It wasn’t a long time ago when Korean cars were primarily known for affordability and practicality. These days, they now produce far higher quality cars than they used to, and with a lot more standard features than the competition for the same price. Eventually, their confidence in making desirable cars led them to enter the luxury car market more than a decade ago.Today, Genesis is the sole luxury brand from South Korea, and it is also part of Hyundai Motor Group (HMG). Prior to Genesis becoming a brand of its own, it was the name of Hyundai's first but spectacular attempt at making a true luxury sedan. Since then, Genesis has grown to become a whole family of luxury vehicles, from crossover SUVs to luxury sedans. If you're in the market for a Genesis luxury sedan, which one is the most reliable? Hyundai Motor Group’s Quality History Hyundai To understand just how far Hyundai has come from its origins, we have to go back to 1986, when the South Korean automaker entered the North American market. Celebrating Its 40th Birthday Wiki Commons Hyundai Motor America was founded in 1986 as the North American business arm of the brand. Its first model was the Excel, a subcompact sedan or hatch that was primarily known for its affordability. The wedge-shaped design may be the work of Giorgetto Giugiaro of Italdesign, which was in vogue at the time, but everything else about the car wasn’t spectacular.The car may have been so affordable, but the cost-cutting was apparent, and so the initial sales surge due to its affordability was followed by a sales decline. Since then, Hyundai Motor America has invested heavily in quality and durability. It reached a point in 1992 where they were already confident enough with their vehicles that a two-year or 24,000-mile free maintenance program was introduced. Hyundai’s Quality Renaissance Edmunds But it wouldn't be until the mid-2000s that Hyundai would truly gain a reputation for reliability and quality. In 2004, Hyundai was on par with Honda in the J.D. Power Initial Brand Quality study. Hyundai models, on average, had 102 problems per 1,000 vehicles, which was a solid sign that Hyundai was now right up there in terms of quality. A string of recalls in the mid-2010s, however, would put a dent in this reliability reputation, namely for some of its lacking anti-theft immobilizers that led to high theft rates, plus engine failures. These recalls have been or are being settled with owners.Outside these major recalls, Hyundai's quality continued to improve to a point that the South Korean brand relentlessly grew its sales and, thus, its appeal in North America and globally. This gave them the confidence to finally enter upmarket segments when, in 2008, Hyundai released the Genesis luxury sedan. This was then followed by the sporty Genesis Coupe and the opulent Equus flagship luxury sedan. Today, Hyundai's quality reputation has been established. JD Power already consistently ranks the South Korean brand highly, including in its latest 2026 Vehicle Dependability Study. The quality confidence is further bolstered by their industry-leading warranties—10 years or 100,000 miles for the powertrain and 5 years or 60,000 miles for the vehicle itself, just to name a few. The G80 Is The Most Reliable Of Them All Genesis Did you know that the original Hyundai Genesis still exists today as the Genesis G80? In fact, the transition from its Hyundai branding into the Genesis G80 happened in the middle of its second generation. Exceptionally Well-Rated CarBuzz With the G80 tracing its roots to the original Genesis, it is no surprise that this is the most well-studied model in the luxury brand’s lineup. Among the luxury segment, Lexus sedans still maintain their longevity and reliability dominance. The Genesis G80, however, isn’t too far off, as the 2025 model year has been rated by J.D. Power with a reliability rating of 88 out of 100.As for longevity, this is where many studies are still lacking. Anecdotally, through forums on Reddit and Facebook groups, some owners of the original Hyundai Genesis are happy to report that theirs has lasted well into the 100,000-mile mark. A particular highlight is the older Genesis G80s with the 5.0-liter Tau V-8, which was particularly robust and extremely reliable. A recall was issued for the low-pressure fuel pump of various Genesis models, including the G80 with both the 2.5-liter turbo and the 3.5-liter turbo V-6 engines. Outside this recall, however, mechanical issues are few and far between. Low Annual Costs, Extremely Long Warranty CarBuzz The supremely generous warranty that Genesis offers for its models removes any worries you may have about its long-term ownership. This is perhaps one of its major selling points because all Genesis models come with an unparalleled 10-year or 100,000-mile (whichever comes first) Powertrain Limited Warranty, which includes the engine, transmission, and other drivetrain components. This comes on top of a very long 5-year or 60,000-mile (whichever comes first) New Vehicle Limited Warranty, and this covers all components, excluding standard wear and tear.As for running costs, all Genesis models have free maintenance for the first three years, so that’s already a major relief when it comes to vehicle maintenance costs. Unfortunately, average annual running costs on a per-model basis aren’t available, but as a brand, RepairPal estimates that Genesis models cost $524 annually to run. This is slightly lower than Lexus at $551, BMW at $968, or Audi at $987. What A Genesis G80 Offers Lyndon Conrad Bell | Top Speed At this point, you’re probably settled or close to truly considering getting a Genesis G80. With that in mind, what is the Genesis G80 like to own, and what’s it like to drive this midsize luxury sedan? Distinctive Design Inside And Out Lyndon Conrad Bell | Top Speed One thing about all Genesis models is that you really won't mistake them for anything else. That's the case with many Hyundai Motor Group vehicles, so that's always a good thing. Up front, the G80 gets a sporty interpretation of the brand’s signature Crest Grille, which is complemented by its distinct Two Line LED headlights. A swoopy side profile smoothly tapers to an equally distinct rear end with prominent LED taillights mirroring the Two Line design up front. A mid-cycle facelift in 2024 has added a dose of sportiness to its looks, but if you want to go even deeper, the Sport variants come with unique front and rear bumper designs.Like the exterior, the interior of the Genesis G80 is very distinct, as it features a sculpted horizontal dash with clever shapes and diverse material choices. Whether it’s open-pore wood, aluminum, leather, or all three, the G80’s interior is a great place to spend time in. Dominating the dash is a very wide screen that fuses the digital gauges with the main infotainment touchscreen. It runs the connected car Integrated Cockpit (ccIC) operating system, featuring a slick interface and elegant graphics. As usual with Genesis, their luxury models are also jam-packed with standard features relative to the prices they command. Indulgent Driving With Athleticism Lyndon Conrad Bell | Top Speed Genesis has done a commendable job with the G80’s dynamic abilities. Our team was able to review a 2026 model year vehicle in the 3.5 T Sport Prestige trim, and they commended the supple and controlled ride provided by the electronically controlled suspension. It’s also a quiet car, too, while the 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 isn’t just powerful, but it also provides linear power delivery. The eight-speed automatic is smooth, but not snappy, which is fine. The G80 is first and foremost a luxury sedan, but with just the right dose of athleticism to let the driver have a bit of fun when the opportunity presents itself. Handling-wise, apart from the balanced suspension, the steering was reasonably direct, and it’s been augmented by the optional rear-wheel steering fitted to our test car.All in all, the Genesis G80 is a well-balanced midsize luxury sedan with a degree of athleticism. Its low running costs relative to the German brands should make this model appealing, especially since there are fewer Genesis models roaming American roads. If you want to stand out, getting a Genesis is a great way to be distinctly different from the usual German or Lexus crowd.