2025 Genesis G80 3.5T Prestige AWD

With its posh styling and elegantly handsome design, the 2025 Genesis G80 3.5T does its part in being a luxurious sedan, although its price may say otherwise. The Genesis G80 starts at around $58,000, which undercuts German rivals like the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5-Series, and Audi A7. But that doesn’t mean that this South Korean luxury cruiser is cheap. In fact, it’s more upscale than most would think.

For 2025, Genesis gave the G80 a slight refresh that includes a revised front bumper with larger air intakes and a different front grille. There were some interior tweaks made as well, including a new dashboard design and a larger 27-inch OLED display screen. Regardless of these changes, the G80 may not have the same softness as anything coming out of the Mercedes plant, but it offers a unique take on what luxury is. I think the main point is that you don’t need to spend a ton of money to get into a high-class sedan.

Interior

Step inside the Genesis G80, and you’ll likely be blown away by how nice it is to spend time in. My tester for the week was the top-end Prestige trim level, which came with everything a luxury buyer would need or want in a sedan. That includes features like tri-zone climate control, front and rear heated seats, a heated steering wheel, a premium Bang & Olufsen sound system, and a power-retractable rear sunshade. There was even a massage function for the driver’s seat.

Aside from a long list of technological features, the G80’s interior is well-appointed and spacious. The first row has a lot of head and legroom, and the rear seat is large enough to accommodate tall passengers in the outboard positions. The middle seat is pretty much useless unless you’re a small child. But when it’s not being used, the center armrest can be folded down to reveal a storage spot, cupholders, and seat heater buttons. It also makes the rear seat area look more executive-like.

Genesis is under the Hyundai umbrella, which most people would file under the category of being “cheap.” I wouldn’t blame anyone for thinking that, considering any eagle-eyed observer would spot the door panel and center console buttons that can be found in the same parts bin as those from the Hyundai Sonata and Elantra. In my mind, those finer details, like metal buttons and soft-touch surfaces, are what set the higher-end luxury cars apart from Genesis. Those little things add up, further elevating the overall quality and feel of the car.

As for cargo space, the Genesis G80 has a trunk that measures 13.1 cubic feet and has a power-folding lid, which is nice but unnecessary. That said, the car’s trunk space is good and should be able to fit a few suitcases and other large cargo with ease. The rear seats can be folded for more space as well.

Powertrain

The entry-level Genesis G80 comes equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 300 horsepower, which isn’t bad. However, if you want more power, the 3.5T is the trim level to get, as it comes equipped with a larger twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 engine that sends 375 horsepower to all four wheels. Of course, 375 ponies sound impressive on paper, but the G80 backs it up in real-world driving.

During my time with the car, I never felt that it was slow or lagged when it came to acceleration. In fact, it was quite the opposite, as a stab of the accelerator led to a massive push of power from the early to mid-range of the RPM band. The eight-speed automatic shifted smoothly, and the car’s steering was sharp and nicely weighted through every turn.

It’s evident that Genesis wanted to emphasize the G80’s sporty driving characteristics, and it did so very well. No, the G80 isn’t an E-Class, but it’s not supposed to be. Instead, the G80 is a sporty sedan for those who like to feel the road and the speed when driving without compromising ride and handling capabilities.

Mercedes-Benz, on the other hand, emphasizes comfort and elegance, which gives cars like the E-Class that floaty feeling that most luxury buyers look for. BMW likes to stiffen things up to give its vehicles a sharper driving experience. In my experience, Genesis splits the difference between the two by giving its cars a soft and sporty driving feel.

As for fuel efficiency, the EPA estimates that the G80 can get up to 16 mpg in the city and 24 on the highway, with up to 19 mpg combined. During my week of mixed driving, I got an average of 18.5 mpg, which is roughly on par with those estimates.

Technology

The Genesis G80 has a large 27-inch OLED screen that sits atop the dashboard and displays all the vital information. The right side is for all the infotainment features, like the radio and media functions, and the left side is for all the driver information like the gauges, fuel economy, trip odometer, etc. Aside from the nifty display, the Genesis G80 is also equipped with a panoramic moonroof, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a Hyundai digital key for easier access to the car.

My main gripe with the G80’s interior is the shifter dial, which is cumbersome to use until you get used to it. But it doesn’t help that the control knob for the infotainment sits right above it on the center console, making things even more confusing at first. Of course, the setup gets familiar over time, but installing a normal shifter would have been better.

Exterior

The Genesis G80 has a sleek look that’s daring but not overdone. There are bisected LED headlights up front that flank a very large plastic grille, which gives the car a Bentley-like appeal. There are fake vents on the fenders and 20-inch blade-like wheels that fill them, and in the rear of the car are bisected LED taillights that sit on either side of a large “Genesis” badge.

Overall, the G80 looks like nothing else in the luxury mid-size sedan category, which is a breath of fresh air considering the gaudy entrants it rivals.

Safety

The 2025 Genesis G80 is a safe car, given its numerous safety systems and equipment. The G80 is filled with driver-assist features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, frontal collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot cameras, and more. There are plenty of features to keep the car out of the ditch and in between the lines on the road, and they work well.

The adaptive cruise control function kept the car a safe distance away from the vehicle in front and even slowed the car to a complete stop gracefully. Additionally, the G80’s surround-view monitor made parking a breeze, especially with the 3D-view function that shows the entire car and its surroundings.

Lastly, it also has the Smart Park feature, which allows you to move the car forward and back with a push of a couple of buttons on the key fob while standing outside of it. It’s meant to make parking in tight spaces easier so that you don’t have to open the door to get out of the car. I’m sure it would work well for parking in small spots in a crowded city, but if you live in an apartment with normal parking spaces like me, it’s pretty useless.

Summary

The 2025 Genesis G80 is an excellent option for those who want a luxury sedan but don’t want to pay the German premium for it. Of course, other cars like the Infiniti Q50 and Acura TLX are worthy contenders that fall within the same price range, but the G80 actually looks and feels a little nicer than those two. So, it’s safe to say that the Genesis is truly in the middle of the road—and a good value at that.

The Genesis G80 starts at $57,100, and my Prestige test car for the week was priced at $78,930, including the destination charge. That’s not bad, considering rivals cost a lot more when fully loaded. But if you’re looking for a car with pristine details and softer driving dynamics, go with one of those. If all you want is luxury with nice leather and premium features, the Genesis G80 is a great option.