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2023 Genesis G80

Starting at $51,125

9/10 C/D RATING
Specs
2023 genesis g80 sport driving through downtown
Michael Simari|Car and Driver
9/10 C/D RATING

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  • Highs Elegant bodywork, high-end interior trimmings, value-oriented pricing.
  • Lows Enough grille for two cars, can you live without the brand recognition of a Benz or Bimmer?
  • Verdict It's not as athletic as some rivals, but the G80 offers sumptuous luxury at a far more affordable price.
By Drew Dorian

Overview

Refinement is the name of the game in the luxury-sedan class, and the 2023 Genesis G80 delivers plenty of it—from its elegantly-shaped exterior to its effortlessly chic cabin. It serves as the mid-range model, above the sporty, compact G70 and below the new G90 cruise ship, and favors comfortable cruising rather than performance driving. So long as you aren't expecting corner-carving prowess, the G80 is a honey-flavored delight, even with the base turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine whirring away under the hood. The more powerful twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 turns up the heat and the 3.5T Sport trim brings crisper handling but even so, it's no BMW M3 rival. Instead, the Genesis challenges the likes of the Audi A6, BMW 5-series, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class—and does so at a significantly cheaper entry price.

Where This Vehicle Ranks

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1

Mercedes-AMG E53

STARTING AT: $82,450
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2

Genesis G80

STARTING AT: $51,125
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3

Mercedes-Benz E-class

STARTING AT: $57,900
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4

Audi A7

STARTING AT: $71,295
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5

Audi A6

STARTING AT: $57,995
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6

BMW 5-series

STARTING AT: $56,995

What's New for 2023?

For 2023, the 2.5T Prestige model is replaced by the 2.5T Sport Prestige, which adds unique 19-inch wheels, a sport appearance package for the exterior trim, aluminum pedal covers, and upgraded front brakes with monoblock calipers. All models get a redesigned infotainment controller on the center console..

Pricing and Which One to Buy

    The best value among the various trim levels appears to be the 2.5T Advanced, which adds several high-end features that easily justify the price increase over the standard car. The Advance trim comes standard with 19-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, three-zone automatic climate control, a power trunk lid, and a 21-speaker Lexicon stereo system. All four-cylinder G80s come with rear-wheel drive as standard but all-wheel drive is available for an extra fee.

    Engine, Transmission, and Performance

    The entry-level G80 comes with a standard turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-four engine that makes 300 horsepower with either rear- or all-wheel drive. Buyers seeking quicker acceleration will want to opt for the more powerful Sport trim which comes with the 375-hp twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 and all-wheel drive. Both engines pair with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged four-cylinder snapped off a perky 5.7-second zero-to-60-mph time at our test track while the V-6 made it to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. The G80 provides a relaxed ride, effortless steering, and dutiful brakes, but it doesn't feel as athletic as some rivals. The Sport model, which is new for 2022, adds more athleticism and should give enthusiast drivers more enjoyment from behind the wheel. The G80 Sport is powered by the same 375-hp twin-turbo V-6, but it features a launch control feature that helped shave 0.2-seconds off its zero-to-60-mph time at our test track.

    2023 genesis g80 sport parkedView Photos
    Michael Simari|Car and Driver

      Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

      The EPA estimates the G80 with the base four-cylinder engine and rear-wheel drive will earn up to 23 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. Opting for the more powerful twin-turbo V-6 brings ratings of 17 mpg city and 26 highway. On our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test route, the G80 2.5T with all-wheel drive managed a 29 mpg result; a V-6–powered model delivered 28 mpg. For more information about the G80's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

      Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

      With its primary focus as a luxury car, the G80 offers a properly upscale interior. Its cabin showcases an elegant design with a streamlined dashboard, soft-touch surfaces, and rich-looking materials. The steering wheel has an odd aesthetic and the rotary shift knob is never as intuitive as automakers think, especially when positioned near other circular-shaped controls, but overall the inside of the G80 looks wonderful. The sedan offers desirable features such as a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, ambient interior lighting, a head-up display, heated and ventilated front and rear seats, and more. The G80 has more headroom and legroom than the outgoing model, too, which was spacious to begin with.

