Launching a brand new model – not to mention a automotive model, not to mention a luxurious model – is not any straightforward feat. Luxurious carmaker Genesis has made a powerful run in its first decade, having simply turned 9 years outdated, formally. Technically, the corporate can hint its roots again to the Hyundai Genesis luxurious sedan of 2008, making it at most about 16 years outdated – simply concerning the age when a human of comparable classic is perhaps getting their driver’s license, attending a debutante ball, or experiencing another coming-of-age ritual. This previous week’s launch of the 2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe in and round Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, felt like such a celebration of the model and its arrival on the scene as a mature, full luxurious model.
It’s not that Genesis lacks SUVs, and even coupe-like SUVs, in its lineup – the all-electric GV60 is about as sporty and swoopy as a automobile could be whereas nonetheless being known as an SUV, and the GV70 isn’t terribly far off it. The GV80 Coupe takes the GV80 SUV’s sq. again and rounds it off, however it additionally raises the bottom spec of apparatus into totally loaded territory. The truth is, the GV80 Coupe is so well-equipped which you could’t add something to it – the one method you may get manufacturing unit upgrades to the GV80 Coupe’s base spec is to improve from the inventory powertrain to the brand new electrical supercharger-equipped variant.
That’s proper, the 2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe will get know-how that sounds prefer it was impressed by System 1, with a 48-volt battery system powering a supercharger to provide increase from simply above idle till the three.5-liter V6’s twin turbochargers kick in. The result’s 409 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque, an improve of 34 horsepower and 14 lb-ft at peak in contrast the bottom twin-turbo V6, with much more space gained underneath the curve at low RPMs. The result’s a easy, tractable powerplant that appears like old-school V8 thrust, with not even a touch of the whoosh and whine of turbochargers or superchargers.
Being loaded with gear and sporting a high-tech e-supercharger may make you assume the GV80 Coupe goes to be costly. Whereas it does begin about $25,000 above the GV80 SUV’s base value, the Genesis GV80 Coupe ($81,300 base, together with vacation spot; $87,100 with the e-SC) is priced close to the bottom fashions of its aggressive set, together with the Porsche Cayenne Coupe ($91,795) and BMW X6 ($75,675). Keep in mind, these are the bottom fashions of their respective strains – the Genesis presents not solely extra gear, but in addition 61 extra horsepower than the Porsche and 34 extra horsepower than the BMW, extra rear-seat headroom than both (and 0.8 inches much less headroom than the GV80 SUV), and extra cargo area, too (and about 9 and 6 cubic ft lower than the GV80 SUV behind the primary and second rows, respectively).
Add to that blend the Genesis GV80 Coupe’s excessive gear spec, luxurious leather- and carbon fiber-trimmed inside, and intensive know-how, and you’ve got a impossible end result: a luxurious coupe-SUV that’s, objectively, a shocking worth. To get related gear specification in both the BMW or Porsche, you’re closing in on or exceeding six figures. The mix of worth and opulence could be Genesis’ hallmark as a model, one it has exuded for the reason that debut of the unique Genesis sedan, and which has been honed within the decade because it was spun off to face by itself.
So the GV80 Coupe is comfy, fast, luxurious, and properly geared up – however what’s it wish to drive? It’s surprisingly good, however it’s additionally not a hardcore driver’s SUV. As a substitute, it’s someplace in the course of the realm of efficiency coupe-SUVs. The GV80 Coupe’s standout driving trait is undoubtedly the very related, exact steering. Whereas it doesn’t fairly rise to the extent of “feelsome” steering such as you may discover in a Porsche, it’s not terribly far off, and the GV80 Coupe’s suspension setup helps it nook with minimal physique roll and ample grip, making it capably fast. Certain, it lacks among the finer factors of driver suggestions, however that’s the value paid for a quiet cabin and a (principally) easy journey.
If there’s one gripe available within the GV80 Coupe’s setup, it’s the 22-inch wheels. As a consequence of their dimension and mass, they translate extra of the bumps, seams, and enlargement joints in a contemporary highway or freeway into the cabin, each by way of really feel and noise, than would in any other case be excellent. Over regular surfaces, the tires are quiet, the journey is plush however managed, and every part feels because it ought to. However as soon as issues turn out to be a bit extra damaged, the journey turns into a contact harsher than it could possibly be, and harsher than it will be on 20-inch wheels and tires with a bit extra sidewall for added squish. At launch, the GV80 Coupe with the e-SC powertrain will solely be supplied with 22-inch wheels and tires, however the base GV80 Coupe will get a 20-inch setup that’s seemingly a contact extra comfy.
Nonetheless, on the finish of a day’s driving round and thru Minnesota’s Twin Cities, the GV80 Coupe left us refreshed, with none of the aches and pains that may include hours in a automobile’s seat. The truth is, in the event you drive the GV80 Coupe for lengthy sufficient, it would routinely begin a decrease again therapeutic massage for the driving force. After our drive, we left with out the fatigue that comes with a loud cabin.
Whereas it’s undeniably true {that a} coupe-SUV is an inherently much less sensible selection, it’s additionally true that it’s an inherently extra passion-based selection. Within the 2025 GV80 Coupe, Genesis has relieved among the pressure between practicality and keenness, whereas delivering true luxurious at a price value.
If the GV80 Coupe represents Genesis’ coming of age, it’s truthful to say it has a brilliant future forward – and one which’s rising even brighter as Genesis opens 21 new devoted dealerships to increase entry to its lineup throughout the nation, with a purpose of greater than 100 shops over the subsequent few years.
