Genesis G80 2018 Review

By: Angela Rodrigues

August 19,2018

3 min read

2615

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Genesis G80 Review: A Strong Contender in the Luxury Sedan Market

Introduction

When one currently thinks of premium automakers, they think of Audi, BMW, Lexus, and possibly Mercedes-Benz. Soon, there’s going to be another name added to that list. Hailing from Korea, Genesis is South Korean manufacturer Hyundai’s luxury arm and is out to challenge those who have been ruling the segment for decades on end.

Exterior

The Genesis G80 is the second Genesis product, succeeding the flagship G90 and preceding the sportier G70. The exterior design exudes luxury and turns heads despite it flaunting a badge that not many have seen. The wings that flank the Genesis insignia are an indicator of what is to come with the brand flying to new heights in the near future. Having said that, a chrome or satin silver grille wouldn’t go amiss to give the G80 a boost in road presence.

Interior

Well-crafted and beautiful, the cabin’s fit, finish, and design are extremely impressive especially when had in a light brown hue. The horizontal layout of the dashboard gives the cabin a sense of openness in the front, despite many wanting to be chauffeured in limo comfort and style in the back. Strictly a 4-seat carriage, the G80’s desirability is likely to be affected inversely should it be made a 5-seater option.

Features

The Genesis G80 welcomes a long list of technological features to match the segment’s benchmark. Key features include:

Head Up Display unit
Bi-xenon lights
360-degree around view camera
Panoramic roof
Heated and cooled front seats
12-way power adjustable driver’s seat
9.2-inch infotainment screen
17-speaker audio system

Drive

Competing alongside the Audi A6, BMW 5-Series, Lexus ES, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the Genesis G80 with its 5.0-liter V8 engine gives its competition a run for their money. The 8-speed transmission that it is paired to is silky smooth and is tasked with delivering a whopping 420-horsepower to all four wheels.

Although there is a smaller engine option available (V6) for those who don’t require the power of a V8, the satisfaction and instantaneous acceleration that the larger engine provides is unmatchable. Safety features include:

Adaptive cruise control
Lane keeping assist
Automated emergency braking
Lane departure warning
Blind spot monitoring

Verdict

The fully-loaded Genesis G80 commands a price tag of AED 260,000, which is far lesser than its German and Japanese rivals. Matching them, or possibly even surpassing them in certain aspects, the Genesis G80 is a great car and worthy of spreading the Genesis nameplate across the globe. All that’s left to say then is, Genesis, welcome to the premium club.