For decades, the word “coupe” meant one thing: two doors.
Then along came an automotive marketing department.
Genesis calls this stunning new GV80 a coupe, despite the fact that it has four doors, generous seating for five, a large rear cargo area and all the practicality buyers expect from a full on luxury SUV. The roofline slopes more dramatically than the standard GV80, giving it a sleeker, more athletic appearance, but don’t let the name fool you. This isn’t replacing a sports car.
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It is, however, replacing a lot of preconceived notions about Genesis.
Let the Colorado road test began. Famed Colorado aviator Tim Fritz and his wife Mindi threw in with me to travel to Southeast Colorado to help host a general aviation fly-in at the Lamar (SCRA) airport.
This car glides. We marveled at the absolutely smooth drive the Genesis GV80 engineers. After leaving Denver, we pointed the ‘coupe’ to Lamar across I-70 to Limon and then south on US-287 toward Prowers County.
Even rolling along Colorado’s traditionally rough road lanes, the Genesis ate those bumps and uneven pavement so well we thought we had passed into Kansas where the roads are, by reputation, much better. We made the trip in record time, without directly testing any speed-guns by the CHP.
We made the arrival loop in Lamar include a preview of the fly-in site before perusing downtown and the new businesses on the main drag. And returned to the Historic Cow Palace for great dinner and overnight.
The fly-in was deemed a huge success, becoming the largest airport event there in years. The Lamar Lions Club sold out of pancakes in the first 90 minutes of the event. Seeing the Genesis GV80 seems futuristic against both modern and vintage aircraft. Photos tell the story of automotive’s intersection with aviation.
Throughout the nearly 500-mile round trip, the GV80 Coupe settled effortlessly into its role as a luxury highway cruiser. The twin-turbocharged V6, with battery backup never felt strained. Wind noise remained remarkably subdued. The seats were as comfortable arriving home Saturday evening as they had been leaving Denver the day before.”
Under the hood sits a sophisticated 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 paired with a 48-volt electric supercharger, producing an impressive 409 horsepower and 405 lb.-ft. of torque. The eight-speed automatic transmission shifts seamlessly while the electronically controlled suspension seems to erase imperfections in Colorado pavement. Genesis estimates the sprint to 60 mph at about 5.2 seconds, making this elegant cruiser surprisingly quick when the accelerator meets the carpet.
Performance, though, isn’t really this vehicle’s defining characteristic.
Its greatest strength is refinement.
Genesis has also loaded the GV80 Coupe with virtually every modern driver assistance system imaginable, from Forward Collision Avoidance Assist and Blind Spot View Monitor to Highway Driving Assist, Surround View Monitor and Safe Exit Assist.
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There’s little question this SUV is technologically advanced.
The bigger question becomes whether it’s worth nearly $92,000.
That’s where I found myself hesitating.
There is absolutely nothing inexpensive about the GV80 Coupe, and there is equally little to criticize. Build quality is excellent. Materials are first class. Ride quality borders on outstanding. It turns heads everywhere it goes.
But luxury buyers shopping near the $90,000 mark enter a very different universe. BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Audi, Cadillac, Infiniti and Lexus all have compelling alternatives.
Genesis unquestionably belongs in that conversation today.
Whether it rises to the top depends largely upon how much value buyers place on prestige versus product.
Genesis has quietly completed one of the automotive industry’s most remarkable transformations. Barely a decade ago it was viewed as an ambitious newcomer trying to earn credibility. Today, it no longer asks permission to compete with the world’s finest luxury brands.
It simply builds automobiles that deserve to be considered alongside them. Whether buyers are willing to spend more than $90,000 for one remains a personal decision. But after a weekend crossing Colorado, there’s little doubt the GV80 Coupe has earned its place in the conversation.
Personally, most of us would have a difficult time stroking a check approaching six figures for a vehicle whose greatest accomplishment is simply doing everything exceptionally well.
Then again, perhaps that’s precisely the point.
The GV80 Coupe isn’t trying to dominate racetracks or conquer mountain trails.
It is striving to make every mile experience feel a little more special.
Mission accomplished.
Saturday Drive Specs
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 303-667-3995
The news and editorial staffs of The Denver Post had no role in this post’s preparation.
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