Can A Coupe SUV Change Your Mind?
However, you must be open minded in this business of automotive content creation. There has to be a vehicle in the genre that would overcome these complaints.
A Victory & Reseda review of the 2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe SUV
To be honest, I was never a fan of coupe SUVs.
At first, I thought they were a trend that would wind up being a fad that will go away – like fashion. Then again, they might come back a generation later…
What is the purpose of a coupe SUV? The issue is that sometimes it does not look right as a SUV as it would if it was a down-to-Earth hatchback sedan. Practicality might be reduced because of the sloping roofline. Plus, you have rear seat headroom challenges and rearward vision distortions.
However, you must be open minded in this business of automotive content creation. There has to be a vehicle in the genre that would overcome these complaints.
When the 2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe SUV was unveiled in New York earlier this year, the reception was extremely positive. It was fashionable, indeed. The commentary from the reveal was full of hope that the luxury brand of Hyundai Motor Group may have gotten this one right.
As you can see, the 2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe SUV was developed from the original SUV. The only noticeable difference is only an alteration to the roofline. A fastback-like design was crafted from just after the B-pillar rearward to meet the same beltline as its sibling. If you look closely, the slope begins about mid-way above the rear doors.
Then, comes the rear end. A “tail” spouts from the liftgate just as the glass meet the rest of the rear deck, completing the sporty look. That, and the 22-inch alloy wheels on our tester.
Inside, the Coupe SUV offers the same signature cockpit seen on the revised 2025 GV80. The 27-inch OLED screen on the dashboard houses both the fully digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen. Controls remain the same across both body styles. Sound is filtered through an 18-speaker, 14-channel 1,400-watt Bang & Olufsen audio system.
The 2025 GV80 Coupe SUV only comes with two rows of seats. When you get to the back seat, you will be quite surprised. If you keep your seat in the "normal" position, headroom may just fine for anyone up to six-feet-one-inch. However, a reach to the outboard side of the rear seats yields a set of power adjustments for rake and recline. So, someone like me – a thickly-built person about six-foot-two-inches with a long torso – can actually sit comfortably behind the front seats.
The front seats are a bit firm, but supportive in a sporting manner. There is a screen that can determine the right seating position for you based on height and body type. The upholstery is worth noting as it is a charcoal color with red stitching. One stated it looked like Delta Air Lines’ Comfort+ seats. The red seat belts are also a sporty touch that makes the entre cabin pop.
Cargo space starts with 30.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expandable to 62.1 cubic feet. It is a loss of about six cubic feet compared the longer roof version.
Powering our tester is the upgraded version of the twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine. The upgrade is what Genesis calls an E-Supercharger. It is an additional 48-volt mild hybrid system that adds more performance to this engine. All told, this upgraded engine puts down 409 horsepower with 405 pound-feet of torque. This engine send power through an eight-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels.
Power simply comes on smooth and effortless. You do hear some grunt, but it is quite silent. Efficiency-wise, we observed a fuel consumption average of 16.9 MPG.
The driving experience befits its mission of being sporting and luxurious at the same time. Ride quality is fantastic on highways and absorbent on city streets. The way it manages winter conditions in Snow mode is very commendable. Handling is very good. It could be tighter if you put the GV80 Coupe SUV in one of the Sport modes. One caution: Sport + will turn off traction control. Save that for better weather and climates.
The steering is fine. I wished for a tighter turning radius, but it will accomplish what you need when you need it. On-center feel is very good, and the steering wheel thickness is perfect. The brakes were a bit touchy, yet they’ll stop when you need it. Pedal feel is nice. It does well in panic stops, thanks to its big rotors and caliper system.
Pricing for the 2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe SUV starts at $79,950 with only two models to choose from. Our upgraded 3.5T E-Supercharger tester came in with a sticker price of $87,780.
The Genesis GV80 Coupe SUV does follow a pattern in this segment, as its direct rivals also play as sportier options to the E-Supercharger model. Although, you sort expected it to give you both sport and luxury underneath its fastback roofline.
What makes it work is its execution. There is something about a Genesis on how it presents itself as distinctive with loads of luxury that rivals brands that have decades of pedigree. Yet, you can feel at home in a Genesis. That’s the big difference in my book.
The last question I would propose to you is which GV80 would you choose. If you need more cargo space, then obviously the GV80 SUV would be your choice. However, for those us who prefer style along with substance, the Coupe SUV would a good choice, as well. The tipping point would be performance. That edge goes to the Coupe SUV.
No matter which GV80 you choose, both are indeed the right answer. The Coupe SUV is just too cool to pass up, though. Not to mention, it certainly changed my mind about Coupe SUVs.
DISCLAIMER: Vehicle provided by Hyundai Motor America
All photos by Randy Stern