-challenged people that you despise.

The front seats are 18-way power-adjustable, heated and ventilated. They even have a massage function – if that’s your particular cup of tea.

The second row has heated and ventilated outboard seats (with power-base tilt and backrest recline), and there’s a climate-control panel each for the second and third rows.

Charge points abound with USB and 12V options available in the front and second row.

There are plenty of storage options throughout the cabin including a glove box, sunglasses case, cupholders etc. But the door pockets are narrow and awkward to get anything in and out of. A minor annoyance, but an annoyance, nonetheless.

In terms of cargo area capacity, with all three rows up and in use there is a claimed 327 litres of space available, 727L with the power-folding third row stowed away, and 2147L with the second and third rows folded down and out of the way.

Worth noting for anyone who drives beyond city limits is the fact this vehicle does not have a spare wheel, it only has a tyre mobility kit attached by Velcro to the rear cargo area floor.

The GV80 also has a power-operated tailgate.

The Kodiaq does a solid job of blending family friendly space with clever design. Up front, there’s plenty of room to stretch out, and the wide door apertures combined with a 187mm ground clearance make getting in and out a breeze.

The front seats are genuinely comfortable, with thick padding, supportive side bolsters, extendable under-thigh supports and heating for both front occupants, which is a nice inclusion at this price point. The driver’s seat is also electrically adjustable with memory, which adds a layer of convenience.

Skoda has a reputation for smart storage and the new Kodiaq continues that trend. There’s a sunglasses holder, an umbrella nook inside the drivers door, removable rubbish bins in each front door pocket and a handy dual glove box set-up. The centre console offers a mix of deep storage, two cupholders and lots of charging options, including two USB-C ports and dual wireless charging pads, plus a third USB-C near the rearview mirror.

That said, the tech experience hasn’t been completely seamless. The 13.0-inch multimedia display looks sharp, but the touchscreen can be laggy at times. The three multi-function dials, while clever in theory, aren’t always intuitive in practice. Changing functions on the go can be fiddly, and I found the climate control system occasionally unresponsive — the ‘sync’ function worked inconsistently and for some reason, we couldn’t always unlock or adjust the rear climate control.

On the plus side, the system includes built-in sat nav, wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto. CarPlay connected easily and stayed stable throughout the week.

In the second row, my eight-year-old had no trouble hopping in and out, and while the seats are on the firmer side, they’re still comfortable enough for long drives. Amenities are strong with two USB-C ports, a 12-volt socket, map pockets with device holders, and retractable sunblinds. There’s also a removable centre shelf between the seats that works as a clever storage solution, and the bench is wide enough to take advantage of all three top-tether anchor points.

And I have to call out one of my favourite Skoda features, the pop-out door edge protectors! This is the first time I’ve seen them in action and they’re brilliant. They automatically deploy as you open the door, helping prevent bumps and dings, which is a lifesaver for parents with energetic kids (like mine) who fling doors open with zero hesitation.

As with most three-row SUVs in this segment, the Kodiaq’s third row is best suited to kids. Adults can technically squeeze in but space is limited, with legroom and headroom both tight. It’s worth noting there are no directional air vents, USB charging ports or top-tether anchor points in the third row either, which might be a downside for some families.

Boot space, on the other hand, is a strong point. Even with all seven seats in use, there’s still a very usable 340L of cargo capacity which, is enough for a few school bags or a compact pram. There’s also an underfloor compartment for storing the cargo cover and space-saver spare tyre, which keeps things tidy. Fold the third row down and the capacity jumps to a generous 910L, giving you loads of room for family gear, groceries, or weekend luggage. The powered tailgate is another welcome convenience, especially when your hands are full.

Excluding the limited-edition ‘Launch’ variant, the new Kodiaq range consists of just two core grades and we’ve been family testing the entry-level 140TSI Select.

With a list price of $54,990 before on-road costs, the Select trim undercuts many of its key seven-seat rivals. The Hyundai Santa Fe kicks off at around $56,000, while the Kia Sorento Sport+ starts from $58,430, giving the Kodiaq a slight edge on paper when it comes to affordability.

Of course, it can’t compete with sharply priced Chinese contenders like the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max, which starts from just $40,990. But where the Skoda claws back ground is in its blend of space, smart storage solutions and the refined European design-flavour that the brand is known for. This makes it an appealing pick for families wanting practicality without compromising on quality.

Despite being the entry point into the Kodiaq range, the 140TSI Select comes impressively well-equipped and it doesn’t feel like a ‘base model’.

There’s black leather upholstery, a leather-accented steering wheel, heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory functionality, and rear privacy glass. Three-zone climate control keeps everyone comfortable, and the powered tailgate adds convenience for a busy family life. Skoda even throws in carpet mats as standard, which is a small but appreciated touch.

On the technology front, the Select features a crisp 13.0-inch touchscreen multimedia display and a 10.0-inch digital instrument cluster. Satellite navigation is included, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus multiple device-charging options throughout the cabin. That includes two ventilated wireless charging pads up front, USB-C ports in each row, and a handy extra USB-C port near the rearview mirror, perfect for plugging in a dash cam without messy cables.

The cabin feels thoughtfully laid out, modern, and mostly user-friendly, particularly if you're hopping out of an older SUV. All up, it delivers a lot of bang for your buck, especially when compared with similarly priced, or even more expensive, competitors.

This Genesis GV80 Black has a 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine producing 279kW and 530Nm, matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

This SUV has an all-wheel drive system and an electronic limited-slip rear differential.

The GV80’s engine has plenty of punch and the auto is impressively cluey as well.

