2025 GV80 Coupe 3.5T e-SC AWD Review: Genesis’ Take On The Germans

Okay, so full disclosure, I can be counted among those who don’t get the whole SUV coupe thing. After all, that middle letter stands for utility, and truncating the roofline tends to diminish that aspect of the vehicle. Of course, in the case of the 2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe 3.5T e-SC AWD, that swoopy profile brings the option of a 409-horsepower powertrain, which is unavailable to buyers of the flat-topped GV80. Plus, with a base price of $85,750, the GV80 e-SC AWD can be had at a price point that undercuts similarly powerful competitive models from Germany by a significant margin.

2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe 3.5T e-SC AWD First Impressions

Blessed with the upscale lines afforded by its straight-roofed counterpart, the Genesis GV80 Coupe has a number of appealing styling cues. These include the shield-shaped grille and the dual-line LED headlights. What’s more, the GV80 Coupe can be considered sleek—uh, for a tall chunky SUV. An all-new offering for the 2025 model year, the Genesis GV80 Coupe also brings a very long list of standard features, including heated and ventilated seats, as well as a panoramic sunroof.

Exterior Dimensions

Driving Impressions And Performance

Power is fed into the all-wheel drive powertrain through an eight-speed automatic transmission, from a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 with an electric supercharger. Thus, the “3.5T e-SC AWD” nomenclature. The engine generates 409 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 405 pound-feet of torque, which comes in at 1,300 rpm. Powering the supercharger electrically helps mitigate turbo lag, which improves the powertrain’s responsiveness. It works too, as the big Genesis is capable of sprinting from zero to 60 in just over five seconds, which is reasonably quick for a vehicle of its size.

Given the prodigiousness of theGV80 3.5T e-SC AWD‘s power output, you might expect it to be an asphalt-shredding banshee, capable of outstanding feats of acceleration and cornering. However, in terms of sheer sportiness, there isn’t a lot of dynamic difference between the supercharged coupe and its non-supercharged 375-horsepower 3.5-liter twin-turbo-powered counterpart. The engineering team kept the emphasis on comfort with both models, rather than going for outright performance with the e-SC version.

Performance Specifications

This isn’t altogether a bad thing, though. After all, the Genesis GV80 is roundly praised for its quietness and smoothness. Thus, if you’re someone who simply must have the most powerful engine available—and outright sportiness isn’t a must on your list of requisites—your carriage awaits my friend.

Genesis GV80 Coupe 3.5T e-SC AWD Fuel Economy

One rather significant benefit of prioritizing ride comfort over handling is you’ll be less tempted to bean the GV80 e-SC for all its worth. This means you’ll likely get closer to the EPA fuel economy estimates of 18 mpg in the city, 22 on the highway and 20 combined. And indeed, I averaged 19 mpg over my week of sojourns piloting the Genesis Coupe. Hey, I had to give the beans in the name of research—okay?

Interior Design And Comfort

That sloping roofline pretty much locks the GV80 Coupe into a two-row proposition, but that’s largely to be expected in this category. Similarly, the profile exacts a toll on the spaciousness quotient, particularly when compared to the conventional GV80 models. However, within those confines, you’ll find the outstanding amenities for which GV80s are known.

Quilted leather upholstery with contrasting piping and stitching, heated armrests, a fragrance diffuser, and plenty of leg and shoulder room at all four seating positions are among the amenities afforded GV80 Coupe buyers. It’s no exaggeration to say the GV80’s passenger compartment is—if not exactly Bentley-like—certainly Bentley-adjacent. The quality and aesthetic of Genesis’ interior accommodations are definitely a cut above the price asked.

