2026 G80 3.5T Sport Prestige

The engine that changes the character of the car

Every G80 trim below this one runs the 2.5-liter turbo four, and it's a genuinely good engine — but the 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 in the Sport Prestige and Prestige Black trims is a different animal, adding 75 horsepower and 80 lb-ft over the 2.5T. Genesis pairs it here with hardware the four-cylinder trims don't get: an Electronic Limited Slip Differential that actively manages power between the rear wheels for grip through a corner, and standard rear-wheel steering, which turns the rear wheels slightly opposite the fronts at low speed for a tighter turning circle and adds stability at highway speed. The published 0-60 figure commonly cited for the 3.5T is around five seconds — brisk for a midsize luxury sedan, and noticeably quicker off the line than the 2.5T versions.

None of that comes free. EPA ratings drop from 24 combined on the four-cylinder to 19 combined here, and Genesis specifies premium fuel across the board. For a driver whose daily loop includes on-ramp merges onto I-4 or the Polk Parkway, the extra pull is easy to justify; for a pure commuter car, the 2.5T Sport Prestige delivers most of the cabin experience for meaningfully less at the pump and on the sticker.

Everything the cabin shares with the 2.5T Sport Prestige

Genuine Nappa leather, massaging front seats, the Electronically Controlled Suspension with Road Preview, the Surround View Monitor and Blind-Spot View Monitor, and the exclusive 20-inch Sport Alloy Wheels all carry over unchanged from the 2.5T Sport Prestige. If you've already read that trim's guide, the interior story here is identical — the entire delta between the two Sport Prestige trims is the drivetrain hardware described above.

Who buys the V6 Sport Prestige in Lakeland

Buyers who want a sedan with real highway pull for long runs to Tampa or Orlando, and drivers coming out of a German six-cylinder who don't want to give up the feel of one. It's also a common pick for buyers who plan to keep the car five-plus years and want the extra mechanical grip of the e-LSD and rear-wheel steering for the life of the ownership, not just the test drive. Jay Herriman's review touches on exactly this cross-shopping moment inside the showroom: "Worked with Daniel Torres to purchase a GV80. Daniel was super knowledgeable and showed us through a G80, a GV70 and ultimately a GV80. Would highly recommend him." Buyers weighing the 2.5T against the 3.5T get the same patient walkthrough.

Frequently asked questions

How much faster is the 3.5T than the 2.5T?

The 3.5T makes 375 hp versus 300 hp on the 2.5T engine, with a 0-60 time commonly cited around five seconds. Both share the same 8-speed automatic and standard all-wheel drive.

Does the 3.5T Sport Prestige have a tighter turning circle?

Yes — 36.2 feet versus 38.1 feet on every other G80 trim, a result of the standard rear-wheel steering that comes only with this trim.

What does the 3.5T Sport Prestige cost?

MSRP is $78,350, or $79,845 with the $1,495 destination charge, before Polk County sales tax and registration. See the pricing guide for the full breakdown.

Is the 3.5T Sport Prestige worth the fuel-economy trade-off?

EPA combined drops from 24 mpg (2.5T) to 19 mpg (3.5T) — real, but modest in absolute dollars for most annual mileage. Drivers who value the extra power and the e-LSD's cornering grip generally consider it worthwhile; pure commuters weighing pennies per mile may prefer the four-cylinder Sport Prestige instead.

Can I test drive the V6 version at Lakeland Genesis?

Check current new inventory, or call the sales team at (863) 808-1360 to confirm which engine is on the lot that day.

The bottom line

The 3.5T Sport Prestige is the G80 for a buyer who wants the full luxury cabin and real V6 performance in one package, without stepping all the way to the styling-focused Prestige Black. The e-LSD and rear-wheel steering aren't badge items — they change how the car actually drives.