2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe review: Australian first drive

Genesis unleashes its 'couped-up' version of the GV80, but does it offer anything more than a stylistic difference compared to the brand's flagship luxury SUV?

What we love

• Absolutely stacked equipment list
• Ultra-plush interior
• Smooth and comfortable ride

What we don't

• Price is creeping closer to German competitors
• Doesn't do sporty nearly as well as comfortable
• Coupe doesn't feel distinct enough from SUV

You need a few ingredients to be a proper premium player. It's got to be comfortable, it's got to be luxurious, it has to have all the best tech, and it has to be plush.

But as evidenced by the BMW X6 and Audi Q8, you also need to have style to spare.

Enter the Genesis GV80 Coupe, a new sloped-roof body style that injects a new-found level of flair and excitement to the large luxurious SUV.

But has Genesis done more than just a nip-and-tuck job to create this svelte and stylish SUV?

How much is a Genesis GV80 Coupe?

The Genesis GV80 Coupe enters local showrooms alongside a midlife refresh to the GV80 SUV, and when there's an update, prices only go one way - up.

However, Genesis has at least rejigged specification and powertrains to somewhat justify the increase in price.

For starters, only one engine is available now - a 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6, which was the flagship option in the outgoing car.

The Luxury Pack option, which was about $10,000, is now included across the range as standard, while there are also new looks on the outside and in, as well as new in-cabin tech to make life a bit more comfortable.

This means prices for the 2025 Genesis GV80 seven-seater now start at $130,000 before on-road costs, about $20,000 more expensive than the outgoing model - which, remember, had the Luxury Pack as an option.

Opt for six seats, which replaces the second row with plush captain's chairs, and that price nudges up to $133,000.

However, this GV80 Coupe, offered with seating for five, is priced at $136,000.

Yep, that's right, you are paying more for less… seats, but at least the equipment list is as stacked as they come.

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2022 Genesis G80

2.5L Sedan RWD

used

2023 Genesis GV70

AWD Sport 3.5L SUV 4WD

Regardless of body style, all new GV80s come as standard with - stay with me here - nappa leather interior, heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, heated outboard seats in the second row, power-adjustable front seats, tri-zone climate control, keyless entry, push-button start, soft-close doors, retractable sun blinds for the second row, powered tailgate, sound-insulated glass, LED exterior lighting, 22-inch wheels, and interior ambient lighting - deep breath.

And there are new additions in this update, such as a heated centre armrest, fingerprint reader, UV-C steriliser, digital rear-view mirror, and redesigned climate controls, as well as a 27-inch OLED screen that covers both instrumentation and infotainment.

That infotainment screen also has features for in-built satellite navigation, digital radio, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto support.

Options now include a rear seat entertainment package for $4500 that bundles a pair of screens for second-row passengers with Netflix streaming capability, and matte paint for an additional $2000.

And while the prices have crept up, the GV80 SUV and Coupe still remain more affordable than their rivals from Germany.

For reference, those petrol-powered rivals for the SUV include the Audi Q7 (from $137,200), BMW X5 (from $138,900), Porsche Cayenne (from $138,700), and Mercedes-Benz GLE (from $133,670). For the GV80 Coupe, there is the Audi Q8 (from $140,300), BMW X6 (from $144,900), Porsche Cayenne Coupe (from $146,700), and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe (from $159,900) - all before on-road costs.

However, Genesis also bundles in five years' worth of free servicing with each new vehicle purchase, further differentiating it from its European competitors.

And in terms of design, the biggest difference between the Coupe and the GV80 SUV is the sloped-roof design.

Genesis has also massaged the rear end to incorporate a boot-lip spoiler to enhance the sportier visage, while there's also a split wing mounted to the roof and visible exhaust outlets that add to its athletic appearance.

At the front, the Coupe features a different grille and more aggressively styled bumper than the SUV, but for the most part both cars look largely the same.

I'll be honest, I already thought the GV80 was a handsome car, but the GV80 Coupe injects an extra dose of swagger to bring a bit more excitement to the Genesis luxury brand.

How big is a Genesis GV80 Coupe?

Inside, the differences between the GV80 Coupe and SUV are minimal, but you will notice a flat-bottom steering wheel and touches of real carbon-fibre throughout the dashboard and doors.

But the headlining new feature available across all body styles is this massive 27-inch OLED display covering both the instrumentation and infotainment. This makes both components one seamless screen, rather than the two it had before, and is a real showstopper.

Functionality is also excellent, with everything feeling fast and snappy, and you can even customise the layout to have easy access to your most used features - like Car Wash mode or the Mood Curator.

