Genesis, a relative newcomer to the automotive Brand lexicon, has assembled an impressive stable of smooth riding, competitively-priced, luxury sedans and crossovers to battle established rivals with long-ago debut dates. Now, one of the biggest challenges involves breaking through all the noise and multi-media chatter to distinguish itself as a stand-alone entity from its better-known parent company.
For starters, the luxury auto brand has the backing of the Hyundai Motor Group which includes three South Korean brands: Hyundai, Genesis and Kia. Before Genesis became a standalone brand, the Genesis name represented a full-size, rear-wheel luxury sedan branded as the Hyundai Genesis beginning in 2008.
The Hyundai Motor Group continues growing at a pace unequalled within the industry. In 2024, HMG surpassed Stellantis to rank fourth behind General Motors, Toyota and Ford in total U.S. automotive sales. Genesis itself performed admirably, reaching an all-time high of 70,816 units, up about 5,400 from the preceding year.
Genesis continues its spirited growth in 2025 with the debut of an all-new entry, the all-wheel drive GV80 Coupe. Don t let the name lead anyone astray. Although the coupe designation resides in the name, this body style boasts four side doors, not two usually associated with most everyday coupes. Plus, Genesis already markets the conventional GV80 crossover introduced in the 2021 model year, so what gives?
The play on words is nothing new within the luxury car universe. European automakers began the crossover-coupe pollination with offerings including the Audi Q5 Sportback, Mercedes-Benz GLC63 Coupe and a cadre of BMWs (X2, X4 and X6). Domestic mid-luxury-brand Buick also joined the semantic celebration with its Envista. All include a liftback door while incorporating a fastback style, plunging-type roof experience delivering a sportier personality.
Think of the GV80 Coupe as the younger, better-looking cousin with a sportier personality. Both build from a unibody, car-like structure rather than a body-on-frame design found within most large pickup trunks.
However, the Coupe adds an extra inch of length while wheelbase (distance between front and rear axle) and width remain unchanged. Also, the rakish roof reduces height ever so slightly by .02 inches. Inside, Genesis wisely kept this Coupe a five-seater, eliminating the optional and best-for-preteen set third-row bench. Under hood, the Coupe s need for speed eliminates a four-cylinder engine selection available in the liftback.
Instead, two V-6 opportunities power the GV80 coupe while neatly carving out two available trims. A 3.5-liter twin turbocharged DOHC cranks out a more than satisfying 375 horsepower. A second variant (adding an extra $5,800 or so) builds upon this V6 structure, with a 48-volt electric supercharger delivering an ultra-healthy 409 horsepower. Both team with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Premium fuel recommends for optimal results when filling the generous 21.1-gallon tank. Fuel economy for the electronically supercharged engine kicks in at 18 miles per gallon city and 22 mpg highway and 16/22 for the base engine. While part-time all-wheel drive comes standard, it s biased towards rear-wheel hustle on dry pavements adding to the performance touch.
Both come well equipped with nearly identical content and few factory options, the exception being the engine upgrade, larger tires, quad muffler tips, additional Sport Plus drive mode and carbon fiber highlights within the Supercharger edition. Both feature a power sunroof along with comfortable Nappa leather seating surfaces. An impressive array of 10 airbags (including side-mounted, roof air bags) adorn the interior in case of unforeseen circumstances.
The GV80 liftback underwent a mid-cycle refresh in 2025 and the all-new 2025 coupe derivative welcomes these updates aboard. Most notably, a wide 27-inch multi-function rectangular screen combining the instrument panel with the infotainment system and entertaining wide-screen graphics when firing up the engine.
Both present a luxurious vs athletic riding experience where road imperfections soften upon impact rather than grappling head on. The traditional GV80 represents the best-selling vehicle from Genesis and rates as the largest crossover slotting into the mid-size segment. It also marks the first crossover introduced by the luxury automaker after a trio of sedans hit the streets beginning in 2016.
Our GV80 coupe tester s striking Bering Blue exterior color (a blue-grey mixture worth the extra $650) solicited positive comments from passerbys. It s unique to the coupe and not available in the liftback.
In front, the four-door coupe s carries forward the prominent Genesis pentagonal grille with chrome highlights includes a dual mesh, diamond-like crisscrossing weave delivering a three-dimensional effect. The lower air dam also borrows this diamond pattern but sans the chrome-like highlight. Above the grille, the Genesis winged medallion serves as a base of the raised hood with creases extending up towards the windshield.
Slot-like MLA (Micro Lens Array) headlamps flank the diamond-studded, sizeable grille. Each side includes two horizontally curving visor-like slots one atop the other each filled with diminutive bejeweled bulbs. Amber turn signals build into the slots, doubling as frosted daytime running lights when not flashing yellow. A pair of narrow side strips build into front fenders, adding style and function as secondary amber exterior blinkers.
Round wheel wells and body-colored strap-like grab handles work in tandem along the sides with chrome framing highlighting windows. Chrome-like accents adorn lower portions of the doors narrowing and widening along the way. Side doors feature power closures, completing the shutting procedure even if the human in charge provides too light of a door slam. A pair of dual exhausts grace the lower back end. The 8.1 inches of ground clearance creates a nice balance between entry/exit ease and an in-command seating position.
