2017 Genesis G80 | Consumer Guide Auto

2017 Genesis G80

Pros: Impressive value for the money; expansive passenger room and trunk space; quiet cabin; broad array of luxurious comfort and convenience features; all-wheel drive available (though only on V6 version)

Cons: Options are limited to pricey packages; middling fuel economy; ride quality and all-around handling are not as refined as some rivals; rear seatbacks don’t fold

CG Says: Hyundai launches its new Genesis premium brand for 2017. Just as Acura is the luxury division of Honda and Lexus the upscale brand of Toyota, so Genesis will be an upmarket Hyundai product. The 2017 Genesis G80 was formerly the Hyundai Genesis. (The Hyundai Equus has been replaced by a new-design Genesis G90.) In its transformation from Hyundai Genesis to Genesis G80, this large sedan is relatively unchanged. The V6 models gain standard automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and self-dimming headlights (most of this equipment was formerly part of an option package on the V6 model and was standard with V8 trim). The 3.8-liter V6 makes 311 horsepower and the 5.0-liter V8 puts out 420. Both are mated to an 8-speed automatic, but only the V6 can be ordered with optional all-wheel drive in place of rear-wheel drive. Available convenience features include a Head-Up Display and Smart Trunk, which opens the trunklid automatically when a person with key in pocket stands next to it for three seconds. The Hyundai Genesis sedan hovered in the gray area between the mainstream large-car class and the premium large-car segment. Even though the car itself doesn’t change much outside of its name for 2017, Hyundai’s decision to upgrade Genesis from a model name to a full-fledged luxury brand pushes the G80 into the premium large car category. The Genesis G80 doesn’t have the brand prestige or level of overall refinement that established rivals from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Lexus boast. However, its convincingly luxurious personality, impressive list of standard and available equipment, and competitive base prices make the G80 worth checking out if you care about value for the money more than country-club cred in your luxury sedan.

The Facts

Class	Premium Large Car
Body Style(s)	4-door sedan
Passenger Count	5
Drive Wheels	rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive
Manufacturer	Genesis
Nation of Manufacture	South Korea
Base Prices	2WD 3.8: $41,400 AWD 3.8: $43,900 2WD 5.0: $54,550