The Genesis GV80 Coupe is a fantastic luxury SUV, it’s just not a sporty one.

Genesis has been killing it the last few years. It’s rare to see an automotive brand get nearly every one of the models it has on sale right. From the BMW 3 Series fighting G70 sports sedan all the way up to the G90 luxury sedan every model Genesis sells is fantastic. This isn’t to say that the brand is perfect because of course it isn’t, it just hasn’t missed a step. That is until the GV80 Coupe. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great at being a luxury SUV, it’s just not very good at being what Genesis is trying to make us believe it is, and that is an enthusiast variant of an existing model. 

Genesis first gave hints that it wanted in on the SUV “coupe” segment dominated by the Germans with models like the BMW X2, X4 and X6 and Mercedes GLC and GLE Coupes with a concept version of the GV80 Coupe in early 2023. At the time the brand said that the concept was “a statement of intent for the future, hinting towards more emotional and performance-oriented models.” The brand gave a huge hint of its intent with the concept by painting it a bright orange hue called Magma, which also happens to be the name of the brand’s upcoming performance line. 

The production version of the GV80 Coupe is nearly identical to the concept save for a few details. Everything from the rear doors back is unique to the GV80 Coupe. Genesis calls the overall design of the GV80 Coupe “Athletic Elegance.” This can be seen in a parabolic line running the length of the GV80. The line flows into the hood in the front and flows into the rear hatch when it ends in a gentle lip spoiler right above the rear tail lights. Another spoiler sits at the top of the hatch while the lower bumper gets quad exhaust outlets, something that can’t be found on the regular GV80 anymore. While the overall design looks good, it doesn’t exactly scream performance, just subtle sportiness. 

Inside the design is standard GV80, which isn’t a bad thing by any means. Like most Genesis interiors, it’s gorgeous and well built. The biggest difference on the GV80 Coupe is the exclusive use of a flat bottomed steering wheel and a unique color combination that my tester had. While the exterior of the GV80 was painted in a nice blue hue called Bearing Blue, the interior was covered in a unique looking Ultramarine Blue with Orange accents. The deep blue leather covered all the seats and doors, while the Orange accents – another nod to the brand’s Magma performance line – consisted of stitching on the seats, doors, steering wheel and orange seat belts. Some might think this color combo is doing too much but I applaud Genesis for giving buyers unique interior color choices; it’s something not many automakers are doing. Of course none of this comes cheap. Pricing for the GV80 Coupe starts at $79,950. Loaded out with features like a panoramic roof, power folding second row seats, an 18-speaker 1400-watt Bang & Olufsen sound system, Nappa leather seats and carbon fiber trim, my tester came out to $87,780.

Ok enough about all that design stuff, you’re wanting to know how it drives right? This is supposed to be a sporty, performance model, so how’s the performance? Sadly that’s the one aspect of the GV80 Coupe that doesn’t live up to Genesis’ claims. The base model of the Coupe gets powered by the brand’s twin-turbo 3.5-liter 375 horsepower V6 that’s used in every model in the lineup (except the EV models of course).  In going for performance, Genesis went for a uniquely complicated powertrain setup for the GV80 Coupe, at least on the top trim.

Shared with the top trim of the G90 sedan, my tester was powered by the same 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 with a 48V electric supercharger bolted onto it. The result is 408 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque. Independent testing shows that’s enough to hustle this 5,132 lb SUV to 60 mph in just 5.2 seconds. Other performance goodies thrown on include standard all-wheel drive with an e-LSD, launch control and a Sport+ mode that’s exclusive to the Coupe. When activated the engine idles higher with the full 405 lb-ft of torque unlocked and the suspension tuning becomes sportier at least that’s what Genesis says. The reality is a bit different. Throw the GV80 Coupe into a curve and you’re quickly humbled as its 5,000+lbs of heft rears its ugly head. Roll, dive and squat in the GV80 Coupe is pretty substantial. Not to the point where it could make an American luxobarge from the 1980s or 1990s blush, but it’s enough to make you quickly realize that there’s nothing sporty about this thing. The Sport+ mode and the all-wheel drive do a good job of holding revs and putting the power down, but you’re ultimately reminded that the powertrain combo would feel much better in something that’s lighter or has a better tuned suspension (looking at you Genesis GV70).

Another knock against the GV80 Coupe? You’re paying more for less. Like other SUV “coupes”, you sacrifice headroom and cargo space for style. Rear headroom is down 0.8 inches vs the standard GV80. You also lose 6.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row if you go for the coupe.

When you’re not driving the GV80 Coupe like the sport model it isn’t, it’s a damn fine luxury SUV. Ride quality is smooth thanks to the adaptive suspension, an amazing feat given the 22-inch wheels this thing rides on. It’s also library quiet inside thanks to active noise cancellation technology. Sensors placed over each seat work to cancel incoming noise for a quiet and comfortable ride. Think Buick Quiet-Tuning just with state of the art tech behind it. All of this is further enhanced by quilted Nappa leather seats that are both heated (along with the front center armrest) and cooled with the rears also having power adjustments. 

Despite the shortcomings of not being very sporty, the Genesis GV80 Coupe is an excellent luxury SUV. It just sucks to see Genesis having misread the room by thinking that a slightly more potent powertrain, swoopy styling and a flat bottomed steering wheel will turn a luxury SUV into a driver’s car. I’d honestly rather wait around and see if Genesis will make a proper performance version of the GV80 Coupe under its Magma performance line. Until then, the GV80 Coupe should stick to what it does best: being a damn good luxury SUV.