I Drove the 2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe. Here’s My Brutally Honest Review

I Drove the 2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe. Here’s My Brutally Honest Review originally appeared on Autoblog.

Genesis is no longer the quiet newcomer in the luxury space...

It’s now the brand pulling up to the party in a tailored suit while casually stealing the spotlight from the old guard. Think of the GV80 Coupe as the GV80 you already know, but with a faster roofline, stronger performance, and a little more swagger when you roll up to the valet.

This segment is a niche within a niche, one that the Germans have largely dominated with the BMW X6, Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe, and Audi Q8. The GV80 Coupe is one of their most premium, most expensive, and arguably most statement-making models yet.

The GV80 Coupe arrives fully loaded, regardless of the trim you choose. This is a top-of-the-line flagship in every sense, a turn-key luxury experience with far more standard equipment than most of its rivals. And in classic Genesis fashion, those features come at a price that, while undeniably high, still looks competitive once you compare spec sheets side by side.

Coupe SUV the Genesis way

Coupe-style SUVs aren’t for everyone. Some love the sleek, fastback look, others think it ruins perfectly good cargo space. The GV80 Coupe nails its proportions, with an elegant roofline without looking awkward or chopped down.

From the front, the prominent crest grille and twin-line LED headlights make an immediate impression. The hood stretches long and low, and the rear haunches give it some muscle. A subtle lip spoiler and quad exhaust tips finish the look, while the 22-inch wheels fill the arches perfectly.

In person, it gives off a Bentley-lite vibe. People notice it, and not in the “What is that?” way, but in the “That’s expensive” way. Genesis’s design team has been on a hot streak, and the GV80 Coupe keeps that going.

Quiet luxury done right

Step inside, and the cabin is rich and deliberate, with quilted Nappa leather, real aluminum trim, and a microsuede headliner. Everything feels put together with care. Front and center is a 27-inch OLED display that combines the gauge cluster and infotainment screen into one seamless panel. The graphics are crisp, the interface is quick, and you can still use a physical controller if you don’t feel like smudging the glass.

One detail I loved was the squared-off steering wheel. The center hub, where most brands put hard plastic, was wrapped in stitched leather. It’s the kind of little touch that instantly feels high-end. Other niceties include a heated center armrest, fingerprint authentication, Bang & Olufsen audio, and active noise cancellation.

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The electric supercharger

There are two versions of the twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6: the standard 375-hp model and the 409-hp version, which features a 48-volt electric supercharger. Both come with an 8-speed automatic and all-wheel drive.

My tester was the e-supercharged variant, and it’s the one to get. The extra electric boost eliminates turbo lag, providing instant power delivery. Zero to 60 mph takes about 5.2 seconds, not mind-blowing for the class, but it feels plenty quick in the real world. It gets out of its own way without drama, and the exhaust note deepens just enough in Sport mode to keep things interesting.

This isn’t the full-bore roar of something like a BMW X6 M60i, but it’s powerful and polished in a way that suits the GV80 Coupe’s character.

Comfort over corner carving

From behind the wheel, it’s clear Genesis tuned this SUV more for luxury than for sport. The steering is light but precise, and the chassis feels solid and planted. Adaptive dampers keep body roll in check, but this isn’t an SUV that encourages you to attack corners.

It’s at its best cruising down the highway or sweeping along a scenic two-lane road, where the suspension smooths out most imperfections and the cabin stays calm. The 22-inch wheels look fantastic, but you do feel sharper bumps through them; still, the ride is never harsh.

Genesis prioritized a quick, powerful, smooth ride over an ultra-sharp, sporty one. For most luxury buyers in this segment, I think that’s the right call.

2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe pricing

The base GV80 Coupe starts around $79,950, while the e-supercharged model pushes into the mid-$80,000s. Genesis is clearly targeting buyers who’d typically be looking at a BMW X6, Mercedes GLE Coupe, or Audi Q8. The difference? Genesis gives you more equipment as standard, and you don’t have to wade through a long list of pricey options to get a fully loaded car.

Final thoughts

The 2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe is a unique offering from Genesis — a niche body style aimed at a specific type of buyer, executed with confidence. It’s not the sportiest coupe SUV you can buy, but it might be the most refined for the money. It’s quick enough to keep you entertained, smooth enough to make long drives feel effortless, and distinct enough to stand out in a crowded luxury SUV parking lot. It feels special behind the wheel, and in a segment that’s often defined by big badges and bigger egos, that’s saying something.

I Drove the 2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe. Here’s My Brutally Honest Review first appeared on Autoblog on Aug 14, 2025

This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Aug 14, 2025, where it first appeared.