Suited, booted Genesis means business
Flagship saloon has the quality and refinement to compete with the German big three, writes Matt Allan
MuchofthepremiumcarmarketisnowaboutSUVsbuttobe anybody in the sector, you’ve still got to offer a saloon or two.
So alongside its highridingGV70andGV80,Korean upstart Genesis has brought the G70 and G80 on its quest to compete with Europe’s finest.
To help, Genesis spent a lot of time honing the G80 to match European expectations, from the way it looks to how it drives and how it’s equipped.
Intermsoflooks,itcertainlyfitsinamongstitsrivalswith their long, low profiles and gaping grilles.
In terms of how it drives, time testing on the UK’s broken B roads has clearly paid off. The G80 can’t match a 5 Series for engagement but for most people on-the-edge handling is probably less important than ride comfort and refinement, both of which the G80 has nailed down. The cabin is a hushed and calming environment and the adaptive air suspension does an excellent job of smoothing out bad surfaces.
Our test model featured all-wheel-drive matched to its 2.5-litre petrol engine via an eight-speed automatic transmission. The drivetrain meets all the premium criteria on paper but can’t match its key rivals in the real world. The 2.5-litre turbo will rush to 62mph in six seconds, on a par with a 5 Series or A6 but the four-cylinder doesn’t have the refinement or efficiency of those rivals. An all-electric versionisduelaterthisyear,offering hope of a drivetrain to match its otherwise smooth demeanour.
A smooth silent electric drivetrain would certainly be more in keeping with the G80’s interior ambience. The fit and finish around the cabin is impeccable and material choice is as good as anything in the segment.
Space is generous too, especially for those in the rear who, spec-dependant, enjoy electrically adjustable heated and cooled seats, dual infotainment screens and their own climate control zone. But those in the front aren’t short changed either and there’s enough room and adjustment for drivers of all shapes and sizes to get comfortable.
One of Genesis’ ambitions is to simplify car buying by offering only limited trims and options. In fact, there are onspare
ly two trim lines and four individual options – 20-inch alloys, a panoramic sunroof, Lexicon sound system and a wheel. Everything else is contained in three main packs – Innovation, Comfort and Executive – plus a Nappa leather pack.
These bring everything from massaging and ventilated seats to soft-close doors, rear entertainment screens, semiautonomous lane changing and adaptive LED headlights.
Our test car – base price £47,950–wasspeccedwithevery option, taking it to £61,340. As with other Genesis, that means you get top-grade spec for significantly less than the price of a German rival without sacrificing quality.
And that’s the G80’s strength. In all but a couple of areas it’s a match for its rivals and in terms of spec and convenience it stands out. For thoseinterestedinvaluerather than badge cachet, that could be enough to swing the deal.