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The 2025 Genesis G80 – HOW DO YOU DO WHAT YOU DO TO ME?

Car Reviews

The 2025 Genesis G80 – HOW DO YOU DO WHAT YOU DO TO ME?

The 2025 Genesis G80

HOW DO YOU DO WHAT YOU DO TO ME?

The 2025 Genesis G80 is a captivating luxury sedan, deftly blending striking aesthetics, an opulent interior, and compelling performance for strikingly less money than German competitors.

Positioned between entry-level and flagship models, the G80 appeals to those seeking a harmonious balance of sophistication and practicality.

In the words of Car and Driver, the G80 is a “stylish, powerful, and well-equipped luxury sedan” that confidently challenges its more costly counterparts. Edmunds commends its “handsome styling and upscale interior,” while Motor Trend proclaims it a “modern masterpiece” among its peers.

Built in South Korea, the G80 blends world-class craftsmanship with premium materials. J.D. Power’s initial quality survey ranked the midsize sedan as the Best Midsize Premium Car for the last four consecutive years.

When juxtaposed with rivals such as the Lexus ES, BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Volvo S90, and Audi A6, the G80 distinguishes itself through its competitive pricing and comprehensive features. 

Luxurious safety

The G80’s interior is a testament to thoughtful design, showcasing an elegant, well-crafted cabin with generous passenger space. Premium materials abound, while ergonomic seating ensures optimal comfort during short commutes and extended journeys.

Safety is paramount, as evidenced by the G80’s 5-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Standard safety features encompass forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert, with the option to upgrade to advanced technologies such as a surround-view camera system or semi-autonomous driving mode.

What it costs

The G80 comes in five trim levels; three are powered by a 300-hp, 2.5-L four-cylinder, and two by a 375-hp twin turbo V6. The 2025 Genesis G80’s pricing structure compares favorably with its competitors in the luxury sedan segment. Here is a comparison:

  • 2025 Genesis G80:
    • Base model (2.5T RWD): $57,100
    • Top-of-the-line (3.5T Sport Prestige AWD): $77,000
  • 2025 Lexus ES:
    • Base model (ES 250): $41,410
    • Top-of-the-line (ES 300 hybrid Ultra Luxury): $53,505
  • 2025 BMW 5 Series:
    • Base model (530i): $55,345
    • Top-of-the-line (M5): $110,895
  • 2025 Mercedes-Benz E-Class:
    • Base model (E 350): $57,800
    • Top-of-the-line (AMG E 63 S): $122,850
  • 2025 Volvo S90:
    • Base model (B5 Core): $57,000
    • Top-of-the-line (B6 Plus Dark): $66,795
  • 2025 Audi A6:
    • Base model (A6 45 TFSI): $57,295
    • Top-of-the-line (RS 6 Avant): $120,594

While the Genesis G80’s base price is higher than that of competitors such as the Lexus ES, its top-of-the-line model is the bargain leader of the segment. Considering the G80’s comprehensive list of standard features and the brand’s focus on value, it presents a compelling option for buyers seeking a balance of luxury, performance, and affordability.

Fuel economy lags

The 2025 Genesis G80’s EPA-estimated fuel economy varies depending on the powertrain. The base 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine achieves an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway, while the more powerful 3.5-liter V6 engine delivers 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. 

Our tester, a Sport Prestige AWD, $78,250 with delivery fee, averaged 19 mpg during a week in which we may have exceeded the speed limit here and there. Please don’t assume that it is our fault. The silky-smooth powertrain and incredible grip afforded by an electronically controlled limited-slip differential, which manages torque distribution to eliminate loss of grip, make driving the speed limit boring.

No, one would never proffer such an explanation to an officer of the law.

The Sport Prestige’s price is within dollars of the dual-motor GV80 electric version, with a range of more than 300 miles and rechargeable in 20 minutes. That might be the clever play with this model, whose fuel economy ratings are at the bottom of the market niche.

The Lexus ES delivers an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city and 32 mpg highway for its base four-cylinder model, while the hybrid version achieves an impressive 43 mpg city and 44 mpg highway.

The BMW 5 Series offers a range of powertrains, with the base four-cylinder achieving an EPA-estimated 25 mpg city and 33 mpg highway, and the six-cylinder option rated at 21 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. For the electrified BMW i5, EPA estimates are pending but are expected to be around 90-100 MPGe.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class delivers an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway for its base four-cylinder model, with the six-cylinder variant achieving 20 mpg city and 28 mpg highway.

The Volvo S90 offers an EPA-estimated 21 mpg city and 31 mpg highway for its four-cylinder model, while the hybrid version achieves an impressive 60 MPGe.

The Audi A6 achieves an EPA-estimated 23 mpg city and 31 mpg highway for its four-cylinder model, while the six-cylinder option delivers 20 mpg city and 28 mpg highway.

Solid warranty

While J.D. Power looks at initial quality, Consumer Reports takes a more nuanced look and ranks the predicted reliability of this model near the bottom of the class, mainly because the engine has a history. 

The V6 is a variation of an engine parent company Hyundai first introduced more than a dozen years ago. It has a reputation for developing a laundry list of issues, ranging from high oil consumption and piston slap to head gasket and timing chain tensioner failure.

However, those issues are for the second owner since most occur four or five years and 100,000 miles or more down the road. As with all Hyundai and Kia products, the Genesis has a comprehensive warranty covering the first five years, or 60,000 miles, and a powertrain warranty for the first ten years, or 100,000 miles. The latter is not transferrable, so people who buy used models are on their own.

To be fair, the post-100,000-mile service prices on an Audi, BMW, or Mercedes can make the eyes water. If you plan to keep one of these cars in the family for a decade, get a Lexus.

Bottom line

The 2025 Genesis G80 delivers a well-rounded luxury sedan experience by combining a visually appealing exterior, a luxurious interior, and robust performance. Kelley Blue Book notes that the G80 is a “hidden gem in the luxury market,”  which warrants thoughtful consideration for those searching for a premium vehicle that adeptly balances style, comfort, and technology.

In four decades of journalism, Bill Owney has picked up awards for his coverage of everything from murders to the NFL to state and local government. He added the automotive world to his portfolio in the mid '90s.

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