Genesis hasn’t quite made the waves in the industry that Lexus did some 30+ years ago, but that might be changing. Yes, Genesis had to make the messy transition from being the name of a model, the Hyundai Genesis, to then being spun out as the name of the new luxury brand, Genesis, with model names following the alphanumeric structure that luxury brands seem to love G80, G90, etc. etc. etc.
The first generation of G80 literally made that leap for the brand as the 2016 model year Hyundai Genesis became the 2017 Genesis G80 with a simple wave of the badging. That first generation G80 also started the Sport side of the equation with its 3.3-liter turbo V6. When the 2nd generation G80 bowed for the 2021 model year full of leaps forward in technology and luxury, a turbo V6 was still on offer, now 3.5-liters, but the Sport model/trim designation was oddly missing from the plan.
For 2022 we now have that answer. While the rest of the G80 lineup focuses on the core 2.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder, no slouch at 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, the 3.5-liter V6 turbo makes a sumptuous 375 horsepower and 375 lb-ft of the torques, and only comes in Sport and Sport Prestige trims with all-wheel drive standard. It’s a shame that rear wheel drive isn’t available for some sharper dynamics and also some weight and price savings up front, but the Sport Prestige tries to make up for that with rear wheel steering, which can tighten up both slow and high speed maneuvers. No matter your choice, all that power goes to the four wheels through a smooth 8-speed automatic transmission.
Walking up to the G80, the design is quite striking. The “two-lines” language of the lighting is unique and sharply carried from front to side tor rear on the vehicle. There’s a sleek roofline, classic rear wheel drive proportions with a long hood line and dash-to-axle ratio. It’s clean and elegant, and doesn’t seem too derivative of any particular brand, but also definitely not as nondescript as the prior generation was. The Sport models swap out the bright chrome trim bits for a subtler smoked look, while the Sport Prestige ups the wheel size from 19″ to 20″ to help fill out the presence under its arches. As you’re still walking up, at night the mirrors pop out and illuminate the ground with a nice Genesis logo puddle lamp, but there is a slight disappointment in that only the front door handles have the ability to lock and unlock the car. Nearly every luxury brand allows for this functionality on all four doors. Also, if you’re at the trunk, it can do a handsfree opening just by standing in proximity of the rear with key in pocket, but no handsfree closing procedure. Not sure if this is better or worse than the kick to open/close that is more the norm.
Settling into the cabin, the doors cinch themselves shut and the G80 Sport Prestige is draped in soft Nappa leathers featuring a sharp chevron design on the seats. Our anthracite and beige interior was airy and spacious, aided by a massive panoramic roof. The Lexicon audio system speakers include nice metal garnishes in the middle of the door panels. While the only nods to traditional “sport” inside might be the carbon fiber trim of the Prestige and the 3-spoke steering wheel. No red stitching here, but there is a bold Sevilla Red interior available. Almost everything you touch is soft and pleasant, including the sueded headliner and pillars. Front seats on all 3.5 Sport/Sport Prestige models are all heated and ventilated, while the driver seat also features the Genesis massage function, named Ergo Motion. Would like to see the Ergo Motion function offered on both front seats for a luxury car of this caliber. The only other vehicle I can think of that only puts the front massage on the driver’s seat is the VW Arteon, which is priced some $20,000 under this G80 Sport Prestige at $71,670 as tested.
Technology wise, the G80 comes with nearly every Advanced Driver Assistance System one might readily use. It has adaptive cruise control with lane centering functionality and even aided lane change maneuvering. All G80’s also come with a navigation system displayed on an ultra-wide 14.5″ touchscreen. Yes, there’s a multimedia controller jog dial on the center console, but it can also be operated via the touchscreen, although it is a little bit of a reach from the seated position. A 12.3″ digital gauge cluster is only found on the 3.5 Sport Prestige. It claims to offer a 3D element, but it’s very faint to our eyes, and would have better appreciated more customization for the display contents and structures, rather than just largely different speedometer and tachometer themes for the various drive modes.
Blind spot view monitor and the surround view monitor camera are standard on the Sport and Sport Prestige. Sport Prestige adds some other niceties like remote smart park, a head-up display, rear wheel steering and enhanced sport tuning on the electronically controlled suspension. G80 Sport/Sport Prestige also support digital phone as a key, but only for compatible Android devices (boooo-urns), but an NFC card is also supplied if that suits your fancy. One oddity safety wise is that reverse automatic braking assist is also only found on the top end Sport Prestige. Not found on any G80 however, would be wireless support for Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, which require hardwiring through a USB-A port, although there are decent and simple aftermarket solutions for that. Rear seat room is quite good, even with the diving roofline and panoramic sunroof, I had comfortable space at 6-feet tall to sit behind my own driving position.
Now for the drive. I know there’s Sport in its name, but Genesis opts to lean more to the luxury side of the equation. This is by no means an Audi S6 or BMW M550i competitor, but that’s not to say that it’s bad. Glad that Genesis still sees fit to challenge the likes of the Audi A6 3.0T, BMW 540i and Mercedes E450s of the world (Lexus?? Acura?? Infiniti?? Jaguar? no?). The structure is solid and the car drives well as a daily driver with some mojo to back it up when called upon. Power comes on in a smooth swell and ride was well-controlled and firm but calm even with our upsized 20″ wheels. Brakes have strong initial bite, but not too aggressive and make quick work of any stopping. There’s a Sport+ drive mode to take advantage of the electronically controlled suspension of our Sport Prestige underneath. The rear wheel steering did at times feel a half-beat behind in some spirited maneuvering and the low speed help isn’t as dramatic as it is on the Mercedes S-Class or EQS. All in all the G80 Sport is a confident and competent luxury sedan than can keep up the hustle for anything you’d dare try on public roads before your neighbors on Nextdoor start to call you out. Where the rear drive G70 was a scalpel, this G80 isn’t quite the sledgehammer, but I think that’s what makes it a delight. The G80 Sport gives you nearly everything you need, but is still very much approachable and enjoyable. If you need more overt exhaust crackles and pops, look elsewhere, this is very much for the gentleman (or woman) driver.
Other parts of the world are starting to receive electric G80 sedans, so we’re very curious to see how this formula translates to the new Genesis push to electric vehicles.
