G force 2018 Genesis G80 reduces the price but not the quality of luxury cars

Like the Japanese before them, the Koreans have established a luxury brand to continue their move from an entrylevel “value-oriented” brand to an equal player.

So, Hyundai now produces cars formerly know as Genesis and Equus as Genesis cars with a G and a number to identify them.

There are two so far, and a third on coming within the year. I spent a week with the Genesis G80, which previously was know as the Hyundai Genesis. One of which I own, so maybe I’m prejudiced.

To heck with it, all auto writers are prejudiced, so don’t worry about it. First the differences. The entry model is the G80 3.8L. It’s offered as well in Premium and Ultimate packages. The 3.8-liter engine generates 311 hp. and 293 lb.-ft. of peak torque driving it through either the rear two or all four wheels. This engine has as much power as anyone would expect of a luxury all-wheel drive sedan.

While this is a big car, weighing in between 4200 and 4300 depending on which drivetrain is in it. In spite of that the car’s EPA rating is 19 mpg city and 27 mpg on the highway for the front-wheel drive and losing one mpg in the city and two mpg on the highway for AWD.

Then comes the new model, the G80 Sport. In addition to different suspension tuning and bigger sportier wheels and tires, it gets you a different engine, and it’s a decent one. It is a new 3.3-liter, direct-injected, twin-turbocharged V6 engine with its eight-speed transmission tuned for a sportier output. It is controlling 365-hp. and 376 lb.-ft. of peak torque. I hear it is good, but it isn’t the one I tested so enough on it.

There is also a V-8 powered G80, but I haven’t drive it yet, so there will be no talk of that either.

There are some differences it the badging, but that’s about all I could find. That’s mostly because there’s little missing on the Genesis, whether badged a Hyundai or not. The leather inside is sumptuous, the craftsmanship comparable to any other full-sized luxury car.

It is quiet and comfortable with plenty of features and capabilities, again to match those in many other cars with which it competes. But for 2018 Genesis says that the exterior design is “refreshed.” What that really means is that they’ve tweaked the headlights, modified to lower front grille and the front and rear fascias. The 18-in wheels are a different design. So, there is a change in the “look.”

Inside the instrument cluster is apparently new, as is the shift knob and the layout on the rearview mirror is modified – more importantly the analog clock is different. You still get standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and now there’s another USB port in the front.

Functionally Genesis G80 3.8L owners get Pedestrian Detection and Driver Attention Alert as standard safety technologies. If you move up to the 3.8L Premium Package you add the very good Quantum Logic Surround & Clari-Fi Music Restoration Technology with the Lexicon 14-speaker audio system and a Qi wireless charging pad. The front-driving model gets heated rear seats, which are already standard on AWD versions.

Moving up to the 3.8L Ultimate Package gets you shift-bywire transmission technology, full LED headlights a 9.2-in. touchscreen navigation system.

All of these cars drive well, almost silently and with a comfortable yet capable ride. Those little touches are there – open the door and the area on the ground under the door is lit with the name of the car. The driver’s seat can be set to back all the way up when you turn off the ignition, making it easier to get out and then in – especially if a smaller “co-driver” was the last to leave the car. It will, when the ignition is turned on return to the position it was in when the ignition was shut off.

Frankly, this is a car that leaves nothing to remind you that you didn’t buy the same luxury car that everyone else talks about.

And the biggest difference is for 2018 the Genesis G80 has an MSRP of $41,750. Granted the AWD V-8 model has a starting price of $59,500. If you have any questions, comments or ideas, please send them to comment@ AutoWritersInk.com.

Hyundai now produces cars formerly know as Genesis and Equus as Genesis cars with a G and a number to identify them.

The driver’s seat can be set to back all the way up when you turn off the ignition, making it easier to get out and then in – especially if a smaller “co-driver” was the last to leave the car. It will, when the ignition is turned on return to the...