Genesis G80 vs BMW 5 Series

Long revered for how they make drivers feel, BMWs are credibly marketed as the ultimate driving machines. However, if the future is digital instead of analog, do driving dynamics still matter? And if not, what does BMW bring to the table? What makes one special? Desirable? Gives it a soul? Driving the all-new 2024 BMW 5 Series suggests that aside from design, technology, and comfort, the answer is not much—at least not in the 530i specification.

Verdict: Driving enjoyment is not a requirement in a luxury car. But it is in a BMW. That’s what separates a Bimmer from the crowd. While the new 2024 BMW 530i is a capable sports sedan that does double duty as a plush people mover, joy is missing from the recipe.

The 2023 Genesis G80 offers all of the luxury and premium appointments as its legacy rivals, but it does so at often thousands less. However, with so many established luxury brands vying for new car buyers, a low price alone may not be enough. How does a relative newcomer make a splash in a market where the name brand and prestige matter so much? By offering an electrified variant of its cornerstone luxury sedan.

It may seem like electric cars have only just arrived, but the Tesla Model S was introduced a decade ago. EVs still make up a very small fraction of the market, but their numbers are growing. And the critical inflection point is coming when EVs pivot from early adopters to mass appeal.

And when that broader acceptance happens, it will be thanks to vehicles like the 2023 Genesis Electrified G80. It has an all-electric powertrain, but it presents like your typical luxury car. This format of an EV as a conventional luxury sedan is the perfect way to showcase what an electric vehicle really can be to the broader buying public.