It becomes a bit more challenging each time a Genesis arrives at my house. They’ve been excelling lately, and now they’ve introduced a coupe-like version of their already attractive GV80 SUV. That’s not fair. Anyway, I spent a week with the nearly $88,000 GV80 Coupe and had some thoughts while it accompanied me on a trip I didn’t want to take.
2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe Overview
The Coupe is new for 2025 and shares many features with the regular GV80. Aside from the sloping roofline, the Coupe offers a remarkably similar interior to the SUV. The standout feature is the engine. It starts with the high-performance 3.5L turbo engine from the GV80, but also includes an innovative 3.5T e-Supercharger (e-SC) variant that adds a 48-volt electric supercharger, providing an additional 30 horsepower.
It also adds around $5,000 if you’re keeping score. Thankfully, all the rest of the bits are standard, and with the Bering Blue paint, you’re at $87,780.
That’s a pretty hefty sum. Let’s see how it did during a week of driving in various circumstances.
2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe 3.5T E-Supercharger AWD Inside & Out
As I began this discussion by stating, Genesis creates beautiful things. Some may argue it is somewhat derivative of more premium models, but it effectively serves its purpose. I’m not a fan of SUV coupes in certain instances (looking at you, BMW X4 and X6), but the GV80 coupe is quite attractive. Some details might be better left on the drawing room floor; for example, the side profile is a bit busy. There are too many accent lines and elements intended to make it appear sportier or more upscale. Overall, it’s very positive, and I believe the GV80 coupe belies a vehicle of its price.
The magic happens on the inside, and I don’t just mean how the massaging seats make me feel. From the quilted leather to the quality materials throughout, it provides a high-end experience. At one point, it even notified me on the dash that it was blocking exterior air into the cabin, so the smell of the windshield wiper fluid didn’t waft into the vehicle. It still got in a bit, but that’s a cool feature. Not to fear, you can choose from various interior scents to introduce into the cabin if things get smelly. Handy if you have a stinky passenger. Or driver.
Additionally, when the heated seats are on, it also warms the armrest- a nice touch. I’ve been evaluating mobile phone wireless charging pads lately, as they don’t always function reliably. The one in the GV80 coupe features a small stopper that prevents it from sliding around on the pad. Critiques were minimal. The flat buttons on the center console are a little hard to reach on the first try, but you will probably get used to them if you use them every day.
Rear legroom measures 38.7 inches, which is identical to the GV80 SUV, while headroom decreases from 38.4 inches to 37.6 inches due to the sloping roofline. Cargo space offers a practical 30.3 cubic feet with the seats up and 62.1 cubic feet with the seats folded down. This is a reduction from 34.9 cubic feet in the standard GV80. Thus, ensure you are comfortable with the slightly smaller dimensions in the coupe compared to the SUV.
2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe 3.5T E-Supercharger AWD On The Road
The GV80 is a smooth and comfortable daily driver, boasting 409 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque. It accelerates from a standstill to 60 mph in just over five seconds, providing ample power for highway passing. On a rainy Saturday, while running some errands, I received a call from my brother-in-law. My sister had been sick, and things had taken a turn for the worse. I knew it was bad, but not this bad. He literally said that if I wanted to see her, I needed to get there quickly.
The hospital was 121 miles away, and my incredibly supportive fiancé and I started the GV80 coupe and navigated through the rainy DC traffic. Fortunately, it was a weekend, but there were still quite a few cars on the road. I promised to be safe but clarified that we would go fast. We did indeed go fast. A trip that typically takes two and a half hours clicked by in something like an hour and 45 minutes. She settled into the passenger seat a bit more after we left the DC area and had an open highway. The GV80 soaks up the miles, cruising at 80 mph without drama.
Along the way, we stopped to pick up my mom, who, now at 88 years young, is beginning to experience health issues of her own. Her walker fit in the back without much trouble, and the three of us headed to the hospital. Luckily, it wasn’t the end, and we spent some time with my sister. More on that in future articles.
Summary
Spending almost $90,000 on a brand that isn’t widely recognized is substantial. However, just as Lexus has done, Genesis will eventually establish itself. The GV80 coupe offers slightly less practicality than the standard GV80, but it is an exceptionally attractive vehicle. It justifies its MSRP, and like the rest of the lineup I’ve had the pleasure of testing, it’s certainly a recommended purchase.