Does Genesis have what it takes to play in the luxury SUV market?

If you've been paying attention, you know Genesis has been on a serious roll lately. The 2025 GV80 Coupe only adds momentum. With plenty of time spent in every model in the Genesis lineup, we continue to be impressed by what this Korean luxury brand is delivering.

The GV80 Coupe is bold, stylish, luxurious and surprisingly fun to drive. But is it worth nearly $90,000? And, can it legitimately compete in this hardcore, luxury SUV space?

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Photo courtesy Genesis

Striking, beautiful styling

From the moment you lay eyes on the GV80 Coupe, it’s clear Genesis isn’t content with playing it safe. The sloping roofline gives this SUV a more athletic profile, and subtle touches such as red seat belts and a flat-bottom steering wheel add sporty flavor inside the cabin. It’s unmistakably a luxury vehicle, and one that wants to make a statement.

Inside, the design skews toward performance inspired elegance, but without sacrificing comfort. The materials are top-tier — think Nappa leather, soft-touch surfaces and refined details such as a scent diffuser. It’s similar to what you’d find in high-end German rivals. And yes, it smells as good as it looks.

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Photo courtesy Genesis

Plentiful power

Our tester was the E-Supercharged trim, which bumps power up to 409 horsepower from a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 paired with a 48-volt electric supercharger. It’s quick, make no mistake about it. Even in Comfort mode, it scoots. Put it in Sport or Sport Plus (exclusive to the Coupe), and things tighten up noticeably. The steering gets sharper, the suspension firms up and the side bolsters snug you in for the ride.

That said, this isn’t a radical transformation of the standard GV80 into a performance SUV. It’s still more plush than sporty, more relaxed cruiser than canyon carver. You can fling it around a bit, and it will hang on when pushed — but don’t expect a Genesis-badged Porsche Cayenne. And that’s fine by us. Genesis knows its lane and sticks to it — really well.

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The base GV80 Coupe produces 375 horsepower, and while the E-Supercharged version adds more power, it also increases the price by around $6,000. Whether that extra cost is worth it will depend on how often you really plan to use that extra power. Personally? We could be perfectly happy with the base setup.

Photo courtesy Genesis

A dreamy driving experience

We drove the GV80 Coupe on a mini road trip and came away impressed. On the highway, it's supremely quiet and comfortable, averaging over 25 mpg, which is remarkable for something this powerful. Around town, fuel economy dipped closer to 19–20 mpg.

More than anything, this Genesis just feels right. It’s smooth. It’s composed. It’s luxurious in the best way. And even in Sport mode, the ride never feels punishing. The suspension strikes a perfect balance of being engaging but never jarring.

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Photo courtesy Genesis

Coupe or standard GV80? 

This is where things get a little subjective. While the GV80 Coupe offers a striking design, it also sacrifices the third row (in the lower trims) and compromises cargo space. The standard GV80 offers a more traditional luxury vibe and greater versatility, whereas the Coupe leans more toward a sporty aesthetic. If it were our money, we’d migrate toward the regular GV80 — not because the Coupe is lacking, but because we prefer the utility of the traditional SUV shape.

Price, value and the competition

Let’s talk numbers. Our test model came in at around $88,000. That’s a big chunk of change. But stacked up against rivals such as the BMW X6, Mercedes GLE Coupe and Audi Q8, the GV80 Coupe still represents a solid value.

Not only does it slightly undercut the competition in price, but it also comes backed by Genesis’ excellent 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

That's something the Germans don’t match. And when it comes time for maintenance or repairs, the Genesis is likely to be far easier on your wallet.

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Photo courtesy Genesis

Final thoughts

The 2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe is another home run from Genesis. It’s not just a “good for the price” kind of SUV — it’s a genuinely great luxury vehicle. It delivers bold styling, top-notch comfort and strong performance without falling into the trap of trying to be something it’s not.

Is $88,000 a lot of money? Yes. But if you're shopping in this space, the GV80 Coupe deserves your attention — and maybe even your driveway. And if you find one lightly used in a year or two? Jackpot. 

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*KSL Cars does not endorse any vehicles. The views or opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not reflect the views or opinions of KSL.com or its employees.