Dark, bold and pure class. That’s the first thing that comes to mind when you see the Genesis GV80 Coupe Black in the metal. It has a presence that photos struggle to capture; the kind of shape that makes you stop for a second and take it in.
The low sweeping roofline, broad rear haunches, blacked-out detailing and dark-finished wheels all work together to give it a proper sinister look. Genesis went out into the wild, captured elegance, put it in a package and managed to not make it painfully overpriced.
The GV80 Coupe Black has the sort of road presence usually reserved for far more established luxury brands, and in our opinion, it might just be one of the better-looking luxury vehicles on the market.
The face is large and wide, the blacked-out double layer G-Matrix grille and slim headlights giving the front end a cleaner, more expensive look. The side profile and rear end give it an athletic look.
The 22-inch wheels only serve to enhance that aggressive styling, while darker trims tie everything together. In an interesting way, the GV80 Coupe Black manages to incorporate different black finishes, darker chromes and subtle highlights to create a harmony of tones.
The back has a sloping tail that looks amazing, but sticks out further than you expect, making it something you need to account for when parking. This isn’t just a styling exercise either, as there’s some serious grunt beneath the bonnet.
Underneath all the glamour sits Genesis’ 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6, producing an impressive 279kW and 530Nm of torque, sent through an 8-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels. On paper, that gives it plenty of muscle to back up the attitude.
That translates to a claimed 0-100km/h time of 5.7 seconds. It’s got plenty of punch, and the all-wheel drive setup makes it feel effortless. It’s not pretending to be a lightweight sports car, and it does not need to either.
The appeal here is smooth, muscular performance wrapped in comfort and presence. Stepping inside only adds to that. Open the door and you are met with luxury and elevated finishes. Genesis has carried the premium dark look through to the interior too.
With black quilted Nappa leather, dark switchgear, black ash wood trim and black Bang & Olufsen speaker grilles, it all works together to create a cabin that feels elevated. The Ergo Motion front seats are comfortable, and offer plenty of support.
There’s 18-way power-adjustment, with each seat using seven air cells to improve feel. Rear seat practicality does take a little bit of a hit due to the sloping roof line though. The steering wheel continues the darker theme.
Boasting a dark-tinted Genesis logo, it reinforces that fact that the little details matter in creating a complete experience. Nothing inside feels out of place, and there are no bright, shiny pieces interrupting the mood. It legitimately feels complete.
This is still a big luxury SUV, and Genesis knows that. The cabin is quiet, plush and deeply relaxing. It feels premium without feeling old-fashioned, and dramatic without feeling tacky. That’s a hard balance to get right and the Korean brand has managed it.
Technology is also handled nicely. The large display and clean control layout make the cabin feel modern. The sound system is exceptional and the package is hard to fault. Overall, the Genesis GV80 Coupe Black dark, dramatic and bold, but still classy.
It has the power, comfort, materials and, most importantly, the presence to make it feel like something genuinely special. At $141,500 before on-road costs, it remains affordable against more recognised high end rivals too.
You can find out more on the Genesis Motors Australia website, or by talking to your local experience centre. To get a low rate finance quote, talk to Australia’s best reviewed car finance broker; Credit One.
To see a great range of vehicles for sale, check out OnlyCars.com.au.
Our test vehicle was provided by Genesis Motors Australia for independent review purposes. Exhaust Notes Australia has not been paid to review this vehicle.
