The Genesis GV80 SUV.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
The Germans are largely credited for the “four-door coupe” trend that started with sedans and quickly graduated to SUVs with the BMW X6. Their enduring popularity has seen more automakers join the SUV coupe club with South Korean luxury brand Genesis being the latest entrant.
The new GV80 Coupe is a sleeker variant of the GV80 SUV with a roofline that dips behind the rear seats in a graceful arc that flicks back up into a subtle duckbill moulded into the leading edge of the liftgate. With distinctive design elements like the two-line lighting theme, the GV80 Coupe represents a refreshing alternative to the staid competition. More surprising is how competitive Genesis has become in just eight short years.
To be able to move that quickly certainly has a lot to do with parent company Hyundai, whose steady growth, especially with electric vehicles, has been staggering. Some of that knowledge transfer has helped Genesis go from just two luxury sedans in 2016 to an ever-growing portfolio of vehicles.
The GV80, launched in 2021, was the SUV Genesis needed to boost sales and recognition. Brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz are household names, but you might have to explain to people what a Genesis is.
The company believes a great product will provide the foundation needed for success. “Make the product the best that you can and then the word gets out,” says Trevor Lai senior group manager of product planning for Genesis Motor North America. “We want to keep releasing models and features that consumers want and the new GV80 Coupe really embodies that.”
There’s only one all-inclusive trim in Canada, positioning this Coupe as the flagship of the Genesis SUV line. It feels like it too, especially inside with its quilted Nappa leather upholstery and lacquered carbon-fibre trim complemented by red stitching. It has all the upscale touches including a bright 27-inch continuous OLED screen, hidden air vents and a sporty flat-bottom steering wheel. It feels as good as anything produced by German luxury brands.
We also get only one engine choice and it’s a new mild-hybrid twin-turbo V6 that’s augmented by a battery-powered supercharger that can spin at upwards of 200,000 revolutions per minute. It makes 409 horsepower and adds a healthy dose of grunt over the standard engine in the non-coupe.
That extra power is necessary because the streamlined roof means more pounds are added to the already heavy GV80, but exactly how much is unknown until the company reveals those numbers. There’s also less cargo space, but the designers emphasized that rear headroom hasn’t been affected. I’m 6-feet tall and didn’t have problems with headroom in the back seat, but the GV80 Coupe isn’t for those who prioritize passengers and cargo. “We think there’s going to be two different types of buyers,” says Lai. “Late 30s affluent DINKS (dual income no kids) or empty nesters who have worked hard through their life and are looking to self-reward.”
In the front, there is a two-line lighting theme.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
The GV80 Coupe is like the grand touring sports coupe you’d buy 20 years ago but in an SUV wrapper. The market has shifted dramatically toward bigger vehicles, which explains the popularity of these stylized SUV coupes. They trade practicality for vanity, trying to make something originally designed for families more personal.
It’s worked and Genesis has benchmarked its main competitors and is serious about stealing sales from them. “Benchmarking other vehicles is something that [manufacturers] will always do, but you also want to benchmark yourself and continually improve,” says Lai. “With every new generation of vehicle, we strive for two generations of improvement to get better and surpass the competition.”
Coupe-like SUVs need to feel sportier than their straight-roofed counterparts and the GV80 Coupe’s new engine is a welcome addition. The e-supercharger provides torque-fill before the turbo has spooled up to full speed. It makes the throttle extra responsive and it feels more eager to accelerate. Around town, you can feel the difference compared to the regular GV80, but once you get up to speed the power difference is minimized. A bonus with these mild-hybrid systems is a more seamless auto stop-start and that’s certainly the case here.
On the move, the GV80 Coupe is geared more toward comfort than dynamic road-holding. The steering is numb and there’s not much in the way of a personality, but there’s a clear and palpable difference between the Comfort and the Coupe-exclusive Sport Plus driving modes. When selected it adds piped-in engine audio, more aggressive gear changes and stiffer steering and damping for a sportier experience. The seats even change their shape and squeeze your torso tighter, which is a nice touch.
Like Hyundai, Genesis has always been a value offering. Priced at $104,000, you only have to pick the colour. Everything else is included and the list is extensive. They’re even throwing in free winter tires and rims with five years of storage. Much of what you pay extra for in a BMW or a Mercedes is standard in the Genesis, like advanced LED lighting, 22-inch wheels and Nappa leather on the seats and dashboard. Even the carbon-fibre trim is real.
While it might undercut rivals in price it doesn’t leave you wanting for refinement and quality, and the GV80 Coupe can stand confidently next to its competitors as a compelling alternative to the status quo.
Tech specs
The only engine option in Canada on the GV80 Coupe makes 409 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe
- Price: $104,000 plus freight, pre-delivery inspection, fees and taxes
- Engine: 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 with mild-hybrid system
- Horsepower / torque (lb-ft): 409 / 405
- Transmission / drive: Eight-speed automatic / all-wheel drive
- Fuel consumption (litres per 100 kilometres): 13.1 city; 10.7 highway; 12 combined
- Alternatives: Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe, BMW X6, Audi Q8, Porsche Cayenne Coupe
Looks
It’s a GV80 SUV with a tapered roofline and a nicer rump. The split roof spoiler and the duckbill are nice touches and it’s a better-looking vehicle than the SUV.
Interior
The GV80 Coupe is what a luxury car interior should be like with a 27-inch continuous OLED screen, quilted Nappa leather and red stitching.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
Seriously impressive with sumptuous leather, pin-sharp screens and great attention to detail. Everything feels high quality and well screwed together. This is what a luxury car interior should be like.
Performance
The mild-hybrid V6 provides more than enough power to make the GV80 Coupe feel sporty, especially in the new Sport Plus drive mode. Handling is confident but the BMW and Audi are better in this category.
Technology
The GV80 Coupe has a mood curator that uses ambient lighting, music and built-in fragrance to elevate the driving experience and it has ergonomic seats that adjust every so often to fight muscle fatigue during a long drive. There’s even a digital key that can be shared with friends or family.
Cargo
Even with the sloping roof, there is still more than 900 litres of space behind the second row.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
The company claims an 85-litre reduction over the SUV. Nonetheless, there’s still more than 900 litres of space behind the second row, plenty for its intended audience.
The verdict
A worthy challenger to the BMW X6 and Mercedes GLE Coupe.
The writer was a guest of the automaker. Content was not subject to approval.
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