For 2017, Hyundai has taken the big plunge and launched Genesis - no, not the car, but the brand. After having a good deal of success pushing upmarket in North America with the Genesis and Equus model lines, Hyundai deemed the climate right to distinguish its luxury models from standard-issue Hyundai products with a standalone marque, similar to Nissan's Infiniti, Toyota's Lexus, and Honda's Acura.
While the brand is new as is the G80 model name, the car itself is a carryover. The G80 is merely a re-branded version of the Genesis sedan, which debuted two years back. As it's still a fresh vehicle, very little has changed regarding equipment or styling.
Two powertrains available to G80 buyers, and both come standard with HTRAC All-Wheel Drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The standard engine is a 3.8-litre naturally aspirated V6 that develops 311 horsepower and 293 lb-ft of torque. Buyers desiring additional power can opt for the 5.0-litre V8 engine which develops 420 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. This is one of the few remaining naturally aspirated V8 engines on the market. Both engines feature direct fuel injection, while the V6 can run on regular unleaded.
The G80 shows just how far Hyundai has come in terms of vehicle development; while not a sports sedan, the G80's handling and ride composure are top-notch thanks in part to the suspension and steering which were fine-tuned by none other than Britain's Lotus. (You won't find any "Handling by Lotus" stickers on it - nor any Hyundai badges, for that matter.)
The Genesis was one of the first Hyundais to feature active safety equipment and the G80 features the latest in equipment including adaptive cruise control with stop and go capability, emergency autonomous braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, and a haptic steering wheel which vibrates should the car drift out of its own lane. The car also features cross-traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring.
G80 equipment can include a full-colour head-up display, ventilated front seats with 16-way driver adjustability and 12-way passenger adjustability, heated rear seats, microsuede headliner, a heated steering wheel, and an impressive 14- or 17-speaker sound system by hi-fi expert Lexicon. Other fancy tech includes a cabin CO2 sensor, a hands-free operated power trunk, and a sizable 9.2-inch infotainment screen with navigation and remote media controller.
When Hyundai launched the Genesis back in 2009, it was far and away the fanciest, most accomplished model the brand had ever built, and offered 7 Series levels of interior space, a 5 Series-lite driving experience, at a price that rivaled the 3 Series. Today, the G80 keeps the tradition with a price that's ever so slightly higher than a four-cylinder base-level 3er with all the trappings of a more prestigious vehicle.
This vehicle has not yet been reviewed
