The auto market has fallen out of affection with sedans, selecting to go for taller and greater crossovers. Due to that, many automakers have left the sedan market altogether, however there are nonetheless a couple of that soldier on. Genesis is a kind of firms, and its refreshed 2025 G80 reveals there’s nonetheless a spot for a giant luxurious sedan in at this time’s market.
Earlier than you get your hopes up, the G80 is just not a real sports activities sedan, however then it doesn’t actually faux to be. This BMW 5 Sequence competitor is all about consolation, quiet luxurious and smooth expertise wrapped in presumably the prettiest sedan physique you should buy at this time. In loads of methods, it’s a breath of contemporary air in comparison with the “sporty” sedans it competes with. You’re meant to cruise and calm down in a G80, and it does that in addition to nearly any automotive on the market.
Full Disclosure: Genesis flew me all the way down to Lexington, Kentucky, put me up in a really good lodge and fed me a hell of loads of meals, all so I may drive the refreshed G80.
Regardless of the Sport within the identify of the trim I used to be driving, the G80 nonetheless is not a lot of a driver’s automotive. Certain, it’s bought a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 pushing out 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque, nevertheless it doesn’t precisely really feel quick in a straight line. In spite of everything, this can be a heavy luxury-oriented automotive, and you are feeling that heft within the nook. Even in Sport+ mode, physique roll is current, and there isn’t a ton of feeling from the electrical steering rack. It has a few of that synthetic heaviness that may be a hallmark of Hyundai, Kia and Genesis vehicles, and the 2 levels of rear steering angle (solely obtainable on the highest Sport Status trim) means turn-in is fast going round a nook, however that’s actually it.
The in-house eight-speed computerized additionally doesn’t prefer to be rushed. There may be, in fact, a handbook mannequin with steering wheel–mounted paddle shifters, nevertheless it’s higher suited to slushing round in computerized mode. The engine itself doesn’t make a really inspiring noise, both. That’s OK, although. Should you flip off the faux engine noise it fades quietly to the background. The G80 even comes with launch management, for those who’re the kind of sicko who desires that on a 4,619-pound luxurious sedan.
Far more importantly, the 2025 G80 feels like a luxurious automotive as a result of it is one. In order for you a sportier midsize government sedan, it is best to go for the 5 Sequence, however the G80 blows the BMW out of the water on the subject of luxurious cruising.
Genesis didn’t make too many modifications to the G80 for 2025, and most of them are beauty, except for four-piston brakes. There’s revised entrance and rear fascia, a barely altered badge, reworked Micro Lens Array headlights, and a handful of recent 18-, 19- and 20-inch wheel designs. There’s additionally a brand new paint shade referred to as Vatna Grey and a handful of inside colours to select from. I’m pleased Genesis determined to maintain the beauty modifications to a minimal. Wanting the Lucid Air, the G80 is the best-looking sedan available on the market, for my part. Why mess with perfection, ya know?
On the within, the large information right here is the reworked dashboard and its new 27-inch OLED display screen. It appears actually good total, and the steering wheel doesn’t block it as a lot as different vehicles with seamless shows like this. Like older Genesis automobiles, the middle a part of the display screen may be managed with both an iDrive-style knob or the touchscreen itself. The gauge cluster portion can also be tremendous customizable — you possibly can have something from two gauges, to your driver help techniques or a full-size map. As with different present Genesis fashions, the system is pretty easy to make use of and works tremendous effectively. The G80 now presents wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (so you possibly can cease complaining about wires), there’s a brand new Bang & Olufsen audio system, and you will get a fingerprint authentication system and a few new driver security techniques.
The G80’s inside is the place the automotive actually shines. Between the slick expertise integration, splendidly comfortable seats and premium-feeling supplies, the G80 is just about on the high of its class on the subject of good interiors. There’s additionally a really critical feeling of openness on the within. It feels very mild and ethereal, and that’s accentuated by the panoramic sunroom. Except for the standard feeling of every part inside, the cabin can also be splendidly quiet. Cruising down the freeway you’ll not hear very a lot from the motor, wind or the Pirelli P Zero tires. That’s what you need in a automotive like this.
