The big names in the midsize luxury car segment, Mercedes-Benz and BMW, as well as Lexus, often crowd out the others that wrestle for the scraps left over — no matter how good they may be. If you’re looking at a Mercedes E-Class or BMW 5 Series, make sure you add the highly underrated 2025 Genesis G80 3.5T Sport Prestige to your “must drive” list.
The midsize luxury segment is a tough space to compete but the 2025 Genesis G80 more than holds its own.
To be clear, the E-Class and 5 Series earn the accolades they get but ignore the G80 at your own peril — and that of your bank account.
Let’s ignore the dollar signs for the moment and start with the fact the G80 simply is an excellent vehicle.
The look
The exterior styling screams sophistication. It’s low, sleek and contemporary. It lacks the hard edges some of its Teutonic competitors favor. The massive front trapezoidal grille tells you right away what’s coming.
That front end seemingly hovers just off the ground while the belt line slowly just unfurls back to the back of the car. It’s an amazing blend of aggression and athleticism.
The brawn
The Genesis G80 3.5T Sport Prestige is powered by a 3.5-liter twin-turbo 6-cylinder putting out 375 hp.
The G80 is powered by a 3.5-liter twin-turbo 6-cylinder, putting out 375 horsepower. It offers several drive modes, including Sport and Sport-plus, where you can set everything up just how you like it. It also offers rear-wheel steering, which not only makes it nimble during aggressive maneuvers but also helps in tight spaces at low speeds.
Once you’re inside, you’re swallowed by heated and ventilated Nappa leather seats with 4-way power lumbar support. They’re comfortable and supportive, although not quite as configurable as the competition, which offers more lumbar controls and massaging seats. The rear seats are comfortable, with enough legroom for adults to be comfortable for a longer drive.
The brains
From the driver’s position, everything is placed just where it should be. The massive 27-inch touch screen looks amazing whether you elect to use the native navigation and infotainment systems or choose alternatives, such as Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
The Genesis G80 features a 27-inch touchscreen that offers a clear view of every bit of information you need.
The infotainment controls once again feature knobs and buttons, and the Bang & Olufsen sound system is impressively good. The charging pad, however, is a bit wonky. It comes with all of the advanced driver assistance features one expects from a car in this segment.
The verdict
It’s a great vehicle that’s comfortable, offers spirited performance and great looks. Pricing starts in the low $50,000 range, but our top-of-the-line model is a bit more than that: more than $78,000. Still, a good deal in a pricey playground — and well worth it.
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