2026 Genesis GV80 Coupe

The relatively young and spry Genesis luxury brand continues making inroads with elegant styling and competitive pricing when stacked against legacy import names from Germany, specifically BMW, Audi and Mercedes Benz.  

Genesis, the brainchild of South Korean automotive conglomerate Hyundai, became a stand-alone division in 2016. Prior to that, the Genesis name populated Hyundai showrooms as an upscale, rear-wheel-drive sedan beginning in 2008. It’s a continuing challenge for both Hyundai and Genesis to now differentiate and stand apart as two separate divisions although still within the same corporate family (Hyundai Motor Group).  

However, both Hyundai and Genesis include one of the industry’s longest powertrain warranties: 10-years or 100,000 miles, a perk few rivals currently offer or match and a key differentiator for the Hyundai Motor Group.  

Our tester this week, the 2026 all-wheel GV80 coupe, debuting relatively recently in the 2025 model year, stands as a companion piece of sorts to the GV80 crossover introduced in the 2021 model year.

Don’t let the ‘Coupe’ designation throw anyone for a loop. This mid-size Genesis includes four side doors and a liftback, a striking difference between itself and a traditional two-door coupe. Genesis is not alone in this marketing slight-of-hand as the uber popular five-door crossover segment devises ways to sub divide itself. Both Mercedes Bens (GLE-Class Coupe) and BMW (X2, X4, X6) follow a similar template with four-door coupe versions offering a lowered rakish roof creating a stylized visual.

A key difference between the GV80 crossover and GV80 coupe resides inside as the original GV80 debuted with an available third row of seating. Our GV80 coupe arrives with two rows standard, the best fit for a mid-size five-door built. The Coupe adds an extra inch of length while wheelbase (distance between front and rear axle) and width remain unchanged. The standard GV80 crossover comes with available rear-wheel drive while the coupe sports all-wheel drive standard.  

Both build from a car-like unibody structure rather than a heavier, truck-like structure contributing a smooth, luxurious experience rather than unrefined, overly bouncy ride promoted within larger, body-on-frame sport utility vehicles. Multi-link front and rear suspension nicely cushions the GV80 coupe experience. The conventional GV80 crossover underwent a major makeover in the 2025 model year of which its stylish coupe sibling bases upon. The ‘V’ in GV signifies a Genesis five-door body style (think ‘Versatile’). A stand-alone ‘G’ indicates a sedan body style. The GV80 and GV80 Coupe represent the largest crossover sold by Genesis to date joining the diminutive GV60 and GV70.  

Changes to the GV80 coupe from a year earlier remain minimal but include an additional exterior color, terrain mode selections joining multiple drive mode choices, manual rear side sunshades and a lower-volume Prestige Black sub trim.  

The coupe offers two distinct high-volume trims based upon two distinct powertrains from which to choose. Both come nicely loaded with a few scant factory options to ponder. The engine of choice and one we sampled featured the advanced 3.5-liter twin turbocharger six pared with 48-volt electronic supercharger. (E-SC MHEV). This cadre delivers 409 horsepower and a nearly identical lb.-ft. torque number of 405.  

Superchargers and turbochargers (both forced induction methods) increase the volume of air introduced into the internal combustion engine to create a bigger bang. Rarely utilized together, the GV80 coupe invites both onboard for driver enlightenment. Turbochargers (the popular consumer choice of the two) recycles exhaust gases into a device that spins a turbine wheel. This compressed air mixture then refeeds into an engine intake. Superchargers work at the beginning of the four-stroke engine procedure historically by spinning a belt attached to the crankshaft. The 2026 GV80 coupe replaces the belt with electrically-driven, gas-electric hybrid technology helping the supercharger spin a greater volume of air and mitigate power delivery lag.

Despite all these horses, superchargers and low-end oomph under hood, the GV80 coupe does a nice job of muffling all the noise and keeping the cabin area quiet. Both the front windshield and side front windows build from noise-reducing acoustic laminated glass. Expect a starting price of $87,650. The one downside; relatively ho hum mileage estimates of 17 miles per gallon city and 22 mpg highway. For optimal results, premium fuel is recommended.  

The other available engine/trim, A 3.5-liter twin turbocharged double overhead cam six cranks out a more than workable 375 horsepower with 391 lb. ft. of torque and a $81,850 starting price. Both sync up with a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission.  

The new for 2026 Prestige Black sub trim (and this week’s tester) bases upon the E-SC supercharged trim with an $89,400 price tag and adds machine-finished 22-inch aluminum wheels, a black Nappa leather interior with exclusive quilting, dark headlamp bezzles and open pore black ash wood interior hints.  

This engine combination differs slightly from the GV80 crossover. While both offer up the 3.5-liter twin turbo delivering 375 horses, the GV80 crossover arrives with a standard 2.5-liter inline turbo four-cylinder engine delivering 300 horses. The supercharged/turbocharged 409 horsepower engine is not sold with the GV80 crossover.  

Genesis provided the new Prestige Black trim for a week’s worth of travel starting at $89,400. The only factory extra, a $650 ding for ultra while exterior paint, brought the bottom line to $91,545 with the $1,495 destination charge factored into the equation.  

As with all Genesis offerings, the interior best describes as eye-popping, welcoming and comfortable. Diamond quilted Nappa leather seats deliver comfort and style with carbo-fiber trim aligning the dashboard and center console with microfiber suede headliner above. Carpeting also features diamond patterns within our Black Prestige tester. The driver’s seat includes an Ergo motion feature easing back fatigue during extended jaunts.  

The center arm rest also heats up as do front seats and steering wheels. In between the warmed seats resides the center console with carbon fiber highlights. The electronically-controlled transmission dial occupies this area with a circular, bejeweled format that with a twist selects reverse, neutral and drive. Summoning Park requires a push of a ‘P’ button atop the dial. In front is a second, slightly smaller dial with a different tactile feel which interacts with the wide multifunction screen. In front of the two inline dials, three quick select buttons marked home, back and menu also working with the long screen. To the left, two inline beverage holders.  

Towards the back, a diminutive dial selects one of three extra-grip terrain modes (sand, mud, snow and new for 2026). This same dial selects five returning drive modes (eco, comfort, sport, smart and custom) all of which adjust throttle response points, suspension stiffness and steering feel through the engine control module. The heated arm rest top/storage bin includes a top-side divided into two vertical sections which open like side-by-side refrigerator doors.

A small alcove resides below the lower central dash housing a single-host, flat wireless charger and two USB Type C ports for reviving Smartphones. This region includes a retractable privacy top. Two additional Type-C USB ports locate in row two with seatbacks sporting a 40/20/40 fold down split. Row two also includes independent climate controls. Two adults fit with optimal comfort in row two as the slopping roof creates a tighter headway than the crossover GV80 sibling.  

Anchoring the top dash is a prominent, flat, 27-inch-wide horizontal uni-screen combining a multi-function right side and a digital instrument panel left. The right-side multi-function screen’s home position incudes 20 large rectangular icons (including in-screen navigation) each containing prose and photos that one easily scrolls through using the upper dial between front buckets. Press down on the dial to choose any one of the icons after scrolling. The right-side screen also reacts to finger touches. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay interaction come standard as well as Bluetooth hands-free Smartphone activity.  

The wide screen rests upon a small shelf with a pair of, narrow, manually controlled air vents below and towards the middle. Similar-shaped vents adorn each far end of the dash.  

Below the vents, a row of redundant push buttons also interact with the screen flanked by a welcome on/off/volume knob to the left and a right-side knob for quickly rotating through selected screen items. Picturesque HVAC controls morph within the same panel with dual, colorful twist knobs at each end monitoring the front two zones (right and left) and push visuals for selecting fan speed and direction.  

Built into outside side mirror housing, blind spot view cameras feeding a welcome live broadcast stream of side spot activities temporarily into the left-side animated instrument panel. Summon the left turn signal and driver’s side live-action activity feeds into an IP’s left-side orb. Signal right and passenger side activity gets highlighted. Once the turn or lane change completes, the orbs return to their respective speedometer/IP functions. This comes standard in all trims and is one of a dozen safety features including a healthy 10 air bags.  

Outside, the four-door coupe carries forward the prominent Genesis pentagonal grille with chrome highlights includes a dual mesh, diamond-like crisscrossing weave delivering a three-dimensional effect all in black. The lower air dam also borrows this diamond pattern. Above the grille, the Genesis winged medallion logo serves as a center landing point as a pair of creases extend towards the windshield. Quad, inboard, integrated exhaust tips don the lower rear end within the two e-charge trims. A dual exhaust graces the 3.5T. No rear wiper builds into the fast-back-style slopping rear window. At least here in the upper Midwest, such an amenity is always welcome and could stow out of sight below the window’s topside spoiler.  

Slot-like MLA (Micro Lens Array) headlamps flank the sizeable grille. Each side includes two horizontally curving visor-like slots one atop the other, each filled with a dozen or so diminutive bejeweled bulbs. Amber turn signals build into the slots, doubling as frosted daytime running lights when not flashing yellow. A pair of narrow side strips build into front side fenders, adding style and function as secondary amber exterior blinkers. Rear taillights borrow the dual horizontal curved layout.  

As of the fall of 2025, the Genesis brand counts close to 75 ‘Premier Showrooms’ scattered across America including six in the Chicagoland area. These ‘exclusive’ showrooms provide spacious access to all Genesis models with no Hyundai-branded vehicles in sight. The two newest Chicago-area stores, Genesis of Schaumburg and Genesis of Aurora, join four established franchises including: Genesis of Algonquin, Genesis of North Aurora, Genesis of Highland Park and Genesis of Elgin. Also debuting this year in Central Illinois, Genesis of Bloomington-Normal.  

In addition, several Hyundai franchises still promote Genesis products within their showroom footprint as the Genesis brand scales up the number of stand-alone Premier Showrooms. The sooner Genesis moves exclusively into its own show space, the better the odds Genesis and Hyundai view as distinct brands, although still under the same corporate umbrella.  

Peace of mind follows all Genesis purchases with an array of follow-up and get-to-know-you services. Besides the industry’s longest powertrain warranty (10 years or 100,000 miles), purchasers enjoy five years of roadside assistance and three years (or 36,000 miles) of complementary routine maintenance from an authorized dealership.  

2026 Genesis GV80 Coupe
Price as tested: $91,545
Engine: 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6  
Horsepower: 409
Wheelbase: 116.3 inches
Overall Length: 195.5 inches
Overall Width: 77.8 inches
Overall Height: 67.3 inches
Curb weight: 5,160 pounds
Fuel economy: 17 mpg city/ 22 mpg highway
Powertrain Warranty: 10 years/100,000 miles
Assembly: Ulsan, South Korea