2020 Genesis G80 Review

　　

2020 Genesis G80 Review

byJosh JacquotCorrespondent

　　Josh Jacquot is an automotive journalist at zzdcar.

　　Going head to head with BMW's 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz's E-Class is no easy feat, but the 2020 G80 sedan easily holds its own. The G80's roots date back to when the Genesis sedan was a model in the Hyundai lineup, before Genesis was its own brand. Now serving as the middle ground between the sportier G70 and the flagship G90, the G80 offers an appealing blend of comfort and power.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Genesis G80 3.8 4dr Sedan (3.8L 6cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$176/mo  for G80 3.8

　　G80 3.8

　　3.8 4dr Sedan (3.8L 6cyl 8A) (Most Popular) - $42,550 MSRP3.8 4dr Sedan AWD (3.8L 6cyl 8A) - $45,050 MSRP3.3T Sport 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $55,750 MSRP3.3T Sport 4dr Sedan AWD (3.3L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $58,250 MSRP5.0 Ultimate 4dr Sedan (5.0L 8cyl 8A) - $57,500 MSRP5.0 Ultimate 4dr Sedan AWD (5.0L 8cyl 8A) - $60,000 MSRP

　　vs

　　$197/mo

　　Avg. Large Car

　　As a fully redesigned G80 model is likely coming out in the next year or two, the 2020 model gets only a few changes, including an improved blind-spot warning system and a slightly upgraded infotainment screen. But, as before, the G80 sells itself on the promise of value. To get a comparable level of features from a rival European sedan you'll typically pay thousands more. You also get significantly more power from the G80's standard V6 engine than the base four-cylinder engines in rival sedans.

　　There are a few minor downsides, such as a ride quality that isn't quite as plush as what rival sedans offer. It's also fair to say the G80 lacks the visual presence and brand cachet often expected from this class of car. But none of this should keep you from giving the G80 a close look.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.6

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

6.5/10

　　How does the G80 drive? Whichever trim you drive, the G80 won't let you forget that it's not a small car. It's better suited to the open road than to slicing through mountains. Only the 3.3T Sport trim offers an adaptive suspension that expands that car's ability to be both comfortable during cruising and controlled when driving aggressively.

　　The G80's base 3.8-liter V6 is OK, so you might be tempted by the top-shelf 5.0-liter V8. The sweet spot, however, is the turbocharged 3.3-liter V6. It gives the car ample acceleration while maintaining reasonable fuel efficiency.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the G80? The G80 rides quite nicely. It's free of the floatiness that soft suspensions can sometimes deliver, yet it has plenty of compliance to soak up road undulations. It may not erase some bigger bumps quite as well as the best in class, but most people wouldn't notice the distinction. Those seeking a more controlled ride should opt for the 3.3T Sport because of its adaptive dampers.

　　The G80's cabin is as well-isolated from road and wind noise as most of its more costly rivals. We also like the front seats that strike a perfect balance of support and comfort. For extreme-temperature days, the G80's dual-zone climate game is on point. It has plenty of cooling and heating capacity, as do the heated and ventilated seats.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? The simple, straightforward presentation of the G80's secondary controls is a refreshing break from the increasingly complex systems on offer in the German brands. Controls for ventilation, audio and navigation are managed by arrays of logically arranged and simply labeled buttons, which we find easier to use than multilayered touchscreen menus.

　　The G80 offers a highly adjustable driver's seat, which pairs with a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel to provide a range of driving positions that should suit any size driver. There are a couple of downsides: Outward visibility is hampered by the thick front roof pillars, and the center backseat position doesn't offer much headroom.

　　

Technology

8.0/10

　　How’s the tech? Leading the G80's charge into 2020 is a new 9.2-inch infotainment screen, which brings it closer to (but not yet on par with) the massive, high-resolution screens available from Audi, BMW and Mercedes. If the G80's age shows anywhere, it's in the design of its infotainment system. Thankfully, the bigger screen (increased from the base 8-inch unit) comes on all but the lowest-trim G80s.

　　Otherwise, the G80 is filled with useful technology features. The driver safety aids are numerous but can be a little annoying. For example, the blind-spot monitoring system continuously sounds an alarm when signaling that a vehicle is in the adjacent lane, and there's no way of turning off the audible alert.

　　

Storage

7.5/10

　　How’s the storage? At 15.3 cubic feet, the G80's trunk is above average for the segment, but its lack of folding rear seats makes the cargo space less usable than it could be. There's a small pass-through for longer items, however.

　　The driver and front passenger are treated to ample small-item storage space. A closable bin up front houses a USB port, an auxiliary input and a wireless charging pad. Small, padded door pockets further enhance front-seat storage, though they won't accommodate bottles.

　　

Fuel Economy

6.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates the G80 will get 18-21 mpg in combined city/highway driving, depending on the engine and the choice of rear- or all-wheel drive. In general, the G80 is thirstier than other players on the field, mainly because others have gone the route of smaller turbocharged engines.

　　

Value

8.0/10

　　Is the G80 a good value? Everything feels tightly integrated in the G80, and its wood trim is more befitting of the cabin's style than the carbon trim in the G80 Sport. The leather quality and the feel of the switchgear, however, aren't as supple or hefty when compared to materials in the G90 and other luxury class competitors.

　　But when it comes to value at the luxury level, Genesis can't be beat. The G80 undercuts its European competition by thousands of dollars. A loaded-up G80 can often be had for the price of a base BMW or Mercedes, for example. You won't find a stripped-down Genesis model because they don't exist.

　　

Wildcard

7.0/10

　　Genesis did a great job creating a decent-looking sedan that offers a lot of everyday comfort and value. It's still missing a soul of its own, so car people will always view it as an appliance rather than a member of the family. It would make for a great commuter car, but it's definitely not the type of car we'd gravitate to for the sake of driving pleasure.

　　

Which G80 does zzdcar recommend?

The only way to get the smooth and powerful turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 is in the 3.3T Sport trim, so that's the G80 we recommend. The base 3.8-liter V6 lacks the 3.3's snort and the V8, though smooth, isn't competitive with German rivals' top engines.

　　

2020 Genesis G80 models

Three trims are available across the G80 line: 3.8, 3.3T Sport and 5.0. The different numbers represent the type of engine in each car. Every G80 uses an eight-speed automatic transmission and can be configured with either rear-wheel or all-wheel drive.

　　Though the 3.8 is the starter G80, its 3.8-liter V6 pumps out a not-insignificant 311 horsepower and 293 lb-ft of torque. Standard feature highlights include 18-inch wheels, adaptive cruise control, leather seating and heated front seats. Two packages — Sport and Ultimate — ramp its features up to genuinely opulent levels (color head-up display, 17-speaker audio and premium leather upholstery).

　　The 3.3T Sport earns its title with turbocharged 365-hp 3.3-liter V6 and 376 lb-ft of torque. The 3.3T Sport also comes with 19-inch wheels, an adaptive suspension and carbon-fiber interior trim.

　　The 5.0 Ultimate's 5.0-liter V8 produces 420 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. It is fitted with all the features of the 3.8 Ultimate plus a few extras including 19-inch wheels and a simulated suede headliner.

　　

2020 G80 Highlights

Trim: 3.83.3T Sport5.0 Ultimate3.8

　　

Base MSRP	$42,550
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	21 MPG
Cost to Drive	$176/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	15.3 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles