2019 Genesis G80

Overview

The newly founded Genesis brand is desperate to prove its mettle among the established European and Japanese brands and for those seeking value and a change from established luxury brands, the 2019 Genesis G80 is a compelling choice. From a value perspective, it offers nearly everything its rivals do at a bargain price. Its on-road performance is relaxed—perfectly appropriate for a luxury car—unless you opt for the Sport model, which features a 365-hp twin-turbocharged 3.3-liter V-6 and an adaptive suspension. The G80 is high tech—touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard—and it's also one of the most highly rated cars in the class when it comes to safety. An unbeatable warranty should ease consumer anxiety about a brand with a reputation that has yet to be firmly established.

What's New for 2019?

The G80 is almost unchanged for 2019, save for the addition of a Sport package to the base 3.8 model. Like the mid-range Sport model, the 3.8 Sport package adds copper-colored exterior and interior trim pieces, unique front and rear bumpers, a dark chrome grille, dual exhaust tips, 19-inch wheels, sport pedals, and a sport steering wheel.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

We'd head straight to the 3.3T Sport model for its ideal blend of athleticism and refinement. It justifies the upcharge over the base model by including a 365-hp twin-turbo 3.3-liter V-6 engine, an adaptive suspension, leather-wrapped sport seats, and unique exterior- and interior-appearance finishes. Even with the Sport's elevated price point, the 2019 G80 still represents what is one of the best value propositions in the automotive kingdom, undercutting similarly equipped rivals from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz by thousands of dollars.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Likes: Three refined engine choices, gutsy twin-turbo V-6, comfortable ride.
Dislikes: Base engine acceleration is languid, fuel efficiency isn't a priority here, numb steering.

Since most rivals offer a turbocharged four-cylinder as the base engine, starting with a 3.8-liter V-6 may be seen as a savvy move, yet it doesn't pay off when it comes to performance. The optional 5.0-liter V-8 is refined and powerful, but it's less fuel efficient and thousands of dollars more expensive. The Sport model's 3.3-liter twin-turbo V-6 blends V-6 fuel economy and V-8 performance and is the sweetheart of the powertrain lineup. It delivered a brisk 4.9-second zero-to-60-mph time at our test track.

The standard G80 is poised and tuned for comfort. The suspension is well damped and, while not overly soft, provides a relaxed ride that soaks up road imperfections quite well. Body motions are nicely controlled, and the whole package feels balanced and harmonious. As is today's luxury-car norm, the steering wheel transmits only a small amount of feedback from the road to the driver's hands. The G80 Sport features an exclusive adaptive suspension that increases damping force during aggressive driving without sacrificing cruising comfort.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

Fuel efficiency is not something the G80 touts on its résumé, especially when it's competing against a raft of turbocharged four-cylinder rivals for the same job. Even when compared with performance-oriented sedans, the new G80 Sport guzzles more fuel. Our test vehicles—one with the 3.8-liter V-6 and the other boasting the twin-turbo 3.3-liter V-6—both surprised us with a better than expected result on our highway fuel route, however, with 28- and 26-mpg results, respectively.

Interior, Infotainment, and Cargo

Likes: Spacious front and back seats, high-tech infotainment features standard, nicely appointed cabin.
Dislikes: Still some carry-over parts from the Hyundai days, base infotainment screen is almost too small, fixed rear seatbacks limit cargo capacity.

While the interior styling is hardly groundbreaking, the G80's cabin appointments echo its luxury positioning; even base models are well equipped. A smattering of buttons on the dashboard and center console control climate and infotainment features. Hyundai, er, Genesis hasn't bought into the recent paradigm of burying the controls in the center screen, and that's no bad thing. Outward visibility is good, thanks to large windows and smartly designed body structure elements. Stretching out is easy in the G80's front seat, and the outboard rear seats are also spacious. Headroom in both rows is generous, and the seat cushioning is plush enough for daylong slogs.

All G80s come with plenty of connectivity features, and upgrading to the Ultimate package nets you a 9.2-inch touchscreen infotainment display (an 8.0-inch unit is standard). We found the interface relatively intuitive, and users familiar with tablets and smartphones will, too. On-screen icons are spaced nicely on the larger of the two screen sizes, which reduces the likelihood of selecting the wrong menu when making adjustments while driving. Navigation is standard, as are Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. With only one USB port in the car, however, the G80 can have only one device plugged in at a time.

Despite its large exterior dimensions, the G80's cargo-hauling capabilities fall behind those of its trimmer rivals. It can handle a couple of sets of golf clubs in the trunk, but bulkier items will pose a challenge: the G80's rear seats don't fold. We fit five of our carry-on suitcases inside the trunk, but the Audi A6, the BMW 5-series, and the Volvo S90 all held six.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Top marks from both American safety agencies and a comprehensive list of driver-assistance tech are hard to argue with, so we won't. The only concern when it comes to safety in the G80 is second-rate backup-camera performance. Key safety features include:

• Standard automated emergency braking
• Standard lane-keeping assist
• Standard adaptive cruise control

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

No manufacturer comes close to the G80 when it comes to warranty coverage. Genesis offers what is, hands down, the most comprehensive coverage in its class. Three years of complimentary scheduled maintenance seals the deal.

• Limited warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles
• Complimentary scheduled maintenance is covered for 3 years or 36,000 miles