The Select is all-wheel drive and powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, producing 140kW and 320Nm. On paper, that’s a solid output for a family SUV, but in practice the power delivery can feel a little underwhelming at times.

The seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is quick to shift but isn’t always smooth. It tends to upshift early, especially when you’re accelerating, which can dull performance and make the engine feel less responsive than it should. It's not sluggish, but it doesn’t feel particularly eager either — especially when loaded up with passengers or gear.

Official combined cycle (urban/extra-urban) fuel consumption is listed as 11.7L/100km.

On test we were seeing a dash-indicated 9.6-9.8L/100km but recorded an overall average of 12.4L/100km after a mix of city, highway and suburban driving.

The GV80 has a 80-litre fuel tank so, going by our on-test fuel figures, you can reasonably expect a driving range of about 645km from a full-tank.

Worth noting this car requires 95 RON premium fuel.

The Kodiaq has an official combined fuel consumption figure of 9.2L/100km, and paired with a 58-litre fuel tank it has a theoretical driving range of about 630km. It's not as long-reaching as some seven-seat SUVs (especially diesel-powered rivals), but it's not terrible.

After my usual mix of urban errands and a couple of longer highway trips, my real-world fuel use averaged 8.7L/100km. Not too shabby.

An excerpt from my initial drive notes on the GV80 Black read "smooth, slick (too slick?), impressive open-road cruising, plush, couch on wheels”. All sound points but there’s even more to this car.

For a big wagon, the circa-2345kg GV80 gets off the mark nicely with a crisp throttle response and it punches along at a fair clip once on the move. There’s little to no noise from the outside world, other than the low-key rumble of the V6 and it’s easy to hit the speed limit without realising.

The power-adjustable steering wheel can be dialled in for a preferred position and while this weighty AWD still exhibits minor body roll through tighter corners that characteristic can be restrained somewhat via the Sport drive mode for better suited suspension behaviour and controlled with sufficiently precise steering.

Ride and handling are well sorted out with the GV80’s all-wheel drive system and an electronic limited-slip rear differential giving the driver welcome levels of confidence in a variety of driving conditions.

Turning circle is listed as 11.98m and this car doesn’t feel unwieldy on busy suburban streets.

A few niggles. Digital rear-view mirrors are not among my favourite features in cars as they offer a headache-inducing fish-eye view of the world not to my liking and such is the case in this GV80.

Speaking of views, because the GV80 is low and sleek, it doesn’t afford the driver the levels of visibility I’m used to getting in the taller, more upright vehicles I most frequently review.

All-around, however, the GV80 is a smooth daily driver, with plenty to like about it and just a few foibles.

As I mentioned earlier, the powertrain is adequate but not impressive. The engine can over-rev at times, and it feels like there’s limited reserve when you really push it, though it’s far from gutless. It’s an odd one as you do have enough grunt to overtake safely on the open road, and it’s generally fine for a vehicle of this size, but it’s not particularly eager or lively.

The suspension strikes a good balance. It’s soft enough to smooth out bigger bumps and rough patches without feeling too floaty. At the same time, you still get decent feedback through the steering, and the Kodiaq corners reasonably well with minimal body roll.

Speaking of steering, it’s on the softer side and not as sharp as I’d prefer, but it’s responsive enough to make city driving and tight car park manoeuvres easy. Visibility is good all-around from the driver’s seat, which is good.

Noise levels are typical for a large SUV. Road and wind noise are noticeable, especially at higher speeds, but the cabin remains quiet enough to have a conversation in the middle row without raising your voice. If you’re sitting in the third row, though, you might have to ask people to repeat themselves from time to time. Still, it’s a comfortable space to spend time in.

The Select grade comes with a reversing camera, but the image quality isn’t great. The camera view seems skewed to the left, which caught me off guard occasionally. I found myself relying more on the mirrors and good old-fashioned looking around when parking.

The Skoda Kodiaq is covered by a five-star ANCAP safety rating from testing done in 2024 and features nine airbags, which includes side chest airbags for the front and middle rows, but the curtain airbags don’t cover the third row, which is disappointing for a family SUV.

The Select grade showcases a healthy safety features list including emergency lane keeping aid, rear cross-traffic alert and side exit assist. Most of the safety items aren’t intrusive for daily driving but the lane-keeping aid can feel sporadic with when it activates and it adjusts the wheel firmly, which takes a bit to get used to.

Other standard safety equipment includes blind-spot monitoring, q reversing camera, front/rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, driver attention warning and alert, intelligent seatbelt reminders, two ISOFIX child seat mounts and three-top tether anchor points.

The Kodiaq is equipped with autonomous emergency braking with forward collision warning (pedestrian, backover, cyclist, motorcycle and car) and is operational from 4.0 – 85km/h (up to 250km/h for car detection).

Every new 2026 GV80 is covered by a five-year/unlimited km warranty and five years' roadside assistance. If the car's serviced at an authorised Genesis dealer this coverage increases to 10 years.

Servicing, scheduled for every 12 months or 15,000km, is free for the first five years or 75,000 km, whichever occurs soonest. Genesis offers a concierge and courtesy vehicle service for five years with the complimentary service.

There are 11 Genesis dealers in Australia - Five in Sydney (including a CBD 'studio'), two in Melbourne and one each in Brisbane, The Gold Coast, Adelaide and Perth.

The Kodiaq is backed by a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty that is better than the five-year cover you’ll find on some of its rivals.

Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first, and Skoda offers pre-paid service packs for up to seven years. These average out to around $393 per service, which is competitive for this segment and helps take the guesswork out of maintenance budgeting.

The Kodiaq runs on 95 RON premium unleaded, which is worth factoring into ongoing costs.