Genesis G80
G80 aims to take on the established movers and shakers in the executive saloon market. Does it make the grade?
MODEL TESTED: Genesis G80 2.5 T Premium Line
PRICE: £43,150 ENGINE: 2.5-litre 4cyl, 300bhp
THE Genesis G80 is an executive saloon that’s available in petrol and diesel forms. Here we’ve got the 2.5-litre petrol model that gets four-wheel drive as standard in Premium Line trim, which puts it at £43,150. The car in our pictures is a higher-spec Luxury Line car, which costs £47,950.
Design & engineering
LOOKS are subjective of course, but if you love or loathe the G80’s design, it’s hard to deny that its large grille, sweeping bodywork and long bonnet certainly attract attention.
The G80 shares parts with the GV80 SUV, but it doesn’t have a platform that’s widely used elsewhere, which gives it a sense of exclusivity from an engineering point of view. It uses a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine, with drive sent to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The engine is the most powerful here, with 300bhp and 422Nm of torque, so it’s good value in that sense, despite being the most expensive car.
It has a longer wheelbase than the others as well, at 3,010mm, which has benefits for cabin space. Indeed, the interior is a highlight for the G80 in general. It’s very luxurious inside, with high-quality materials everywhere you look, tactile wood trim (a no-cost option), high-resolution screens packed with features and a light, airy feel. While the cabin reminds us of the best parts of modern Hyundais, there’s nothing you could point to that’s obviously from a lower-cost model.
This is something luxury car makers don’t always get right; eliminating items such as cheap-feeling heater switches or indicator stalks to cut corners is part of why the likes of Mercedes and BMW built such strong brands in the first place. There’s really nothing to fault when it comes to the interior of the Genesis; it’s easily a match for the Mercedes when it comes to quality and luxury.
Driving
WHILE the G80 nails the luxury aspect of its cabin, it can’t match the comfort and driving experience of the Mercedes on British roads. The ride is smooth enough on the motorway and on surfaces that are clear of potholes and bumps, but those are scarce in the UK and the Genesis doesn’t soak up imperfections as well as its two rivals here. None of these three is perfect, but the slightly firm edge to the G80’s ride stands out because it’s not particularly sporty either.
The steering is quick, but it’s very light and there’s no feel through the rim. This means that when you turn into a corner the Genesis can feel a little unsettled, because the quick rack induces body roll more readily than in its rivals. It’s not wayward or unpleasant to drive, but it rewards a more relaxed driving style that tends to highlight the fact it could ride more smoothly.
It’s a similar story when it comes to the engine. It delivers all the performance you could want – 0-62mph takes just six seconds – and the four-wheeldrive system means there’s plenty of traction. However, since the car isn’t that much fun to drive, it feels at odds with the character of the car. There’s
a sound synthesiser that can deliver a sportier engine note using the speakers, depending on which drive mode you select, but the engine is very much kept in the background. That’s a good thing, because it’s part of the G80’s excellent refinement; it’s really quiet inside, even at high speed.
The eight-speed automatic transmission is smooth and shifts seamlessly when you’re just cruising along, but use the manual paddles or ask for a swift kickdown and it feels out of its depth. The Mercedes’ nine-speed gearbox is more responsive, and even the CVT in the Lexus is quicker to react, although it has its own issues in other areas.
Practicality
THE G80’s high-quality interior extends into the rear seats, which are fantastic.
Not only are the seats themselves very comfortable, there’s also more legroom here than in either of its rivals by a significant margin. It’s a very pleasant place to spend time, and even the longest-legged adults will have no trouble fitting inside. There’s less headroom than in the Mercedes, but it’s far roomier than the Lexus and head space is only an issue if you’re tall and sit bolt-upright.
Unfortunately the Genesis’ boot isn’t as impressive. It’s 424 litres in capacity, and since there’s a large battery under the boot floor, there’s no spare tyre or underfloor storage. The E-Class offers 540 litres, so it’s much more useful.
Ownership
GENESIS is too new as a brand to get a reading on ownership and reliability, but it is working hard to make buyers feel comfortable. All models will be sold through posh Genesis Stores, not dealers, with a concierge service that includes home delivery to help you learn about the car once you’ve bought it.
The G80 comes with an excellent five-year care package, too. It includes a warranty, breakdown cover, servicing and infotainment updates for free when you buy the car (the most impressive being the five years of complimentary servicing).
Running costs
THE G80 is the most expensive model here, but the free servicing for five years mitigates that. One area where new luxury brands can suffer is with residual values, though, and the Genesis has the weakest scores here. Holding 46.9 per cent of its original price after three years is reasonable, but it’s beaten by both the Mercedes (50.8 per cent) and the impressively resilient Lexus (58.7 per cent).
Another area of concern is the 2.5-litre petrol engine, which is unlikely to return more than 35mpg, even if you’re a careful driver.