2023 Genesis G80 Expert Review
Reviewed by Duncan Brady
The G80 was the original; back in 2015, this car was a rebadged Hyundai Genesis when Genesis broke out as a standalone luxury brand from Hyundai. This is a Genesis take on the midsize luxury sedan, a Korean equivalent to a Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5 Series, or Audi A6. Last year brought the return of the G80 Sport to the lineup; this year's changes are less notable, with the exception of the new G80 Electric .
What's New
- New convex infotainment controller
- G80 2.5T Sport Prestige gains a fully digital instrument cluster, forward attention warning, 19-inch wheels, sport appearance package, alloy pedals, and upgraded front brakes
What We Think
We're generally fans of the G80—it's an easy car to like—but against the steep competition in the midsize luxury segment, the Genesis can't quite stand up to its rivals.
The cabin is the G80's strongest point. Interior design is uniquely Genesis, not a copy of the Germans, and we love the supportive seats, high-quality materials, and the exceptionally spacious and comfortable rear bench. The infotainment display is large and responsive, plus Genesis is generous with its feature content. A similarly priced competitor wouldn't compare.
The experience suffers when you start moving. The G80's engines are acceptably powerful but lack the refinement and sophistication Genesis displays in the cabin. Plus, the suspension system is not only stiffer and more brittle, but also less controlled than those in the G80's strongest competition. The G80's premium, polished character falls apart if you examine the driving experience too closely.
Look past that, though, and the G80 delivers strong value, both in terms of features per dollar and five-year ownership costs. (It even earned a 2022 IntelliChoice Best Overall Value award.) If Genesis could just iron out its suspension issues, the G80 would be a real winner.
Performance and Efficiency
Like most vehicles in the midsize luxury segment, the G80 is offered with four- and six-cylinder turbocharged engines. Entry-level models are equipped with a 2.5-liter turbo-four developing 300 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, which is capable of 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds based on our testing. Although RWD is standard, AWD is available. The four-pot is rated at 22/30-32 mpg city/highway depending on the number of driven wheels.
Power-hungry buyers should look toward the G80 3.5T and its 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6. The upgrade engine provides 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque, and it's exclusively offered with AWD. When we tested one such example, it reached 60 mph in 5.0 seconds, but it's thirstier than the I-4: 17/26 mpg. On paper both engines compare favorably to those in the BMW 530i and 540i, but that German's engines are more refined.
For a smoother and more efficient experience, check out the electric G80.
Safety Ratings and Features
The G80 took home the highest honor last year from the IIHS, earning a 2022 Top Safety Pick+. Genesis is also notably more generous with its active safety content than its competitors, so adaptive cruise control, lane centering, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking are all standard. A 360-degree camera system is available, as is remote park assist.
Cargo Space and Interior Room
The G80 impresses among its peers with a generously proportioned rear seat and plenty of front legroom. That said, its trunk space can't match the enormous cargo hold of the BMW 5 Series.
Technology
Regardless of trim, the G80 comes standard with a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display, which gets a new and easier-to-use rotary controller for 2023. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. One cool trick, the available 12.3-inch gauge cluster display has three-dimensional gauges that look miles ahead of the G80's competition. A head-up display is also available, but only on V-6 models.
The G80's All-Star Designer
When Genesis was trying to establish itself as a legitimate luxury brand, it had to develop its own unique look. Part of that process came from the pen of Luc Donckerwolke, who Genesis hired away from Bentley. In addition to the G80, GV80, and G90, Donckerwolke is also responsible for the designs of the 2013 Bentley Flying Spur, the 2015 Bentley EXP 10 Speed 6 concept that later became the current-generation Continental GT, the 2001 Lamborghini Diablo VT, and the 2002 Lamborghini Murcielago.
Recommended Trim
For the G80, it's all about value. We would go for the 2.5T Sport Prestige, which could either make for a feature-rich alternative to its base-level competitors, or something a size up from a well-equipped six-cylinder compact luxury sedan for folks who want more rear-seat space and don't mind a little less power.
