Genesis G80 vs Hyundai Genesis

Have you ever seen a sports or action movie in which the protagonist makes a first attempt at a goal early in the movie, fails, then embarks on a training montage, only to succeed in the end? The lesson is that sometimes the first attempt isn’t the best, but if the desire is there, it will eventually lead to victory—but only after addressing one’s shortcomings. That is the 2015 Hyundai Genesis.

In 2007, Hyundai brought a concept for the Genesis to the New York International Auto Show and stunned onlookers, not for the car’s design (though it was attractive), but because of the car’s stated goal: Hyundai was getting into the luxury game. The Korean bargain brand? Building a luxury car? The automaker was building highly competent products, but it still came as a shock.

Fast-forward to 2014, and the shock has worn off. The Genesis was joined by the Equus, an even higher-end product. But in this time, the Genesis started to feel dated compared to its more aggressively styled siblings. By 2014 the Genesis was feeling almost anonymous. And that all changed for the 2015 model year.

If you’ve got your heart set on a mid-size luxury sedan, the pickings these days seem to be a little slim. And with the Germans dominating the class, those pickings can be quite pricey. However, there is a good-looking, feature-rich, well-priced option that you may have overlooked.

We’re talking about the 2025 Genesis G80. Fresh off a mid-cycle refresh, this sedan leans hard on design, technology and features, offering up a sophisticated drive with curb appeal for days. However, it does so at the expense of performance. Granted, that expense might not break the bank, but it’s something to consider if you value a spirited driving character.

Verdict: There is plenty to like about the 2025 Genesis G80 and it certainly represents good value, just don’t expect to be the quickest car in the class.