2025 Genesis G80 First Drive Review: The New Standard For Luxury Sedans?

The Hyundai Genesis was a hugely important vehicle when it debuted in 2008. It proved that South Korea could build a world-class luxury car, and it was good enough to spawn an entire luxury brand. Fast-forward to this year, and the 2025 Genesis G80 (formerly the Hyundai Genesis) just received its first facelift since the second-generation model was introduced for the 2021 model year.

Genesis didn’t go overboard with the changes, carrying over the platform and powertrains from last year’s model. The modest changes come in the form of a revised exterior and an overhauled interior with updated technology. Sedan sales might be shrinking overall, but Genesis has seen its best-ever start to a year in this segment: G80 sales increased by 17%. Can these new changes for the 2025 G80 help Genesis maintain its momentum in a dying segment? DrivingOnRoad flew to Lexington, Kentucky to find out.

What’s New: Perfecting The Little Things

The G80 entered its second-generation for the 2021 model year, and the basic platform from that vehicle carries over here. All-wheel-drive became standard as of last year, but the powertrains remain the same. Genesis also revealed an updated Electrified G80 with a longer wheelbase in its home market, but that model has yet to be announced for the US. The changes here are mostly visual, both on the exterior and interior.

Interior & Exterior: Improving On Excellence

You have to stare closely at the 2025 G80 to recognize the styling changes, but there are some important details to help you spot the facelift. There’s a slightly different grille, a revised lower fascia, some new wheels on the four-cylinder model, and stylish Micro Lens Array (MLA) headlights that look more modern than before. 18-inch wheels come standard, while the upper trims can get 19- and 20-inch ones. The smaller wheels are new, but the larger ones are a carryover from last year. The lower trims now have hidden exhaust, although the Sport trims have exposed tips, which we prefer.

The G80 comes in 10 colors, including a new flat shade called Vatna Gray that’s named after a glacier in Iceland. Some of the added-cost colors are only available on upper-tier models, however, like the Tasman Blue on our tester, which has a nice greenish hue to it. This was already the most attractive mid-size sedan on the market to our eyes, and the facelift does nothing to reverse that opinion.

Inside, Genesis gave the G80 with the same 27-inch OLED cluster/infotainment system found in the GV80. It looks great, and now includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (finally). Some of the controls surrounding the screen have been improved too. The rotating shift knob is a little taller (making it easier to grab), the volume and tuning controls have been replaced by conventional knobs, and the wireless charger is relocated to be more accessible. Genesis also replaced the Lexicon audio system with an optional Bang & Olufsen system, which we think sounds great.

This is a stunning cabin, which has been made more usable in this facelift. As before, the materials feel premium, especially at the higher end. Lower-end models get Obsidian Black or Camel leatherette, but the upper trims can get sumptuous quilted Nappa leather in Vanilla Beige Ash Gray, Obsidian Black, or a hot shade of Sevilla Red. Those colors can be paired with Piano Black, Ash wood, or Birch in the standard models, and Sport Aluminum or Carbon Fiber in the Sport models. We particularly love how Genesis styled the carbon with a unique pattern and matte finish that feels more expensive than other applications in rival vehicles.

Performance: Smooth But Thirsty

The G80 outperforms many of its rivals at the base level thanks to a larger-than-average 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It delivers a healthy 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, more than most 2.0-liter engines in the class. 0-60 takes a respectable 5.8 seconds, but the fuel economy is below competitors: 20/29/24 mpg on the city/highway/combined cycles. Both engines send power to standard AWD via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Enthusiasts will want the 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6, which makes 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. With two additional cylinders and an extra turbo, the G80 can spring to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. You will pay a hefty toll at the pump though, as the V6 drinks V8 amounts of gasoline. Fuel economy is rated at a lackluster 16/24/19 mpg.

Driving Impressions: Quiet Athleticism

We’d never describe the G80 as the sportiest vehicle in its class; it’s more of the quiet athletic type. The suspension is tuned on the softer side to absorb impacts, leaving a comfortable amount of body roll to enable spirited driving. Genesis gifts the G80 Sport models with an additional Sport+ driving mode that makes the car feel more aggressive. It holds gears longer, increases the steering weight, and pumps more sound into the cabin. This mode actually feels a bit aggressive for the G80’s mission, but it doesn’t disappoint for what a level above Sport mode should be.

The Sport also gets a rear electronic limited-slip differential, further aiding in the athletic handling. This car feels planted on the ground, and it shrinks around corners thanks to the available rear-wheel steering that doesn’t make itself too apparent in a disconcerting way. Acceleration from the V6 engine is strong, and shifts from the eight-speed automatic are smooth unless you put the car into Sport+, where the gear changes become surprisingly aggressive. The G80 should please buyers looking for a soft commuter, but we’d love to see a hotter variant from the upcoming Genesis Magma lineup.

Pricing & Verdict: Cost Creep

The G80 has been a strong contender in the luxury sedan segment since the second-generation model was introduced a few years ago, but steady price increases stop it from being the same ultra-high-value buy it was back then. Pricing now starts at $57,100 (not including a $1,250 freight charge) for the 2.5T AWD. For reference, the 2024 G80 started at $54,400 and this car was less than under $50,000 back in 2022. Inflation sucks – but that doesn’t take away from what the G80 offers.

Pricing goes up from there: $61,900 for the 2.5T Advanced AWD and $68,350 for the 2.5T Sport Prestige AWD. If you want the V6, it costs $69,600 for the Sport Advanced AWD or $77,000 for the Sport Prestige AWD. These numbers are comparable with well-equipped German options like the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Genesis used to crush its European rivals on price, but the company now believes its products can stack up enough to be priced similarly; that bein said, it starts off a little cheaper, but not by all that much.

While it may not stand out as a screaming deal anymore, the G80 is still a compelling option in the mid-size luxury sedan market. It’s the prettiest car in its class, and the interior is more elegant than most of its rivals. This facelift does enough to keep the G80 relevant, but we are excited to see what Genesis can do with hybrids in the future, since the G80 struggles in terms of fuel economy, and what changes are in store for the US-spec Electrified G80. The 2025 G80 is still a highly recommendable option, but the higher starting price makes it a tougher sell next to the equally compelling competition, especially given buyer preference for established marques. We don’t think you’ll regret the purchase, however.