Built into the side mirror housing, blind spot view cameras feeding a live broadcast video of side spot activities temporarily into the animated instrument panel. Summon the left turn signal and driver s side live-action activity gets fed into an IP s left-side orb. Signal right and passenger side activity gets highlighted. Once the turn or lane change is complete, the orbs return to their respective speedometer/IP functions. This comes standard in both trims.
The rear end features LED surface-emitting rear combination lamps and a wide integrated auxiliary brake light. A centrally descending rear spoiler atop the liftback door adds a unique touch.
Pricing starts at $79,950 for the base engine trim. Our V-6 electronically supercharged tester tipped the pricing scale starting at $85,750. With the $650 premium exterior paint ding and $30 for an NFC keycard, the bottom line touched $87,780
Our tester s black interior included red stitching highlights plus Sevilla red spot-color shoulder and lap belts combining safety with fashion. It s one of four interior color combos available. With a small vertical floor/transmission hump, three standard-sized adults can tackle row two in relative comfort, although this coupe s sloping back end cuts into headroom when compared to the standard G80 crossover (although my six-foot, one-inch frame enjoyed decent head clearance). Power-assist rear seatbacks fold in a 60/40 split fashion with the assistance of a circular dial along the outboard cushion. These seats also recline back an extra inch or two utilizing the same power-ready side dial.
A thick, bejeweled twist knob between the front buckets motivates the eight-speed automatic transmission from reverse to neutral to drive with a gentle twist left or right. Park engages with a push of a center button marked P . Red lighting illuminates dependent upon which gear gets selected.
The sizeable 27-inch flat screen operates via touch sensitivity or by a second rotator dial separate from the transmission version with both employing distinct tactile differences but are located inches apart. The second dial operates an in-screen curser that highlights a selection once the dial gets pushed downward. Three short cut buttons (back, home, menu) reside just ahead of the dial for quick re-orientation. Below the screen, two regulation-size twist dials control on/off/volume and station select.
The right-side multi-function screen s home position incudes 20 large rectangular icons each containing prose and photos. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay interaction come standard as well as Bluetooth hands-free Smartphone activity.
Temperature settings at the button of the central dash include two twist dials controlling dual front temperature zones and a large, animated push panel in between with touch-sensitive icons motivating fan speed and direction. HVAC controls may also be operated through the multi-function screen with a little digging. Back seat travelers have their own comfort controls.
An arm rest/storage bin locates behind the dual inline dials with vertical, side-by-side halves opening similarly to a side-by-side refrigerator freezer. Open the bin to find a shallow region good for storing sunglasses or Smartphones but nothing of great girth (glasses also store withing a ceiling caddy near the rearview mirror). Also right of the dual dials, dual beverage holders in an inline formation. Just below the cup holders, another smaller dial for selecting multiple drive modes (Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus, MY and Snow). This chrome dial flanks with chrome push plates detailing parking brake status, camera angles posting front and side views within the large dash screen and a button deactivating the engine s start/stop function summoned to attention during longer idle situations.
A flat, single-unit wireless Smartphone charger pad serves as a corner connection between the transmission gear and the center console HVAC region. The area includes a cover for cloaking the phone while recharging. For those in tune with plugs, USB Type C ports abound with two in front and two in back.
The steering wheel includes a flat bottom, a trait found within the racing circuit and a differential when compared to the GV80 crossover along with metal-enhanced/plated brake and accelerator pedals. A push-button electric start button adorns the dash left of the steering column with clear markings stating engine start-stop.
Below the single piece, 27-inch IMAX-like screen, a long horizontal air vent structure with four manual tabs stretching from door-to-door only interrupted by the power-motivated steering column. A carbon-fiber like finish with a chain-link pattern also travels from side to side serving as a base for the long rectangular flat screen jetting up from the dashboard mid-section. This same carbon-fiber element makes an appearance within the multi-dialed area between the front bucket seats.
As of April 2025, Genesis counts 68 stand-alone Premier Showrooms across America including four in the Chicagoland area. The newest, Genesis of Highland Park, joins three established franchises including: Genesis of Algonquin, Genesis of North Aurora and Genesis of Elgin. In addition, several Hyundai franchises promote Genesis products within their showroom footprint as the number of stand-alone Genesis Premier Showrooms slowly scale up. The sooner this occurs, the better the odds Genesis and Hyundai will be viewed as distinct brands, although still under the same corporate umbrella.
Peace of mind follows all Genesis purchases with an array of follow-up services. All Genesis and Hyundai vehicles include the industry s longest powertrain warranty: 10 years or 100,000 miles. Also included as part of the Genesis experience, five years of roadside assistance and three years (or 36,000 miles) of complementary routine maintenance from an authorized dealership.
2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe
Price as tested: $87,780
Engine: 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6
Horsepower: 409
Wheelbase: 116.3 inches
Overall Length: 195.5 inches
Overall Width: 77.8 inches
Overall Height: 67.3 inches
Curb weight: 5,132 pounds
Fuel economy: 18 mpg city/ 22 mpg highway
Powertrain Warranty: 10 years/100,000 miles
Assembly: Ulsan, South Korea
