2024 Genesis G80 Review: Excellent Executive Sedan

The 2024 Genesis G80 continues to compete with the biggest hitters in the midsize luxury sedan segment. This includes the eminent BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Both engine options are strong contenders, with the base turbo-four engine putting out a hearty 300 horsepower and the twin-turbo V6 at the top of the lineup developing 375 hp. The Genesis also boasts an ultra-premium interior, stacked to the brim with all the latest in comfort, convenience, and even safety technology. The brand has started drawing buyer attention from its more traditional rivals who have had decades to build up a following, and the G80 is well on its way to becoming a household name when it comes to executive sedans. We look forward to seeing how it will impress us for another straight year.

New for 2024

For 2024, the new Genesis G80 sedan gets minor updates that include a new package specification for the 3.5T. The Sport package cuts down a few features to make the powerful model a bit more affordable, but it still comes with all the essentials. This is especially true with the upgraded forward collision avoidance system, in-car Wi-Fi, and Highway Driving Assist 2. For better or worse, rear-wheel drive is no longer available, as both trims are AWD as standard now. Lastly, the color palette has been slightly altered for the new year.

2024 Genesis G80 Price: Which One to Buy

With just two trims, separated by their powertrains, the price of the 2024 Genesis G80 starts at $54,400 MSRP for the 2.5T or $64,250 for the 3.5T. However, both trims require you to spec a package to determine its standard features, which can push the cost up by as much as $9,550. You'll also need to remember the $1,250 destination charge and any associated tax or registration fees.

We'd opt for the 3.5T if it were our money; sure, it pushes the price up to equal footing with the BMW 540i xDrive - but that's no bad thing. The Genesis is as good - if not better - than the Bimmer in most areas. Still, the 2.5T makes a lot of sense as a moderately powerful car that can be specced with tri-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and a 21-speaker Lexicon sound system - all for less than $60k.

Interior and Features

While German rivals may have been the golden standard for interior perfection untilnow, Genesis shows that you can get as much luxury from a newer brand.

There is no denying that Genesis has its sights firmly on the European luxury segment, as each of its models comes beautifully appointed with upscale materials and modern styling. In the case of the G80, there are some physical controls on the central console, spread out quite wide rather than stacked, to make it look less cluttered, and the 14.5-inch touchscreen is located high up on the dashboard. Overall, it all looks very clean, and you can get more natural light in with the addition of a panoramic sunroof. We can't complain about the passenger space, but the trunk volume is somewhat subpar.

Space

Though there are five seats, the rear middle spot is not suitable for anything other than a small child. If you're hauling adults around town, four is the maximum we'd suggest. That being said, there is a good amount of head- and legroom to go around - soundly beating out the BMW 5 Series - though adding the optional sunroof does eat up quite a bit of the former. As standard, the front seats are power-adjustable and heated, but you can get ventilation and the Ergo Motion feature for the driver's seat. This is specially designed to avoid soreness over long drives while promoting good posture. The wide-opening doors make it easy to get inside, though the slightly sloping roof means that super-tall folk may have to slouch a bit to get in the back. Nevertheless, outward visibility is excellent all around.

Cargo

When compared to other luxury sedans, the G80's 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space is barely adequate. It is subpar in comparison to the new E-Class and the freshly updated 5 Series. You should be able to run most of your errands without too much fuss, but you can't fold down the second row on those occasions when you need more, so you'll just have to throw any excess luggage on the back seats.

In-car storage is quite good, with a large armrest cubby and a glove compartment. The door pockets are quite small, though. The front cupholders are located beneath a folding panel, while the cupholders in the back are similarly located in the middle fold-down seat. The front seats also have pockets in the back, and there is another tray in the front where you can store your phone.

Materials and Colors

In its base configuration, the G80 comes outfitted with leatherette upholstery that may not be as premium as genuine leather, but it's still very upscale and looks and feels great. You can have it in basic Obsidian Black or Vanilla Beige, as well as Havana Brown. From the Sport package upwards, leather becomes the norm, and while you still get many of the same interior colors, but the Obsidian Black upholstery gets red stitching, and you can opt for Sevilla Red seats. It is worth noting that certain colors are restricted to specific exterior paint pairings. The trim around the cabin is Piano Black as standard, but this is upgraded to a wood finish when the Advanced package is specced. The Sport packages prefer shinier aluminum accents. With the most expensive Sport Prestige package, carbon fiber finally makes its way into the cabin.

