Sunday Drive: 2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe 3.5T – Blending coupe DNA with an SUV
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- The 2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe proved to be a very capable daily driver along with having all the DNA we would have expected from an SUV. Deanne was especially taken with the ride of the new coupe.
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- Inside the 2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe.
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- Even from the rear, the all-new Genesis GV80 Coupe is a great SUV coupe and a real thrill to drive.
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- Inside the 2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe.
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- What a great profile the new Genesis GV80 Coupe has on a great spring day in Utah.
It’s not every week that we get to drive something that turns heads at every intersection, but the all-new 2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe 3.5T proved it could do just that — and keep our friends asking questions all week long!
This sleek new offering from Genesis vigorously blended the emotional pull of a sporty coupe with the day-to-day practicality and muscle of a midsize SUV. It turned out to be a real pleasure to spend the entire week with the GV80 Coupe in and around Utah Valley; it delivered the perfect balance of performance, comfort and visual drama that at the end of the week had us reluctant to hand back the keys.
Day one: A bold first impression
Our test model came in a deep Bering Blue — a stunning, metallic shade of blue that shimmered in the late afternoon sun as we made our first drive through Springville. As soon as we hit the first red light downtown, heads turned. The GV80 Coupe’s fastback roofline, aggressive front fascia and 22-inch alloy wheels announced its presence.
It became very clear Genesis wasn’t interested in simply making a sportier version of its popular GV80 SUV. The Coupe was its own creature — sharing a chassis and many features with its SUV sibling but wrapped in a sleeker, more athletic body.
The long hood, signature crest grille and quad LED headlamps underscored the Coupe’s performance DNA, while its wider stance and sloping rear end delivered on its promise of sportiness.
Day two: Everyday driving made beautiful
The GV80 Coupe’s beauty was not just skin-deep. The 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 with an electric supercharger (E-SC) pumped out an exhilarating 409 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Around town, it was silky smooth; however when we had to merge onto Interstate 15, the power delivery was immediate and immersive.
The electronically controlled suspension with road preview handled Utah’s varied pavement surfaces with grace, as some roads have gotten worse over the course of winter.
Whether we were headed to Costco, dropping by the Riverwoods or simply enjoying a sunset cruise along Utah Lake, the GV80 Coupe made everything look and feel first-class.
Day three: Technology meets comfort
Inside, the GV80 Coupe felt more like a private jet than an SUV. The 27-inch OLED display stretched seamlessly across the dash and served both as the digital gauge cluster and infotainment center.
It proved to be crisp, intuitive and responded quickly to touch and voice commands. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, as was a 14-speaker Lexicon premium sound system that turned our daily errands into private concerts.
The interior trim featured carbon fiber accents and quilted Nappa leather seats. The front seats are both heated and ventilated, and the driver’s seat even included an Ergo Motion massage function — a very welcome feature after a day of running around Utah Valley.
Day four: Up the canyon, down to Midway
Midweek, we decided to put the GV80 Coupe to a real world test: a drive up Provo Canyon, through Heber and into Midway. The winding mountain roads gave us a chance to explore the car’s sport mode and dynamic handling.
Even though it is technically a midsize SUV, throughout the drive, the Coupe never felt bulky. It hugged the curves through Sundance with poise, and the all-wheel drive system provided confidence even as we encountered some late-season slush near Deer Creek.
On our way back, coming down Provo Canyon proved to be just as engaging as the uphill climb, as we enjoyed the vehicle’s active noise cancellation and panoramic sunroof that brought in light and views without the wind.
Day five: Supervised comfort with highway supervision
During the week, we got out onto I-15 to try out Genesis’ Highway Driving Assist II system. This semiautonomous tech offers lane-centering, adaptive cruise and automatic lane changes. It’s not quite full autonomy, but it made a long freeway drive feel almost effortless.
The GV80 Coupe featured a heads-up display that projected navigation and speed info directly onto the windshield, thus keeping our eyes on the road.
We also appreciated the inclusion of Genesis’ Blind-Spot View Monitor, which put a camera feed of our blind spot in the digital instrument cluster whenever we hit the signal. It’s one of those features we wouldn’t have thought we needed until it became second nature through the week.
Day six: Utility in a stylish package
We have often heard people say that buying a coupe means sacrificing space, but the GV80 Coupe makes a strong counterargument. The rear seats offered ample legroom for our adult-sized passengers, and the sloping roofline did not compromise headroom nearly as much as we would have expected.
With the rear seats up, there was still plenty of cargo space for groceries, luggage or weekend gear. The hands-free liftgate was especially helpful when our hands were full.
Day seven: A proper send-off
Our last day with the GV80 Coupe was bittersweet. This was not just a luxury vehicle — it became an experience. Genesis has managed to craft a car that feels just as much at home cruising the city streets as it does carving through mountain passes or relaxing on long freeway stretches.
With its coupe-inspired design, the 2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe 3.5T E-SC made a bold statement without shouting. It’s powerful yet refined, luxurious without being ostentatious and packed with cutting-edge technology while remaining easy to use.
At the end of the week
Genesis calls the GV80 Coupe “the perfect blend of coupe DNA and SUV prowess,” and after a week behind the wheel, we wholeheartedly agreed. It has the emotion and sportiness you’d expect from a high-performance coupe, wrapped in the practical package of an SUV. It’s a unique blend that few vehicles on the market today can match.
Genesis continues to impress us with its commitment to design, innovation and performance, and the 2025 GV80 Coupe is proof that the brand has no intention of slowing down.
Base price: $85,750
Destination charge: $1,350
Price as driven: $87,850
