Text by Tom Appel
2026 Genesis GV80 Coupe Prestige Black
Specs
Class: Premium Midsize Crossover
Country of manufacture: South Korea
Seating capacity: 5
Color: Uyuni White
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | B+ |
| Power and Performance | B+ |
| Fit and Finish | A |
| Fuel Economy | C+ |
| Value | B |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | B+ |
| Tall Guy | A |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 409-horsepower 3.5-liter |
| Engine Type | Turbocharged and Supercharged V6 |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Miles Driven: 101
Observed fuel economy: 18.6 mpg
Driving mix: 40% city, 60% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 17/22/19 (mpg city/highway/combined)
Fuel type: Premium gas
Base price: $89,400 (not including $1495 (destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: Special paint ($650)
Price as tested: $91,545
Audio-System Brand
Bang & Olufsen
Audio-System Quality
Poor Fair Good Very-Good Excellent
Pros and Cons
The great: Beautiful cabin, dynamic refinement, plenty of power
The good: Compelling design, guaranteed exclusivity
The not so good: Pricey in top trim, requires premium-grade gasoline
Review
Looking for just a little “more?” Not even quite sure what you mean by more? Not to worry, Genesis has you covered—automotively, at least.
Let’s define “more” as a little more power and a little more style, two metrics which play very well in the premium crossover segment—a segment rich with classy, refined, and occasionally sporty offerings.
Genesis
Genesis rolled out the GV80 for the 2021 model year, cementing the Korean luxury brand’s position in the premium-vehicle market place. The GV80 was not only well reviewed, it was also considered a strong value.
Enter, Coupe
A 2025 update of the midsize crossover brought with it significant cabin updates—including a trendy move to a single, contiguous, instrument panel and center console screen—and—and this is key to today’s discussion, an all-new “coupe” body style.
Similar conceptually to the Audi Q8 and BMW X6, the GV80 Coupe features a fastback roofline and generally sportier attitude than its related—but non-coupe—showroom companions. In this case, we’re talking about the Q7, and popular X5, respectively.
Also newly available for 2026 is the Infiniti QX60 Coupe, a sporty take on the luxury brand’s more mainstream QX60 midsize crossover.
The coupe variants of these premium crossovers do not sell as well as the conventional offerings, but do command a price premium, helping to pad the carmaker’s bottom line. And, as noted above, do provide a little “more” for customers so inclined.
Maybe more than a little…
GV80 versus GV80 Coupe
For 2026, the conventional Genesis GV80 starts at $59,195; a compelling price point for a roomy, refined, luxurious people mover. The Coupe, however, which is offered in three levels, starts at $83,345. That’s a big price leap just for a sloped roof, but as it turns out, there’s plenty of additional and upgraded content that comes as part of the coupe transition.
Making sense of the GV80 Lineup
There are a number of important equipment and content differences between the standard GV80and the Coupe, so let’s clarify a few points:
2026 Genesis GV80
- Standard engine is turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder rated at 300 horsepower
- Also available with a turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 rated at 375 horsepower
- Available in rear- or all-wheel drive
- Available 3rd-row seating
- Base price range of $59,195-$84,175 across eight trim levels
2026 Genesis GV80 Coupe
Comes standard with 375 horsepower V6, with an available supercharged, mild-hybrid variant rated at 409 horsepower (the latter engine can also be found in the Genesis G90 large sedan)
- Standard AWD
- No 3rd-row seating option
- Base price range $83,345-$90,895
Test Car
Consumer Guide recent spent some time behind the wheel of the 2026 Genesis GV80 with the conventional body, and found it impressive. You can read that review by clicking here. Today we’d like to focus on the differences between the standard-body GV80, and the sexier GV80 Coupe. Our test car arrived with a bottom line of $91,545.
Our test car represented pretty much all the Genesis GV80 that money can buy. And while we’re a little startled to be playing this near the 6-digit barrier, we have to say, this is a wonderful vehicle.
Interior
Plush at any level, the GX80 cabin does become additionally luxurious as shoppers climb the trim-level ladder. As we noted before, the CX80 cabin would look quite at home in any Bentley. Going with the Coupe does not change that.
Exterior
We like the buttoned-down look of the Coupe. Unlike some coupe/crossover variants—especially from Mercedes-Benz—the GV80 Coupe comes off as naturally sporty. It’s a good look, and a fun alternative for Genesis intenders looking for something a little less visually conservative than the standard ’80.
Passenger Space
Only rear headroom is affected by the sloping roofline, and its not by much. Per published numbers supplied by Genesis, rear-seat headroom in the GV80 Coupe shrinks by about an inch—meaning that taller occupants may find space wanting. That said, this 6-foot editor found himself quite comfortable in the 2nd seating row.
Cargo Space
While there’s plenty of big-crossover cargo space in the GV80 Coupe, there’s even more in the standard-body version. With the 2nd-row seatback in the upright position, the standard GV80 boasts roughly 6 extra cubic feet of cargo space, 12 with the seat folded flat.
Shoppers with a need to schlep lots of cargo will want to break out the tape measure to be sure the Coupe offers all the space needed.
Power and Performance
The 409-horsepower V6 exclusive to the Coupe boasts both mild-hybrid drivetrain technology, and electric supercharging. That said, the additional power afforded by the impressive setup does not much change the drive experience. Even 4-cylinder GV80s are quick, with the V6 engines bringing more power—and more importantly, more refinement–the V6 engines are smoother in operation, and sound classier.
Ride and Handling
While the chassis is tuned the same for all GV80 models and trim levels, the crossover’s Intelligent Drive Mode system is enhanced for Coupes. All GV80s enjoy the following drive modes:
- Eco
- Comfort
- Sport
- Snow
Coupes add to the list a Sport+ option, which firms up both the suspension and steering, and quickens the transmission shift programming a bit.
We feel most driver’s are best served by keeping the system in “Comfort” mode. That said, the incremental upgrade in general sportiness afforded by the Sport+ mode may be appreciated on twisty roads in a rural or mountainous setting.
Value
We find the standard Genesis GV80 to represent strong value in the premium midsize crossover segment, and wholly endorse the crossover for the well-heeled customer looking for both comfort and refinement.
Spending an additional $4000-$8000 for the GV80 Coupe means spending $4000-$8000 more for your vehicle–not an insignificant sum–but does bring with it a rakish roofline and unique profile, things which are difficult to value.
We’re fine sticking with the standard GV80, but fully appreciate the inclination to drive something that does not get lost in traffic, and the Coupe version of this Genesis certainly looks a cut above, and we think that is worth “a little more.”
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2026 Genesis GV80 Coupe Pictures
(Click below for enlarged images)
