2020 Genesis G80

The 2020 Genesis G80 offers a wide variety of choices including options in engine and drivetrain. The three major trims of the G80 lineup are 3.8, 3.3T Sport, and 5.0 Ultimate. The prices for the base 3.8 trim starts from 42,550 while the fully specced AWD trim could set you back over 60 grand. All three engine options come mated to an electronic eight-speed automatic gearbox with paddle shifters, while AWD is a $2,500 option. The trim features 18-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, adaptive cruise control, and leather seating as standard. There are two packages available Sport and Ultimate which enriches the feature list rather significantly.

The 3.3T Sport owes its name to the rather sporty 3.3L twin-turbo V6 engine and a much sportier look. And it comes with a carbon fiber interior, 19-inch wheels, a 9.2-inch touch screen, and an adaptive suspension as standard. The top of the line 5.0 Ultimate is the only trim that comes with a V8 engine. The features list includes a simulated suede headliner, premium leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a panoramic sunroof, multi-view camera, a 17-speaker Lexicon surround-sound system, and more.

Which Trim should you buy?

The base Genesis G80 3.8L trim provides excellent value. It has a long list of features along with the similar looks of the higher trims. For as much as $42,000 we get a luxurious and comfortable cabin with a good set of features, an advanced safety system, and a powerful engine with many desirable features. The higher 3.3T trim has more power but the fairly large price gap of $13,000 makes it hard to recommend. The only notable drawback with the 3.8L trim would be that it lags behind the competitors in performance.

All the engine choices on the 2020 G80 are quite thirsty resulting in low mpg figures. With multiple engine options and drivetrain combinations, the fuel economy is spread over a large spectrum. The base 3.8L V6 provides an efficiency of 18 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway, and a combined efficiency of 21mpg on the RWD variant. The fuel economy drops by 1-2mpg on the AWD variant. The 3.3T Sport offers almost similar efficiency at 17 mpg in the city, 25 mpg on the highway, and a combined 20 mpg. The 5.0 Ultimate drops the efficiency to 15 mpg in the city, 24 mpg on highways, and a combined 18 mpg.

The efficiency figures of the G80 are behind the competition by a lot. Even though the G80 has one of the largest fuel tanks here, the driving range still falls behind its competitors. The BMW 5 Series is the leader in terms of efficiency in this segment providing an impressive 25 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highways. The E-Class has the largest fuel tank in the lot which puts its highway driving range close to 600 miles.

The 2020 Genesis G80 can accommodate five adults and provides a good blend of luxury, comfort, and space. The high-quality materials and the good room on both front and rear seat rows make the cabin on par with its more costly competition. There are plenty of features inside the cabin with the intention of providing a relaxing atmosphere and passenger comfort. The standard seats are covered in leather upholstery with options to upgrade to Nappa Leather upholstery. The seats are power-adjustable and have cushion extenders as standard. 58.3-inches of shoulder room and 45.7-inches of legroom on the first row is the best in class.

The standard interior features a glossy wood trim with optional choices for soft leather and natural wood or carbon fiber trim. All the materials used are upscale and the cabin is designed logically with convenience in mind. Moreover, you get a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and dual-zone automatic climate control as standard. Upgrading to the Sport trim gets you premium leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, front sport seats, and carbon-fiber trim, a bigger infotainment screen, premium audio system, and a whole lot more.

The Genesis G80’s interior is fairly big in comparison to its counterparts. It has the most legroom in the front and has the best shoulder room on both rows. The seats are really comfortable and provide plenty of support with accommodation for three on the rear. At the rear, A6 feels the most spacious of the lot with close to 37.4-inches of legroom to spare. The cargo capacity on the 2020 G80 is good at 15.3 cubic ft. However, the BMW 5 Series has the most cargo space, measuring in at a huge 18.7 cu-ft. Some standout interior features on the 2020 Genesis G80 :

• Nappa leather seating surface
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Heated and power-adjustable front seats
• Carbon-fiber interior trim (o)
• 7-inch color multi-information system
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
• Heated rear seats(o)

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The infotainment unit on the Genesis G80 is really good and ticks all the boxes. The base model features an 8.0-inch touchscreen with navigation and Android Auto as well as Apple CarPlay. This system is supported by a 7-speaker audio system. The higher trims come with a 9.2-inch center touchscreen. This unit is supplemented by a 17-speaker lexicon surround-sound system. This car also features a wireless charging pad to hold up with the recent trends. Overall, the system is smooth, convenient, and easy to operate. The controls are logically placed which makes operating them a breeze. Also, voice commands and steering wheel-mounted controls are available for easy navigation. Standout infotainment features on the 2020 Genesis G80:

• 9.2-inch HD touchscreen navigation system 
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Wireless charging pad
• Lexicon 17-speaker Surround-sound Audio 
• Steering mounted audio control
• Standard navigation

The looks of the new 2020 G80 would certainly appeal to people who love to stand out. One could argue that Hyundai recalled its flagship sedan only to relaunch it as the G80 a few years down the line. The 2020 Genesis G80 might be the last model of its first-generation but it is still a beauty to watch. Even with a design not too generic or instantly identifiable as an Audi, BMW, or a Mercedes, the G80 manages to stand apart in its looks. 

The 2020 G80 maintains classic sedan proportions with simple details and clean looks. The front fascia is complemented by a large grille on the front. The rear end also presents a clean look along with strong character lines through the sides. The G80 touts attractive 18 or 19-inch alloys depending on the model. Features like heated, power-folding exterior mirrors, automatic headlamps, and rain-sensing wipers are all part of the standard package.

The 2020 G80 is definitely the biggest car here when compared to its rivals. It is also heavier, longer, and wider than its counterparts. It has the longest wheelbase in the competition with 118.5 inches while the Audi A6 has the smallest wheelbase at 115.1 inches. Also, the car has a respectable ground clearance that is higher than both the Mercedes and Audi. The E Class is the smallest car in the bunch while the 540i find the perfect balance in size keeping the overall weight extremely low. Standout exterior features of the 2020 Genesis G80:

• 19-inch sport alloy wheels
• HID Bi-Xenon or full LED headlights
• Genesis logo approach lights
• Dual heated and power folding side mirrors 
• Panoramic sunroof
• Adaptive suspension
• Hands-free smart trunk with auto open

The G80 scores top ratings in crash tests with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The IIHS also awards a Good rating in all its tests with a Top Safety Pick + status. The 2020 Genesis G80 is loaded with advanced safety features and gets features like lane departure warning, lane watch systems, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control as standard. 

The only notable major missing feature is the driver assistance feature like hands-free traffic jam driving or navigation linked speed control. The safety quotient of the G80 is further enhanced by its features like Genesis Connected services, 24/7 enhanced roadside assistance, and complimentary scheduled maintenance. Standout safety features on the 2020 Genesis G80:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Hill assist control and Brake assist
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection
• Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist
• Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning
• Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go
• Driver Attention Warning
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with pedestrian Detection

2020 Genesis G80 vs 2020 BMW 5 Series

The BMW 5 Series is a well-built and driver focused mid-size sedan from the German brand. The 5 Series stands out in terms of its looks and fuel efficiency. The Genesis does a lot in providing luxury at a cheaper price tag but it still is no BMW. The handling and ride quality is also better on the BMW. But what makes the G80 preferable is that it provides similar performance and insane value for money with a similar or even better list of standard features. That said, if you love being behind the wheel, the 540i will serve you far better.

2020 Genesis G80 vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz E Class

The Mercedes-Benz E Class remains superior to the Genesis with better ride quality, a silent cabin, and advanced technology. With a vast dealer network and better brand value, the Merc secures its position as the better of the two. But in the eyes of a customer who seeks more value-for-money than brand equity, the 2020 G80 earns a better spot. It provides almost the same amount of luxury and comfort for a much lower price. If you are not too brand conscious, the G80 has got it to take the fight to Mercedes.

2020 Genesis G80 vs 2020 Audi A6

The Audi A6 has all the advantages that the other German rivals have over the Genesis. Also, the A6 is the only car in this segment to feature an all-wheel drive as standard. The only advantages the G80 has over the A6 include better value for money, availability of a wider range of configurations, and better performance compared to the Audi. Given that the A6 is not that impressive when it comes to outright performance or handling, going for the 2020 Genesis G80 would at least save you a buck.

Well, if you are someone looking for a luxury sedan but don’t want to go for the German rivals or looking to get better value, then the 2020 G80 is the way to go. Even in comparison to the higher-priced German rivals, the car stands tall. It is marvelous what the Korean brand has achieved in this short time and is bound to improve over time. The limited dealer network and lack of brand recognition can be bothersome to some people but that is soon bound to change. With other homegrown brands like Acura and Buick discontinuing their performance sedans the future looks bright for the Genesis G80.