Interior Dimensions

Technology And Ease Of Use

Wide-screen digital displays have become the norm in this category. This one measures 27 inches in diameter. The monitor’s right-hand quadrant responds to touch, as well as a dial on the center console. Standard tech includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, in-dash navigation, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a wireless smartphone charging pad. The GV80 also offers an innovative UV sanitation device to snuff out any nasty bugs that might be inhabiting the surfaces of your smartphone. Additional offerings include a 14.6-inch rear-seat entertainment screen, along with a Bang & Olufsen audio system.

Cargo And Storage Space

The usual array of door pockets is complemented by a generously proportioned center console storage well. Here again, though, that fastback profile introduces compromise, as the Coupe hauls considerably less freight than the standard GV80. Don’t get me wrong now, there’s still quite a bit of room back there. In fact, the cargo room could even be considered generous. However, if transporting a lot of stuff is on the list of things your next SUV must do, the standard GV80 will likely serve you better.

2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe 3.5T e-SC AWD vs. Its Competitors

Two of the GV80 Coupe 3.5T e-SC AWD’s most likely competitors are the and the Porsche Cayenne Coupe AWD. One of the first things you’ll notice when comparing these models is that the Genesis falls in between the BMW and the Porsche in terms of cost, while offering more power than both of them. The GV80 Coupe 3.5T e-SC AWD also matches both of them in terms of fit, finish, materials, and comfort. However, the Germans also bring road holding superior to that which the Genesis offers, which will be a consideration for those who value a degree of athleticism in their automobiles.

How The Genesis GV80 Coupe 3.5T e-SC AWD Compares To The BMW X6 xDrive40i

Adhering closely to BMW’s tried and true formula, the brings sharp performance, cutting-edge tech, and a fashionable high-grade passenger compartment. On paper, the BMW looks like a relative bargain when compared to the Genesis, in that its starting price is nearly $10,000 less at $76,400. It also handles better and has the prestige that the blue and white roundel affixed to its nose confers.However, BMW’s 3.0-liter turbocharged, electrically assisted AWD powertrain delivers 375 horsepower, compared to the GV80’s 409. You’ll have to go to the $96,900 BMW X6 M60i, which produces 523 horsepower, to best the output of the Genesis. That is, uh, if looks don’t matter that much to you.

How The Genesis GV80 Coupe 3.5T e-SC AWD Compares To The Porsche Cayenne Coupe

One of the things I admire about Porsche is that it doesn’t compromise its rep for driving excellence, regardless of the platform to which the red, black, and gold crest is applied. In fact, the to demonstrate that one needn’t eschew driving pleasure to gain the benefits of a sport utility vehicle. In other words, you’ll have way more fun driving a Cayenne Coupe AWD than you will a GV80 Coupe 3.5T e-SC AWD.

You’ll also spend a lot more money to do so. The base demands a minimum expenditure of some $91,000. Start adding options, the price jumps up considerably. Meanwhile, the Genesis gives you 409 horsepower compared to the Porsche’s 348 and comes pretty much fully equipped. What’s more, to exceed the GV80’s power output in a Porsche, you’ll be looking at the $109,995 Cayenne S Coupe AWD, which brings 468 horsepower.

Our Recommendation For Which Model You Should Buy

You might be thinking I’ll favor the Porsche if you’ve been reading my automotive musings for a while. And yes, I readily admit to being an aficionado of the cars from Stuttgart. Truth be told, though, the BMW nicely bridges the divide between the Genesis and the Porsche in price, while factoring in driving pleasure approaching that of the Porsche as well.

Here again, though, the GV80’s value proposition makes it difficult to ignore. Plus (and I’m just going to go ahead and say it here) the BMW ain’t as pretty as the Genesis. I’m trying to avoid using the word “ugly” here, so let’s just say the X6 is aesthetically challenged and leave it at that. Plus, if I really want to go fast and corner sharply, I can always hop into my Boxster.

With all of that in mind, recommending the GV80 is easy to do—were I inclined to buy a fastback SUV. Quite frankly, though, I am not. However, if you’ve been hankering for one, you could do a lot worse than the 2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe 3.5T e-SC AWD.