2022 Genesis G80

For 2022, the Genesis G80 will be available in three trim levels as the Sport trim returning as part of the G80 lineup now. The trim lineup, as just like, will start at $49,000 for the base 2.5T trim level with the RWD drivetrain option, while the Sport trim is going to be the new range-topping trim with a price tag of $64,495. While the base trim offers an Inline-4, the other two trims will enjoy the powerful V6 under the hood. All the trims offer a plethora of features and creature comforts that make the G80 a sensible option over the rest of the cars in the segment, especially when you compare the quality, features, and prices.

*Expected

Which trim should you buy?

The 2.5T trim level is definitely the one to go for as it is easy on the pocket and has so much on offer compared to its rivals. Opting between the RWD and AWD drivetrain unit depends entirely on your priorities and requirements, but the RWD option seems to be the best option to go for. It adds some excitement and nimble handling to the drive while being priced right under the $50,000 mark, which is impressive. The 3.5T, on the other hand, has a V6 powertrain unit on offer with some extra horses and torque. Sure, it will offer an exciting drive compared to the 2.5T, but considering the fact that the G80 is a premium sedan, the 2.5T seems like a bargain at the price point.

Release date

The 2022 model of the sedan is expected to go on floors in the fourth quarter of the present year.

The 2022 Genesis G80, just like its previous model year version, comes with two powertrain options depending on the trim level you choose. The base 2.5T offers a 2.5L turbocharged inline-4 engine that produces 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft. of torque. The 3.5T, on the other hand, has a 3.5L twin-turbocharged V6 on offer that produces 375 hp and 391 lb-ft. of torque. The Sport trim will also use the same V6 but come with a standard all-wheel drive and a retuned suspension setup. The inline-4 motor surely has less punch and thrill on offer and is focused more on the smoothness of ride quality and fuel economy, while the twin-turbo V6 is the fun engine unit with lots of torque at the lower rev range that makes it fun and engaging to drive.

Both the engine units get the same 8-speed automatic transmission unit which is smooth with its transitions and makes sure that it’s always in the right gear according to the various driving conditions. The G80 is available in both RWD and AWD drivetrain options and can be chosen according to your preferences while configuring your G80. The base 2.5T G80 can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds and can cover a quarter-mile distance in 14.1 seconds, making it the quickest car in its segment. It has a top speed of 165 mph, which makes it the fastest option in the segment as well.

*2021 figures taken into consideration

The Genesis G80 handles like a charm, thanks to its impressive weight distribution and suspension system. It’s easy to drive the G80 no matter where you are. In the city, it offers to be smooth, refined, and composed, while on the highway, it glides and has the right amount of power on reserve whenever you need to overtake a vehicle or two. It might not be the sportiest of sedans, but in terms of refinement and ride quality, it’s second to none.

Despite the fact that it costs less, the Genesis G80 still comes with a larger powertrain unit with the most amount of power and torque output in the segment without compromising on quality and refinement. The G80 performs incredibly well which makes it the quickest car in the segment without a doubt. The Mercedes-Benz E 350 and the Audi A6 do come close to the G80’s performance, but considering the differences in pricing, the G80 feels like a bargain.

The fuel economy of the Genesis G80, just like all of its other attributes, is an impressive one. It offers a combined fuel economy of 26 MPG while offering 23 and 32 MPG on the city and highway driving conditions, respectively. Compared to other cars in its class, its fuel economy might not be the best one, but it’s not the worst either and offers the right amount of fuel economy expected from a premium midsize sedan.

Although it offers a good fuel economy, its tank capacity could have been better as it offers a 17.2-gallon tank capacity, which is the smallest in the segment. This restricts its combined range to 447.2 miles, which when compared to most of its rivals is a smaller figure. It offers a maximum range of 550.4 miles on the highway and offers 395.6 miles in the city driving conditions.

*2021 figures taken into consideration

The BMW 530i might be the best choice to go for if fuel economy is one of the most important attributes that you look for in a car as it not only offers the best fuel economy figures in its class but also has a decent tank capacity to offer an impressive range. The BMW 530i with its 28 MPG of combined fuel economy and 28 gallons of fuel tank manages to offer a class-leading combined figure of 504 miles. The G80 certainly could have had a slightly larger tank capacity to get more range.

The 2022 Genesis G80’s interior design has to be one of the best design projects in the segment without a doubt. The smooth lines and curves with premium design elements all exude luxury and remind you that the G80 is no ordinary car. The dashboard has a smooth design concept with leather upholstery and premium wood and metal trims. With a massive infotainment screen in the center and a minimalistic yet elegant design approach, the G80’s dashboard layout is arguably the best one in the segment. Available in single and dual-tone color options, you can not only choose between a wide range of color options for the interior but can also configure the combinations as per your taste. The leather-upholstered steering wheel has a modern retro design touch to it, which is very attractive and flows with the overall design of the interior.

The front seats are heated seats with 12-way power adjustability and are clad in leather upholstery. The seats get exclusive stitching options that you can opt for when you configure your G80. The seats add a lot of confidence while being comfortable at all times. The front row of the G80 is also one of the largest ones in the segment, which makes it even comfier than some of its rivals. The rear seats are bench seats that can accommodate three passengers very comfortably. There is an armrest concealed in the center seat, as well as more legroom than any of its rivals, thanks to the long wheelbase. Features such as the dual-zone climate control unit, ambient lighting, and illuminated glove box add to the overall aesthetics and comfort inside the G80’s cabin.