I’ve spent loads of time in luxurious automobiles from nearly each producer you possibly can consider, and few really feel as premium, as effectively put collectively or as fairly because the G80. Certain, this automotive is not low-cost. It begins at $58,350 (together with vacation spot), and the loaded-up Cavendish Purple over Sevilla Purple G80 Sport Status I drove stickered at $78,900. You’re nonetheless getting a hell of lots on your cash although, and the G80 offers off the impression that the individuals who constructed it actually gave a shit whereas they have been placing it collectively.
There’s loads of room for 4 pretty massive adults and their baggage within the automotive. Rear occupants are handled to a few USB-C ports, heated seats, sunshades, their very own local weather zone and loads of legroom. Up entrance, effectively, these of us are touring in actual consolation. Each seats are heated and cooled, and the driving force will get a therapeutic massage perform that works actually properly and even massages your ass, very welcome on a protracted journey. Sport fashions additionally get a D-shaped steering wheel to make you are feeling like a racecar driver, clearly. The entire controls, from the rotary dial shifter and HVAC capabilities (that are on their very own devoted display screen) to the amount and tuning knob that Genesis introduced again for 2025 primarily based on buyer demand fall simply at hand.
If I’ve only one difficulty with the inside, it’s the trim alternative. Within the top-level Sport Status, you get carbon-fiber trim. Why? God dammit, this automotive deserves wooden in every single place. I would like to speak with somebody about of us’ obsession with carbon fiber in vehicles that actually shouldn’t have it.
The G80’s driver-assistance techniques aren’t on the extent of one thing like GM’s Tremendous Cruise, however they’re somewhat nice. Adaptive cruise management and lane-keeping help will waft you down the freeway with few points. It creates a really relaxed setting that’s additional enhanced by the comparatively quiet cabin at freeway speeds. The opposite little bit of security tech I like is the blind spot cameras that pop up within the gauge cluster, an indicator of all Hyundai/Kia/Genesis automobiles. They make altering lanes a breeze, and I actually want extra automakers had stolen this concept.
In fact, the G80 I drove was absolutely loaded, however you will get a less expensive one for those who don’t really feel you want the full-fat twin-turbo V6 and its EPA-estimated 16 mpg metropolis and 24 mpg freeway. Genesis additionally presents a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-four that also places out 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, mated to the identical eight-speed computerized transmission. All 2025 G80s now come commonplace with all-wheel-drive, in order that explains a little bit of the value hike, however I really feel Genesis realized it wasn’t charging sufficient for a automotive of this caliber, and its worth is now extra consistent with what it needs to be. Nonetheless, it isn’t actually the identical luxurious cut price it was once – the bottom worth is up $2,700 from the 2024 mannequin yr.
By way of future plans for the G80, Genesis wouldn’t lay out specifics, however spokespeople for the model assured me a refreshed Electrified G80 is within the pipeline, and ultimately we’ll be getting a hybrid as effectively. There’s no phrase on if it’ll be a typical hybrid or a plug-in.
Should you look again on the historical past of Genesis, it’s onerous to argue that the G80 isn’t an important automobile the model has ever constructed. In spite of everything, Hyundai kicked off this complete Genesis factor with the introduction of the Hyundai Genesis for the 2009 mannequin yr. That automotive was then spun off into the Genesis G80 for the 2017 mannequin yr, and it has been the usual bearer of the model ever since.
One in 4 Genesis automobiles offered these days is a sedan, and its gross sales have been up over 17 p.c yr over yr, so the G80 is just not an insignificant a part of the Korean automaker’s portfolio. In a world the place SUVs and crossovers have gotten the default luxurious automotive, it’s good to see an old-school luxurious sedan nonetheless making a splash just like the G80 has. Should you actually don’t want the added cargo area or larger floor clearance, the G80 is the mid-level luxurious automotive to purchase. Simply be prepared for everybody to let you know how fairly it’s, and check out to not get too bothered it’s not a nook carver.