Genesis has always excelled at offering plush and premium seats, and the quilted nappa leather ones on offer in the new GV80 are no different.

And from the front seat, there's heaps of storage for your daily carry, with door pockets, cupholders for your lattes, and a wireless smartphone charging tray.

But the GV80 has another party trick up its sleeve.

This armrest is now heated, and if you pop it open, there is a UV steriliser so you can get your phone or keys cleaned while driving - how cool is that!

As a coupe-like SUV, though, you might be thinking space in the second row is compromised, but my six-foot-tall (183cm) frame has plenty of head, leg and shoulder room when seated behind my preferred driving position.

And if you thought the front was nice, well, the rear of the GV80 Coupe is equally as opulent thanks to comfy seats and an assortment of storage including a fold-down armrest with storage cubby, cupholders in the doors, air vents, and heating and cooling in the outboard positions.

While you might not feel the difference in body styles from the seats, you might in the boot.

Because the Coupe can accommodate only 644 litres of volume compared with 735L in the SUV when in five-seat configuration.

Honestly, though, will you notice? Probably not, there's still more than enough space for a full-sized pram, weekend luggage, golf clubs, and more.

The 91L difference might seem like a lot on paper, but with a long load floor, it's not exactly a compromise unless you are filling this thing to the brim.

Fold the second row down in the GV80 Coupe and space swells to 1033L, bringing it much more in line with the SUV's 1097L figure when in the same configuration.

Seriously, space is not a concern for this sloped-roof SUV coupe.

Does the Genesis GV80 Coupe have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?

Fitted to all 2025 GV80 models is a single seamless 27-inch OLED screen that covers both instrumentation and infotainment.

Because of this, the GV80 doesn't have a traditional display for infotainment, but the Genesis software running things does do a good job of keeping both displays separate and legible.

Having said that, there are instances where you can have the infotainment display run across into instrumentation, such as when using satellite navigation, and still have relevant information such as speedo and phone call data showing behind the wheel - it's very well designed and optimised for use across this massive screen.

The system also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while also featuring in-built satellite navigation and digital radio.

This update to the GV80 also brings in Genesis Connected Car Services, allowing a companion smartphone app that lets you remotely open/close windows and doors, send destination data, and monitor the vehicle's status.

There is also an SOS emergency assistance feature that will automatically dial authorities and send location data in the event of a serious collision.

Is the Genesis GV80 Coupe a safe car?

The Genesis GV80 was awarded a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating from crash-testing in late 2020, with its rating set to expire in 2027.

However, this result is for the pre-updated SUV, and it is unclear whether the same rating is applicable to the new model and Coupe body style.

Regardless, with much of the same safety features carrying over and a similar front end, most of the scores should still be relevant.

The Genesis GV80 scored well in the adult occupant and child occupant protection tests, netting a 91 and 88 per cent result respectively.

This makes the Genesis large SUV one of the safest for occupants in the large SUV category, up amongst the likes of the Audi Q7 and Lexus RX for adult safety, and the Mercedes-Benz GLE and Toyota LandCruiser for child protection.

For the vulnerable road user assessment, the GV80 SUV notched a 66 per cent score, while the safety assist category yielded a 79 per cent result.

What safety technology does the Genesis GV80 Coupe have?

The 2025 Genesis GV80 comes loaded with safety equipment, starting with 10 airbags littered throughout the cabin, including side curtain units for all rows of seating.

In terms of active safety, the new model has autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitoring, driver attention alert, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, rear cross-traffic alert, a surround-view monitor, and front and rear parking sensors.

Or to put it another way, all the safety systems you'd expect - and want - out of a luxury model.

However, the systems aren't without fault, with the speed limit alert and driver attention monitor being a little overzealous and pinging at the slightest infraction.

Luckily, it is easy enough to turn these alerts, or the whole system, off altogether if the constant bongs get too much for you.

How much does the Genesis GV80 Coupe cost to run?

All Genesis models come with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, matching the assurance period offered by premium rivals like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi.

Scheduled service intervals for the Genesis GV80 are every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever occurs first.

And all new Genesis models sold also come with five years of complimentary servicing, meaning owners won't have to worry about a large maintenance bill over the warranty period.

For comparison, five years' worth of servicing for a petrol-powered Audi Q8 is $3570, a BMW X6 will set you back $3450, while a Mercedes GLE will set you back $7585.

Unfortunately, the GV80 Coupe is such a new model that attaining a comprehensive insurance quote was not possible at the time of writing. However, for reference, last year's SUV with the same 3.5-litre engine will cost $3054 based on a comparative quote for a 35-year-old male driver living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.

