The redesigned Genesis G80 midsized luxury sedan is a formidable player that holds its own against European competitors from the likes of Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. Beneath the elegant and sleek shape is an all-new structure shared with the midsized GV80 SUV. The G80 is not only quiet and refined, with a feature-packed cabin and a plush ride, but it also delivers sharp handling prowess. An unintuitive infotainment system and lagging fuel economy are among its only drawbacks.
The base 300-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine leaves the line without hesitation and provides enough punch for drama-free passing maneuvers, aided by a responsive and super-smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic. We measured 24 mpg overall using the required premium fuel, which slightly lags the Audi A6 and BMW 530i. A delightful 375-hp turbo V6 is also available. AWD is standard.
Ride comfort is impressive, with the suspension providing a plush isolation from bumps. At the same time, handling is agile with the car displaying a sharp rear-wheel-drive driving character that is rewarding. The G80 is very quiet but due to a trace of wind noise on the highway, we would stop short of branding it as vault-like as its Audi and BMW competitors.
Passengers won’t need to fight over whether to sit in the front or rear of the luxurious cabin. The front seats are comfortable with large side bolsters, and the rear seat is supportive, though headroom could be a bit tight for taller passengers. Fit and finish is top-notch, highlighted by real matte wood, textured knobs, and chrome finishes throughout.
By far, the single source of displeasure with the G80 is its controls layout and interaction with the infotainment system, which relies on a rotary knob on the console to make selections on the dashboard screen. We found this setup difficult to learn and distracting to use. The rotary gear selector adjacent to the infotainment dial only compounds confusion. The new 27-inch dashboard touch screen is a better alternative, but it’s a long reach for the driver.
Forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic warning, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assistance all come standard.
If you’re in the market for a finely tailored and tastefully executed luxury car, you owe it to yourself to check out the latest from Genesis.