The 2025 Genesis G80's Interior Is A Warning Shot For More Than Just Lexus And Acura

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It's surprising that interior design often takes a backseat to exterior styling when we're talking about the amount of time we spend inside our cars. Usually, it's unimpressive, sometimes completely forgettable, that "car interior" we've been promised with futuristic concept vehicles never quite makes it to production. Often, what we get is old, unoriginal designs that rely on simplicity and cost-efficient manufacturing techniques over being visually stimulating.

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A lot has been said about the G80's exterior features: its distinctive grille, unique wheel options, and innovative lighting. As I stepped inside, however, I began to wonder if this updated-for-2025 interior design should be the blueprint for other car manufacturers to follow.

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If you're looking for high-end quality, you're likely to have to pay a premium for it.

The problem was made worse by the specific model that arrived at my driveway. The lowest price for a 2025 G80 ownership starts at $57,100 (plus $1,250 for delivery), which includes a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive. The G80 3.5T Sport Prestige AWD shown here, meanwhile, starts at $77,000 (plus delivery) and comes with a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6, bigger wheels, and other amenities.

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Genesis actually has some more subtle interior color options available. There's a more subdued Obsidian Black version for those preferring a calmer look, or a Vanilla Beige or Ash Gray for those who want to conceal dust and dirt from kids or pets who like to get into everything within a 20-foot radius.

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The transmission selector lever that turns 180-degrees to switch gear modes is absent in the G80. Instead, it has a pair of ornate, fluted crystal knobs that are so intricate they could be winning trophies at a minor golf tournament, and they sit on a metal platform in a dashboard made of carbon fiber.

Large car dashboards continue to be a big business; yet, the G80's 27-inch OLED display manages to fit into this trend without looking too flashy, as if its lower profile helps it remain understated. It misses the mark on excessive technology, feeling neither too minimalist nor so youthful that drivers of more mature tastes might be overwhelmed by the interface.

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Many find it flashy, reminiscent of a chair from the "Moulin Rouge," set, and that's perfectly fine.

What it doesn't resemble is the style of any other carmaker. For sure, it looks nothing like what you'd see in a Hyundai or Kia, which both have their own identifiable interior designs. I'm not even sure you could say that for a modern Lexus or Acura, and their counterparts from Toyota and Honda.

Frankly, at a time when there are legitimate worries that a shift to more electric cars could dilute personalization, making the intuitive design of the core cabin a focus in production seems like a smart move to stand out. Genesis may not have hit a home run with the 2025 G80, but at least it's taking a swing.

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