For some peculiar reason, shoppers don’t want SUVs that look like SUVs anymore. No, selective shoppers want their SUVs to stand out, to have some pizzazz that gets them to stand out in the ever-growing sea of monotony that is the current SUV-loving market. And these distinguished shoppers are willing to sacrifice the primary feature that makes SUVs, well SUVs – utility. The Genesis GV80, which is an excellent SUV that has a gorgeous design, just wasn’t debonair enough for shoppers, paving the way for the GV80 Coupe.
On top of its raked roofline, the GV80 Coupe aims to be the sportier option. Unlike the regular GV80, the GV80 Coupe comes with a standard V6 engine and is available with a V6 that features an electric supercharger for extra oomph. The GV80 Coupe’s sporty ambitions, though, end with its engine. So, if you’re cross-shopping the GV80 against competitors like the BMW X6, Porsche Cayenne Coupe, Audi Q8, or Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe, you’ll come away disappointed. If you take the 2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe for what it is, which is a GV80 in a more stylish suit with less practicality, there’s still a lot to like.
What the 2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe Gets Right
Unsurprisingly, the 2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe shares a lot of the same strengths as the GV80. It looks great, has a premium cabin that matches some ultra-luxury options, delivers good performance, and rides well. In other words, it gets a lot right. It even, surprisingly, has a decent amount of cargo space.
Head-Turning Design
The regular Genesis GV80 is a looker, but the GV80 Coupe is somehow even better looking. The raked roofline and blunt rear end do make the GV80 Coupe look sportier than the regular GV80 and somehow alter its stance. The regular GV80 draws some attention, but the GV80 Coupe takes it one step further. It also has enough changes to feel like a completely different model, similar to BMW’s nomenclature for the X5 and X6.
Sprightly Engine Performance
The 2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe may not have the same performance upgrade as its rivals and lacks the performance chops that make it worthy of the coupe body style, but it certainly has the grunt. The GV80 Coupes with a standard twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 engine that pumps out 375 hp and the SUV is available with the 3.5T e-Supercharger powertrain. This one adds a 48-volt electric supercharger, bumping output up to 409 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque.
The GV80 Coupe we tested had the upgraded engine, featuring zero lag, swift acceleration, and a smooth power delivery. It’s a great engine that makes sense for the GV80 Coupe, but at an extra $5,800, it’s a steep upgrade.
Gorgeous Interior Design
Some shoppers may point their noses up at Genesis, but the GV80 has one of the nicest cabins of any midsize SUV on sale. The materials, the smells, the lack of noise, the way the buttons and materials feel, there’s nothing quite like it. Well, that’s not true. There is, and it’s the Bentley Bentayga. The cabin is quiet, the seats are comfortable, and the sharp design doesn’t dramatically eat into rear headroom. The GV80 Coupe is the kind of SUV you and your partner take on a long road trip. It’s the modern take on the sporty grand tourer.
What The 2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe Doesn’t Do Well
The 2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe’s main problem is that the GV80 exists and that it’s so good. With the GV80 being the roomier and cheaper option, the GV80 Coupe really needs that extra bit of magic to stand out. Unfortunately, the GV80 Coupe relies on its design and optional V6 engine as its primary ways of diverging from the GV80.
So-So Handling
With the swoopy roofline and optional 3.5T e-Supercharger powertrain, one might expect the 2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe to be far sportier than the GV80, which isn’t true. The GV80 Coupe features the same comfortable handling and ride quality as the GV80. The coupe might have a special Sport+ driving mode, but the overall character of the SUV remains one that puts comfort and long hauls above spirited canyon runs.
Design Over Versatility
The 2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe’s swanky design does have some drawbacks, and they come in the form of seating capacity and cargo space. The GV80 is available with three rows of seating, while the GV80 Coupe is a two-row option. The SUV also loses 6.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row compared to the GV80 and 9.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded.
Verdict
The 2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe is a bit of a conundrum. It’s meant to be the sportiest GV80, but it doesn’t have the athleticism to match its more athletic styling. It’s also nearly $22,000 more than the GV80. But none of these really matters. In a world where people shop with their senses, the GV80 Coupe checks the boxes that matter to shoppers.
