Genesis G80 Sport Line (2022 - )

Genesis has made a bit of a splash since it arrived here, producing incredibly opulent cars designed to take on the big boys.

The G80 is a sizeable coupe-styled saloon, similar in profile to the Mercedes-Benz CLS and the Audi A7 Sportback. However, more traditional saloons such as BMW’s 5 Series, Audi’s A6 and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class are firmly within its sights, too.

Three trim levels are offered, with Premium at entry-level offering 19-inch alloy wheels, a 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, DAB radio, SatNav and voice control. There is also an eight-inch digital instrument display, 12-way powered front seats, adjustable lumbar support, electronic control suspension, keyless entry, LED headlights, smart cruise control and black gloss interior garnish.

The Luxury grade is next, getting 20-inch alloys, three-zone climate control with a premium air filter, a heated steering wheel and an electronically powered tailgate. You also get a leatherette dashboard, seat quilting and natural wood interior garnish.

But it’s the all-new Sport Line trim (or Sport for short) we’re interested in for this review. It has metal pedals, a three-spoke sports steering wheel, and leather with diamond-shaped quilted seats. The Sport also boasts optional red callipers and houses a carbon interior finish or hybrid metal weave. Mind you, the alloy wheel size is reduced back to 19-inches, but you can spec it with 20-inch rims.

The G80 was previously offered as a diesel, but that’s been withdrawn, leaving a single petrol engine. It is a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder lump married to an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
 

While Genesis may not be able to compete with the established players in terms of refinement, it’s aiming to make up for it with sheer ostentatiousness.

Like most cars it makes, the G80 Sport looks stunning, featuring Genesis’ now traditional Bentley-esque radiator grille and badging. It also vaunts horizontal dual LED headlamps on either side, fenders behind the front wheel arches, plus bulging shoulders towards the rear.

In addition, the car features a minimalist design around the back, complimented by large tailpipes that mimic the shape of the front grille. Indeed, the exhaust trims of the Sport Line are integrated into the freshly designed back bumper. 
The new-for-2022/3 Sport model also features a more aggressive lower grille. And at the rear, some aerodynamic slots enhance its athletic characteristics.

It is achingly stunning and, compared with a BMW 5 Series, there’s little doubt who wins the beauty contest.

The G80 Sport’s interior impresses, too, bathed in soft materials and switches that look as carefully designed as the car itself.

There is plenty of silver relish to brighten up the cabin. And there's a host of colour combinations to choose from, including dual-shade options, with browns, reds and blues, as well as creamy beige and black.

The cabin has an air of minimalism, although the tri-spoke sports steering wheel is flush with buttons. And there are still physical controls for the climate control system, which conveniently displays the temperature you’ve set it to on a digital display. This information sits inside the dials you turn to adjust the air conditioning.

A lovely silver rotary dial also controls the infotainment screen, which sits on the dashboard. Its 14.5-inch measurement comes mainly from its width rather than height. Furthermore, it’s responsive to touches and swipes, the graphics are sharp, and the menu layout is reasonably easy to get used to.
 

The G80’s 2.5-litre petrol engine puts down 308PS, which sounds like a lot, especially when you consider it gets from 0-62mph in 6.0-seconds.

However, although it pulls away from a standing start without much fuss, the car's weight, at nearly 1.9-tonnes, does restrain it a bit. And you need to press the accelerator quite far down to get any performance out of it.

Despite all the power, it doesn’t feel mega-quick unless you’re flooring it. And, if you do, the performance isn’t helped by the eight-speed automatic gearbox, which seems to hesitate before changing down.

It quickly becomes apparent that you're not dealing with a performance saloon. Instead, the G80 is best off taking its time, gently making progress before gliding along at motorway speeds.

This is reinforced by the noise cancellation in the cabin, plus the double-glazed front windows, which add to the calmness and quiet ride.

The ride comfort is decent, especially when on a long-distance cruise. Although on backroads and when pottering around town, imperfections in the road surface make it feel a tad unforgiving. That is despite the car’s electronic control suspension, which automatically scans the road to adjust itself to cope with potholes and bumpy surfaces.

The G80 Sport is still reasonably comfortable, but it can only somewhat equal the ride refinement of its German rivals.

In terms of handling, the firmer suspension setup means it’s reasonably impressive for a big saloon car. While it's not difficult to find its limits around bends, there's plenty of grip, and the steering is responsive, albeit lacking in weight and feel.

The G80 is a decent effort from Genesis. The automaker has produced a car that meets expectations. The only problem is that its primary challengers exceed them.

On the other hand, it’s unlikely you’ll be buying a car like this expecting to set quick lap times around Silverstone. So, if you keep it well within its limits, the Genesis saloon does the job perfectly satisfactorily.

There is plenty of space inside the G80 Sport’s cabin.

Even taller drivers won’t fight for headroom or legroom. Moreover, the 12-way electric seat adjustment makes it easy to change position if you need more space, offering plenty of travel along its rails.

Comfort is enhanced by the four-way electric lumbar support, helping you snuggle into the seat for a long, comfy cruise.

Despite the sloping roofline, there is a generous amount of room in the rear, easily accommodating two adults. Three people will fit, although you’ll be tight on shoulder space.

In terms of boot space, Genesis' offering of 424 litres isn't generous by any measure. BMW’s 5 Series, the Audi A7 Sportback, Mercedes-Benz’s E-Class and CLS offer at least 70 litres extra – and more than that in most cases.

There is no quoted figure for the G80’s luggage capacity with the rear seats down. But an optional extra will enable you to fold them electronically in a 40/20/40 split.
 

The Genesis G80 returns around 30mpg, producing 205g/km of CO2.

The carbon dioxide emanations make it unattractive for company car users, who benefit most from zero-emissions vehicles. Genesis offers a solution, though. If you have your heart set on a G80 – there's an all-electric version. But you’ll pay more upfront.

One area where Genesis goes above and beyond is its customer service. For example, the manufacturer gives you a personal assistant who takes care of all after-sales business.

Buying a Genesis gets you five years’ servicing included – and a representative will collect your vehicle from you and return it later.

Five years’ roadside assistance is also thrown in, along with a half-decade warranty with unlimited mileage.

Furthermore, because Hyundai owns Genesis, you'll be driving around in a car that has reliability at its heart. And that’s not something you can say about every premium-oriented automobile manufacturer.
 

The G80 Sport is a real head-turner. While endless 5 Series and E-Classes will go past unnoticed, nobody will miss a G80 clad in Sport Line attire wafting by.

It looks utterly striking. And while Genesis will be realistic enough to know that the G80 Sport can’t match its German foes in terms of refinement, it’s hoping that the aesthetics provide more than sufficient compensation.

So, the Genesis G80 is a very tempting car to buy. With its majestic looks and magnificently arranged interior, it will easily take some sales off the usual suspects.

Those who need to lower running costs and emissions are better off looking at the Electrified G80 instead, while those seeking a rush are likely to be left blue-balled.

But in terms of exclusivity, opulence, and having something different, there is nothing quite like it.