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2025 Genesis G80 3.5T Sport Prestige AWD - Review by David Colman


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2025 Genesis G80 3.5T Sport Prestige AWD

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2025 Genesis G80 3.5T Sport Prestige AWD

A Superb Automobile

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David Colman
Photos and Story by David Colman
Special Correspondent to THE AUTO CHANNEL


The most memorable sports luxury car I have driven this year is next year's 2025 Genesis G80. But that evaluation holds only for the top-line model, which is identified as "3.5T Sport Prestige AWD." Decoding the label yields the following information: "3.5" refers to the 3.5 liter displacement of the gasoline engine; "T" indicates this engine is boosted by twin turbochargers; "Sport" refers to the layout of the suspension which prioritizes handling with a model-specific set of 20-inch wheels with all- wheel steering; "Prestige" describes the G80's elegantly tailored interior furnishings.


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2025 Genesis G80 3.5T Sport Prestige AWD

Let's start with consideration of the G80's considerable performance assets. In the engine compartment, you'll discover a handsomely displayed turbocharged V6 engine that produces 375hp and 391lb.-ft of torque. This explosive unit propels the 3.5T through the standing start quarter mile in 13.2 seconds and scalds the 0-60mph run in 4.7 seconds. Top speed runs out at 155mph. By any measure, that's sports car performance from a full-luxe four-seater weighing in at a none-too-svelte 4,600lbs.


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2025 Genesis G80 3.5T Sport Prestige AWD

If you want to discover why the G80 3.5T handles so well, take a closer look at the engine bay and you'll find a pair of large cross-section aluminum strut tower braces that rigidify the engine compartment by stabilizing the top of the front shock towers. The 391 pound feet of torque pass through an 8-speed, paddle controlled automatic gearbox which distributes this bounty to all four Pirelli P Zero (TW 500) all-season radials (245/40R20). These very adhesive tires are mounted on distinctive 5-spoke 20-inch Sport Alloy Wheels that distinguish the looks of this Genesis from anything else on the road.


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2025 Genesis G80 3.5T Sport Prestige AWD

The spokes of these alloys have a hand-hammered look that perfectly complements the car's optional $1,200 Makalu Gray Matte paint job. While the understated hue distinguishes this Genesis from anything else on the road, there are certain caveats to bear in mind about matte paint. It can only be cleaned with 50/50 solution of alcohol and de-ionized water applied to the surface with microfiber towels. Genesis warns that any other method of cleaning, especially with power buffers, will destroy the uniform matte surface finish. To drive the point home, Genesis requires purchasers to acknowledge and sign a seven point "Matte Finish Paint Customer Acknowledgement" form.


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2025 Genesis G80 3.5T Sport Prestige AWD

Such stringent care measures do not apply to the stellar Sevilla Red/Obsidian interior of this Genesis. The "Prestige" description applied to this sedan is fully justified by just one look at its cabin. The front and rear seats are upholstered in tufted, diamond patterned rust red Nappa Leather that is scrumptious to contemplate and even better to sit upon. Both front seats are adjustable in more ways than you can contemplate, with a terrific, throbbing lumbar push available for the driver's position. Genesis has covered the center front console and door caps with pearlescent carbon fiber material that complements the crystal dial knob for the shift selector. The cabin is spacious and airy, especially if you pop open the expansive panoramic sunroof, which dazzlingly splits itself in the middle and recedes fore and aft at the same time. Tunes are by highly reputed Bang & Olufsen, and Genesis takes exquisite car of all the minor luxe details, like subdued red interior night lighting of all floors and doors, plus a logo puddle lamp projected on the pavement when you alight in the dark.


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2025 Genesis G80 3.5T Sport Prestige AWD

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2025 Genesis G80 3.5T Sport Prestige AWD

The 2025 version of this G80 carries a new 27-inch wide OLED instrument cluster and navigation screen. While the cinemascope display certainly looks dramatic, certain reservations exist about its practicality. For example, when I first started driving this Genesis, the circular speedometer face encapsulated a tiny "tachometer" notation that read-out in single digits rather than actual rpm. Luckily, I stumbled upon a switch on the steering wheel that revised the digital layout to provide two equal-sized speedo/tach faces with proper pointers, and rpm readouts in the thousands. That part was good.


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2025 Genesis G80 3.5T Sport Prestige AWD

The problem however was the placement of these pseudo-instruments which were 4 inches apart. No matter where I adjusted the steering wheel, its fat leather rim partially blocked vision of the gauges. I finally ended up with an elevated, cocked wheel position that allowed me to see speed and rpm, but otherwise felt inconvenient. A similar ergonomic shortcoming concerns the diamond patterned key fob, which looked impressive but proved impractical because each edge contained 4 tiny button (8 in all) that were impossible to decipher, even in daylight. All apparently done to keep the diamond surfaces free of confusing buttons that might actually be seen and operated.


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2025 Genesis G80 3.5T Sport Prestige AWD

Niggling issues aside, however, the latest top drawer G80 from Genesis is a superb automobile, well worth its exceptionally reasonable purchase price of $79,780.

2025 GENESIS G80 3.5T SPORT PRESTIGE AWD

    ENGINE: 3.6 liter V6, turbocharged and intercooled DOHC, 24-valve
    HORSEPOWER: 375hp
    TORQUE: 391lb.-ft.
    FUEL CONSUMPTION: 16MPG City/24 MPG Highway
    PRICE AS TESTED: $79,780

HYPES: Ultra Luxe Interior, Fine Handling

GRIPES: New OLED dash display

STAR RATING: 10 Stars out of 10

©2024 David E Colman