      2023 genesis g80 sport interiorView Photos
      Michael Simari|Car and Driver

        Infotainment and Connectivity

        A huge 14.5-inch touchscreen sprouts from the top of the dashboard and acts as the hub for the G80's infotainment system. The display can be manipulated via a circular controller on the center console as well as buttons on the steering wheel and voice commands. Every G80 also comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A powerful Lexicon audio system with distinct sound modes is part of the infotainment setup, too.

          Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

          Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)

          View Crash Test Results

          The G80 sedan offers a host of driver-assistance technology as well as a cool feature called Smart Park. Also available on select Hyundai models, the system allows the driver to maneuver the car in and out of tight parking spots without actually being at the controls. For more information about the G80's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

          • Standard automated emergency braking
          • Standard adaptive cruise control
          • Standard blind-spot monitoring

          Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

          Genesis provides a remarkable limited warranty and the longest powertrain coverage in the biz. It also supplements those noteworthy protections with one of the better complimentary maintenance plans available, apart from Jaguar's unbeatable five years or 60,000 miles

          • Limited warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
          • Powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles
          • Complimentary maintenance is covered for three years or 36,000 miles
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          Specifications

          Specifications

          2021 Genesis G80 2.5T

          VEHICLE TYPE
          front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan

          PRICE AS TESTED
          $58,025 (base price: $48,725)

          ENGINE TYPE
          turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, port and direct fuel injection
          Displacement
          152 in3, 2497 cm3
          Power
          300 hp @ 5800 rpm
          Torque
          311 lb-ft @ 1650 rpm

          TRANSMISSION
          8-speed automatic

          CHASSIS
          Suspension (F/R): multilink/multilink
          Brakes (F/R): 13.6-in vented disc/12.8-in vented disc
          Tires: Michelin Primacy Tour A/S, F: 245/45R-19 102W M+S GOE R: 275/40R-19 105W M+S GOE

          DIMENSIONS
          Wheelbase: 118.5 in
          Length: 196.7 in
          Width: 75.8 in
          Height: 57.7 in
          Passenger volume: 108 ft3
          Trunk volume: 13 ft3
          Curb weight: 4143 lb

          C/D TEST RESULTS
          60 mph: 5.7 sec
          100 mph: 14.1 sec
          130 mph: 26.0 sec
          Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 6.6 sec
          Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.4 sec
          Top gear, 50–70 mph: 4.3 sec
          1/4 mile: 14.1 sec @ 100 mph
          Braking, 70–0 mph: 160 ft
          Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.91 g
          Standing-start accel times omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.

          C/D FUEL ECONOMY
          Observed: 19 mpg

          EPA FUEL ECONOMY
          Combined/city/highway: 26/23/32 mpg 

          2022 Genesis G80 Sport
          Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan

          PRICE
          Base/As Tested: $64,795/$72,595

          ENGINE
          twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, port and direct fuel injection
          Displacement: 212 in3, 3470 cm3
          Power: 375 hp @ 5800 rpm
          Torque: 391 lb-ft @ 1300 rpm

          TRANSMISSION
          8-speed automatic

          CHASSIS
          Suspension, F/R: multilink/multilink
          Brakes, F/R: 14.2-in vented disc/13.6-in vented disc
          Tires: Pirelli P Zero All-Season
          F: 245/40R-20 99W M+S GOE
          R: 275/35R-20 102W M+S GOE

          DIMENSIONS
          Wheelbase: 118.5 in
          Length: 196.7 in
          Width: 75.8 in
          Height: 57.7 in
          Passenger Volume: 104 ft3
          Trunk Volume: 13 ft3
          Curb Weight: 4495 lb

          C/D TEST RESULTS
          60 mph: 4.7 sec
          100 mph: 11.5 sec
          ¼-Mile: 13.2 sec @ 107 mph
          130 mph: 20.8 sec
          150 mph: 32.2 sec
          Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
          Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 5.3 sec
          Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.7 sec
          Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 3.6 sec
          Top Speed (C/D): 155 mph
          Braking, 70–0 mph: 170 ft
          Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.88 g

          C/D FUEL ECONOMY
          Observed: 15 mpg

          EPA FUEL ECONOMY
          Combined/City/Highway: 20/17/26 mpg

          C/D TESTING EXPLAINED

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