Features and Infotainment

Naturally, you can't compete in the luxury segment without an expansive list of features. In this regard, the G80 feels right at home around such prestigious company. It gets 12-way power front seats with heating, heated rear seats, dual-zone climate control, an eight-inch diver-information display, and a 14.5-inch touchscreen for the infotainment. This also includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and a 12-speaker sound system. Available to both trims are ventilated front seats, tri-zone climate control, a digital key, a wireless charging pad, and a premium 21-speaker Lexicon sound system. You can also have a color head-up display.

Performance

Though it has power to keep up with the top contenders in this class, the G80 is not as nimble around the bends.

The base engine for the Genesis G80 is a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that develops 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. While its performance is more than adequate, the 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 has some real kick with 375 hp and 391 lb-ft. Both powertrains are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel drivetrain as standard. With the starter engine in play, Genesis G80 launches from 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds, while the stronger unit gets the job done in under five seconds.

As is to be expected from a premium vehicle, the G80 is a pleasure to drive, though it is not as athletic as the class-leading European executives. That being said, the suspension is very comfortable and is only upset by excessive road imperfections. Meanwhile, the cabin almost completely dampens road and wind noise. With AWD now standard, the car is grippier than ever, though it doesn't have the kind of sporty poise that makes a sports sedan fun to drive. The rear-wheel steering that comes with the V6 gives you even better control and improves the Genesis's standing against smarter rivals.

Fuel Efficiency

Gas mileage is not a concern for shoppers in the luxury segment since the price of gas is just a drop in the ocean. Of course, the turbo-four version of the Genesis G80 gets the best mpg of the two, at 22/30/25 mpg across the city/highway/combined cycles. The extra power of the V6 comes at the cost of fuel economy, dropping these figures down to 17/25/19 mpg.

To make up for this disparity, the 3.5T gets a superior fuel capacity of 19.3 gallons, as opposed to 17.2 gallons. Despite this, it still only manages 367 miles whereas the 2.5T can travel up to 43 miles.

Safety

Both the NHTSA and IIHS are deeply impressed by the Genesis midsize sedan, awarding it near perfect marks across the board.

Few cars boast a perfect five-star safety rating, but the NHTSA's review of the Genesis G80 is exactly that. The sedan earned a Top Safety Pick+ award in 2023 and continues to perform well with top marks for all categories, barring headlights, which are rated as Acceptable.

All models are equipped with ten airbags, as well as ABS, EBD, and stability and traction control. Advanced driver-assistance tech includes a rearview camera, forward collision avoidance assist, lane-keep assist, lane following assist, blind-spot assist, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, safe exit warning, and driver-attention assist. The more expensive packages add a blind-spot monitor, a surround-view camera, rear automatic braking, remote smart parking assist, forward attention warning, and advanced rear occupant alert.

US NHTSA Crash Test Result

Reliability

Genesis inherits its incredible reliability rating from Hyundai, so the G80's 85 out of 100 in JD Power's consumer survey is not surprising. This gives it an edge over its German competitors and many rivals in the USA. Recalls have been few and far between, too, with only one issued in 2023 for seatbelt pretensioners that might explode - down from two recalls in 2022 and three for 2021. Improvements are clearly being made on a continual basis.

Similarly, the warranty for the 2024 Genesis G80 is equally as good. This includes five years/60,000 miles of limited coverage and a ten-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Three years/36,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance is also provided.

Warranty

Design

The 2024 G80 slots between the entry-level and top-tier sedans in the Genesis stable, so it has a classic case of middle-child syndrome. To help it stand out, it has twin-strip LED headlights astride a massive grille in the shape of a shield. The bumper has additional air intakes at the bottom and on the sides. Overall, the front fascia is extremely bold, and not everyone will like it, though we definitely do. The hood has some aggressive lines and indentations, while the roof slopes down slightly, almost like a coupe. At the back, the taillights mirror the design of those up front, while the exhausts are housed inside chrome-tipped surrounds with a similar design to the grille. The base model is equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, while the top-tier packages for the 3.5T replace these with 20-inch sport alloys.

Verdict: Is The 2024 Genesis G80 A Good car?

It takes a lot to fight the most premium vehicles on equal footing, and the Genesis G80 definitely seems to have what it takes. The German pack leaders still beat it in terms of athleticism, but the G80 doesn't have to step back in terms of comfort. The Korean car more than makes up for any shortcomings with a high-value list of features, and a superior warranty plan. There is no denying that it is a match for the best when it comes to overall luxury, and it stands out on the style front, too. If you want something that is just as good as the most established names in the game but don't want to spend quite so much, you can't go wrong with the Genesis G80.