The luxury sedan segment is dominated by the European trio of Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi. These are challenged by premium Japanese brands, mainly Lexus, although Acura and Infiniti are also in the picture. The Germans mostly offer straight-up stylish luxury with a performance bias, while Lexus, in particular, has the luxury but lacks the sportiness. It compensates for this by offering solid, uncompromising reliability and ownership confidence, via its Toyota heritage, that the German trio simply cannot match. The Genesis G80, however, sits in the middle of these conflicting offers. Styling is as sharp as any Bimmer, without trying to be a BMW. Interior luxury is taken seriously, combining old-school quality with modern technology.
The Genesis G80 competes with the Merc E-Class, the BMW 5 Series, the Audi A6, and the Lexus ES. It matches these cars in the luxury stakes. The G80, especially with the bigger engine, is certainly far sportier than the Lexus, although not quite up to the standards of the top Germans. It gets close to the Lexus in reliability and ownership value, an area where the Germans lag. We have established that the Genesis does not stand back in luxury, so let’s have a look at how it stacks up in reliability, style, ownership costs, and driving character, and look at how it slots neatly between Lexus dependability and BMW’s style.
Solid Reliability In A Fragile Segment
Lexus remains the gold standard for reliability, basically because it shares Toyota’s world-class engineering and manufacturing standards. The Genesis G80 had the same reliability score in the J.D. Power survey as the Lexus ES in 2024, and although it dropped slightly over the next two years, it is still as reliable as the Merc E-Class and scores higher than the BMW 5 Series and Audi A6.
Reliability Scores Over Three Years
J.D. Power gives a score out of 100 for various categories. They test almost all cars, using the independent opinions of hundreds of thousands of owners. This is seen as a benchmark, although J.D. Power does not score every car every year. In the table below, a year not scored is denoted by a dash.
J.D. Power Quality and Reliability Scores
|
2026 |
2025 |
2024 |
|
|
Audi A6 |
74/100 |
74/100 |
74/100 |
|
Mercedes-Benz E-class |
80/100 |
80/100 |
– |
|
BMW 5-series |
77/100 |
77/100 |
79/100 |
|
Lexus ES |
– |
89/100 |
88/100 |
|
Genesis G80 |
80/100 |
80/100 |
89/100 |
Proven Mechanical Foundations
Much of the G80’s reliability comes from engines and mechanical systems that have matured over many generations. The modern G80 is built on a platform that evolved from the original Hyundai Genesis, a platform renowned for durability. Engineers were able to refine combustion systems, transmissions, and powertrain components over time. Its turbocharged engines and eight-speed automatic transmissions have been noted for smooth power delivery and robust performance.
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Genesis G80 – Uniquely Stylish Design
Style is elusive, but when done right, it is an essential part of a luxury car’s appeal. The Genesis G80 certainly catches the eye. The long hood, elegant fastback profile, and sculpted grille are reminiscent of European sedans like the Bimmer 5 or Merc E. The proportions are balanced, with a rear-wheel-bias giving it a poised silhouette that is more European than Asian in character.
Best-Looking Sedan In Its Segment
Automotive reviewers consistently remark on the exterior design of the Genesis G80, with CarBuzz calling it “by far the best-looking sedan in the segment”, pointing to its modern looks and timeless appeal. Many of the cars in this segment lean strongly into a conservative or corporate look, using specific accents to stand out, like the unmistakable BMW grille. Genesis is more restrained and confident, its design drawing attention because it is not trying to.
Interior Design To Match The Exterior
The interior of the G80 provides a nice balance between high-quality materials and good technology. Leather is standard, and both the quality and quilted finish get better with higher trims. Open-pore wood and carefully curated detailing help create an ambiance of understated luxury. The heated and ventilated front and rear seats provide ample room for passengers, while a panoramic sunroof is an option in the base trim and standard in the other trims.
A large 27.0-inch OLED display on the dashboard is the hub of the G80’s digital offering. The left side of this display is a customizable gauge set for the driver, while the rest of the display can be accessed via a touchscreen, a rotary controller, buttons on the steering wheel, and voice command. The sound is via a powerful Lexicon audio system.
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Ownership Costs
Reliability scores and luxury design are fine, but the cost of ownership becomes more important as the car gets older. Some buyers avoid German sedans because, although they are generally brilliant cars, the cost and maintenance over time can be prohibitive, especially if a major repair is needed after the warranty has expired.
CarEdge Data
The major cost of ownership for any car is depreciation, and luxury cars depreciate at a faster rate than popular lower-cost mass market models. A luxury car will always cost more to maintain as well, as they have more expensive stuff that can break or wear out. A major repair on a luxury vehicle can cost a lot. So it’s worth looking at CarEdge’s projections on the estimated cost of maintenance and repairs over five years, as well as the chance of a major repair needed in that time.
Five-Year Cost-to-Own Projections
|
Model |
Projected Maintenance And Repairs |
Chance Of A Major Repair |
|
Audi A6 |
$3,228 |
28% |
|
Mercedes-Benz E-class |
$3,717 |
33% |
|
BMW 5-series |
$4,353 |
42% |
|
Lexus ES |
$2,329 |
16% |
|
Genesis G80 |
$2,554 |
20% |
Warranties And Peace Of Mind
One area where Genesis gives greater peace of mind is in the warranties it offers. Its warranties are the same as those offered by sister companies Hyundai and Kia, and they really provide peace of mind over a longer term. Lexus, BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz all offer a limited warranty of four years or 50,000 miles. Genesis has five years or 60,000 miles. BMW, Audi, and Merc all have a powertrain warranty of four years or 50,000 miles, Lexus ups that to six years or 70,000 miles, and Genesis tops it with 10 years or 100,000 miles.
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Finding The Balance Between BMW And Lexus
The Genesis G80 does not try to be a hard-charging sports sedan like the BMW 5 Series. It rather gives a luxury sedan’s composure and confident performance. As a review in Edmunds noted: “Comfortable and quick enough without the aggressive tuning that can compromise ride quality on German competitors.”
Choice Of Powertrains
Despite its relaxed demeanor, the Genesis G80 does not lack in power or performance. There are two engine choices available: a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 300 horsepower, and a 3.5-liter V-6 twin-turbo that makes 375 horsepower. Both come with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Independent tests found a 0–60 mph time of 5.7 seconds for the 2.5-liter and 5.1 seconds for the 3.5-liter.
Luxury Without Compromise
Genesis’ brand proposition used to be that you would get more for less. That has changed, and Genesis now trades on value alone. The Genesis G80 starting price is a bit lower than the comparable Merc, but in the same ballpark as the Audi and BMW. It is more than the Lexus. This shows how confident Genesis has become with its midsize sedan. The Genesis takes on all comers with its luxury offering, without trying to be like the German models or be a Korean Lexus clone.
Sources: Genesis, J.D. Power, Edmunds, CarEdge