The Genesis G80 was treated to a mild update for the 2025 model year, bringing a dramatic new look to the dash, suspension tweaks and other improvements. Designers did this without messing with the luxury sedan’s core appeal, which is ok with us since the G80 was already a fine choice and earned a spot on our list of contenders for the Best Luxury Car of 2025.
Related: 2025 Genesis G80 Review: Luxury, as It Should Be
The G80 remains a refined and accommodating alternative to its rivals, such as the Audi A6 and BMW 5 Series, and combines modern tech with traditional luxury cues and thoughtful design details. It still delivers a lot of car for the money, too, even if it isn’t quite the luxury bargain it once was. The G80 continues into 2026 mostly unchanged.
Cars.com Managing Editor Joe Bruzek attended a Genesis media event where he sampled a new all-wheel-drive G80 in the 3.5T Sport Prestige trim. (Per our ethics policy, Cars.com pays for its own airfare and lodging when attending such manufacturer-sponsored events.) Tap the link above to read his expert review; for a quicker rundown, read on for five things we like about the 2025 Genesis G80 and two things we don’t.
What Do We Like About the Genesis G80?
1. Real Luxury
In an era when many luxury brands seem to confuse luxury with advanced technology, the G80 manages to integrate modern tech and still coddle passengers in an inviting, comfortable cabin. In addition to a generous list of standard equipment, the interior includes soft-touch surfaces with a quality feel, contrasting stitching, and attractive upholstery patterns and color combinations.
2. New Dash
A new dash design features a 27-inch screen encompassing both the instrument panel and infotainment display. With crisp graphics and lots of customization options, the system is easy to use. Better still, Genesis has not only kept physical controls for some functions like heated seats, it’s added dashboard knobs for radio volume and tuning, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are now standard.
3. Suspension Tweaks
The update brings minor suspension tweaks that Genesis says are aimed at reducing levels of noise vibration and harshness. We noticed a more refined ride with better isolation than with the last G80 we sampled. The Sport Prestige trims like our test car get 20-inch wheels with Pirelli tires, which are fitted with foam inserts to further reduce noise and absorb bumps.
4. Commendable Cruiser
With its quiet cabin and isolated feel, the G80 makes for an enjoyable luxury sedan for eating up the miles. The suspension updates have lent a cushy feel that is more like the G90 flagship sedan than the previous G80, and there’s not a lot of road feel by design. But the sedan’s low center of gravity helps lend a more planted, confident feel than that of an SUV, and the 3.5T Sport Prestige gets rear-wheel steering that helps with parking and maneuvering.
5. Still a Good Deal
Updates typically come with a price, and the price of a G80 with AWD has risen by a heady $6,455 between its redesign for 2021 and the 2025 update; a more modest increase came for 2026. That puts its starting price more in line with those of its German competitors, but the G80’s combination of driving dynamics, luxury appointments and generous standard equipment still make it a solid value.
Read More About the Genesis G80:
- Genesis Introduces New Prestige Black Trim to Lineup
- How to Get Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in Your Genesis
- 2024 Genesis G80 and G90 Earn IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Status
- Research the Genesis G80
- Shop for a Genesis G80
What Do We Dislike About the Genesis G80?
1. Limited Headroom
No changes were made to the G80’s overall dimensions, so interior room remains unchanged. Unfortunately for taller individuals, that means headroom is still tight. Our 6-foot-tall driver had to set the driver’s seat to its lowest position before getting in, and even then, he found his hair brushing against the ceiling. Rear passengers get a bit more room for their noggins.
2. Poor Gas Mileage
With an EPA rating of 19 mpg in combined city and highway driving, the V-6-powered G80 is not exactly a fuel-economy champ. The four-cylinder version does somewhat better at 24 mpg combined, but neither is an impressive number for the class.
Related Video:
We cannot generate a video preview.
Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.
