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A number of key design tweaks make this mid-size sedan higher wanting than ever.
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The G80 is supposed for calm commuting, not canyon carving.
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The G80 gives an amazing worth within the luxurious area with a beginning value of underneath $60,000.
The Genesis G80 holds a storied place within the firm’s historical past. This midsize sedan debuted because the fanciest Hyundai mannequin earlier than the producer determined to spin off Genesis into its personal luxurious model in 2017. We acquired a brand new G80 in 2021, and the 2025 Genesis G80 represents a restrained mid-cycle refresh, including a number of appreciated upgrades whereas sustaining the worth for which Genesis is thought.
The G80 has all the time been a good-looking automobile, and it simply will get a nip and tuck for 2025—a non-invasive thread elevate, if you’ll. The LED headlamps sport a brand new signature flourish with double-stacked micro lenses that look fairly nifty. The decrease a part of the entrance fascia has been stretched only a tad. Whereas some of us complain that the grille is a tad busy, making the sedan appear to be it’s carrying braces, I prefer it. Certain, it’s a bit extra fussy than final yr, however it has texture and depth.
Round again the adjustments are extra delicate, however eager eyes will spot new hidden twin exhaust ideas. Hyundai additionally differentiates the Sport fashions and a few of us may spy a number of small design variances within the turbo-4 versus the V-6 variations. No matter which trim you select, although, you’ll get a stunner.
2025 Genesis G80
2025 Genesis G80
2025 Genesis G80
Climbing behind the wheel I’m glad my tester has the crimson inside. There’s definitely a spot on your commonplace black, beige, or white leather-based, however sizzling dang does this crimson look good! I’m greeted with a 27.0-inch dual-display that mixes a configurable gauge cluster with an infotainment display. Nothing is new right here besides that now Genesis gives wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The corporate has additionally added bodily knobs for quantity, tuning, and temperature management. Each producer ought to take the trace and produce again knobs for these capabilities. Digging into the display simply to up the quantity on my favourite tune is ridiculously distracting.
2025 Genesis G80
2025 Genesis G80
2025 Genesis G80
Genesis G80: Clean and complex
The two.5-liter turbo-4 is offered in base, Superior, and Sport Status trims. This engine places out a good 300 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. Nonetheless, my day of driving takes place within the high 3.5T Sport Status AWD mannequin with a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 that places out 375 ponies and 391 lb-ft. Each engines are mated to an 8-speed automated transmission, however rear-wheel drive is not an possibility. All G80s are actually all-wheel drive. The EPA provides the smaller engine a gasoline economic system score of 20 mpg within the metropolis, 29 on the freeway, and 24 mixed. The bigger powerplant does a lot worse: 16/24/19. Ouch.
The V-6 powertrain is clean and complex, not riotous and rowdy. It would rip as much as triple digits simply if that’s your jam, however the journey in Consolation mode and even Sport mode feels a bit floaty. It’s not dangerous, it’s simply simple like Sunday morning. I can put it in Sport+ mode for a stiffer suspension, a remapped shift sample, extra rear-wheel bias, and a cool high-performance gauge cluster, however the transmission doesn’t reliably downshift rapidly, typically ready till I ask for energy relatively than having it on the prepared. Nonetheless, Genesis supplies paddle shifters for many who need extra management.
You need one thing extra athletic? Have a look at the Audi S7 or a BMW 540i. You received’t be as cozy as you’d within the G80, however you’ll certain as heck be capable to take a nook faster.
Living proof, the G80 makes use of the entrance superior driver-assist system’s digicam to scan the street and prime the suspension for any upcoming occasions. Whereas the roads on my drive are extremely clean, I handle to search out a number of potholes and undulations to hit on objective. Whereas I can definitely inform one wheel has taken a unique path than the others, the shock undoubtedly feels lowered. This could really feel nice in cities with notoriously uneven pavement.
