DecodedCars2021 Genesis G80
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 models.
- Class
- Large Cars
- Body styles
- 4dr Sedan AWD 2.5t, 4dr Sedan AWD 3.5t
- Engines
- 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 26 combined · 23 city / 32 hwy
- Length
- 196.5 in
- Curb weight
- 4,295–4,687 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 4 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 28 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2021 Genesis G80 is a large car offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl turbo and 3.5L 6-cyl turbo) and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 197 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 119-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,295 lb (4dr Sedan AWD 2.5t).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 26 MPG combined (23 city / 32 highway), 8% better than the 2021 large car average of 24.1 MPG, for an estimated $3,150 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.
What changed for 2021
- Engines added: 2.5L 4-cyl turbo and 3.5L 6-cyl turbo
- Engines dropped: 3.8L 6-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl turbo and 5.0L 8-cyl
- Best combined MPG up from 21 to 26
Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 G80 →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan AWD 2.5t | 196.5 in | 75.6 in | 57.9 in | 118.5 in | 64.6 / 65.7 in | 4,295 lb | 52/48 |
| 4dr Sedan AWD 3.5t | 196.5 in | 75.6 in | 57.9 in | 118.5 in | 64.6 / 65.7 in | 4,687 lb | 52/48 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G80 RWD | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 23 / 32 / 26 | +8% | $3,150 | 345 |
| G80 AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 22 / 30 / 25 | +4% | $3,300 | 360 |
| G80 RWD | 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 / 27 / 22 | -9% | $3,750 | 410 |
| G80 AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 26 / 21 | -13% | $3,900 | 422 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Genesis G80 4 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 10.1% |
| 2021 Genesis G80 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 10.1% |
Similar 2021 large cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Genesis G80 (this car) | 26 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2021 BMW 5 Series | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 26 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2021 Audi A4 | 28 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 27 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class | 24 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Audi A6 | 26 MPG | ★★★★★ | 12 |
Recalls (4)
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings · Apr 10, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V229000 · 94,760 vehicles
- Problem
- Hyundai Motor America (Genesis) is recalling certain Genesis 2022-2026 GV70, 2023-2025 G90, 2021-2025 G80, and GV80 vehicles. Fuel may leak at the pipe connection between the fuel pipe and fuel rail.
- Risk
- A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the fuel pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning July 20, 2026. Owners may contact Genesis customer service at 844-340-9741. Genesis' number for this recall is 033G. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning April 11, 2026.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Sep 11, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V630000 · 19,272 vehicles
- Problem
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Genesis G80, GV80, and 2022 Genesis GV70 vehicles. The fuel pump may fail, which can result in a loss of drive power.
- Risk
- A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 8, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 016G.
Seat Belts › Front · Feb 16, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V094000 · 65,517 vehicles
- Problem
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Genesis GV80, 2021-2023 Genesis G80, 2022-2023 Genesis GV70, and 2023 Genesis GV60 vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment.
- Risk
- An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, strike vehicle occupants, and result in injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will secure the seat belt pretensioners with a cap, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 14, 2023. For GV60 owners, Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed April 14, 2023. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 012G. This recall supersedes and expands recall number 21V-796. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 21V-796 will need to have the new remedy completed.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings · Mar 24, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V208000 · 147 vehicles
- Problem
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021 Genesis G80 and GV80 vehicles equipped with 2.5-litre turbo engines. The fuel tube connecting the high pressure fuel pump to the fuel rail may not seal properly, which could allow fuel to leak.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel tube, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 008G.
Not every 2021 Genesis G80 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2021 Genesis G80 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Service Brakes — 3 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Tires — 2 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
- Electrical System — 2 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 29,034 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2021 Genesis G80. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other G80 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 G80 | 23 | – | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
| 2026 G80 | 23 | 196.5 in | Not rated | 1 | 9 |
| 2025 G80 | 24 | 196.5 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 3 |
| 2024 G80 | 25 | 196.5 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 3 |
| 2023 G80 | 26 | 196.5 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 11 |
| 2022 G80 | 26 | 196.5 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 7 |
| 2020 G80 | 21 | 196.5 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 11 |
| 2019 G80 | 21 | 196.5 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 27 |
| 2018 G80 | 22 | 196.5 in | ★★★★★ | 7 | 98 |
| 2017 G80 | 22 | 196.5 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 67 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Genesis. How we calculate this →