2026 Genesis G80 review: BMW wants their mojo back

Mitchell Weitzman

6 minutes ago

7 min read

A superb executive saloon from an unlikely source

2026 Genesis G80 review by The Road Beat

Leave it to the South Koreans to build a better BMW than the Germans. That certainly wasn’t on my bingo card for the century, let alone getting it before GTA VI. What we have here is a seriously luxurious executive saloon that leaves a lasting impression whether you’re behind the wheel or simply along for the ride.

The G80 also reminds us of how overlooked the traditional luxury sedan has become. In an era when so many new cars settle for SUV practicality and/or bury their driving experience beneath layers of technology, Genesis has built something that feels refreshingly old-school in all the right ways.

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First impressions matter, and the G80 makes a hell of a first impression. Anyone who claims looks don't matter is either lying or trying to sell you something. Or on a fake reality show inside of a Nathan Fielder show.

Genesis has nailed the G80's styling since the current generation arrived for 2021, and the design still looks strikingly fresh and elegant five years later. I like simple shapes and lines on modern cars, but the G80 has properly complex elements that all arrive to a gorgeous conclusion. The thin double-stacked headlights work to break up the density and the contours of the hood come form the pentagonal grille opening. The tail lights echo and continue the flow of the front headlamps, ending in a neatly tapered rear that keeps the car appearing trim and athletic.

As other luxury cars have become either too plain or downright vulgar, the G80 strikes an excellent balance between modern sophistication and traditional opulence. Some of its flowing shapes and intricate details even seem inspired by vintage wooden boats rather than other cars. Remember the classic Bentley and Rolls-Royce sedans of the 1970s? I like to think the G80 harks back to that era of stately luxury more than it resembles a modern example from Crewe or Goodwood.

2026 Genesis G80 Prestige Black interior | The Road Beat review

If anything, it's even more impressive on the inside. Mounds of rich of leather upholstery, beautifully finished surfaces, and generously comfortable seats create an environment that feels genuinely luxurious rather than looking merely expensive. The dashboard's flowing lines continue into the door panels, giving the cabin a cohesive, almost sculptural appearance like a well-executed indoor water feature.

The switchgear and interaction points feel substantial and not hollow, and nothing about the cabin gives the impression that Genesis has cut corners to meet a price point. I also appreciate that the central infotainment screen isn't absurdly large. Instead, it feels restrained and appropriately integrated into the dashboard more as an accent rather than a centerpiece. Separate climate controls with physical knobs for temperature and volume make everyday operation that much easier, too. Imagine that: a luxury car that remembers people still like pressing buttons and turning knobs instead of menu diving.

2026 Genesis G80 exterior rear three quarter white

Rear accommodations are great, particularly if you're concerned about legroom and seat comfort, even if headroom is a little compromised for taller passengers. The G80 feels every bit the executive sedan from the back, while the trunk offers an abundance of room for luggage or several sets of golf clubs. Mafia members should also appreciate the generous capacity, potentially reducing the number of trips required to dispose of unwanted evidence.

Forward motivation comes from a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 producing 375 horsepower, which is more than enough for everyday driving and then some. 0-60 mph takes five seconds flat, and while rivals are quicker, outright acceleration is far from the G80's defining talent. I'm just glad Genesis still offers a six-cylinder engine rather than downsizing exclusively to four-bangers. The V6 is beautifully smooth, delivers plenty of thrust, and produces a suitably refined growl when asked to work. Meanwhile, a smooth and seamless 8-speed automatic sends power to all four corners.

2026 Genesis G80 Prestige Black interior quilted leather driver seats | The Road Beat review

More than just surface level admiration, I like how the G80 drives. The seating position is excellent, and the thick-rimmed steering wheel feels good in the hands and gives the impression of immediate control. Everything feels immediately intuitive, making the G80 easy to settle into from the first few turns of the wheel.

Wafting around town is as comfortable and easy as it should be, while the weighty steering gives the experience a little more involvement than you might expect from a luxury sedan. Direction changes are deliberate and prompt, with theG80 responding quickly when you ask it to change its course. On the highway, it tracks arrow straight without feeling detached and remains impressively quiet. The Bang & Olufsen stereo definitely bangs, too, with credible fidelity.

