About the Genesis G80

If you're unfamiliar with the Genesis brand, think of the G80 as the BMW 5 Series competitor while the G70 lines up more with the BMW 3 Series. In earlier generations, you could buy a Genesis G80 with rear- or all-wheel drive (AWD), but for the current generation, AWD is your only option, with either engine.

What are the advantages of the Genesis G80?

• Superb interior quality
• A true luxury driving experience
• The best warranty in the luxury car business

What is the best Genesis G80 model year?

There are technically three generations of the G80, but the first was from when it was still marketed under the Hyundai banner, so we’ll ignore that one. The first generation car is nice, but it really came into its own as a premium luxury vehicle when the current generation arrived for the 2020 model year. It’s truly an exceptional car that warrants attention, especially when equipped with the Sport Prestige package. That package is breathtakingly expensive at $8,850, but it’s a major step up in every way, including 20-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, heated rear seats, all of the available advanced safety technology and a 12.3-inch “3D” digital instrument panel.

What are the disadvantages of the Genesis G80?

When Car and Driver pitted the Genesis G80 against the Mercedes-Benz E-Class upon its arrival, it called out one of the Genesis G80’s three major disadvantages as “Having to explain the brand to everyone.” Nobody in America seems to know what a Genesis is, but the few people who recognize the value in this product certainly get what a step forward it is.

Comparison: Is the Genesis G80 better than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

The short answer is yes, it’s a better car in nearly every way. It’s larger, quieter, faster and more comfortable. In 99.9 percent of your driving duties, the Genesis G80 outmatches the E-Class. That .1% where the Mercedes-Benz outmatches the Genesis is at the very limit of performance. The Genesis definitely leans more to the “luxury” end of the spectrum. On your daily commute, you’ll want the G80. If you’re the kind of person that takes your luxury sedan to track days, you may appreciate the Mercedes-Benz more.

Is the Genesis G80 a reliable car?

As of this writing, there have been seven recalls for the Genesis G80, including windshield bonding on select 2018 G80s, airbag occupant detection for the passenger seat on select 2018 models, a loose seal on 2018 G80s equipped with the V6, a bad ABS module on 2018 to 2020 models, a fuel line running from the fuel pump on 2021 models with the four-cylinder, seatbelt pretensioners on the 2021 to 2023 G80, and the fuel pump on the 2021 to 2022 G80. Consumer complaints on the G80 appear to be barely existent.

Is the Genesis G80 worth the cost?

At $74,045 for a G80 3.5T AWD with the Sport Prestige Package, the G80 is still a bargain. If you equipped a Mercedes-Benz E-Class similarly, you’d be north of $83,000. If the three-pointed star isn’t worth $10k to you, the G80 is an amazing bargain. On the used market it gets even better: a very low-mileage 2023 G80 with the 2.5T and the Sport package should cost less than $50,000.