Kiawah Island, South Carolina- During a planned one-week stay to coastal South Carolina at the tail end of September ‘22, our visiting party never anticipated riding the storm out compliments of an unplanned visit from Hurricane Ian.
Neither did our test vehicle, a posh
2022 Genesis G80 sedan. While none in our Midwestern born-and-bred party ever experienced a Category One (or any other numeric designation) water thruster, neither did (we’ll assume) our trusty guest vehicle, although it underwent one heck of an exterior car cleansing complements of Mother Nature. All survived intact no worse for wear.
Time spent behind the wheel of the G80 in dry dock provided a sense of déjà vu all over again. Not long before the Charleston area visit, its flagship sibling, the ultra-posh G90 sedan stopped by for a spin (with 2023 model year styling) at home in the Windy City of Chicago (although not as windy as what Ian imposed upon Charleston for 24 hours).
Both the Genesis G80 and G90 share visual and mechanical similarities along with ultra-quiet interiors. The duo also bring forth a value proposition within the elegant upscale sedan segment. Our mid-size G80 starts about $6,000 less than the well-respected BMW 5-Series or Mercedes-Benz E-Class while throwing in more standard bells and whistles (Europeans tend to nickel and dime the purchase process, adding tens of thousands of dollars, increasing price differentials ever more).
Also of note, the recently tested G90 cracked the $100,000 threshold by $370 as tested. Our time in the mid-size G80 did not reach such heights but did undergo a welcome second-generation makeover in the 2020 model year. Expect minimal changes from 2021 save for the availability of rear-wheel steering and the larger 3.5-liter twin turbo re-marketed as the G80 Sport. The Genesis brand officially launched in 2015 as a separate luxury arm of South Korea’s Hyundai Motors.
Rear wheel steering, a technological tweak also known as four-wheel steering, allows rear wheels to swivel through a limited degree range not dissimilar to its front wheel counterparts. It’s not new technology (been tinkered with for decades), but shortens turning circles at lower speeds, while increasing stability at highway speeds. It’s available when bundled within a $6,300 prestige package.
Behind the wheel, G80 delivers smooth, potent acceleration within an elegant ride flowing along with pavement underfoot thanks in part to an electronically controlled suspension. Superb handling cut through the narrow, two-lane Kiawah Island roads (where sturdy, mature, pre-Civil War Oaks drape overhead Spanish Moss canopies while standing guard just feet away from the pavement).
Kudos to Genesis for continuing to offer this classic four-door body style. Domestic kingpins Cadillac and Lincoln quietly exited the sedan segment, much to the pleasure of Genesis and other Euro-Asian luxury marketers. The G prefix represents sedan body styles within the Genesis lineup, with G80 situating nicely between the compact G70 and aforementioned G90.
The G80 comes in two internal combustion engine (ICE) flavors: a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine (300 horsepower) or the recommended and more potent 3.5-liter twin turbo version (which Genesis also offers in the G90). The 3.5-liter, 375 horsepower opportunity arrives exclusively with all-wheel drive while the 2.5-liter offers a choice of nicely balanced rear-wheel drive in addition to all-wheel grip (a $3,150 addition). Both mate to a smooth shifting eight-speed automatic transmission. Recommended premium unleaded fuel fills a sizeable 19.3-gallon tank.
The 2.5-liter turbo arrives well equipped with two trim packages (Advanced, Prestige). The all-wheel drive 3.5-liter twin turbo G80 Sport offers only the Prestige Package featuring sports-tuned suspension. A 2.5-liter base trim starts at $48,000. In the upcoming 2023 model year, Genesis debuts its first all-electric vehicle (EV) sans an internal combustion engine in the form of the ‘Electrified G80’ sedan.
Besides the larger engine, the G80 Sport uniquely adds as standard fare: air bladders in front bucket seats aiding in comfort, a panoramic sunroof, three zone climate control and surround view camera display within the flat, multi-function screen.
