2025 Genesis G80

With lots of standard equipment, contemporary technology, superb comfort, and class-appropriate styling, the G80 is a strong contender against more established rivals like the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. In the relatively short time Genesis has been around, it has made serious inroads into the luxury sector, with the G80 as one of the standard bearers. This car is highly accomplished and one we’re happy to recommend.

The 2025 Genesis Electrified G80, the completely electric version of this midsize luxury sedan, is reviewed separately.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of midsize luxury cars, including the Genesis G80.

This second generation of G80 launched for 2021, so it’s time for a mid-generation refresh. The exterior design has been spruced up, along with a few changes in the cabin — the most dramatic being the 27-inch display. The headlights, grille, and front air intakes receive minor tweaks. Crucially, Genesis has reinstated physical controls in the center console for volume, tuning, and temperature adjustment. Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto has become standard, the infotainment system can receive over-the-air updates, USB-C ports replace USB-A, the Digital Key feature is now compatible with Apple iPhones, and a fingerprint reader has become available. The 360-degree camera system (in Sport Prestige trim) has a screen capture function that owners can access remotely to check on their car’s surroundings. A Bang & Olufsen setup replaces the previous Lexicon audio system. The cabin also gains 64-color ambient lighting set into more places. The 3.5T Sport trim has been discontinued.

The base G80 is packed with standard equipment, which makes it easy to recommend. We might be tempted to go for the next-highest Advanced trim to gain the better audio system and a few other features.

Well-established rivals include the BMW 5 Series and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, both starting in the same ballpark as the G80. Equipping a BMW 540i xDrive or Mercedes-Benz E 450 4Matic to a similar level of equipment would end up costing several thousands more.

Before buying a new G80 luxury sedan, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. The Lexus ES usually has the strongest resale values in this class, but the G80 performs respectably. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The most popular G80 engine is the 3.5T turbocharged V6, which makes 375 horsepower, matching the BMW 540i and the Mercedes-Benz E 450. If there were a drag race between the three, the BMW would win, hitting 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The G80 3.5T would only be about a half-second behind, though.

The entry-level 2.5T is one of the most muscular base engines in the class, generating 300 hp. That’s punchy enough for reaching freeway speeds without stress and responsive to prodding the accelerator pedal. We also appreciate how finely the suspension has been tuned, providing comfort and composure. Genesis says it has added an electronic brake booster to the 2025 G80, aiming to improve the feel of the system. We had no issues with it before, and certainly none now. It feels natural and easy to adjust pressure.

Along with greater thrust and bigger brake discs, the 3.5T adds a sport-tuned adaptive suspension for a bit of extra poise. This model even offers the option of rear-wheel steering, raising its agility game and improving low-speed maneuverability at the same time. The G80’s overall driving character, though, follows the philosophy of tranquility. When we drove the latest 3.5T in top Sport Prestige trim, the exceptionally quiet and smooth ride impressed us big time. Some of that hush is because of new sound-insulating Pirelli tires.

We also spent time toggling between Comfort and Sport driving modes. The former is relaxed to the point of being slow to respond, so we preferred the latter — even if the slightly heavier steering still lacked a certain feel. There won’t be many sleepless nights at BMW, although a few other well-established luxury marques might be wondering how to meet the refinement challenge thrown down by Genesis.

Regardless of model, the wide array of standard driver assistance features provides a lot of confidence and reassurance. Highway Driving Assist 2 brings steering assistance to keep the car centered in its lane. It’s smart enough to edge over a little if a vehicle in an adjacent lane creeps too close. This feature works extremely well, like the rest of the car’s driving aids.

Fuel Economy

The inevitable downside to the 2.5T engine being so zesty is that it achieves a less-than-stellar 24 mpg in combined city and highway driving. For comparison, the 255-hp BMW 530i xDrive manages 30 mpg combined.

The 3.5T returns 19 mpg combined. Again, that’s remarkable for the wrong reasons in light of the BMW 540i xDrive’s 28 mpg combined. Both G80 engines require premium gasoline and have a stop/restart function when idling.

The G80’s dashboard has been revised for 2025 to include a 27-inch OLED display that handles driver information and infotainment duties. It looks huge and great and works just as it should. The steering wheel has also been restyled.

Genesis has retained the two similar-looking rotary controls in the center console — one for the infotainment system and the other for selecting gears. In the past, we’ve sometimes felt it was too easy to grab the wrong one in the heat of a hasty 3-point turn. But during our most recent drive, it wasn’t an issue. It’s one of those things where owners can soon become acclimatized.

Elsewhere in the cabin, the usual Genesis rules apply — fine materials, impressive build quality, plenty of space, and lots of comfort in both rows. We thought the carbon-fiber trim pieces in the top Sport Prestige model looked a bit fake — if we were ordering a new G80, we’d probably select another option. Another little gripe: trunk space of 13.1 cubic feet is small for the class. To compare, the BMW 5 Series has 18.4 cubic feet.

The current G80’s styling has always looked like a bona fide luxury car to us. We’re glad Genesis hasn’t done anything radical with the 2025 model. Changes focus mainly on revised lighting and a slightly smaller grille with a new mesh design. The front air intakes have also been tweaked. Versions with the 2.5T engine have their exhaust outlets hidden, and 3.5T models have exhaust outlets echoing the shape of the grille. Vatna Gray is a new color exclusive to Sport Prestige trims.

Heated seats
Not just the fronts, but the outboard rears as well. And not just the seats — the steering wheel is also heated and has a power-adjustable column. All this equipment is standard.

Genesis Connected Services
A smartphone app creates a deeper link between driver and G80. There’s a remote start function with the ability to set cabin temperature, keyless entry/ignition with the phone, automatic collision notification, parking location memory, and various other features. Every new Genesis comes with a 3-year subscription.

Bang & Olufsen surround-sound system
We’ll admit it — we were big fans of the old Lexicon stuff. But we doubt that even the pickiest audiophile with bat-like hearing would complain about the new 18-speaker/1,400-watt setup available in the 2025 G80.

Adaptive suspension with Road Preview
This comes standard in the 3.5T. The Road Preview feature entails a forward-facing camera reading the conditions ahead, with the car adjusting the settings accordingly. It means superb ride quality at all times.

Remote Smart Parking
Drivers can be outside their G80 and get the car to inch into a parking space automatically just by pressing a button on the key fob. Or they can do it all from the comfort of their car seat. This is an option in the 3.5T.

Blind Spot View Monitor
Another option for Sport Prestige trims (regardless of engine), this monitor shows real-time video (in the digital instrument cluster) of either side of the car, according to which turn signal is activated. It’s one of those features we don’t like to be without now we’ve experienced it.

The engine in the 2.5T is, unsurprisingly, a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder unit, half a liter bigger than most rival base engines. Output is an impressive 300 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. The 3.5T is a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 developing 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines connect to an 8-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive (AWD) is standard throughout.

5-Year/60,000-Mile Warranty

The new-vehicle warranty from Genesis lasts five years or 60,000 miles, whichever happens first, with roadside assistance for five years at unlimited mileage. The powertrain is covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. These terms are some of the best in the automotive industry. Genesis also includes three years or 36,000 miles of free scheduled maintenance.

Safety Ratings

This second generation of G80 has been named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It’s the institute’s highest accolade. Likewise, the car also took the maximum 5-Star overall score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Standard safety equipment includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.