2024 Genesis G80 3.5T

The first Genesis model was actually named the Hyundai Genesis, a midsize luxury sedan that was impressively inoffensive in both style and performance. That model got a very competent second generation, and it was renamed the Genesis G80 mid-cycle when the luxury brand was finally spun off as a separate line-up that now includes 5 models. The original model is now in its third iteration, and it is quite the looker.

The Genesis G80 wears the brand’s current corporate look, wraparound-striped LED lighting and all, with a swoopy profile and rather unique 18-inch or 19-inch wheel choices. The overall design goes for elegance rather than outright sportiness, signalling the intentions of the car. And the mesh grille design does a good job of exuding Bentley-esqe classiness without appearing too derivative.

The interior is a stunner as you step in, with flowing door surfaces and a classic horizontal-lines dashboard, with a unique take on a four-spoke steering wheel, again hinting at the comfort-oriented styling theme.

Most surfaces are covered in soft-touch leatherette that complement the leather seat upholstery. The stitched patterns on the moderately-bolstered Nappa leather front seats on our top-spec model is, again, very unique. Trim choices include aluminium or real wood.

Front and rear space is pretty good, as the G80 is almost long enough to be classified a “large” sedan. The boot is massive too, and the opening is small due to the sedan-style boot lid, despite the “fastback” styling.

All models are well-equipped, but our loaded trim came with top-notch features such as a 12.3-inch LCD gauge cluster with an amazing 3D effect, 14.5-inch dash-top display, an amazing 18-speaker Lexicon stereo, ambient interior lighting (and sounds!), a heads-up display, wireless phone charger, panoramic glass roof, a decent auto climate control system with rear vents, and power-adjustable ventilated seats.

Safety features include 10 airbags, hill start assist, ESP, adaptive cruise control with lane following assist, lane keeping assist, high beam assist, driver attention warning, forward collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, rear occupant alert, surround-view monitor and Hyundai’s excellent blind-spot view monitor, among others.

While the base 300 hp 2.5-litre turbo 4-cylinder exists, our tester came with the big-boy 3.5-litre turbo V6, making 375 hp at 5,800 rpm and 530 Nm of torque from 1,300 to 4,500 rpm. The larger motor can be had with either rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive, depending on trim.

Mated to an 8-speed automatic with paddle shifters, the transmission does a fine job of picking its own gears.

In our testing on a sweaty Dubai afternoon, we managed a 0-100 kph time of 5.8 seconds, while fuel consumption was at 13.5 litres/100 km (7.4 km/litre).

The swoopy sedan rides very well, even with big 19-inch wheels and low-profile tyres, 245/45 up front and 275/40 in the rear. Most bumps are smoothened out well, and it’s very quiet at legal highway speeds. The electronically-controlled adaptive suspension does its job well, apparently capable of detecting road conditions via the front camera.

No one expects it, but the G80 handles very well, given its comfort-biased intentions. Body roll isn’t excessive, and always kept well under control. The limits are easy to explore, with clean understeer as you push harder into corners, and it’s a generally easy car to hustle. But it’s not a whole lot of fun due to little feedback from the controls and the general lack of playfulness in the chassis, although that’s fairly standard in this class of cars.

Genesis is starting make some inroads in the premium segment with their SUVs, but the sedans deserve more attention. The G80 is ready to compete with the stalwarts, and outshines many of the second-tier luxury players.

Photos by Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury