(Hyundai) Genesis G80 Sport


Looking for a mid-size sport sedan? Have I got a deal for you. How about a Genesis, Hyundai's up market division?

Mid-size is a bit of a misnomer. When I typed "mid-size sedans" into Google a whole passel of vehicles were shown including - Toyota Camry, Chevrolet Malibu, Honda Accord, etc. Although the Genesis G80 is close to the external dimensions of a Camry it seemed huge on the inside.


I've been a admirer of the Genesis sedans for some time. For a couple of years they even made a 5.0-liter V8 version that I never got to drive. The V8 made more power but it wasn't as fuel efficient. The twin-turbo, 3.3-liter V6 makes 365 hp @ 6,000 rpm and 376 ft-lbs of torque from 1,300 rpm to 4,500 rpm on premium fuel. The G80 Sport is rated at 25-mpg on the highway, in actuality I saw a tad under 30-mpg.

Performance of the V6 is close to that of the V8 but not equal. Reports are that the V8 did 0-60 mph in 5.0 seconds whereas the V6 manages 5.3 seconds. 

The V6 is coupled to an 8-speed automatic. There are the obligatory paddle shifters but I never used them. A switch on the console gives the driver the option of normal, Eco, or Sport. Sport alters the shift profile and the exhaust tone. It did not adversely affect fuel economy on the highway but I suspect it might around town.

The performance and economy are all the more impressive when you realize that the G80 Sport weighs 4,519 lb. (it's a little heavier if it has AWD). In 2WD form it is rear-wheel-drive; as was the test car and my choice.

The two front seats (heated and cooled) were very comfortable. You could fit three adults in the rear seat. Rear seat leg room was ample too. 

It's rare to get a test vehicle that doesn't have options but there were none on the G80 Sport. And none needed. The list of standard equipment is long and comprehensive. Here are some but not all:

Advanced Safety Features:
Vehicle Stability Management System, Electronic Stability Control with Traction Control & ABS/Brake Assist, Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Driver Attention Alert, Blind Spot Detection w/Rear Cross-traffic Alert, Lane Keep Assist (you can shut it off), Smart Cruise Control, Auto Vehicle Hold (keeps the car from rolling if you take your foot off the brake), Pre-Active Seatbelt (you can feel it tighten the belt at about 5 mph on initial start-off).

The good thing with most of the nanny-tech is that you can opt out of it if so desired.

I'm not sure what the clear plastic is but right above it is the front view camera.

Comfort & Convenience:
Premium Leather Seating, 16-way power Driver's Seat & 12-way power Passenger Front Seat, Dual Zone Climate Control w/CO2 sensor, Heads Up Display (it washed out in bright sunlight), Lexicon 17-Speaker Audio System, Wireless Charging Pad (for your phone).

Then of course there is the great Genesis warranty: 5-year/60,000-mile full vehicle, 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain, 7-year/unlimited mileage perforation.

Oh yeah the car comes with a full tank of gas. That's around 500 highway miles of driving.

Now here comes the best part, the price. Including freight and handling the price is $56,225. That's a great deal in my opinion. A base G80 is $41,750. Genesis uses the tag line "Luxury Elevated" for the Genesis line, and "Luxury Evolved" for the G80. I'd agree.


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