The Genesis G80 has all the time been good, even again when it was known as the Hyundai Genesis. Over the years, the Korean automaker refined and re-refined this midsize sedan right into a extra competent and comfy luxurious automobile. Now, Genesis is bringing again an older trim that, whereas inferring some corner-carving prowess, retains the story largely the identical, in the very best approach.The newest Genesis G80 is nearly two years previous, however it appears as recent because the day it debuted. The G80’s tapered rear finish appears nice from any angle, and the two-line lighting design is certainly one of my favourite components throughout your complete automotive trade. The Prestige trim’s distinctive 20-inch wheels are slick as hell, too, with these diamond-carved components within the spokes. There are just a few Sport-specific touches exterior, as effectively, corresponding to barely extra aggressive bumpers, though it’s going to take a eager eye to choose up on these tweaks.Inside, the G80 is flat-out spectacular. The low roof and tallish middle console give the G80 a cozier really feel than it had in generations previous, and the headliner could also be a bit low for folk over 6 toes tall, however that is actually the one purpose to interrupt out the crimson pen. The relaxation is simply beautiful, with a low-drama dashboard design that retains simply sufficient bodily switchgear for the infotainment and local weather controls. My tester actually ramps up the visible pleasure with brilliant splashes of crimson leather-based that cowl the seats and the decrease half of the inside. The thatched carbon-fiber trim feels just a little plasticky, however it appears fabulous. The seats are supportive with out being tight.Cabin usability is excessive. The G80’s door pockets can deal with a good bit of pocket stuff, however bigger water bottles may have bother becoming anyplace, because the cup holders cannot deal with greater than an average-sized thermos. There’s a superb little bit of storage within the armrest cubby, although. Out again, the G80’s trunk will stash as much as 13.1 cubic toes of stuff, which is a pair massive suitcases’ value, however it’s on the low finish of the section, tying with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class however falling in need of the Audi A6’s 13.7 cubes. Let’s take a look at what makes the Sport so, um, sporty. Under the hood is a 3.5-liter, twin-turbo V6 producing a strong 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque and despatched by way of an eight-speed automated transmission. All-wheel drive is commonplace for each G80 Sport, and contemplating each G80 with a V6 is now a Sport, you’ll be able to now not get a RWD drivetrain with the six-pot. It’s hardly an issue, although, as a result of the AWD setup can ship all its torque to the rear axle, and 4 pushed wheels will typically give drivers just a little further peace of thoughts in the event that they reside the place, you understand, climate happens.
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This is one peppy V6. Tim Stevens/CNETDriving the G80 Sport isn’t a boring affair. The V6 supplies loads of thrust, particularly within the midrange; passing maneuvers are met with a fast, competent downshift and a few nice noises emanating from the tailpipes. The Sport’s suspension is 4% stiffer within the entrance and 12% stiffer within the rear in comparison with different G80s, however it’s actually solely noticeable when the street high quality is dangerous. Otherwise, this sedan continues to be a really clean cruiser and makes no makes an attempt to cover its inherent plushness. It’s nonetheless a luxurious automobile, in any case, even when it is a sprightlier one. My tester additionally has rear-wheel steering, which is finest appreciated for its turning-circle discount at low speeds.One place the place the G80 Sport would not excel, although, is gas financial system. At an EPA-estimated 17 mpg metropolis and 26 mpg freeway, that commonplace all-wheel-drive setup positively punishes on the pump. It’s about 4 or 5 mpg beneath comparable numbers from the competitors, which is a disgrace, however at the very least the feds’ estimates are straightforward to achieve with a light-weight foot. Heck, I used to be brushing up in opposition to 30 mpg on the freeway.
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The newest model of Genesis’ infotainment system is as intuitive as ever, and now you get a cute little dwelling display screen, too. Tim Stevens/CNETGenesis and its dad or mum firm Hyundai have been completely slaying the infotainment sport for years, and the G80 Sport is hardly an exception to the rule. A 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster supplies simulated 3D graphics for just a little further wow issue, and it is nice for displaying pertinent data with little distraction by way of the dials and buttons on the steering wheel. The actual star of the present is the slim 14.5-inch middle show, which runs the newest iteration of Genesis’ glorious infotainment system. The touchscreen could be past the attain of these with shorter arms, however the dial on the middle console is deceptively straightforward to grasp if that is the case. USB ports abound in each rows, which you may want, as a result of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are wired affairs solely, a notable omission when many cheaper Hyundais provide it wirelessly.Like most different luxurious automakers, Genesis masses its autos with all method of normal energetic and passive security techniques, like forward-collision warning, lane-keeping help, blind-spot monitoring, automated emergency braking, parking sensors and full-speed adaptive cruise management. Highway Driving Assist II is a hands-on system that mixes most of the aforementioned techniques to carry the automobile in its lane and preserve tempo with site visitors. The Prestige trim provides rear automated braking and Remote Smart Parking Assist, aka Smaht Pahk.
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These wheels are boss. No follow-up questions, please. Tim Stevens/CNETThe 2022 Genesis G80 Sport is each bit the posh automobile you’d anticipate from a section filled with spectacular stalwarts. It will carry out simply in addition to a equally outfitted Audi A6, BMW 5 Series or Mercedes-Benz E-Class, however the Genesis completely trounces the others on worth. While four-cylinder G80s begin at $49,345 together with vacation spot, V6 Sport fashions begin at $64,795. The Prestige trim is the one out there improve, costing an additional $6,300 (or $6,800 should you additionally need summer time tires), and mixed with a $575 Makalu Gray paint job, my tester rings in at $71,670. It won’t look like a deal, however should you equipment out the competitors in the identical approach, the associated fee delta can be sufficient to purchase a second, smaller automobile. That’s the actual crux of the Genesis G80: worth. Not solely is it a stellar luxurious automobile, outfitted with every thing one expects on this section, however it manages to exist for 1000’s of {dollars} (if not tens of 1000’s) lower than what the standard choices will run you. It’s a troublesome act to beat.