The 2025 Genesis G80 isn’t all new this year, but it did receive an update that includes a revised exterior and a significantly improved interior – that last bit is saying something, considering this is a luxury sedan that already delivered a premium experience with rich leather seating surfaces and plenty of room for five adults to get comfortable.

The biggest change comes in the form of technology. There’s now a 27-inch screen that houses the instrument cluster to the left and the infotainment interface on the right. This is new to the G80, but it’s not new to the brand and can be found on the GV80 SUV. The center console is also new and includes a relocated wireless charging pad. These changes elevate the appeal of the G80 and make it an even more attractive option for those looking at luxury sedans. But is there some kind of catch? Because it’s price and positioning make it seem almost too good to be true. We spent some time with one to find out.

Exterior: Take A Closer Look At That Grille

The 2025 G80 doesn’t get a dramatic makeover, and it’s still one of the suavest sedans on the road, in our opinion. It takes a keen eye to spot the differences between the 2024 and 2025 model years, but if you compare the two side-to-side, then you can spot the differences – starting with the modified grille. It’s a striking part of the design of the G80 with a crosshatch pattern that’s mimicked on the lower front fascia.

There are new Micro Lens Array (MLA) headlights and new wheel designs. The 20-inch Sport alloy wheels on our test car were downright striking. It’s hard to make a sedan look eye-catching from the side, but the G80 pulls it off with help from fabulous wheels. Overall, the impression is one of sleek, modern, luxury. Genesis is still a brand without widespread recognition, but the styling of the G80 will have people walking up and asking about what you’re driving.

Interior: Room For Five With All The Luxury Fixings

Any full-size sedan needs to be comfortable with plenty of room for five adults, and shopping in this segment adds to that the fact that the interior needs to be classy, comfortable, and high-end. Those buying luxury brands have higher expectations – and the G80 meets those expectations and then some. The front seats are downright plush with available 16-way power adjustability that lets you set everything from the lumbar to the bolstering to the thigh support. No matter your shape or size, you’re going to be able to find the right driving position.

There’s standard dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front and rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. Even the center console cover can be heated to keep you toasty during the winter months. Premium materials include leatherette on base trims, with leather, Nappa leather, real wood, aluminum, and carbon fiber on higher trims. At every level, it’s a luxury experience that coddles passengers. The G80 looks and feels like a luxury car, making it perfect for leisurely drives or long commutes.

Infotainment: One Screen For Everything

While some infotainment systems have multiple screens, this year’s G80 has a single 27-inch display with the instrument cluster on the left and the infotainment system on the right. The infotainment side is a touchscreen that can also be controlled by buttons on the steering wheel or by a large controller and a few hot keys on the center console.

It’s a good setup with a responsive screen and intuitive menus. The rotary controller is quite large, making it easy to use rather than fiddling with small buttons, although it’s very close in size to the gear shift knob that we almost grabbed accidentally a few times. Even the texture around the edges of the dials is the same, making it easy to initially go for the gear shift instead of the infotainment.

Little Details That Make A Big Difference

There’s wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with two front and two rear USB ports, which we appreciate. Too often, sedans don’t have charging ports for the rear passengers, which requires a phone swap midway through a long drive. Thw G80 eliminates that problem and, with the wireless charging, means all five people can keep their devices charged all the time. Those rear passengers also get their own climate controls on the back of the center console.

A choice of two audio systems is available. The base offering has 12 speakers, while top trims add a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen system that’s an option on the lower trims. It’s an upgrade worth the added cost for audiophiles that delivers rich sound throughout the cabin.

Room For You – And Your Fancy Luggage

Even though this is a sedan, it still has a good amount of cargo room in the trunk. This might not matter in a sedan most of the time when all you’re hauling is groceries, but it comes in handy when you need to stow luggage for that vacation getaway. There’s 13.1 cubic feet of trunk space available, which easily does the trick for a family of four.

Passenger comfort it also important, so you’ll find more room in the rear seat here than you would in a BMW 5 Series. Up front, occupants will be most comfortable, but you certainly aren’t losing out by sitting behind those perches.

The seating is comfortable with fantastic adjustability for the driver’s seat. Whether you want to stiffen up the lumbar for a bad back or soften everything to relax, the G80 seats will accommodate. There’s also strong bolstering to hold you in place in the corners, but it can be adjusted so that larger adults don’t feel squished.

Performance: Choose From Two Turbocharged Gas Engines

The G80 is available with two gas engines; if you want a hybrid, then you’re out of luck, but there is the Electrified G80 if you want to go fossil fuel-free. We review that model separately, however.

