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Buying brand-new comes with a certain level of reassurance. A factory warranty and a clean history are enough to keep plenty of people from even looking at the used market.
The thing is, not every used car is a gamble. Find one that's been well maintained, has a solid service history, and hasn't bounced between half a dozen owners, and you can end up with an incredible deal.
The trick is starting with something that's already known for lasting the distance. That's exactly why comparing one forgotten luxury sedan with a brand-new Toyota Camry makes a lot of sense.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Genesis and Toyota, as well as other authoritative sources including J.D. Power and TopSpeed.
The Toyota Camry still sets the standard
It's still the value benchmark
The Toyota Camry has become the default recommendation in the midsize sedan segment, and it's easy to see why. It's reliable, efficient, holds its value incredibly well, and has a reputation for being a car you can keep for years without any nasty surprises.
For 2026, every Camry is now a hybrid, making the lineup even more fuel-efficient without sacrificing the qualities buyers already love. Toyota also packs in one of the strongest safety packages in the class, especially considering the price.
Even the entry-level LE doesn't feel stripped out. You get blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assistance, and a full suite of driver aids that can gently brake, steer, and maintain a safe gap to the car ahead when needed.
Why the Camry's reliability is so hard to beat
Nobody buys a Camry expecting it to be unreliable. After decades of refinement, it's become one of the safest bets in the entire industry when it comes to long-term ownership.
Toyota's latest hybrid system actually helps keep things simple. There's no starter motor or drive belts to worry about, while the eCVT has fewer wear items than a conventional automatic.
Hybrids have quietly become some of the most dependable cars on the road, too. With electric motors taking the strain in stop-start traffic, regenerative braking reducing wear, and no turbocharger under the hood, there's simply less to go wrong over time.
The 2017 Genesis G80 is a used luxury bargain
It combines impressive reliability with premium comfort at a surprisingly low price
The 2017 Genesis G80 is one of those rare used cars that quietly ticks every box. It delivers genuine luxury, serious value for money, and reliability that's good enough to make even the most cautious used-car buyer take notice.
In fact, the G80 comes surprisingly close to Toyota territory for dependability. It scored an impressive 88/100 in J.D. Power's Quality & Reliability ratings, even edging past the 2026 Camry and making a strong case for anyone nervous about buying used.
Why the 2017 Genesis G80 has a reputation for reliability
- The naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 is a simple, understressed engine with a reputation for lasting.
- The suspension, chassis, and body were engineered with durability rather than cost-cutting in mind.
- The eight-speed automatic was also paired with the V8, so it's barely breaking a sweat behind the V6.
- Old-school engineering pays off, with no air suspension or overly complicated tech to worry about.
At the end of the day, both the 2026 Camry and 2017 G80 have reliability on their side. Each has its own strengths, but the Genesis comes with the obvious caveat that it's nearly a decade old.
That makes buying the right example far more important than simply buying the cheapest one. Look for a car with a full service history, as few previous owners as possible, and evidence that it's been properly looked after, and you'll be setting yourself up for a much better ownership experience.
Where the G80 becomes a bargain
The 2017 G80 is one of those cars that depreciation has been incredibly kind to—for used buyers, at least. When it was new, it stickered between $42,000 and $55,000, putting it in a completely different league to today's Camry.
Fast-forward nearly a decade, and the tables have turned. You can now pick up a G80 for around half the price of a brand-new Camry, despite it being built as a far more luxurious car from the outset.
What the used prices look like in 2026
Each trim has its own appeal, and naturally, the V-8 sits at the top of the range as the flagship. That said, the 3.8-liter V-6 is the one most people should be looking at, thanks to its simpler, more durable setup.
At the entry level, you’re looking at roughly $12,500 for a base car, which already gets you into proper luxury territory. The real sweet spot is closer to $15,000 for a well-kept Premium model, where you get the best balance of kit and condition.
Luxury, comfort, and everyday ease
The G80 still feels properly well-equipped today, not just for a 2017 model. Even at around $15,000 for a good Premium example, you’re getting serious luxury kit that still holds up.
Think a huge panoramic roof, a 14-speaker Lexicon sound system, ventilated front seats, heated seats all round, and a rear power sunshade. Even the base cars don’t feel basic either, with leather seats, blind-spot monitoring, and Apple CarPlay thrown in.
Step up to the Ultimate trims and things get properly plush. You get real wood trim, Nappa leather, a larger infotainment screen, a heads-up display, a power trunk, and a 17-speaker setup that still feels high-end by today’s standards.
What powers the G80
Engine, output, and how it drives
The G80 is still a really appealing option in 2026 if you want something with a smooth, old-school feel under the hood. There are no small four-cylinders, no hybrids, and nothing to plug in—just a naturally aspirated V-6 or V-8 doing all the work.
Of course, that kind of setup comes with the usual fuel trade-off. The rear-wheel-drive V-6 manages around 22 mpg combined, which isn’t bad for the class.
Step up to AWD, and it drops to about 19 mpg, while the V-8 dips further to roughly 18 mpg. It’s the price you pay for that relaxed, naturally delivered power.
Camry vs G80: performance compared
Even the base V-6 G80 edges out the Camry hybrid when it comes to outright performance, though the gap isn’t as big as you might expect. The real difference isn’t just speed, it’s how each car delivers it.
The Camry feels punchy off the line thanks to its instant electric torque, which makes it surprisingly quick in everyday driving. But as speeds build, the Toyota starts to run out of steam, while the G80’s V-6 just keeps pulling harder.
Despite the Genesis being the heavier car and needing to rev out to around 6,000 rpm for full power, it still comes away with the stronger and more satisfying acceleration overall.
Is the G80 worth it in 2026?
If you’re after a more classic kind of luxury—think pre-giant touchscreen era—the Genesis really hits that sweet spot. It’s tactile, comfortable, and just an easy, relaxing car to cover miles in.
Pair that with strong reliability, and it starts to feel like a bit of an oddball in today’s luxury landscape. Lexus is really the only other brand doing that same mix of calm refinement and long-term dependability, but those cars tend to hold their value a lot tighter, which makes them pricier on the used market.
The main trade-off here is fuel economy, and you’ll need to make peace with that. But for that smooth, almost old-school powertrain feel, it’s a compromise a lot of buyers are happy to live with.
