• A few key design tweaks make this mid-size sedan better looking than ever.

• The G80 is meant for calm commuting, not canyon carving.

• The G80 offers a great value in the luxury space with a starting price of under $60,000.

The Genesis G80 holds a storied place in the company’s history. This midsize sedan debuted as the fanciest Hyundai model before the manufacturer decided to spin off Genesis into its own luxury brand in 2017. We got a new G80 in 2021, and the 2025 Genesis G80 represents a restrained mid-cycle refresh, adding a few appreciated upgrades while maintaining the value for which Genesis is known.

The G80 has always been a handsome car, and it just gets a nip and tuck for 2025—a non-invasive thread lift, if you will. The LED headlamps sport a new signature flourish with double-stacked micro lenses that look pretty nifty. The lower part of the front fascia has been stretched just a tad. While some folks complain that the grille is a tad busy, making the sedan look like it’s wearing braces, I like it. Sure, it’s a bit more fussy than last year, but it has texture and depth.

Around back the changes are more subtle, but keen eyes will spot new hidden dual exhaust tips. Hyundai also differentiates the Sport models and some folks might spy a few small design variances in the turbo-4 versus the V-6 versions. Regardless of which trim you choose, though, you’ll get a stunner. 

Climbing behind the wheel I’m glad my tester has the red interior. There is certainly a place for your standard black, beige, or white leather, but hot dang does this red look good! I’m greeted with a 27.0-inch dual-display that combines a configurable gauge cluster with an infotainment screen. Nothing is new here except that now Genesis offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The company has also added physical knobs for volume, tuning, and temperature control. Every manufacturer should take the hint and bring back knobs for these functions. Digging into the screen just to up the volume on my favorite song is ridiculously distracting. 

Genesis G80: Smooth and sophisticated

The 2.5-liter turbo-4 is available in base, Advanced, and Sport Prestige trims. This engine puts out a respectable 300 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. However, my day of driving takes place in the top 3.5T Sport Prestige AWD model with a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 that puts out 375 ponies and 391 lb-ft. Both engines are mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission, but rear-wheel drive is no longer an option. All G80s are now all-wheel drive. The EPA gives the smaller engine a fuel economy rating of 20 mpg in the city, 29 on the highway, and 24 combined. The larger powerplant does much worse: 16/24/19. Ouch.

The V-6 powertrain is smooth and sophisticated, not riotous and rowdy. It will rip up to triple digits easily if that’s your jam, but the ride in Comfort mode and even Sport mode feels a bit floaty. It’s not bad, it’s just easy like Sunday morning. I can put it in Sport+ mode for a stiffer suspension, a remapped shift pattern, more rear-wheel bias, and a cool high-performance gauge cluster, but the transmission doesn’t reliably downshift quickly, often waiting until I ask for power rather than having it at the ready. However, Genesis provides paddle shifters for those who want more control.

You want something more athletic? Look at the Audi S7 or a BMW 540i. You won’t be as comfy as you would in the G80, but you’ll sure as heck be able to take a corner quicker. 

Case in point, the G80 uses the front advanced driver-assist system’s camera to scan the road and prime the suspension for any upcoming events. While the roads on my drive are incredibly smooth, I manage to find a few potholes and undulations to hit on purpose. While I can certainly tell one wheel has taken a different path than the others, the shock definitely feels reduced. This would feel great in cities with notoriously choppy pavement.

One curious feature Genesis includes is the option to dial in your braking experience. This seems odd on a car not meant for über-spirited driving, but dig into the driver’s assistance screens and you find the option for Comfort or Sport settings for the brakes. The latter tightens up the experience a bit, with more bite near the top of the pedal stroke, but it seems like a specialty item that doesn’t quite match the car’s laid-back character. Regardless, it’s a few taps into the infotainment system, so I doubt many folks will make a habit of switching it up.

Genesis G80: A luxury value

Genesis has always offered plenty of bang for your buck in terms of interior comforts, and the G80 doesn’t deviate from the formula. Even the base model comes with heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, 12-way power-adjustable front seats, and fingerprint authentication. Driver-assist features are also plentiful as the base model gets automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitors, active lane control, and adaptive cruise control with Highway Driving Assist as standard fare. 

However, my top spec gets it all. The front seats are cooled and adjust 16 ways. I also have an upgraded Bang & Olufsen stereo system, three-zone climate control, a wireless charging pad, heated armrests, a head-up display, and a surround-view camera system. I can open the car with my phone if I need to, and my safety features get a bump with a blind-view monitor that displays a video feed of my blind spots right to my gauge cluster, as well as a parking collision avoidance assist system that works in all directions.

My only complaint here—besides the fact that the heated seats power themselves down because they think my buns are hot-crossed enough—is Genesis’ semi-autonomous Highway Driving Assist system. It’s pretty easy to engage: just press the adaptive cruise control button and as long as you already have active lane control engaged the system sets your speed and monitors the car in front. I can take my hands off the wheel for a brief time, but it’s not fully hands-free. If that is a deal-breaker you’ll need to look at Super Cruise in the Cadillac CT5. 

However, even with my hands on the wheel, the system feels a bit unsure of itself on the highway, refusing to take a long sweeper on its own. Mercedes-Benz has a better hands-on system. The good news is that the automatic lane change system works well. I merely have to signal and the car takes care of the rest. Still, other manufacturers do this tech better.

Still, I can’t deny the value of the 2025 Genesis G80. The base 2.5T AWD starts at $58,350 including $1,250 for destination. Mid-pack pricing of the 2.5T Advanced AWD sits at $63,150, while the top 2.5T Sport Prestige AWD can be had for $69,600. The larger engine costs more, as the 3.5T Sport Advanced AWD comes in at $70,850 and the top 3.5T Sport Prestige AWD at $78,250.

That’s all a pretty penny, but when you look at the competitors’ features and prices, the Genesis becomes a tough nut to beat. A BMW 5-Series starts at $1,000 more, is down on power, and doesn’t include all-wheel drive. You’ll also have to add nearly $4,000 for adaptive cruise control. You’ll have to add so many options to a Mercedes-Benz E 450 to get the features that are standard on the G80 that the price skyrockets to nearly $90,000. But hey, you’ll get over 400 horsepower so that’s a bonus.

As for the fully battery-electric G80, Genesis considers that its own model but says we should see updates for it soon. In the meantime, for those looking for an effortless driving experience with a little bit of fun peeking around the edge, the 2025 Genesis G80 is the car to buy. The fuel economy could be better and the Highway Driving Assist needs some work, but overall it’s an exceptional buy in the competitive luxury sedan market.

Genesis paid for travel and lodging for Motor Authority to bring you this firsthand report.