The center piece for the Genesis brand is the G80 sedan. You can tell it is a Genesis by the brand’s emblem and the crest grille inspired by it, all flanked by the signature quad lamps to define the distinct face of the Genesis.
The base G80 2.5T is powered by a 2.5L turbo-four, producing 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque.
3.5T trims like the test vehicle are powered by a 3.5-liter T-Gdi twin-turbo V6 that produces 375 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. The electronically controlled 8-speed automatic transmission passes the power to the all-wheel drive system, and the driving feel can be tweaked with the Drive Mode Control system. All these strive together to make for a quality and powerful driving experience.
The gas mileage of the 3.5T AWD G80 is rated at 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, for a 21-mpg combined average. Actually, I got 25 mpg for my week of driving, which was mostly in the city.
Outside, the G80 rests on 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels wearing all-season tires. LED quad headlights with High Beam Assist and LED rear combination lamps provide illumination and anchor the outside appearance.
Panoramic sunroof brings natural air and light from the outside, when the weather permits.
Heated and ventilated Nappa leather front seats let you settle quickly into the quality experience of comfort. Added to the premium ensemble is leather-wrapped steering wheel, soft-touch fabrics and coating, plus open pore wood trim surfaces.
The driver’s seat was super comfortable. I discovered I was sitting in Ergo Motion Driver’s Seat which features seven air cells to automatically adjust side support for optimum seating under different driving modes and various driving conditions. The net result is reduced fatigue via stretching mode and automatic posture correction.
And then there is the ambient lighting. Wow!
In the spacious cabin, a heads-up display, a 12.3-inch 3D digital cluster, and a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display provide excellent amount of information and control at all time. A Genesis integrated controller for HVAC adjustments, a rotary-operated shift dial, and a touch controller with handwriting recognition for infotainment system complete the command center.
Even though Genesis prides itself in having few hard buttons and switches, I am a fan of the simplicity in well laid out physical and tactile controls.
The multimedia system with premium navigation is extended with Apple CarPlay and Android Audio. Sound is produced by the 21-speaker Lexicon premium audio system.
Legroom and headroom have been increased by lowering the seating height of the back seats, allowing for both more space and a more dramatic roof line. However, it takes away from those of us who like to sit up tall for visibility and have a more “off the ground” feeling.
In this sedan’s driving assist component list are such helpful features as Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, and Remote Smart Parking Assist, just to name a few.
The G80’s safety platform integrates the communication between about 40 controllers in real time, helping to ensure timely response in various situations.
Smart power tailgate with auto open and closure are very convenient for times when both hands are occupied.
One of the G80’s most enjoyable features is the automatic twin-filter purification system. It activates an air cleaning mode when the cabin sensors detect certain fine-dust thresholds.
The G80’s high level of convenience for drivers, automatic response to various situations, excellent media technology, and appealing performance make the Genesis G80 a strong consideration for a luxury vehicle choice.
The MSRP for the 2021 Genesis G80 3.5T AWD starts at $62,250.
Warranty
5 years/60,000 miles New Vehicle Warranty
10 years/100,000 miles Powertrain Warranty
7 year/unlimited miles Anti-perforation Warranty
Durhl Caussey writes a car column read around the world. He may be reached at this newspaper or [email protected].
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