TECH-LADEN SEDAN VERY UPSCALE AND VERY AFFORDABLE
When Genesis launched four years ago with the G80 and G90 sedans, it turned the luxury car market on its ear — here was an upscale upstart from a company that specialized in affordability.
The second-generation G80, which is offered in Advanced and Prestige trims, continues the charge. The rework touches every facet; the look is bolder with more substance, the new engines are deceptively powerful and the technology side sees everything take a big step forward. The combination makes for a compelling package.
The G80 adopts the GV80 SUV'S quad-beam headlights, daytime running lights and exaggerated grille. The bold fascia then flows rearward to a coupelike tail. The result has road presence. After onlookers asked what this car was, they went on to say they loved it. When these same people opened the door, there was some serious gushing. The G80's cabin is a home run.
Not only are the materials topnotch, the cabin houses everything in a neat and orderly design that shows careful attention to detail. From the shifter dial and infotainment system's rotary controller on the centre console, to the windshield wiper and turn-signal arms, everything has a quality look and feel. The same applies to the oversized 14.5inch touch-screen infotainment system, presenting vivid graphics in an orderly fashion that isn't hard to master. It also works with a 21-speaker Lexicon sound system that gives you goosebumps when cranked.
The centre piece of the Prestige trim is the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. It tracks the driver's eyes to present the information in three-dimensions — it gives important information priority over lesser information by putting the latter in the background. It is a trick and novel way of showing a lot of information clearly. I loved it, but it's something some owners may skip and use the conventional 2D view.
As for active safety, the G80 gets the lot, including the ability to use the steering to keep it centred between the lines when the adaptive cruise control is engaged. Two additional front radars help the G80 “look” for oncoming and side-coming traffic at intersections, and the car can apply the brakes to avoid a potential crunch.
Up front, the seats are comfortable and come with more adjustment than most will ever need. Slide rearward and the back seats have plenty of legroom thanks to the 3,010-millimetre wheelbase.
However, the coupe-like swoop of the rear roof puts a minor crimp in headroom for anyone over six feet. Likewise, the 371-litre trunk is on the small side, given the expansive interior.
The engines are new for 2021. The base G80 Advanced gets a 2.5-L turbo-four that spins out 300 horsepower and 311 poundfeet of torque. It is surprisingly spry, reacting quickly to a heavy prod at the gas while remaining quiet. For many, this engine will be enough. Peak torque arrives at 1,300 rpm, so it feels bigger than its 2.5-L displacement suggests.
The G80 Prestige has a 3.5-L twin-turbo V-6 that makes 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque, also at 1,300 rpm. The momentum generated when you mat the gas pedal is unflustered and fast — it wafts the G80 from rest to 100 km/ h in 5.5 seconds. This engine is worth taking for a drive, if only to experience it before buying the turbo-four.
Both engines are hooked up to an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and the AWD system does a good job of getting the power down. In a twist, the system has been incorporated into a reardrive platform, so it feeds power forward when AWD is needed — the everyday split is 50/50 front/ rear. On the icy drive route, it added to the drivability enormously by delivering traction when there was seemingly none.
While the base suspension does a good job of controlling body motions while remaining comfortable, another reason for moving up to the Prestige model is the electronically controlled adaptive suspension with something called Road Preview. It not only does a good job of controlling body roll through a fast corner, but it also uses a forward-facing camera to adjust the suspension ahead of a road ripple or speed bump.
On the drive, the Prestige's ride was plush. Crank up the tone of the drive and it did an equally good job of carving a corner. The same applies to the steering: it's direct, crisp and responds quickly to input. Naturally, everything can be adjusted through a series of drive modes.
Buyers smart enough to look past the badge will find a luxurious and technologically advanced sedan that's quick, comfortable, and very refined. The G80 is on sale now. The Advanced is priced at $66,000, while the Prestige commands $76,000.