The base gas engine is a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. Those looking for more power have the option of a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 with 375 hp and 391 lb-ft.. These are both paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission with standard all-wheel drive and paddle shifters. Available drive modes include eco, comfort, sporty and custom, with Sport models adding a Sport+ mode for more spirited driving.

That’s a big performance difference, and it has a big impact on fuel economy. The 4-cylinder gets 20/29/24 mpg city/highway/combined, while the V6 drops to 16/24/19 mpg. Now, that might not matter much to you since you’re already looking at a car that’s a luxury vehicle, but it is going to hit your wallet hard if gas prices rise. Consider carefully depending on just how much flexibility you have in your monthly budget.

• 

  2.5-liter Turbocharged Inline-4

  Engine

  2.5L Turbo Inline-4 Gas

  Drivetrain

  All-Wheel Drive

  Transmission

  8-Speed Automatic

  Horsepower

  300 hp

  Torque

  311 lb-ft @ 1650 rpm

  0-60 MPH

  5.8 seconds

  City

  20 mpg

  Highway

  29 mpg

  Combined

  24 mpg

• 

  3.5-liter Twin Turbo V6

  Engine

  3.5L Twin-Turbo V6 Gas

  Drivetrain

  All-Wheel Drive

  Transmission

  8-Speed Automatic

  Horsepower

  375 hp

  Torque

  391 lb-ft @ 1300 rpm

  0-60 MPH

  4.7 seconds

  City

  16 mpg

  Highway

  24 mpg

  Combined

  19 mpg

Drive Impressions: Performance That Will Not Disappoint

The G80 is first and foremost a luxury car, and it delivers on that expectation when you sit behind the wheel. The ride is smooth and unfussy with responsive handling – it’s not a true sports sedan, but it feels confident and self-assured. This G80 is all about letting you enjoy driving without asking you to do too much work in the process, but when you do expect a little more, it’s more than happy to oblige.

The paddle shifters let you take control and have a more exciting driving experience if that’s what you prefer. Take it a step further by selecting the Sport+ driving mode found on all Sport models. This tightens the steering and adjusts the shift mapping to make the G80 more engaging, but in a way befitting a luxury sedan. This isn’t a crass, brash, loud-mouth that wants to shout about how quick it is.

Our driving time was with the more powerful V6 engine, and it did not disappoint. Press the gas and the G80 responds quickly with strong acceleration. It makes getting up to highway speeds effortless with more than ample power to pass slower vehicles at cruising speeds.

It’s also quiet, which is exactly what you want in a luxury sedan. There’s very little engine noise to help maintain the serenity of the cabin. Road and wind noise were also well-muted, as was the sound of passing trucks on the highway. Rough pavement and uneven road surfaces go largely unnoticed thanks to a well-tuned suspension system, adding to the sense of calm inside the cabin. This is a sedan that will make that daily commute less of a slog and a road trip something to truly look forward to rather than dread.

Genesis aims to be a luxury brand that competes with the likes of Audi and BMW. It succeeds on the luxury front and mostly on the performance front, but doesn’t offer some of the high horsepower, performance-focused options of the Germans. The G80 is all about delivering the refined serenity of a luxury sedan, and it does so beautifully.

Pricing and Verdict: Luxury Has A New Name

The Genesis G80 is a luxury sedan. That feels like a statement we need to highlight. It’s a true premium sedan that has every right to compete with the heritage luxury brands. It comes with great handling, strong power, and a gorgeous interior that’s the right balance of tech-forward and elegant.

It also comes at a surprisingly affordable starting price of $57,100, not including the $1,250 destination fee. The top trim of the lineup is $77,000, which not only adds features, but also includes the more powerful V6 engine.

This makes the G80 quite competitively priced compared to the likes of the BMW 5-Series. It has what it takes to compete in terms of luxury, but if it’s proper athletic performance you’re after, the Germans still offer a more exhilarating drive. The upcoming Magma lineup of Genesis vehicles promises to match up on performance when it arrives in the next few years.

The Genesis G80, however, is unique. It’s an eye-catching sedan that attracts attention for its looks and for being something not everyone immediately recognizes. There’s a choice of robust engines, and it’s competitively priced, making it something of a bargain in the luxury segment. It’s one of our favorite luxury sedans – and we love that the brand is being recognized for what it is. Just be ready to leave a little extra time to answer the questions of all the random admirers who will want to know what you’re driving and where they can find one, because it’s still quite an unknown. But that’s rather charming, actually, and even more reason to get one.