Anyone in the market for a luxury sport sedan should visit a Genesis dealer. Yes, I know, this segment is the unloved, shrinking, red-headed stepchild to the almighty crossover. But if you actually enjoy driving and realize that automotive taste comes in flavors beyond bloated luxo-barges, get a load of the Genesis G80.
Teutonic Trifecta Contender
In a segment long dominated by the Teutonic Trifecta, with an occasional contender thrown in the ring by Lexus, Genesis is to be applauded for shoving itself into the conversation. The G80, a BMW 5-Series competitor, is bookended by the G70 (once offered with a stick!) on the lower end, with the big G90 at the top end. And it has style in spades.
During a week spent driving the G80 3.5T Sport Prestige, I received loads of curious stares and plenty of comments on its looks. “Is that a Bentley?” and “Is that a Chrysler?” were typical refrains. Chalk it up to the bewinged badging. The patterned wheels were another point of conversation, with more than one finding the design overwrought.
Fastback Good Looks
I, for one, happen to dig the fastback profile and distinctive split headlight design. The “G-matrix” front grille is enormous, but works with its complex structure and gloss black finish on the Sport Prestige. Around back, a subtle decklid spoiler pulls it all together, and the exhaust finishers ape the Genesis logo design. The wheels are indeed on the busy side, but there’s no mistaking this is a Genesis.
Effortless Speed
Mechanically, the range-topping G80 is busy as well, but it all manages to work effortlessly from the driver’s seat. A twin-turbo 3.5L V6 cooks up 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque, which is routed through an 8-speed automatic and electronically-controlled limited-slip diff to all four wheels.
Adaptive dampers with “road preview” and rear-wheel steering (RWS) complete the mechanical workings of the G80. Around town, even with 20” wheels, harsh impacts are smoothly rounded off. With the RWS operating out-of-phase at low speed, the car flicks around 90° corners like a go-kart. I had to reset my handling expectations to avoid clipping curbs as a result.
Sport Sedan Moves
Getting up to highway speed is a breeze, as are passing maneuvers. The G80 is not a rocket - Car and Driver says it’ll go 0-60 in 5.1 seconds - but it moves with the easy grace you’d expect of a nearly $80,000 luxury sedan. You can get into an entry-level 2026 Genesis G80 for closer to $60,000, but base models come with a 2.5L turbocharged four-pot making 75 fewer horsepower and 80 fewer torques.
When pushed, the side bolsters on the Sport Prestige driver’s seat automatically start squeezing to keep you from sliding around. It helps, as the combination of ample power, RWS, and trick dampers results in plenty of dynamic excitement through the twisty bits.
The G80’s Fancy Seats
Those bolsters are one part of a highly complex front seat operation. Using the infotainment interface, you can activate a posture analysis protocol that aims to get you in the perfect position for spinal comfort while driving. For me, those positions were not exactly conducive to driving, but they sure were comfortable.
Heating, ventilation, and massaging are all part of the deal at this level, and after 20 minutes of driving, an automatic anti-fatigue protocol starts rubbing your back. Very nice. As was the Sevilla Red Nappa leather upholstery with its deep red hue offering a welcome dash of cabin style. That said, my wife felt it belonged in some kind of vampire-themed bordello. Tomato, tamatoh.
A Luxury-Laden Cabin
The list of amenities is predictably long and well-executed across the board. Panoramic moonroofs are de rigeur at this level, but the split-opening design in the G80 adds owner delight. Knurled surfaces abound, the front console armrests are heated, and the rear sunshade goes up and down at the touch of a button.
A redundant mouse-like console dial backs up the touch control of the central display, which is cleanly integrated and avoids seeming obnoxiously huge, even though it’s part of a 27” widescreen OLED slab of glass. That dial is intuitive, and the 18-speaker audio system from Bang & Olufsen? It rips.
Beware The Transmission Tunnel
One of my few gripes about the 2026 G80 is the tall transmission tunnel running through the center of the backseat floor that effectively eliminates legroom for someone sitting in the center position. Though AWD has been standard since 2024, the G80 is a RWD platform, which brings up an important note.
The Genesis G80 is technically a 5-seater; however, it should be marketed as a 4-seater. One that would be ideally suited to high-end realtor duty. Those outboard rear seats are heated, and backseat occupants have dedicated HVAC controls along with manual side shades and a power-controlled rear window shade. It’s easy to imagine clients being shuttled around back there in comfort during house hunting trips.
Hey Genesis, How About A G80 Magma?
After launching as a Hyundai model in 2009, the Genesis name went on to become a standalone luxury brand in 2016. A relative baby compared to industry stalwarts like BMW, Audi, and Mercedes, it remains to be seen if Genesis has long-term staying power. Based on how all-around excellent the G80 is, I’m rooting for them…and hoping a Magma version finds its way stateside sometime in the near future.
About the author: Niel Stender is an automotive journalist. More of his work can be found at muckrack.com/niel-stender