Genesis updates G80 flagship for 2026

IT WOULD appear you’re not really a part of the ‘in’ crowd unless you have a black edition somewhere in the model line-up.

Now, Genesis too has added to the swathe of manufacturers offering a monochrome treatment pack, this time on its flagship G80 sedan.

The revised 2026 Genesis G80 now includes Signature naming, three trim grades, and the aforementioned Black variant, aligning the range with the broader Genesis range.

Locally, the range now includes a rear-wheel driven 2.5T Signature (from $104,200 plus on-road costs) at the entry point, the all-wheel drive 3.5T Black (from $125,200 + ORC) as a mid-step, and the all-wheel drive 3.5T Signature Sport (from $127,200 + ORC) on the highest shelf.

Only the flagship variant faces a price increase, a rather steep $6000. See the full pricing table below for details.

Pricing at the entry point to the G80 range is unchanged, with the 2.5T Signature carrying over the predecessor’s powertrain and equipment levels.

Highlights of the 2026 Genesis G80 2.5T Signature include a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine outputting 224kW/422Nm to the rear wheels via a shift-by-wire eight-speed automatic transmission.

The 1850kg (kerb) model is said to use 8.6 litres of high octane premium unleaded per 100km (combined) while emitting 206 grams per kilometre of CO2.

Keyless entry and ignition is standard alongside Nappa leather upholstery, a two-tone leather steering wheel rim, suede headlining, real wood interior garnishing, four-piston monobloc front brake callipers, 18-way seat adjustment, and an extensive array of infotainment, safety, and driver assistance technologies familiar to the outgoing model.

Safety highlights include adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, lane following, a surround-view camera, parking assistance, and 10 airbags, to name a few.

Other entry-point highlights include 19-inch alloy wheels, tyre pressure monitoring, rain-sensing wipers, adaptive LED headlights, soft-close doors, a powered boot lid, tri-zone climate control, 27.0-inch OLED central display, front and rear wireless phone charging pads, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, DAB+ radio reception, an 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio bundle, 12.0-inch driver’s head-up display, front seat heating, massage, and ventilation, heated outboard rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and rear-window sunshades.

The mid-spec 3.5T Signature Sport adds 20-inch wheels, a sportier exterior aesthetic, Road Preview electronically controlled damping, Dark Chrome exterior garnishing, passive rear-wheel steering, quilted Sport upholstery, launch control, alloy pedals, and carbon-fibre interior trim.

Finally for the stealthy BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class rival and G80 flagship, the 3.5T Black, we find an exclusive alloy wheel design in black lining a blackened grille, brake callipers, badging, upholstering, and interior garnishing, and model-exclusive lighting animation.

Paint options include at no cost Uyuni White, Savile Silver, Vatna Grey, Makalu Grey, Vik Black, Brooklyn Brown, Hallasan Green, Tasman Blue, Kawah Blue, Capri Blue, and on 3.5T grades, Cavendish Red. Optionally (+$2000), matte finishes are available including Bond Silver and Makalu Grey.

Depending on the exterior hue, the internal colourways include Obsidian Black, Obsidian Black with Sevilla Red contrasts, Ash Grey with Vanilla Beige contrasts, Ecru Caramel, Maroon Brown with Forest Blue contrasts, or Forest Blue with Ecru Caramel contrasts.

Genesis Australia backs the G80 with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty (excludes commercial use) with complimentary scheduled servicing included for the warranty period (and up to 75,000km). Roadside assistance is likewise included for the warranty period.

“The striking new G80 Black brings even greater sophistication and appeal to our sedan line-up,” said Genesis Motors Australia head Justin Douglass.

“With a choice of powertrains and richly equipped grades, and a dramatic new flagship, 2026 G80 will appeal to a broad range of discerning buyers.”

Genesis has sold just 31 examples of the G80 for the year to date, down 20.5 per cent on the same time last year and representing just 2.2 per cent of the segment.

Mercedes-Benz tops the segment with its E-Class selling 374 units YTD (up 52,0 per cent and representing 26.7 segment share points), while BMW has sold 292 i5 units and 243 5 Series variants for a total of 38.1 segment share points.

Other German-sourced entrants including Audi (A6) and Porsche (Taycan) are the only segment entrants of note when it comes to YTD sales with 124 and 142 units respectively.

GoAuto understands the updated 2026 Genesis G80 range will arrive in Australian showrooms early next year.

2026 Genesis G80 pricing*:

*Pricing excludes on-road costs.