Calling a four-door SUV a coupe remains a mild contradiction, but the luxury market has long since decided not to be troubled by semantics. Coupe-styled SUVs have proliferated across the segment, trading a measure of practicality for a more dramatic silhouette. Evidently, there is no shortage of buyers willing to make that exchange and Genesis is now giving them another persuasive option.

Genesis joined the coupe-SUV bandwagon with flagship GV80. The standard model already combines genuine practicality with a cohesive, well-executed design; the Coupe simply gives that formula a more theatrical haircut. Its roofline sweeps downward, the rear bodywork becomes more sculpted, and some cargo-carrying usefulness inevitably disappears. Yet despite the familiar recipe and a profile that could easily have gone wrong, the result remains remarkably handsome.

Unlike the standard GV80, the GV80 Coupe has an additional trick up its sleeve. Its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 is paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid e-Supercharger, increasing output from 375 to 409 horsepower while producing 405 pound-feet of torque. Curiously, the extra power does not make straight-line acceleration feel dramatically different from that of the standard twin-turbo V6, although the Coupe is still properly quick by any reasonable measure. The more noticeable benefit appears in the eight-speed automatic transmission, whose shifts feel exceptionally rapid for an SUV while remaining impressively smooth.

Despite its sportier design language, the GV80 Coupe still drives fundamentally like an SUV, just one with considerably more charisma. It handles its size well on a winding road, with responsive steering and reassuring composure. An electronically controlled suspension uses cameras to read the road and continually adjusts the dampers to manage surface imperfections. Most of the time, the result is an excellent ride. Occasionally, however, the technology seems to overthink the assignment; after settling comfortably on smooth pavement, the suspension can respond to an isolated pothole with a startling crash that briefly has you calculating the replacement cost of a rim.

Inside, the GV80 Coupe is a marvelous place to spend time. The Nappa leather is soft, the seats are supremely comfortable, and the driver receives enough adjustment options to make a first-class airline seat seem modestly under-equipped. As a Genesis owner, I am not entirely persuaded by the new 27-inch OLED display because its sheer scale competes with an otherwise beautifully designed cabin. Personal reservations aside, the screen itself is excellent; the continuous display flows neatly into the instrument cluster and delivers crisp graphics for both the 360-degree camera and the blind-spot camera system.

More disappointing is Genesis’s decision to remove the volume and tuning controls from the center console, where they were easy to locate and operate by touch. The controls now sit on the dashboard above the climate panel and use smaller knobs. In practice, the arrangement makes it surprisingly easy to adjust the temperature when the intention was merely to change the volume; a minor ergonomic misstep in a cabin that is otherwise exceptionally thoughtful.

The cabin’s overall presentation is elegant without abandoning the Coupe’s sportier intent. Ultramarine Blue leather is paired with orange seatbelts and contrast stitching, while slim air vents are integrated cleanly into the dash. Soft-touch materials cover the major contact points, and a distinctive diamond pattern embossed into the seats adds visual texture without becoming excessive. The one caveat is the genuine forged-carbon-fiber trim; although expensive in principle, its exposed edges look unexpectedly inexpensive in practice.

Genesis’s latest driver-assistance technology is among the more capable systems in the segment. The GV80 Coupe includes the expected features; adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, automatic stopping, and the usual supporting cast, but its real advantage is the degree of customization it provides. Drivers can adjust how early the vehicle brakes while adaptive cruise control is active and alter how assertively it accelerates back to the selected speed. Those settings make the system feel less prescriptive and contribute to a more relaxed driving experience tailored to individual preferences.

When it comes to practically, the Coupe styling extracts its usual practical tax. The rear roofline reduces headroom slightly, although passengers around six feet tall should still be reasonably comfortable. Cargo capacity also suffers, primarily in vertical space. Most everyday items will fit without complaint, but taller purchases may require admitting defeat and arranging delivery. At least the seats fold and return electrically, so reversing that decision does not require an undignified wrestling match in the parking lot.

Were it not for the G90 sedan, the GV80 Coupe would rank among the most expensive vehicles in the Genesis lineup. Our top-trim example carried an $89,795 price tag. Yes, that stings. Even so, judged against current luxury-vehicle pricing, the GV80 Coupe delivers much of the design, technology, comfort, and road presence expected from a six-figure SUV while remaining just below that threshold. It even includes massaging seats, a feature that some considerably more expensive luxury vehicles still treat as optional; or simply forget to offer.