*2021 figures taken into consideration

When compared with its rivals, the G80’s 13.1 cubic feet of trunk capacity might seem small, but considering that it is a premium sedan, the cargo capacity is pretty adequate and has enough space for some cargo. The cargo entry also gets remote access for added convenience and practicality. The BMW 530i has the best in class cargo capacity with its 14 cubic feet of trunk volume. The other cars such as the Audi A6 and the Mercedes-Benz E 350 too have spacious cabins, but the G80 has more room inside than all of them, thanks to its longer wheelbase. Some of the standout interior features are:

• Dual-Zone automatic climate control unit 
• Heated and front seats with 12-way power adjustability
• Leather upholstered steering wheel with auto tilt-away
• Dual-tone premium leather upholstery
• Illuminated glove box
• Exclusive stitching options for the seats
• Premium wood and aluminum trim inserts
• Ambient lighting

What’s there to keep you entertained?

As a product of Hyundai, there is no doubt that the Genesis G80 comes with a host of infotainment features as Hyundai always makes sure its products have great infotainment systems. Welcoming you inside the G80’s interior is a massive 14.5-inch infotainment screen that can be controlled via a rotary knob or voice activation. The sound system onboard is a 12-speaker premium audio system with an internal amplifier. The G80’s infotainment system is also equipped with SiriusXM satellite radio, in-built navigation, and real-time traffic display. Connectivity features include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, and Genesis connected services as standard. Some of the standout infotainment features are:

• In-built navigation
• SiriusXM satellite radio
• 14.5-inch infotainment display unit with rotary controller and voice activation
• 12-speaker premium sound system with internal amplifier
• Bluetooth phone connectivity 
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

The Genesis G80 is arguably one of the best-looking cars in the segment. Its regal styling details and subtle yet bold proportions make it instantly recognizable on the road. With styling no less than modern-day Bentleys, the G80 should surely be on your list if you are planning to own a premium sedan. The front fascia gets the large chrome grille with bold and elite headlamps that are arranged like parallel strips of lights.

The headlamps and tail lamps both have a double strip design with all-LED projector-beam headlamps in the front and LED tail lamps in the rear. The side profile has a regal touch with a sloping roofline design, and sharp design lines look amazing with the wide range of metallic paint options. The base 2.5T trim level gets 18-inch alloy wheels, while the 3.5T gets a 19-inch set of alloy wheels as standard.

*2021 figures taken into consideration

With the largest wheelbase, widest track width, and amazing design elements on the exterior, the Genesis G80 has to be one of the best-looking sedans in the segment. And there seems to be no other car in the segment that can match its regal looks. When comparing the curb weight, the Audi A6 is the heaviest option. The Genesis G80 offers the best in class ground clearance of 5.5 inches in the competition. Some of the standard exterior features are:

• 18-inch alloy wheels 
• Auto on/off LED projector headlamps 
• LED tail lamps
• Panoramic glass roof
• Large crest chrome grille
• Dual exhaust outlets

The 2021 Genesis G80 gets five-star overall safety ratings from the NHTSA and similar ratings from other agencies like the IIHS as well. The Genesis G80 is a well-engineered and thought-after sedan from Genesis, and as one of the highest selling products of Genesis, they have made sure that the G80 only gets the best of safety features to add to its safety quotient. The 2022 Genesis G80 gets some of the best safety aids that are present in the industry today. Features like the Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Front and rear parking sensors, Forward-Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Front Collision Mitigation, and a lot more are present. Some of the notable safety features are:

• Low Tire Pressure Warning 
• Side Impact beams
• Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist 
• Front Collision Mitigation 
• Front and rear parking sensors 
• Forward-Collision Avoidance Assist 
• Lane Keep Assist
• Lane Departure Warning

2022 Genesis G80 vs. 2021 Mercedes-Benz E 350

The 2022 Genesis G80 is not only cheaper than the Mercedes-Benz E 350, but it also has better performance, handling, and braking capabilities compared to the E 350. The E 350 surely gets the 4Matic AWD system which is a better drivetrain unit compared to the AWD system that comes in the Genesis, but the G80 still offers a better ride quality and more space on the inside which adds to the comfort of the occupants. Even though the luxury offered by Mercedes is class-apart, the offering from Genesis makes for a better value for money deal.

2022 Genesis G80 vs. 2022 Audi A6

The Audi A6 might be costlier than the G80, but it comes with a better infotainment system compared to the G80 and only comes in a Quattro AWD configuration as standard. The A6 also has more range to offer compared to the G80. But when it comes to the interior space and comfort factors, the Genesis G80 clearly wins the test, and the fact that it has better exterior design and design elements makes it a bargain at the price range.

2022 Genesis G80 vs. 2022 BMW 530i

The BMW 530i is one of the toughest contenders to the Genesis G80 as it has the best to offer in those points where the G80 lacks, which includes the range and trunk capacity. The 530i has the best range and trunk capacity in the segment which makes it an ideal choice if you want to travel longer distances. The G80, on the other hand, has better looks, space, premium quality features and elements, and best-in-class performance figures that make it stand out.

If you look at the 2022 Genesis G80 from a value for money point of view, then it's a clear winner in its segment with arguably the best performance figures along with aesthetically pleasing interior and exterior design. The Genesis G80 might not be as popular in its segment as its German rivals, but it certainly is on its way to becoming one of the top-selling premium midsize sedans for sure. All in all, if you don't want to invest all over again into the forever-established Germans, the 2022 Genesis G80 will make for an interesting, exciting, and luxurious pick in the competition.