Depreciation is often the great leveler in the automotive world and can sometimes bring down a bold pretender to make it more accessible several years down the road. After all, off-the-lot affordability can often be a challenge with some top luxury sedans, as people may look lovingly at them when they first come out but quietly back away when they see the window sticker.While the Genesis G80 may have been one of these cars for a lot of aspiring buyers in 2021, it's now settled into more of a sweet spot five years on. It's an excellent mid-size Korean luxury sedan, which is every inch the big deal executive car, and you can now buy one for the same kind of dollar outlay as you'd expect with a new compact crossover. What Makes This G80 Such A Steal GenesisWhen it was new, the Genesis G80, fitted with a 2.5-liter turbo engine, started out in the high $40,000 range and the 3.5-liter turbo V6 variant might push expectations just into the low sixties. Today you may be able to find some versions in the mid-$20K range, depending on condition and mileage, with some well-equipped cars in the low thirties. Clearly, the G80 has shed a huge chunk of its original price, but it's still very relevant as a capable luxury sedan.The entry-level engine in the G80 is very usable as a 2.5-liter turbo inline-four turning out 300 hp. This is a lot more than you find in many rival base trims and if you opt for the 3.5-liter twin turbo V6, you'll get 375 hp underneath your right foot. Some people choose the 2.5T as the everyday commuter and the more adventurous might opt for the 3.5T if they want to casually dust some traffic on their way to a meeting.On the outside, the G80 is imposing enough, with that long hood, sweeping roofline, and bold crest grille. Some people compare it to a mini-Bentley, especially with those twin light strips at the front and the back. And the overall look is still fresh in 2026, which is especially pleasing when you consider that it sits at half its original value. Living With The G80 Every Day GenesisGenesis has tuned the suspension of the G80 with comfort in mind, so it'll make light work of cracked pavements and less than optimal freeways. It's not likely to float or wander around but feels planted, and it seems that the aim is to help you feel more relaxed when you arrive than when you left. Inside the cabin, the noise level is satisfyingly low, as the company has used a lot of sound deadening and laminated glass. This means that you won't get any of that droning or buzzing that you might expect from a mainstream mid-sized sedan or SUV, with just a distant hush of tires or wind at 75 mph.If you're worried about your fuel economy, then the 2.5T is the most sensible choice. You'll get an EPA average of 23 mpg city and 32 mpg highway, which drops to 19 city and 27 highway with the stronger 3.5T V6. That's middle-of-the-road efficiency for the class and similar to luxury sedans from Germany or Japan.The G80 has an average footprint as well, measuring just 197 inches long, so you should be able to fit it into a standard garage or parallel parking space without any drama. If you do need any assistance in that department, there are available surround view cameras and front and rear sensors too. Interior Comfort And Tech You Can Actually Use Genesis You'll probably be happy to spend your money on this used car as soon as you open the door. After all, Genesis went to town with the G80 fitting plenty of soft-touch materials, real-feeling metals, and tasteful wood trims. The design has aged well and if you get a car with an available panoramic roof, you can fully enjoy this airy cabin behind its wide and low dashboard. The front seats are supportive and typically come with multi-way power adjustments. Heating and ventilation are also available, and the seating in general seems well set up for a long interstate run. In the back, your passengers will get generous legroom and lots of headroom, so they don't feel like second-class citizens, as they might elsewhere.Every G80 gets a nice slice of technology, starting with a wide 14.5-inch infotainment screen that has built-in navigation, smartphone integration, and Bluetooth. You can control the interface by touch or through a rotary knob placed on the console and the latter is always better than trying to jab your fingers at a distant screen. Audio systems tend to vary by trim level and accessory package, and you can also use voice prompts that seem to work well and actually understand you for a change. Safety, Driver Aids, And All-Weather Confidence Genesis The 2021 Genesis G80 earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's highest Top Safety Pick+ rating, with good marks in all major crashworthiness and crash prevention tests. The emergency braking system was able to avoid collisions at 12 mph and 25 mph in controlled tests and did a good job of recognizing pedestrians. These results should please anyone who does a lot of late-night freeway runs or often has to commute in heavy traffic, and drivers can also take advantage of a roster of standard driver assistance features. Here, Genesis has added lane keeping assistance, forward collision warning with automatic braking, blind spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control, and you can also get Highway Driving Assist. This system combines adaptive cruise and lane centering to keep the car tracking straight and at a safe distance from other vehicles as long as the driver remains attentive.Meanwhile, the G80 also has available all-wheel drive, which is interesting for those who encounter heavy rain or snow all too often. This can convert the G80 into a confident all-year companion and especially so when you factor in those stability and traction control systems. Costs, Reliability, And Long-Term Ownership Genesis The Genesis G80 was quite attractive in its launch guise as it tended to undercut comparable German rivals by quite a margin. While the 2.5T was in the high forties and the 3.5T in the high fifties, you'd often have to start in the mid-fifties to get even a base BMW 5 Series or Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Depreciation has taken its toll on all these vehicles, of course, but in the case of the G80, it now means that very reasonable examples are on the market for between $25,000 and $32,000. Effectively you could cross-shop a used G80 against some brand-new mainstream sedans or compact SUVs, but be getting the G80’s richer cabin, more power, and quite luxury against many of those new options.You may also be able to take advantage of one of the strongest warranties in the luxury world, but will need to check the specific model and see if it has any certified pre-owned credentials. Originally, Genesis attached a five-year, 60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty to this vehicle, but not all of that magic automatically transfers to a subsequent owner.Reliability-wise, Genesis tends to have a positive history in owner-reported quality and dependability surveys. Routine maintenance costs tend to be in line with other luxury sedans, but they're probably going to be higher than any mainstream Toyota, for example. The best option is to put aside a little money to be proactive about maintenance, considering that you struck a good deal to get the car in the first place. A Five-Year-Old Genesis As The Luxury Sweet Spot Genesis There's no doubt that a five-year-old Genesis G80 makes a very strong case for itself if you're looking for a statement car but without a tombstone payment. Here you've got a sedan that rides beautifully, has some serious safety tech and commendable performance, while still being able to look remarkably current. And don't forget that the money that you pay will likely overlap with nicely optioned mainstream models elsewhere.Of course, a sedan is not always the most utilitarian family vehicle, and you may need to budget for some luxury-grade maintenance and fork out for premium fuel. But nevertheless, there's no doubt that the G80 is a compelling used buy. And while it may not have the same badge cachet as some of those German vehicles in certain circles, it's still probably one of the best luxury bargains on four doors right now.