2019 Genesis G80 Review

Genesis has only been in the industry for a few years as a standalone brand under parent company, Hyundai, but has already made a name for itself creating luxury vehicles at affordable prices. The G80 is its contribution to the midsize luxury sedan segment, among such rivals as the ever-popular BMW 5 Series and Lexus GS. While the G80 matches, and in some cases, even beats rivals feature-for-feature at a more affordable cost, the G80 favors comfort over outright performance. Available with three choices of engine, a base 3.8-liter V6 outputs 311 horsepower, while a mid-spec 3.3-liter turbocharged V6 bangs out 365 hp, and at the top of the line-up, a 5.0-liter V8 delivers 420 hp through a rear-wheel drivetrain by default, with all-wheel drive optional. The combination of excellent onboard tech and driver aids, together with a plush driving experience make the G80 an excellent contender in a tough segment.

What's the Price of the 2019 Genesis G80?

At the entry level, the cheapest G80 model available is the 3.8L in rear-wheel drive configuration, with an MSRP of $42,050 including licensing, tax, registration, and a destination charge of $995. The mid-range 3.3T Sport variant has a starting price of $55,250 with rear-wheel drive equipped while at the top-end of the range is the 5.0 Ultimate, which is only slightly more costly than the Sport variant, and costs $57,000. To upgrade any of the variants with all-wheel drive, a further $2,500 can be added to the total cost.

2019 G80 Exterior

Dimensions

2019 G80 Performance

Handling and Driving Impressions

The mid-size sedan offering from Hyundai's luxury brand provides a comfortable and composed ride, an ideal family vehicle that offers the option of an occasional athletic drive. While the Jaguar XF may be more hardcore and driver-centric, the G80 strikes a fine balance of capability and comfort, not ostracising those who enjoy driving, but also catering to those who merely long for comfort.

Ride comfort errs on the firmer side, but the suspension is still supply damped to absorb road jostles with ease, taking corners without being unsettled by mid-corner bumps. When in the default drive mode, the G80 is every inch a luxury sedan, particularly in 5.0 V8 guise, with the weight over the nose costing dynamic ability in favor of an additional sense of settledness on the road. Sport mode somewhat changes its demeanor, giving it a harder edge but one that lacks genuine dynamism.

The 3.3T gets a sportier tune than the rest, being the Sport-badged derivative of the line-up, which pairs well with a lighter engine over the front axle to give sharper turn-in and more athletic responses to steering inputs. The steering lacks feel but is amply weighted, and the response to inputs is impressively sharp. Balance mid-corners tends to sway towards understeer when pressed, though keener drives can push past this to oversteer on rear-wheel-drive models. Even then, however, the G80 is more butcher's blade than scalpel - sharp, but heavy rather than nimble. It's better at eight-tenths than it is at full blast.

2019 G80 Interior

2019 G80 Trunk and Cargo Space

Warranty

US NHTSA Crash Test Result

Verdict: Is the 2019 Genesis G80 A Good car?

The luxury sedan, under Hyundai's Genesis brand, ticks all the boxes for safety, reliability, and affordability, while also being comprehensively-equipped with a smart design. Although not quite as refined or as luxurious as some of the rivals, most notably the Lexus GS and BMW 5 Series, and less involving than a Jaguar XF, the lower pricing and higher levels of onboard tech more than make up for the less focused appeal of the G80.

The Genesis certainly holds its own against competitors in terms of convenience and safety features, and with powerful engines available, it fulfills the needs of a family sedan with athletic capabilities at an affordable price. The extensive warranties, high levels of standard technology, incredible safety, and great levels of comfort of the G80 give an effective answer to the question, is the G80 a good car? The answer is a resounding yes, and the G80 is a non-Japanese alternative to the established German trio of sedans that won't leave you feeling you missed out by buying something a little more alternative. Although some upgrades can be made to infotainment technology and more attention to detail can be added to the interior, any of the available models would make a good investment.

What Genesis G80 Model Should I Buy?

Stocked to the brim with most, if not more, of the features paid for as extra on rivals, even the base model G80 is a worthy buy. However, the mid-level trim - the 3.3T Sport - features all of the tech and driver assistance, together with cheekier styling and better handling, thanks to the inclusion of the continuous damping control suspension. The 3.3-liter turbocharged V6 offers performance comparable to the V8 with better handling and gas mileage, while the additional torque over its non-turbocharged V6 counterparts aid both practical overtaking and spirited driving. Boasting a power sunroof, sports seats, the larger infotainment system, park distance sensors, and ventilated front seats, it's a better-specified model, too, giving huge value for money in a segment in which that phrase is not often synonymous.

2019 Genesis G80 Comparisons

2019 Genesis G80 vs Lexus GS

The Lexus GS offers a premium interior boasting more refined finishes and high-quality materials than those in the G80. The G80 has a much easier-to-use infotainment system than what the Lexus has to offer with greater functionality, too, and whilst being very similar in price, the G80 offers more cabin and cargo space on the whole. The Lexus achieves better gas mileage ratios - the G80 is one of the weakest in this segment - but the G80 has a better lineup of available engines, particularly in 3.3T and 5.0 guises with characterful, sporty powertrains. The G80 is sportier too, offering more for the enthusiastic driver, while the GS is lounge-like in its levels of comfort. Where the G80 fares strongest is in its warranty and safety scores, far surpassing those of the Lexus. On value for money, too, the G80 is stronger, loaded with features with little available optionally. Despite the more premium feel attached to the Lexus because of its name, the G80 holds its own as a worthy (if not better) competitor in this segment.

2019 Genesis G80 vs BMW 5 Series Sedan

As one of the leaders in this segment, the 5 Series builds on solid history and a long-standing legacy, whereas the Genesis brand is relatively new to the luxury vehicle segment. Despite this, the G80 offers all of the features you'd find in a 5 Series as standard including those that are expensive optional items on the BMW. The BMW offers better gas mileage, however, with a broad range of characterful yet frugal engines that have more to offer than those in the Genesis - displacement isn't everything - while the BMW also has better composure at the outer limits of its handling range. The 5 Series is more expensive, though, but counters this with higher quality interior materials and a familiar design that's easy to understand from the moment you climb in. As a true performance vehicle, the BMW may overpower the G80 based on reputation and popularity alone, and it backs it up with substance, too, but this doesn't detract from the brilliance of the Genesis, and at a more affordable price. Both are brilliant vehicles, and buyers brave enough to go for the left of field choice won't be disappointed.