One curious characteristic Genesis contains is the choice to dial in your braking expertise. This appears odd on a automobile not meant for über-spirited driving, however dig into the motive force’s help screens and you discover the choice for Consolation or Sport settings for the brakes. The latter tightens up the expertise a bit, with extra chunk close to the highest of the pedal stroke, however it looks like a specialty merchandise that doesn’t fairly match the automobile’s laid-back character. Regardless, it’s a number of faucets into the infotainment system, so I doubt many people will make a behavior of switching it up.
2025 Genesis G80, Emme Corridor picture
2025 Genesis G80, Emme Corridor picture
2025 Genesis G80, Emme Corridor picture
Genesis G80: A luxurious worth
Genesis has all the time provided loads of bang on your buck by way of inside comforts, and the G80 doesn’t deviate from the formulation. Even the bottom mannequin comes with heated entrance and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, 12-way power-adjustable entrance seats, and fingerprint authentication. Driver-assist options are additionally plentiful as the bottom mannequin will get automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot displays, energetic lane management, and adaptive cruise management with Freeway Driving Help as commonplace fare.
Nonetheless, my high spec will get all of it. The entrance seats are cooled and modify 16 methods. I even have an upgraded Bang & Olufsen stereo system, three-zone local weather management, a wi-fi charging pad, heated armrests, a head-up show, and a surround-view digicam system. I can open the automobile with my cellphone if I must, and my security options get a bump with a blind-view monitor that shows a video feed of my blind spots proper to my gauge cluster, in addition to a parking collision avoidance help system that works in all instructions.
My solely grievance right here—apart from the truth that the heated seats energy themselves down as a result of they assume my buns are hot-crossed sufficient—is Genesis’ semi-autonomous Freeway Driving Help system. It’s fairly simple to have interaction: simply press the adaptive cruise management button and so long as you have already got energetic lane management engaged the system units your pace and displays the automobile in entrance. I can take my arms off the wheel for a quick time, however it’s not absolutely hands-free. If that may be a deal-breaker you’ll want to have a look at Tremendous Cruise within the Cadillac CT5.
Nonetheless, even with my arms on the wheel, the system feels a bit not sure of itself on the freeway, refusing to take a protracted sweeper by itself. Mercedes-Benz has a greater hands-on system. The excellent news is that the automated lane change system works effectively. I merely should sign and the automobile takes care of the remainder. Nonetheless, different producers do that tech higher.
Nonetheless, I can’t deny the worth of the 2025 Genesis G80. The bottom 2.5T AWD begins at $58,350 together with $1,250 for vacation spot. Mid-pack pricing of the two.5T Superior AWD sits at $63,150, whereas the highest 2.5T Sport Status AWD might be had for $69,600. The bigger engine prices extra, as the three.5T Sport Superior AWD is available in at $70,850 and the highest 3.5T Sport Status AWD at $78,250.
2025 Genesis G80
That’s all a fairly penny, however if you have a look at the rivals’ options and costs, the Genesis turns into a tricky nut to beat. A BMW 5-Sequence begins at $1,000 extra, is down on energy, and doesn’t embody all-wheel drive. You’ll even have so as to add almost $4,000 for adaptive cruise management. You’ll have so as to add so many choices to a Mercedes-Benz E 450 to get the options which are commonplace on the G80 that the value skyrockets to almost $90,000. However hey, you’ll recover from 400 horsepower in order that’s a bonus.
As for the absolutely battery-electric G80, Genesis considers that its personal mannequin however says we must always see updates for it quickly. Within the meantime, for these searching for an easy driving expertise with a little bit little bit of enjoyable peeking across the edge, the 2025 Genesis G80 is the automobile to purchase. The gasoline economic system could possibly be higher and the Freeway Driving Help wants some work, however general it’s an distinctive purchase within the aggressive luxurious sedan market.
Genesis paid for journey and lodging for Motor Authority to carry you this firsthand report.