Up the pace of the G80, and its personality evolves, doing a great homage to the terrific E39 BMW 5-Series of the past. Cars like this don’t need to be good to drive quickly, but Genesis had other ideas for our benefit.

All new cars have incredible road holding and grip, but the G80 makes the process of navigating backroads enjoyable rather than merely a waste of potential billable hours. Thanks to the chassis' natural balance and fluidity, this is a luxury sedan that is inherently more enjoyable and more, er, BMW-like in the classic and revered sense. Toss the big sedan hard through a series of bends and you're greeted with a distinct and engineered poise with feedback trickling back to you through the hefty steering. Other cars of the kind can be numb and have overboosted steering, but if you want something that feels more old school, feels more Munich than even modern Munich models, that’s where the G80 shines further.

2026 Genesis G80 Prestige Black AWD exterior front three quarter | review by The Road Beat

The all-wheel-drive system provides reassuring traction, and the chassis feels composed when pushed through a sequence of bends. Eventually you will find understeer, but it's not a massive wall that you just hit with no warning, rather there's a gradual and natural build up during more enthusiastic proceedings. Body roll is there, but it's controlled and helps you understand the adhesion limits as you lean on the outside tires.

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The G80's value proposition has somewhat gone the way of the dodo. The base model still starts at an attractive price, but stepping up to the high-end V6 trims brings a substantial premium. As tested, this G80 3.5T Prestige Black AWD costs $81,495 all-in. Granted, there are no additional options offered (it's all included standard), but at that point, the Genesis is no longer the obvious bargain alternative to its German competition.

The oversized rotary selector for drive and reverse is easy enough to use, and I don't mind that design itself. The problem here is that it's positioned too close to a similarly sized rotary controller for the infotainment system. The two are just alike enough to invite confusion, and even after a week behind the wheel, I'd still occasionally reach for the wrong one when going from drive to reverse. It's a small annoyance, but one that could easily have been avoided with a little more thought given to the layout.

2026 Genesis G80 Prestige Black interior dashboard and cabin

I appreciate the G80's sharper handling responses, but the ride is just ever so slightly too stiff on less-than-perfect roads (most roads in California). The trade-off between comfort and control is always a balancing act, and Genesis has leaned a little too far toward the latter. A touch more compliance over rough pavement would make the G80 a more convincing luxury sedan without necessarily sacrificing the handling that makes it enjoyable to drive. Things never become unsettling, but a tad more compliance would be appreciated.

Being slower than some comparable rivals doesn't bother me much because the G80 is easily plenty quick enough for normal driving. Fuel consumption is harder to excuse, however. Even cruising around my usual route, I averaged just 21 MPG overall, which isn't particularly impressive in 2026. The V6 delivers smooth, effortless performance, but it asks for a fairly generous supply of gasoline in return. For instance, other six-cylinder offerings from the Germans give you more real world speed and even 20% better efficiency (28 MPG overall in a new BMW 540i for example).

Brand prestige is another consideration at this price. Genesis has come a remarkably long way in a remarkably short period, and the G80 feels every bit as special as its styling and interior suggest. Nevertheless, the badge on the hood still carries a different sort of cachet from Mercedes-Benz or BMW. For some buyers, that distinction won't matter. For others spending $80,000 on a luxury sedan, it may be a bigger consideration than Genesis would want to admit.

The BMW that BMW doesn’t make anymore

It's unfortunate that the latest 5-Series has moved so far from the qualities that made earlier generations special. That has opened the door for brands like Genesis to step in and offer something different: a luxury sedan that doesn't treat driver engagement as an afterthought. BMW still makes the M5 of course, but the standard 5-Series models have been entirely underwhelming for the better part of 15 years.

2026 Genesis G80 rear seats black leather

I doubt the G80 will convince legions of loyal German-sedan buyers to switch allegiance overnight, but Genesis has a compelling package here in some very key areas. The styling is among the best in the class, the cabin feels properly luxurious, and the driving experience offers a welcome reminder that a big executive sedan can be more than a comfortable place to sit. The ride could be more forgiving, fuel economy is disappointing, and the price advantage has narrowed considerably.

Even so, the G80 gets the fundamentals right in a way that feels increasingly uncommon. And for anyone who misses the character and balance of the Ultimate Driving Machines of previous decades, the G80 deserves a serious look.

More photos from The Road Beat's 2026 Genesis G80 review: