2019 Genesis G80 Road Test and Review

The 2019 Genesis G80 is a mid-size luxury sedan that is value-priced when compared to its European competition. Though Genesis vehicles have Asian roots, their targets and natural comparisons seem to be German-made when lined up against Japanese luxury models from Lexus, Infiniti, and Acura.

Genesis has invested its three G80 models with impressive helpings of new technology, making its traditional virtues of quiet, comfort, and dependability that much more robust. The sedan was introduced in the 2015 model year, when it was called the Hyundai Genesis. It joined the new Genesis brand in 2017, got enhancements in 2018, and essentially stands pat for 2019. With the addition of a 3.3T Sport in 2018, the Genesis G80 now offers three different trim levels to fit a variety of buyers’ needs. Rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive are offered on all three variants, prompting comparison with BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The 2019 Genesis G80 is an attractive, somewhat conservative sedan. It doesn’t break much design ground, but at the same time, there is nothing about it that’s the least bit offensive. Instead, it is good-looking from every angle.

The G80's downwardly sloping roofline gives a hint of the four-door-coupe motif that is so popular these days, and it sports a very bold grille that resembles a big smile. The front end also features massive low-mounted air vents and good-looking two-lens, faired-in headlights. The result is both expressive and attractive. From the rear, the G80 is less distinctive but equally attractive, with a very prominent Genesis logo on the trunk face. The G80 has a medium-sized trunk opening and a 15.3-cubic-foot trunk. The exterior is also sleekly aerodynamic with a 0.27 coefficient of drag.

Like its Genesis sedan siblings, the G80 takes a conservative, international approach to its interior. Absent the badging, the interior might grace the inside of a German sedan. The key words are spacious and comfortable. As with the exterior the stylists didn’t attempt to break new ground, instead sticking with familiar forms. 

A case in point is the seats, which contribute to good posture by using enhanced seat pad density, adjustable power bolsters on the driver's side, and seat-cushion extension. The G80 offers standard 12-way power front seats, including four-way power lumbar support, heated front seats with available ventilation, and available heated rear seats on some models. The emphasis on simplicity extends to the switches, controls, and instrumentation. They might not strike you as leading-edge in design, but they are easy and intuitive to use. The interior also offers good places to store things like cellphones, and the cupholders accommodate a variety of sizes.

The 2019 G80 offers an ultra-premium Lexicon Discrete Logic 7 Surround audio system with 17 speakers, Logic 7 Surround Sound processing, and a 900-watt 12-channel digital amplifier. The accompanying DIS navigation system has a 9.2-inch display with 720p high definition and a 64GB Solid State Drive for multimedia.

Just a baby-step below that system is the 14-speaker Lexicon unit with Discrete Logic 7 Surround processing and a 12-channel DSP amplifier with 900-watts of equivalent output. That system is accompanied by G80’s standard 8-inch touchscreen navigation with integrated technology, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The G80 also features standard Bluetooth, SiriusXM radio, HD radio, and iPod/USB auxiliary media input jacks. The legible instrument displays feature high-resolution, electroluminescent TFT LCD technology.

The Genesis G80 offers three impressive engines, each with its own personality. The least-expensive version of the car — it isn’t appropriate to call it “base” — is equipped with a 311-horsepower, 3.8-liter V6 engine. The top-of-the-line 5.0 Ultimate model uses a 420-horsepower 5.0-liter V8, which is engineered for smooth, comfortable cruising rather than ultra-performance.

Lastly, while its horsepower figure is not as robust, the 3.3T Sport should be your choice if you’re interested in all-around driving fun. It is powered by a 365-horsepower, 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6, and we like the overall balance it gives to the car. All three engines are teamed with eight-speed automatic transmissions, and all variants can be had in rear-and all-wheel drive forms.

The Genesis G80 comes in three flavors, and each tastes a bit different. The 3.8 version of the car with 311 horsepower on tap is an exceptionally comfortable mid-size luxury sedan with more than a hint of sportiness. Peak power and torque are fairly high on the rev band, but thanks in part to the eight-speed automatic transmission the car is tractable in town and quite competent when the roads turn twisty.

The G80 5.0 is the one with the big 5.0-liter V8 engine delivering 420 horsepower and ample portions of torque. Because of the V8 up front and the way the suspension is tuned, the 5.0 is a superior Interstate runner, but we would pick the 3.3T if our route was through mountain passes. Its ample low-end torque (peak torque is at 1,300-4,500 rpm) means it transitions on and off throttle seamlessly. And the suspension lives up to the Sport moniker.

The G80 doesn’t skimp on available driver-assistance tech. Standard active safety features include lane-change assist, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot detection with a rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. A driver attention alert, lane keep assist, a lane-departure warning, and high beam assist are also on the standard equipment list across the board. The rearview camera helps when backing up, and the “haptic” steering wheel delivers warnings through your fingertips.

The G80 offers nine standard airbags, supplemented by “pre-active” seatbelts that sense an imminent collision. Additional available safety and driver-assistance technology includes front and rear parking sensors, a multi-view camera system, full-color head-up display, and LED headlights with “Dynamic Bending Light.”

The G80 offers an expansive interior despite its rear-drive configuration, a drivetrain layout that typically infringes on interior space. At 108 cubic feet, its interior is larger than the front-drive Lexus ES 350 (100.00 cubic feet) and rear-drive BMW 530 (99.0 cubic feet.) Total interior volume including the trunk is an impressive 123.0 cubic feet, and the G80 provides best-in-class front legroom, headroom and rear shoulder room.

The G80’s 15.3 cubic feet of cargo volume is reasonably roomy, too, outclassing the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, for example, but it isn’t as spacious as the 530’s or ES 350’s trunks. In all, the G80 sedan’s cabin has plenty of well-appointed space for five adults and a reasonable amount of luggage. It’s just not the right vehicle to pick up lumber at the home center.

The various G80 versions have plenty of power, but their fuel economy lags some of the top competitors. Fuel economy for the 3.8-liter-powered rear-drive G80 is 18 mpg city/26 mpg highway/21 mpg combined. With all-wheel-drive, it drops to 18 mpg city/24 mpg highway/20 mg combined.

Fuel economy for the rear-drive version with the turbocharged 3.3-liter engine is 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway/20 mpg combined, and the EPA numbers for the 5.0-liter V8 with all-wheel drive are 15 mpg city/23 mpg highway/18 mpg combined. Depending upon its equipment level, the G80 weighs about 4,700 pounds. Fuel economy for the rear-drive Mercedes-Benz E 300 with a lot less horsepower is 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway/25 mpg combined, and the BMW 530 is rated at 24 mpg city/34 mpg highway/27 mpg combined.

As we’ve noted, the G80 is offered in three different versions: 3.8, 3.3T, and 5.0 Ultimate. Undoubtedly the best value is the 3.8 model. It offers more-than-reasonable power, exceptional comfort, and excellent ergonomics.

The G80 5.0 Ultimate is designed for the typical luxury sedan buyer who favors comfort and quiet and unobtrusive handling. Its 420 horsepower guarantee that any acceleration will be effortless. For those who like to consider themselves sporty drivers, the 3.3T fills the bill. We especially like its low-end torque and its adaptive suspension. No, it won’t out-BMW the BMW 530 in the handling department, but its 100+ horsepower advantage makes it very competitive. And while the 3.8-liter G80 is the best value, the distinctions of the 3.3T and the 5.0 Ultimate will undoubtedly win them fans.

While luxury crossovers continue to gain attention in the American market, the luxury sedans like the G80 offer more technology, features, and pure driving enjoyment than ever before. The G80 is filled with new-as-tomorrow safety and drive-assistance technology, and it is one of the most comfortable vehicles in the segment.

The rear-drive 2019 Genesis G80 3.8 has an MSRP of $42,050 plus a $995 destination charge. The G80 3.3T with rear-wheel drive has a base price of $55,250 plus destination. And the all-wheel-drive Genesis G80 5.0 Ultimate model has an MSRP of $59,500 plus destination. All these prices compare very favorably to the mid-size luxury sedan offerings from BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Genesis is also becoming well-known for its high vehicle quality and exemplary customer service. The G80 can’t offer the heritage and prestige of the German brands, but as a car, it acquits itself very well.