When introduced last year, the GV80 Coupe was built to compete against some of the best sport utility coupes such as the Porsche Cayenne Coupe, Mercedes Benz GLE Coupe and BMW X6. With those established players having brand loyalty and a strong network of dealerships across North America, the GV80 had to bring the goods. Thankfully, being based off the award winning Genesis GV80, it had the chops inside and out to hang with the big kids. Our 2026 Genesis GV80 Coupe has already received some small updates despite only being released a year ago. No one can accuse Genesis of sitting on their hands.
What's new for 2026
For 2026, the Genesis GV80 Coupe offers a new Prestige Black trim level that sits at the top of the grade walk. Its bespoke 22-inch black wheels and blacked-out trim inside and out give it a stealthy, sophisticated style. Additionally, all 2026 GV80 Coupes get additional optional interior colorways, a new terrain mode has been added, and the Genesis Digital Key 2 Premium receives rear door/unlock functions.
With our tester being a Coupe, the biggest difference over the GV80 is the raked roofline. There seems to be a handful of consumers that are willing to give up cargo space and seats to have a sportier looking vehicle. Do the coupe version of sport utility vehicles look better than the originals? Personally, I would say no, but it's up to consumers to decide that with their wallets - more on that later.
Powertrain & driving impressions
The GV80 Coupe comes Genesis's most powerful engine (so far): a 3.5-Litre V6 that's turbocharged, supercharged, and hybridized all at once. It produces 409 horsepower and 405 foot-pounds of torque, and it comes on smoothly and gradually.
There is no snap at the back of your neck when you accelerate, even if the numbers say otherwise. Genesis tuned this power plant and transmission for comfort and luxury. Speed builds in a hushed manner and the engine is barely perceptible. The standard all-wheel-drive system and 8-speed automatic help this scoot to 100km/h in 5.3 seconds.
The ride is quite smooth, especially give our tester's exceptionally large wheels. Only the worst potholes and bumps disturb those inside. The 2026 GV80 Coupe is well insulated from outside noises, allowing you to better enjoy the 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.
interior accommodations
If you have seen inside a Genesis GV80, or any other recently updated Genesis, you pretty much know what to expect inside the 2026 Genesis GV80 Coupe. It shares the same 27-inch OLED wide screen housing both instrument cluster and easy-to-use infotainment system, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Instead of chasing competitors with screens that stretch across the dash, it’s nice to see Genesis choosing to excercise some restraint.
Front seat occupants are treated to standard Ergo-Motion seats; Genesis-speak for massage. Both the front and second row are heated and ventilated. Nappa leather is used throughout, and the interior as always is simply superb. High quality materials like Nappa leather, aluminum trim, quality switchgear are used throughout, and tightly put together, with build quality that meets or exceeds its German and Japanese luxury rivals.
Efficiency
Fuel efficiency was better than expected, especially for such a heavy vehicle. With sport utility vehicles at this size and power, I go in expecting the worst. Thankfully, The 2026 Genesis GV80 Coupe was more economical than I expected with a 13.2 L/100km figure during my week of testing. Genesis has it rated at 13.7 L/100km in the city and 10.9 L/100km in highway driving for a combined 12.4 L/100km. Expect to pay at the pumps as premium fuel is required, and the gas tank capacity is 80 liters.
Money
The GV80 Coupe only comes loaded to the gills with every luxury Genesis has to offer, and the top-top twin-charged engine, and as such, it is rather pricey: $105,500 to start, and $108,000 for our Prestige Black tester. In the US, simpler engines and less luxurious trims are offered, and I can't help but think that might help get more of these on the road. I see GV80s often enough, but I don't think I've seen one GV80 Coupe on the streets of Toronto.
Wrap it up
The 2026 Genesis GV60 Coupe is as good of a luxury sport utility as some of the best in the industry. It combines power, looks, luxury and comfort all into one. Built upon the award-winning GV80, this should come as no surprise. However, by sacrificing some utility and demanding a tall starting price, it remains a hard sell to most Canadians.