2018 Genesis G80 Sport

 
 

The G80 was formerly known as the Hyundai Genesis but last year the Korean manufacturer has spun it off as it's own brand. Kind of like how Toyota has Lexus, and Nissan has Infiniti. The Genesis brand is new and unknown to most people. I have never seen one in person on the road but this week we get to try out the Genesis G80 and see if it's worth buying.

Consumers can choose between a powerful 311 horsepower 3.8 litre V6 and an award-winning 420 horsepower 5.0 litre V8, both paired to an advanced 8-speed automatic transmission for optimal responsiveness and efficiency.

New for 2018, the exciting G80 Sport is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.3 litre V6 engine producing 365 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque. With peak torque available at just 1,300 rpm, G80 Sport offers explosive mid-range response paired with smooth, linear power delivery.

All versions of G80 ride on a rigid platform featuring a fully independent multilink suspension, with large four-piston fixed front brake calipers for confidence inspiring stopping power. The available Genesis Adaptive Control Suspension can alter damping response based on road conditions or driver inputs, with Sport models featuring a firmer overall suspension calibration.

Disclosure: Genesis Canada & JS Auto provided me with the 2018 Genesis G80 for a week to test drive, and photograph. All photos in this blog post was taken by me.

ACCELERATION: 8/10

  • 420 hp @ 6000, 383 lb-ft @ 5000; 5.0L V8
  • 365 hp @ 6000, 376 lb-ft @ 1300-4500; 3.3L V6 Turbo 
  • 311 hp @ 6000, 293 lb-ft @ 5000; 3.8L V6
  • 8 speed transmission
  • 4.7 seconds 0-100 km/hr (v8)
  • 5.3 seconds 0-100 km/hr (v6 Turbo)
  • Turbo feels much peppier because of the low end torque

BRAKING: 8/10

  • The braking is very respectable thanks to its wider tires but due to the car being a few hundred pounds heavier than its European competition it won't be able to stop as fast.

HANDLING: 7/10

  • Overall handling is okay but suffers a little due to it's heavy curb weight.

RIDE: 8.5/10

  • Overall a comfortable ride. 
  • Adaptive suspension system in the Sport version.

ECONOMY: 6/10

  • The heavy curb weight really hurt its fuel economy
  • 17.55/24.5/20.1 (3.8L - Regular Fuel)
  • 17.04/24.25/19.77 (3.3T Sport - Premium Fuel)
  • 15.08/22.62/17.82 (5.0L - Premium Fuel)

CABIN NOISE: 9.5/10

  • One of the quietest luxury sedans I have ever been in.

EXTERIOR: 8.5/10

  • Solid, sleek and classy look

SAFETY|SECURITY|TECH: 8/10

  • Vehicle Stability Management (VSM)
  • Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control System (TCS)

  • Anti-whiplash front head restraints

  • Pre-Safety seatbelt

  • Driver Attention Alert (DAA)

  • Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) 

  • LATCH lower anchors and upper tether anchors

  • Airbags (9) — driver’s knee (1), front impact (2), front seatmounted side impact (2), rear seat-mounted side impact (2), front/rear side curtains (2)

  • Front and rear outboard seatbelt pre-tensioners and force limiters

  • Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA)

  • Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with Pedestrian Detection

  • Lane Keep Assist (LKA) with Lane Departure Warning (LDW)

  • Blind Spot Detection (BSD) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) and Lane Change Assist (LCA)

INTERIOR FOR DRIVER: 9/10

  • Tilt/telescopic steering
  • Uses an electronic shifter
  • Heads Up Display is very crisp!
  • 4-Way Lumbar Support
  • Extending bottom cushion
  • Inflatable side bolsters

INTERIOR FOR PASSENGERS: 10/10

  • Extremely good leg and head room in the rear! Class leading.
  • Rear passengers have sun shades

INTERIOR STORAGE: 8.5/10

  • Notably larger trunk than most vehicles in this segment.

INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM: 8.5/10

  • Very easy to use like Hyundai. There are multiple ways to interact with the system
  • I really like the turning knob by the shifter
  • Supports Apple Car Play and Android Auto

OVERALL IMPRESSION OF THE 2018 Genesis G80:

Genesis' G80 is a great car. Although the G80 Sport with the V6 Turbo is slower than the V8 version, I would still go for the Sport. The broad torque makes it far more fun to drive and the adaptive suspensions is something I enjoyed having. Genesis didn't clone the competition but focuses on performance, excellent ride, and very quiet cabin. The sport trim comes with carbon fiber trim to replace the wood trim.

It is a wonderful car to drive daily. The ride is so smooth and comfortable. The only thing is most buyers in the luxury market tend to buy based off brand reputation. Most buyers will want a Benz or BMW logo so it can be a hard sell to new customers. Personally I would take this rather than paying 10-30 K more for something comparable. If you want all the luxury features at a much lower price point I would highly recommend taking a closer look at the Genesis G80. It is the best value in the luxury segment. The fit and finish rivals the European competition even though they don't have the long heritage yet.

 
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