G80 First Drive Review

As of April 19, 2025, first drive reviews of the 2025 Genesis G80 highlight a compelling blend of luxury, updated technology, and comfortable performance. Here’s a summary of the key takeaways:

Overall Impressions:

Elegant Evolution: The G80 receives a subtle but effective facelift for 2025, refining its already handsome exterior with a new grille, updated lighting (including Micro Lens Array headlights), and revised bumpers. New wheel designs further enhance its sophisticated appearance.
Significantly Upgraded Interior: The most significant changes occur inside, featuring a new, expansive 27-inch OLED panoramic display that integrates the instrument cluster and infotainment system. This creates a modern and high-tech feel. The center console is also redesigned with improved ergonomics, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard.

Premium Comfort and Materials: Reviewers consistently praise the G80’s opulent and comfortable cabin, highlighting the high-quality materials, comfortable seating (especially the Nappa leather on higher trims), and excellent noise insulation, creating a serene driving environment. Some even compare the interior ambiance to that of a Bentley.

Smooth and Satisfying Performance: The engine options remain the same: a 300-horsepower 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and a 375-horsepower 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The V6 offers strong and satisfying performance, while the four-cylinder is considered more than adequate for most drivers.

Balanced Ride and Handling: The G80 prioritizes a comfortable and smooth ride, effectively absorbing road imperfections. While not the sportiest in its class, the handling is described as balanced and competent, especially with the available rear-wheel steering and electronic limited-slip differential on the top-tier Sport Prestige trim.

Strong Value Proposition: Despite a slight price increase, the G80 continues to be seen as a strong value in the luxury sedan segment, offering a generous list of standard features and a premium experience that rivals more expensive European competitors.
Specific Driving Aspects:

Potent V6: The twin-turbo V6 provides ample power for quick acceleration and confident passing, achieving 0-60 mph in around 5 seconds.
Comfort-Focused Ride: The suspension is tuned for comfort, making it ideal for daily commuting and long highway drives. The available electronically controlled suspension further enhances ride quality by using cameras to scan the road ahead.

Refined Handling (Especially with Sport Prestige): The Sport Prestige trim’s rear-wheel steering notably improves low-speed agility and high-speed stability. The electronic limited-slip differential aids in more spirited driving. Drivers can even customize brake responsiveness through the infotainment system.
Intuitive Technology: The new 27-inch OLED display is visually impressive and the infotainment system is generally user-friendly, with both touchscreen and physical controls for key functions. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are a welcome addition. The digital instrument cluster is reconfigurable and offers crisp graphics.