You may be type of person looking for the practicality of a larger SUV but never need a third row. So, looks and performance become more important than car seats and cargo holding ability. Genesis has you covered. The company offers the GV80 SUV that offers three rows, or the beautiful GV80 coupe version. No, it not a traditional coupe with two doors, but a “sexified” version of the regular version. You’ll give up a little cargo-holding ability and those third-row seats for a swoopy rear end treatment similar to BMW M and Mercedes AMG SUV coupes. The Coupe has a little more handling prowess compared to the regular version, but the engines are similar. Which may be perfect for some buyers – give me the looks without the higher insurance rates! Jose Munos, CEO of Genesis North America notes “The addition of the sporty Coupe to the GV80 family brings a new expression of athleticism and invigorating performance to the Genesis lineup. Both the new SUV and Coupe models bring refined performance and bold design to the portfolio, each with their own distinct character for customers to choose.”
Elect-Trick Supercharger
One of the coolest new technologies in the GV80 coupe is the optional all-out engine selection. You get a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 that is coupled to an electric 48-volt supercharger. Genesis calls it the e-S/C engine. Using a battery-powered supercharger gives the GV80 off-the-line grunt and then the turbos kick in! Downstream you get the benefits of all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission that finds the right gear. The total package delivers 409 horsepower and can keep up with the competition if not beat them in drag race.
Looks that Kill
According to Genesis, when viewed from the side, the arch-shaped parabolic Line spanning the body and the low, sloping roofline create perfect harmony, completing the strong and dynamic exterior design. Adding to its sporty profile, the GV80 Coupe grabs attention with Coupe-exclusive 20- and 22-inch wheels with distinctive spokes. My tester wore the 22s that looked great. At the rear, the GV80 Coupe features a unique design with LED surface-emitting rear combination lamps and a wide integrated auxiliary brake light on the tailgate. A centrally descending rear spoiler adds a sporty touch. On the inside you get fancy metal accents on the accelerator and brake pedals. The two-tone D-cut steering wheel reinforces the coupe’s driving dynamics and maintains an elegant interior image. Available unique carbon fiber patterns and seats with coupe-exclusive patterns and stitching further contribute to the refined design and make the coupe feel more special compared to the regular GV80. The overall look is striking for an SUV and your neighbors will know it is something special.
Moving Inside
Genesis says the interior of the new GV80 accentuates its’ design ethos of “Beauty of White Space” while incorporating new technologies to create a sophisticated ambiance. There is a 27-inch wide OLED display that integrates the multimedia screen with the instrument cluster. You can easily call up the navigation system map and it will migrate to the screen in front of you, and it continues onto the infotainment screen. For those who enjoy cartography and geography it is cool to be able to get that much real estate dedicated to the map.
The seamless design extends to the center fascia, with touch-based HVAC controls that are always available. The shifter is made from crystal and feels nice to the touch. That D-shaped steering wheel is available in two colors and has a nice horn cover featuring the new Genesis emblem. There is a redesigned wireless smartphone charging tray that enables more convenient charging and provides improved visibility of the phone while it’s charging, an enlarged console cup holder, and a knob-type volume/tune adjustment button.
Sounds Good
To make the most out of the volume knob, the Genesis GV80 has an 18-speaker B&O sound system. The last generation GV80 used Lexicon components but now the company has moved to B&O for its highest-end system. The driver and passenger seats have small subwoofers underneath them. The surround sound settings were similar to adjusting to the excellent Bowers & Wilkins system found in Volvo products. You can move the soundstage around. Dolby Atmos is onboard, and it is a true 5.1 surround system. Except for the absolute lowest frequencies, the system is great. Your local mobile electronics retailer can help add an even larger subwoofer in the hatch for the ultimate listening experience.
The Genesis GV80 Coupe is a refined cruiser up for most anything. From a night on the town to a trip to Costco. For those looking for a one-car solution who don’t need a third row, the luxurious coupe has the tech and looks to make drivers happy. My tester also delivered around 20MPG with the powerful engine. It feels like it should be priced at the same level as the $100K-plus Germanic competition but comes in at $85K with all the goodies.
