Compare the2025 Genesis GV80VS 2024 Buick Enclave

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Genesis GV80 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Buick Enclave doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

The GV80’s optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Enclave doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Genesis GV80 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Buick Enclave doesn’t offer height-adjustable front seat belts.

Both the GV80 and Enclave have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The GV80 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Enclave’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The Genesis GV80 has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Enclave doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The GV80 offers an optional Multi-Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Enclave doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the GV80. But it costs extra on the Enclave.

Both the GV80 and Enclave have rear cross-traffic warning, but the GV80 has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Enclave’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

The GV80’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Enclave doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the GV80 and the Enclave have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, front seat center airbag, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Genesis GV80 is safer than the Buick Enclave:

	GV80	Enclave
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	263	333
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.9 inches
Neck Injury Risk	34%	35.2%

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Genesis GV80 is safer than the Buick Enclave:

	GV80	Enclave
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	29	69
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	101 lbs.	161 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	70	134
Spine Acceleration	26 G’s	39 G’s
Hip Force	458 lbs.	716 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Genesis GV80 is safer than the Enclave:

	GV80	Enclave
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	67	141
Neck Tension	178 lbs.	446 lbs.
Neck Compression	-45 lbs.	45 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.39 in	1.3 in
Shoulder Force	223 lbs.	312 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.75 in	1.5 in
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	669 lbs.	1116 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	49	189
Neck Tension	89 lbs.	134 lbs.
Neck Compression	-22 lbs.	201 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.55 in	1.02 in
Shoulder Force	268 lbs.	290 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.67 in	1.22 in
Torso Deflection Rate	3 MPH	10 MPH
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Genesis GV80 (built after August 2023) has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Enclave is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

Warranty

The GV80 comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes free 24-hour roadside assistance. The Enclave’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Genesis’ powertrain warranty covers the GV80 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Buick covers the Enclave. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Enclave ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The GV80’s corrosion warranty is 1 year and unlimited miles longer than the Enclave’s (7/unlimited vs. 6/100,000).

Genesis pays for scheduled maintenance on the GV80 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Genesis will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Buick doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Enclave.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates rated the GV80 third among upper midsize premium suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The Enclave isn’t in the top three in its category.

Engine

The GV80 2.5T’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 45 lbs.-ft. more torque (311 vs. 266) than the Enclave’s 3.6 DOHC V6. The GV80 3.5T’s standard 3.5 turbo V6 produces 65 more horsepower (375 vs. 310) and 125 lbs.-ft. more torque (391 vs. 266) than the Enclave’s 3.6 DOHC V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Genesis GV80 is faster than the Buick Enclave:

	GV80 2.5T	GV80 3.5T	Enclave
Zero to 60 MPH	6.4 sec	6 sec	7 sec
Quarter Mile	14.9 sec	14.4 sec	15.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	94.3 MPH	98.8 MPH	84.5 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the GV80 2.5T 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder gets better fuel mileage than the Enclave AWD (19 city/24 hwy vs. 17 city/25 hwy).

The GV80 has 1.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Enclave FWD’s standard fuel tank (21.1 vs. 19.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The GV80 has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Enclave. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the GV80’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Enclave:

	GV80 2.5T	GV80 3.5T	Enclave
Front Rotors	14.2 inches	14.9 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	14.2 inches	14.2 inches	12.4 inches

The GV80 stops much shorter than the Enclave:

	GV80	Enclave
70 to 0 MPH	163 feet	179 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	112 feet	134 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the GV80 has larger tires than the Enclave (265/40R22 vs. 255/65R18).

The GV80’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Enclave’s standard 65 series tires. The GV80’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Enclave’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GV80 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Enclave. The GV80’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Enclave.

Suspension and Handling

The GV80 offers an optional automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Enclave doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The GV80’s optional drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Enclave doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The GV80’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51% to 49%) than the Enclave’s (57% to 43%). This gives the GV80 more stable handling and braking.

The GV80 Prestige handles at .86 G’s, while the Enclave Essence pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The GV80 Prestige executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the Enclave Avenir (26.9 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the GV80 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Enclave (8.1 vs. 7.5 inches), allowing the GV80 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The GV80 is 10.1 inches shorter than the Enclave, making the GV80 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the GV80 Prestige is quieter than the Enclave Essence (74 vs. 78 dB).

Passenger Space

The GV80 has .4 inches more front legroom and .4 inches more rear legroom than the Enclave.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the GV80’s middle and third row seats recline. The Enclave’s third row seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

Pressing a button automatically lowers the GV80’s second and third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Enclave doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the GV80. The Enclave doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

The GV80’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Enclave’s (6000 vs. 1500 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The engine in the GV80 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Enclave. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The GV80’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Enclave’s passenger windows don’t close automatically.

The GV80’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Enclave’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the GV80 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Enclave doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Both the Genesis GV80 and the Buick Enclave have a standard Qi wireless phone charging system in the front seat. To easily keep personal devices charged in the second row seat, without cables tangling and wearing out, the GV80 also offers an optional wireless charging system.

The GV80 Advanced/Prestige’s Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Enclave doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

The GV80 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2021. The Enclave has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.