Is the Genesis GV80 Coupe fuel-efficient?

Officially, the GV80 SUV and Coupe will return a fuel economy figure of 11.7 litres per 100 kilometres, and in my extended time with the car over a long freeway drive and a few days of childcare drop-offs and inner-city commuting, I averaged 11.0L/100km.

Keep in mind too that this thing drinks 95RON premium unleaded, so it will be a bit more costly to fill at the bowser.

What is the Genesis GV80 Coupe like to drive?

The first thing you have to know about Genesis is that this is the Korean interpretation of luxury, which might differ from what you want - or even expect - out of a premium car.

The one thing the GV80 SUV and Coupe do better than their peers is offering unbridled comfort at an attractive price point.

This means the adaptive suspension is set up in a way where the GV80 just glides over bumps and rough surfaces without any bother to occupants.

The steering is also light - a touch too light for my tastes - but makes manoeuvring this large SUV around town and into tight spaces a breeze.

And don't be fooled by that big 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 either, because power delivery is smooth, linear, and predictable in such a way that driving the GV80 is easy and unintimidating.

All in all, if you want a plush, pleasant and premium car, the Genesis GV80 ticks all the boxes.

And with a Sport driving mode on offer, the GV80 also dials it up a notch by sharpening throttle response, firming up the ride, and adding more weight to the steering.

While it's nice to have this available, a sportier driving mode is a little at odds with the GV80 as it doesn't quite transform enough to be a truly fun and engaging SUV.

Don't get me wrong, this thing is fine to drive fast, but doesn't really feel like it shrinks around you or eggs you on to push a bit harder compared to some of the best driver's SUVs.

Yes, I know what I said, there are some genuinely fun-to-drive SUVs like the Porsche Cayenne and Alfa Romeo Stelvio.

But does the Coupe feel any different to drive than the SUV?

Well, no, not really. From the seat of my pants, it feels a touch firmer and eager to turn in, but there's nothing on the spec sheet that suggests it would.

The GV80 Coupe also features a Sport+ driving mode that kicks things up a notch and firms up the brakes, as well as turning off stability control so you can get a bit of wiggle in the back end.

Is driving feel enough to sway you from the SUV to Coupe? No, this thing - for good and bad - still feels like a GV80 from here.

How much weight can a Genesis GV80 Coupe tow?

The Genesis GV80 Coupe is rated to tow a maximum braked capacity of 2722kg, while its unbraked capacity is 750kg.

This means the large, luxury SUV should be able to handle trailers, boats, jet skis, and dirt bikes, as well as small trailers.

With 530Nm on tap, the GV80 Coupe should cope with well with hauling, but keep in mind that towing will have an adverse effect on fuel economy and performance, not to mention the smoothness and comfort the model is known for.

Should I buy a Genesis GV80 Coupe?

You know how they say beauty is only skin deep? Well, that's especially apt for the GV80 Coupe as the differences with the SUV are largely superficial.

Sure, if you really love the sloped-roof styling, go for the Coupe, it's not that much more expensive than the SUV.

But buying any GV80 will net you an ultra-plush, high-end, and well-equipped SUV without breaking the bank.

Drive Marketplace: Cars for Sale

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2022 Genesis G80

2.5L Sedan RWD

used

2023 Genesis GV70

AWD Sport 3.5L SUV 4WD

How do I buy a Genesis GV80 Coupe? The next steps.

Buyers thinking about buying a GV80 Coupe should test one before committing as the sloped-roof design might not be to everyone's tastes.

Rear-seat space should also be investigated beforehand too, as does the boot capacity to ensure the GV80 Coupe suits your needs.

Genesis has indicated there is a sizeable number of GV80 SUV and Coupes available for immediate delivery, while a bespoke build will take around three months to arrive.

To find your nearest Genesis dealership, click on this link here, and to browse Genesis models for sale at the Drive Marketplace, click here.

To stay on top of all the latest Genesis news, you can head to this link here.

Ratings Breakdown

2023 Genesis GV80 3.5T AWD Wagon

7.8/ 10

Infotainment & Connectivity

Interior Comfort & Packaging

Tung Nguyen has been in the automotive journalism industry for over a decade, cutting his teeth at various publications before finding himself at Drive in 2024. With experience in news, feature, review, and advice writing, as well as video presentation skills, Tung is a do-it-all content creator. Tung's love of cars first started as a child watching Transformers on Saturday mornings, as well as countless hours on PlayStation's Gran Turismo, meaning his dream car is a Nissan GT-R, with a Liberty Walk widebody kit, of course.

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