Our G80 Sport started at $63,700. After factoring in the recommended $6,300 Prestige Package, the bottom line reached $71,095 after throwing in the $1,095 destination fee. In addition to rear-wheel steering, the package adds Nappa leather seating surfaces, 20-inch sport wheels, sport-tuned electronic controlled suspension, carbon fiber interior trim, heads-up windshield display and parking collision-avoidance assist.
Intentional or not, the G80 exterior line and contours could be mistaken for a stately Bentley sedan at first glance. The G80’s long hood mimics that of the Flagship G90 with dual vertical lines down the center meeting up with the winged Genesis logo above the grille. As with the G90, G80’s huge Pentagonal grille resembles that of superhero Superman’s Logo, with a mesh-like filling in favor of the letter S. Front fenders include stylish dual bands serving as secondary turn signal indicators blinking an amber yellow when needed. Strap-like door handles include a chrome accent.
An eye-pleasing, creamy rich, ‘Siberian Ice’ hue adorned the exterior. Chrome trim also surrounds the side windows with a black B-pillar area adding visual contrast. A long chrome strip underscores side door bottoms extending from wheel to wheel. A side character line follows the small hood gap onto the side fender ending below the narrow “C” pillar. Inboard dual exhausts adorn the lower back end. The long square rear window intersects with a short, angled trunk lid with lipped end. Narrow, double decker red taillight bands extend from the rear side fenders onto the trunk lid.
The smallish 13.1 cubic foot trunk includes goose-neck style inboard hinges ensconced inside padded structures alleviating any potential trouble with sitting cargo. A small center pass-through window allows access to row two with non-folding, thick backrests. Row two accommodates three riders, but best operates with a pair, allowing the fold down armrest to form two equal pods with the long vertical floor hump down the center. Expect not just dual cup holders hidden within the armrest, but push controls for heating the rear buns in G80 Sport trims.
Sitting behind the wheel of G80 reflects similar dashboard design cues found in the G90. One huge difference between the two resides in back. The full-size G90’s wheelbase (distance between front and rear axle) measures an additional six inches. The G90 puts this extra stretch to good use with a limousine-like back seat and fold-down backrests providing a lounge-like experience. Even so, with 38.7 inches of legroom, G80 provides more rear stretch room than most mid-size rivals.
The sizeable, rectangular, 14.5-inch flat touch screen visually centers the upper dash within a tub-like scoop. Drivers interact with the system with multiple touch points including thumb scrolls controlling volume and station presets between front buckets. While artistically aesthetic, homely, twist dials closer to the screen would provide a quicker, intuitive ride. Another option, a tactile, circular dial with touch-sensitive top surface motivating an in-screen curser also found between front buckets, just ahead of a circular, dial-style electronic transmission shifter. Secondary steering wheel face buttons also speed the screen interaction process as does voice activation.
To the right of the inline dials, in-line dual cupholders. A button summoning a half-dozen drive modes resides aft the beverage duo. Back on the lower dash, dual dials monitor dual temperature zones up front. In between said dials, a dark rectangular touch screen controls fan speed and direction. Six smaller in-row buttons above this screen interact with the multi-function screen.
Left of the steering column, a push button deactivates the engine start/stop function. This technology quiets the engine at prolonged stops, perking back to attention once the right foot leaves the brake pedal.
Genesis offers yet another consumer-friendly, value proposition, a peace of mind perk no other luxury rival touches, a 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. This simple, easy-to-remember marketing mantra helped jump start parent company Hyundai’s U.S. sales in the mid-1990s and historically has been well received by owners.
Also onboard, a three year/36,000 complimentary/subscription maintenance/valet service. If G80 stays for a prolonged period at an approved dealership service bay, Genesis will pick up and deliver back the G80 at your convenience and provide a loaner if requested. In addition, G80 is Hurricane tested.
2022 Genesis G80Price as tested: $71,095
Engine: 3.5-liter twin turbo V-6
Horsepower: 375
Wheelbase: 118.5 inches
Overall Length: 196.7 inches
Overall Width: 75.8 inches
Overall Height: 57.7 inches
Fuel Economy: 17 mpg city, 26 mpg highway
Curb weight: 4,453 pounds
Powertrain Warranty: 10 years/100,000 miles
Assembly: South Korea