Just when you thought we couldn’t get enough of coupe-style SUVs, Genesis has launched a giant one that coincides with the introduction of the 2025 GV80. It’s targeting the likes of the Audi Q8, BMW X6, and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe.
For this review we’re at the official media launch event in Melbourne. We had the opportunity to test out both the updated wagon and the new coupe. We’ll mainly concentrate on the coupe here because that’s the biggest news, but much of the specifications and equipment are interchangeable.
2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe: Specifications
Engine: 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6
Output: 279kW@6200rpm / 370Nm@1600-4300rpm
Gearbox: Eight-speed auto
Drive type: Four-wheel drive
Wheels: F & R: 18×7.5, 225/40
ANCAP: Five stars
Tare weight: 2205kg
Power-to-weight: 7.90:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 11.7L/100km
Fuel tank/Fuel type: 50L/95 RONPower efficiency: 23.84kW:L/100km
0-60km/h: 3.16 seconds*
0-100km/h: 6.26 seconds*
60-110km/h: 3.84 seconds*
1/4 mile: 14.48 seconds at 164.6km/h*
Max acceleration: 1.052g*
100-0km/h braking: 35.28m in 3.30s*
Max deceleration: -1.418g*
Decibel at idle (/sport mode): 37/41*
Peak decibel at 60-100km/h: 81*
Starting price: $136,000
*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different
2025 Genesis GV80: How much does it cost?
Three models make up the 2025 Genesis GV80 lineup, from the entry 7-seat wagon, the more luxurious 6-seat wagon (with two individual chairs for the second row), and then the GV80 Coupe.
Prices start from $130,000, $133,000, and $136,000, respectively. The 3.0-litre turbo-diesel inline-six and the 2.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder have both been dropped, which is especially unfortunate for the diesel in our view as it was a lovely engine.
Keen observers of pricing will notice these new prices have jumped up hugely over the outgoing model. For example, the previous (MY24) GV80 with the flagship 3.5T engine and seven seats started from $110,200, plus $2000 for the 6-seat option.
Genesis says the latest model is packaged with more of the high-end, previously-optional equipment as standard. Even so, 20 grand is a big jump, whatever way you look at it. It is worth it?
In many ways, yes, it is ‘worth’ it (although, my personal opinion is all cars are a rip-off these days). These prices stack up very well against the competition. And most of the competition do not come with the sheer level of standard features as this.
Let me give you some examples compared with the new coupe. The BMW X6 in base form, with a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel six-cylinder engine (30d), starts from $140,900. If you want an equivalent six-cylinder petrol, that’ll be $144,900. Likewise, the most affordable Mercedes GLE Coupe (the GLE 300d) starts from $144,900, or a wallet-gouging $159,900 for a similar six-cylinder petrol (GLE 450). (All prices exclude on-road costs.)
2025 Genesis GV80: Interior & packaging
Step inside this and you’ll see your money, everywhere. This offers the atmosphere and general ambience of a Bentley. It looks and feels expensive. There are some plastic bits lower down in the cabin but that’s fine. Such measures are applied in those rivals, too.
Up on the dash is the showpiece of it all. A breathtaking 27-inch wide-screen display that merges seamlessly (proper seamless, not just two screens housed within the same panel). The graphics are peacefully extravagant. That sounds like an oxymoron but it’s the only way we can describe it. There is instant wow-factor but after you start driving and interacting with it, you’ll see what we mean.
The multimedia section offers Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as well as a heap of interesting apps and functions such as ‘Car Wash Mode’, and various vehicle settings including engine sound enhancement and full-screen map takeover.
Having the climate controls down below on a separate panel is a great idea in our opinion, as you don’t have to go digging around within the main screen just to turn the air-con on or off. This area is neatly presented with very intuitive controls.
The rest of the interior can be dressed up in various colours and materials, including real wood in Olive Ash or Newspaper, and five different Nappa leather colours. And it’s really fine-quality leather, too. Soft and supple.
Going for the coupe automatically adds real carbon fibre for the trim, orange or grey seatbelts, and four different leather colour options with orange, beige or grey stitching. Genesis has tried to separate the coupe to some degree, offering a red leather option as well.
Passenger space is abundant, including in the back. The middle row slides forward and back (in the 7-seat model), but even the coupe offers loads of legroom. Headroom is impacted by the swoopy roofline in the coupe, but not by much.
Boot space is measured at 735L in the wagon, expanding to 1097L. Over in the coupe you might expect a big drop, but it’s not much different. It presents 644L and 1033L. There’s also a unique folding hard-cover as the security blind in the coupe.
2025 Genesis GV80: Powertrain & handling
The driving character is best described as smooth, calm and majestic. It is a very comfortable machine to travel around in. Ride comfort is more on the softer side, and thanks to updated tuning a year or so ago, the rear end doesn’t bounce in an overly soft manner.
It does feel heavy to tip into bends, and trundling around in town you are aware that this is a big vehicle. That’s not to say it’s difficult to drive or park, but it’s just something you’ll notice. In that sense, it presents a commanding stance on the road.
Parking is made easy thanks to a full surround-view parking camera system that allows you to spin and swipe around the vehicle, so you can get a clear view of that nasty kerb. Visibility is also good, partly thanks to the perched-up seating but also due to the relatively tall windows.
As for the powertrain, Genesis has unfortunately killed off the 3.0-litre inline-six diesel. It was only on the market for a few years, but it’s understood it doesn’t meet tightening emissions standards overseas, and Australia isn’t a big enough market to retain production of that unit. The 2.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder has also been dropped.
This V6 does seem to mesh well with the GV80’s character, though. It is a very smooth yet powerful beast, with a roaring undertone to remind you of its twin-turbo credentials. We did some 0-100km/h runs with the Vbox on a private road to see what’s what.
In the coupe, it ran a best of 6.26 seconds. That’s a big gap from the claimed time of 5.7 seconds. However, we suspect these being brand-new vehicles, the engine could do with more run-in time. At 6.2 seconds it is quick for such a big barge, but it isn’t as quick as most of the equivalent German rivals.
2025 Genesis GV80: Key attractions/reasons to buy
- Value: It is the most affordable large luxury SUV in its specific class compared with the key German rivals.
- Free scheduled servicing: Yes, free scheduled services. Could you imagine Audi, BMW or Mercedes offering that? Yeah right.
- Pampering interior: This is a stunning cabin with exquisite attention to detail, and lots of high-quality materials at no extra cost.
- Smooth operator: It’s a shame the diesel is gone but this 3.5T petrol V6 is a regal unit, offering effortless power and speed. The ride is also set up to offer relaxing comfort.
2025 Genesis GV80: Key considerations before you buy
- Not as quick as you might expect: Despite offering 279kW, the 0-100km/h time (and not just our tested time) is a bit lazy compared with those German rivals with similar or less power.
- Small dealer network: Genesis is trying to increase its footprint, but at the end of the day, it is still a boutique car brand in Australia.
- Resale value: Being a small brand means resale is likely to be lower than the more established rivals.
2025 Genesis GV80: Video
