This luxury sedan continues to impress following a refresh
2025 Genesis G80 review with The Road Beat
Words and pictures by Mitchell Weitzman
Inflation has invaded numerous aspects of life, and not even Genesis, a normally value-packed brand, can escape rising price tags. Yet, in defense of the initially staggering price, there is not a nicer and more luxurious car for $80,000 than the Genesis G80, a testament to the quality and value they still deliver. Actually, it's less than eighty, ringing your AMEX Platinum to the tune of $79,780. Sticker shock aside amid interpretations of defining contemporary value, what can't be ignored is this example's ridiculous matte paint, called Makalu, already showing sections of ruinous sheen on its hood and scratches behind its door handles. Just don't do it, and please don't judge this car alone on the divisive paint finish, as that is a $1,500 option best avoided. And speaking of which, remove that disastrous paint for a standard color, and suddenly it's now 'only' $78,280. There's no mistaking the fact that this is an expensive car, but for what you're getting, it's a continued masterclass in luxury.
With the effects of swelling prices across a multitude of markets and our everyday lives, there are luxuries today that used to not seem like luxuries. Take eggs, which just a few years ago, a dozen of the desirable brown, organic variety would set you back three or four dollars. Today, those same 12 eggs are six dollars. Luckily, Genesis hasn't suffered quite the same degree of price gouging, where, instead of rising 50-100%, this loaded model costs $6,500 extra compared to a similarly-optioned 2022 tester, marking an 8% increase. If you were keeping up with the S&P the last few years, though, your money would have risen much much higher than that to at least offset the increase.
Still, there is no hiding the fact that a well-optioned BMW 540i isn't necessarily more expensive these days, but have you seen how ugly they've become? And they've gone away from the classically tailored cabins of yesteryear for a modern and garish techfest that will not be to everyone's favor nor fervor. Instead, when searching for the traditional, coachbuilt and classy form of luxury, Genesis continues to be a bona fide replacement. Because let's face it, this interior is exquisite. Rather than going over all the materials that are exquisite, I'll go ahead and say what is not. Let's see, there's some rough stitching at the base of the seat buckle, and the metal buttons, which there are abundant amounts of, are hot to the touch when sitting outside after a long summer's day. Really, past that, the rest is textbook superlative build and luxury, and when those metal window switches aren't burning your fingers, they operate with a surety that I didn't know I was missing in other cars. In fact, all the controls have such a quality feel and action to them that you don't want to give them up. And the leather treatment is just chef's kiss; Even the Dowager Countess of Grantham would approve of this as her daily carriage.
Rear seat space is largely habitable and makes one question the need for even larger sedans like an S-Class or 7-Series, let alone SUVs (Genesis themselves also have their own and oft-overlooked G90 limo to compete with the 7 and S). And when paired to the plush ride quality and low wind and road noise, this become an exceedingly soothing form of transportation. If you want a car to put your passengers to sleep, this will do it, but for the good and right reasons inside this mobile day spa (no massaging seats, though :/ ). Changes inside are minor yet important, including a newly huge screen that now extends across as one piece from the gauge cluster in tasteful fashion, but it's in a position now that's easier to operate as a touchscreen, as the spinning wheel controller below can be fiddly at times. Better yet, Genesis finally, yes, finally has wireless Apple CarPlay here. Gone are the days of needing to plug your iPhone in to access this convenient entertainment feature, so props to Genesis for getting with the times and leaving the days of the cable behind. Other button and switches are updated that elevate general ease of use, and the result is a classy and modern interior that still looks like and operates like a car, and that's a good thing.
Apart from that wonderful cabin and interior environment, what's continues to not be surprising for Genesis is just how well these cars drive. Taking inspiration from the best driver's cars of BMW's back catalogue, here we have a car that actually is a pleasure to drive and not another muted, reluctant task in your daily planner. Making this a reality are weighted steering that even has a semblance of feedback feeding through, and a balance to the chassis that engages and encourages frisky driving antics. All-wheel drive does take away some playfulness, but the neutrality underneath you can be felt from the first time you turn the wheel with any vigor. Whereas other luxury cars are purposely toned down to provide isolated experiences, Genesis leans the other way to bring and marry the idea of inclusion with luxury. The fact we're at a point now where we can safely say that BMW could take a page out of Genesis' playbook to make their cars more fun to drive, that's when we know that Genesis is doing something so obscenely correct.
It's not all wine and roses, though, as you do have to deal with some less than ideal active safety features. By default, a steering assistant is activated each time you engage the cruise control, and this can be useful in situations like changing out my glasses, but in daily use, I ended up finding myself constantly correcting and fighting it to keep centered in my lane. Same with the lane departure warning, which is there to prevent you from veering out of your lane from carelessness or by accident, but it's far too sensitive and will start applying correcting steering input well before you reach the boundaries of your lane or road. On sweeping highway turns, attempting to carve and straighten the turn slightly by running closer to the inside apex was met with skepticism by the system, which then tried to jarringly re-center me, despite not crossing any lines nor lanes. So, that's annoying, and is best dealt with by disablement. Also, the key is fat. Sounds like a stupid thing to bring up, but it's weirdly and pointlessly bulbous and takes up too much space in a pocket.
With a twin-turbo, 3.5L V6 engine, economy isn't exactly frugal at 23 MPG overall, but the luxury of six-cylinders is appreciated, with a noted smoothness and flexible power that downsized four-bangers simply cannot provide on their own. It's not as delicate as an inline-six that inhabits a certain few German cars, but the unit dishes out droves of progressive power that make forward progress seem effortless, with a slightly engineered rumble emanating from affront that sounds suitably expensive. 0-60 MPH needs a hair under five seconds, which while quick, can't compete with BMW's current 540i offering that does the deed a half second quicker (despite identical horsepower ratings of 375), but it's beyond enough for anyone in the real world.
Imagine it in a different color, and the beauty inside and out is a smashing and winning combination for the G80. Luxurious in the truest and most classic sense of the word, this is rolling opulence that steers clear of modern vulgarity. The deal sealer for me is the fact the Genesis G80 still wants to be a car, and one that is a joy to drive and indulge in its relatively fluid and dynamic operation. BMW wishes its normal cars still drove this well, but their leaning ever and ever to their 'market research' which tells them rich people want muted experiences. Thank you, Genesis, for continuing to be you and filling that niche left vacant by others; A luxury car that's both a delight to simply be in, and also to drive. It's not the relative bargain it once was, but even at the same price as a BMW 540i or Mercedes E450, the Genesis is not only the more exclusive choice these days, but likely the choice that will also bring more smiles to you and your passengers on each journey.
2025 Genesis G80 3.5T AWD Sport Prestige
As-tested price: $79,780
Pros: Amazing interior; Great dynamics; Pretty shape
Cons: That paint. Intrusive safety features
Thank you for reading our 2025 Genesis G80 review. If you like The Road Beat's unfiltered and honest takes on cars, please subscribe to never miss an article. All photography in collaboration with mitchellweitzmanphoto.com.
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