Yahoo Autos 2021 Genesis G80 Review | Bland no more
Luxury sedans certainly aren't what they used to be in the automotive pantheon, largely supplanted in the buying public's eyes by SUVs. However, a sleek and elegant sedan can still turn heads, and with the 2021 Genesis G80, we think that some swiveling is bound to occur. Though its shape is certainly evocative of the Audi A7, that's not really a bad thing, and there are more than enough unique details to make it something other than a copycat. It's also the first G80 you can't describe as bland, as it presents more reasons than just a low price and long warranty for folks to consider it instead of established segments entries like the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class.
That's particularly the case inside, where Genesis has really stepped things up in terms of quality, technology and a unique design that should definitely stand out during back-to-back test drives of various luxury sedans. It looks and feels special inside. The huge, standard 14.5-inch touchscreen with iPod-like secondary controller stands out in particular for being feature-rich and user-friendly, which is a rarity in luxury cars. There's also tons of space in the comfy back seat, which is a big part of buying a big luxury sedan. As for the driver, they'll be treated to powerful engine choices as well as a sophisticated suspension (especially on the 3.5T) that impressively filters out road imperfections while still delivering a taut, controlled feel. You know, just like those sedans from Germany. It's time to take the G80 seriously.
What's new for 2021?
The G80 is completely redesigned for 2021 and represents the third generation of a car that began life as the Hyundai Genesis.
What's the interior and in-car technology like?
While we come away impressed with every version of the G80 we've tested, it was the top-of-the-line 3.5T Prestige model with its deep blue leather accented in chocolate brown and rich matte-finish wood trim that really made us go "wow." It really looks sensational. Unique, too, which is definitely something that matters in this high-priced segment. There are different two-tone schemes available (see photo gallery at the top of the page), which may not be as distinctive, but are still quite classy and memorable.
Quality throughout is excellent, with many surfaces covered in a convincing leather substitute, plus that opulent stretch of wood across the dash and on the center console. New switchgear is exclusive to Genesis (no more Hyundai bits and pieces) and everything looks and feels like it belongs in a proper luxury car.
Standard is the new Genesis infotainment system that consists of an immense 14.5-inch touchscreen supported by a center console controller that basically acts like an old iPod thumbwheel. This combination of new-and-old Apple-style control interfaces sure made sense during our tests – a touchscreen is great for many functions, but the wheel makes scrolling through songs, contacts or radio stations much easier. We also like that Genesis maintains physical controls for volume, tuning and various menu shortcuts. To be fair, there's an argument that a knob like BMW's iDrive would be better than the flat wheel.
As for what it all controls, the feature content is immense but the layout is simple. If there was any area where the G80 is clearly related to a Hyundai it's here, and it's a good thing. Though a tad fancier in appearance (a defused image of nighttime Seoul sits in the background of menus, for instance), its functionality is just as excellent as what you get in the top-of-the-line Sonata. Actually, it's just a bit better due to its two extra inches of screen width.
How big is it?
The G80 is virtually the same length as the BMW 5 Series and Audi A6, and an inch longer than the Mercedes E-Class. The specs say its 3 to 4 inches wider than that lot, but Genesis did not indicate if its dimensions include the mirrors or not. Genesis also didn't indicate interior dimensions, but we can report definitely that there is plenty of backseat legroom, as your 6-foot-3 author was able to comfortably sit behind his own driving position. There was also sufficient headroom despite that sloping roofline.
As for the seats themselves, they are surprisingly contoured and decidedly un-bench-like. You should be able to ride comfortably back there for long stretches of time. The front seats, meanwhile, can be heated, ventilated and offer a range of adjustments, including a power cushion extender and adjustable side bolsters that can automatic push in and out depending on drive mode.
We don't have an official cargo number, but we managed to bring along our luggage test bags for our first look of the 2021 G80. We could fit everything except the biggest roller bag inside, but there was still plenty of space left over. In total, it's not quite as good as a midsize sedan like a Hyundai Sonata, but that's actually normal for this luxury segment that sacrifices space for styling and rear-wheel-drive architecture.
