Would you love to drive a BMW, Mercedes-Benz or Audi sedan but don’t want the high price tag? Check out the 2022 Genesis G80. It has the luxury, features and tech you’ll find in the German brands at a lower price, and frankly, it’s almost as good as the big dogs. With the G80 and other models, Genesis sure proves that it can make top-of-the-line vehicles.
Base Price: $63,700
As Tested: $72,170
Horsepower: 375
Mileage: 17 mpg city/26 mpg highway/20 mpg combined
The G80 is also a head turner. During my week with the G80, several folks asked me what I was driving and commented on the G80’s handsome and sleek looks.
The five-passenger G80 is the midsize sedan from Genesis, which spun off from Hyundai in 2015 to become a separate luxury brand of the Korean automaker. The G80 was first introduced in the U.S. for the 2017 model year. It was fully redesigned for 2021, and gets some tweaks for 2022, including a name change of the G80 3.5T to the G80 3.5T Sport.
The 2022 Genesis G80 comes in three trims: 2.5T RWD, 2.5T AWD, and 3.5T AWD Sport. As the names imply, the 2.5T trims come with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. The 3.5T comes standard with all-wheel drive. Advanced and Prestige packages are available on the 2.5T trims. A Prestige with All-Season Tires Package and a Prestige with Summer Tires Package are available on the 3.5T AWD Sport. Starting prices range from $48,000 for the 2.5T RWD to $70,250 for the G80 3.5T AWD Sport Prestige with Summer Tires.
The 2.5T models are powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The 3.5T AWD Sport gets a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that cranks out 375 horses and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. These are the same powertrains available in the Genesis GV80 midsize luxury SUV.
Both engines provide athletic performance. No, performance isn’t quite equal to the German rivals but pretty darn close. The difference is the G80 drives more like a Lexus than a BMW – it’s all about a refined, capable ride and less about being a true sport sedan. The 3.5T AWD Sport accelerates quickly from a stop and easily gets up to speed for merging and passing at freeway speeds. It feels planted when cornering and steering and brakes are responsive. The eight-speed shifts quickly and smoothly. The ride is smooth even over bumps and rough roads.
Fuel efficiency is about average for an all-wheel drive luxury midsize sedan. EPA ratings for my tester are 17 mpg city and 26 mpg highway with a combined rating of 20. I got 21 mpg during my week with a mix of city and highway driving.
The swanky interior rivals what you’ll find in the German brands with high-end materials and attention to details. Seats are roomy and supportive. Adults have good leg- and headroom in the first row. Second row passengers will enjoy lots of legroom, but headroom may be a bit tight for taller folks due to the sloping roofline. A large 14.5-inch touchscreen dominates the center stack.
Standard features include proximity keyless entry, rearview camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, synthetic leather upholstery, 12-way power-adjustable and heated front seats, leather-wrapped and power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, eight-inch digital instrument cluster display, infotainment system with 14.5-inch touchscreen, 12-speaker premium audio system, Bluetooth, satellite radio, HD Radio Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, four USB ports, auto-dimming rearview mirror, universal garage door opener, and ambient interior lighting.
Available features include digital key, surround-view camera system, head-up display, tri-zone automatic climate control, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, real leather or Nappa leather upholstery, suede headliner, heated steering wheel, sport steering wheel, upgraded driver’s seat support and controls, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, 21-speaker Lexicon premium stereo, wireless device charging, power rear-windshield sunshade, manual rear side-window sunshades, power soft-closing doors, panoramic sunroof, automatic high-beam headlights, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.
Standard driver assistance technologies include forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, lane tracing assist (helps keep the vehicle centered in its lane), blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, highway driving assist, speed limit recognition, pedestrian and cyclist detection, rear cross traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, driver attention monitoring, rear seat alert, and safe exit assist (alerts passengers of approaching vehicles).
Available driver assistance technologies include blind spot camera, reverse automatic emergency braking, and remote smart parking assist.
The infotainment system has a learning curve. It’s controlled through the touchscreen or a rotary knob on the center stack. Graphics look modern and sharp, and the system responds quickly to inputs.
The trunk has 13.1 cubic feet of space which is below average for the class. At least the opening is wide so it’s easy to load larger items.
The good:
Respectable performance
Smooth, comfortable ride
Beautiful, upscale and roomy interior
Lots of standard and available features and tech
Standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
The not-so-good:
Not as athletic as some rivals
Infotainment system takes getting used to
Pricing info:
My tester starts at $63,700. Tasman Blue paint is $575. The Prestige package with Summer Tires is $6,800 and includes Nappa leather seating surfaces, microfiber suede headliner and pillars, remote smart parking assist, parking rear collision-avoidance, head-up display, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, forward attention warning, 20-inch sport wheels, electronically controlled suspension with sport tuning, rear wheel steering, active road noise control and carbon fiber trim. Destination fee is $1,095 bringing the grand total to $72,170.
Bottom line:
The G80 is a beautiful sedan with the sleek looks, smooth performance and latest features and tech that make it a competitor among the top luxury sedans. While it may not measure up entirely to some of the top brands, it’s darn close and you get a stunning vehicle for several thousand dollars less.
