Genesis G80 sedan review: New luxury arrival takes the fight to the Germans

An all-new luxury arrival in Australia brings a breath of fresh air to a market dominated by the German establishment – and it excels in one key area.

There’s a little bit of everything in the new Genesis G80 sedan.

As with Mercedes, you can have it with augmented reality, video-based satnav and clever seats that subtly change shape on long drives to stop backache. As with BMW, it has a self-parking system that can be operated from outside the car, along with a classic front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout.

The Genesis G80 sedan has arrived in Australia.

The G80 shares Volvo’s distinctive design inside and out and matches Audi’s adaptive matrix LED headlights and sophisticated digital dashboard. And as Lexus does, Genesis promises hassle-free luxury motoring with first-class customer service.

Hyundai’s luxury arm has stumbled in fits and starts since the first car to wear the badge went on sale alongside mainstream models in 2014. But the brand has a clearer path now, with a haggle-free buying process, a couple of dedicated showrooms and cars to rival to BMW’s 3 Series and X5 in its Genesis G70 sedan and GV80 luxury SUV.

The new Genesis G80 takes on the likes of BMW’s 5 Series as a replacement for the original Hyundai-badged version.

Supple styling is sure to win over buyers.

Priced from $84,900 plus on-road costs in entry-level form, the model is packed with standard equipment that would add thousands to European rivals. Heated and ventilated leather seats, a 21-speaker stereo, a panoramic sunroof, head-up display, powered boot and a huge 14.5-inch screen with smartphone mirroring and wireless charging are part of the deal.

A $13,000 luxury package adds a 12.3-inch digital dashboard, three-zone climate control, soft-close doors and other niceties including twin 9.2-inch video displays for the back seats that lift it beyond most cars in this class.

Genesis has packed in a lot of standard gear.

It isn’t a great deal cheaper than the Germans, but you do get more equipment for the money.

Truly impressive space in the front and rear makes it easy to understand why luxury transfer fleets have gravitated toward Genesis, which offers limousine-like accommodation for an executive sedan price.

Safety is accounted for by 10 airbags and a comprehensive suite of driver aids including active cruise control with steering assistance that works well on motorways or in urban traffic.

Customers can choose between turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder or 3.3-litre V6 petrol engines. The entry-level motor makes 224kW and 422Nm, but Genesis expects more people to plump for the V6 version with 279kW and 530Nm peaks.

Genesis has made safety a big selling point.

While the four-cylinder model drives the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission, V6 variants get all-wheel-drive as standard.

The more powerful version costs a fair wedge more at $99,900 plus on-road costs, and that’s before you factor in less than impressive 10.7L/100km fuel economy.

Unlike rivals, there are no diesel, electric or hybrid options, though they may come in the future.

The beefy, and more expensive, V6 engine is thirsty.

Locally tuned suspension favours plushness over poise, serving up a softly sprung ride likely to please the majority of occupants if not the driver. Though the engines have sufficient punch and huge Michelin tyres offer plenty of grip, the G80 lacks the driving precision of the best cars in its class.

VERDICT 3.5/5

Luxurious, generously-appointed and eye-catching, the Genesis G80 is worth considering for prestige sedan shoppers.

GENESIS G80 2.5T VITALS

PRICE From $84,900 plus on-road costs

ENGINE 2.5-litre 4-cyl turbo, 224kW/422Nm

WARRANTY/SERVICE 5-year/unl’td km warranty, free for 5 years

SAFETY Not rated, 10 airbags, auto emergency braking, active cruise control, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert

THIRST 8.6L/100km

SPARE None (repair kit)

CARGO 424 litres

Originally published as Genesis G80 sedan review: New luxury arrival takes the fight to the Germans