The first generation Genesis G80 first came to the U.S. in late 2016 and was sold as a 2017 model. Since then, the G80 can be found in almost 50,000 driveways throughout the country. In 2020, the G80 received new life for its second generation with a facelift.

Now, compared to most luxury vehicles, it seems like the G80 hasn't gained traction in the hearts of those in the market for a luxury sedan. To find out more, I had the keys for a week to a Genesis G80, during which I was able to determine why it should or shouldn't be the go-to luxury sedan.

Exterior Styling

The Genesis G80 is a sleek and beautifully sculpted body. The wheels (Prestige Package option) that hold the tires complement the big shield grille. The headlight and tail light assemblies match one another in shape and form but serve different purposes. Both of which allure the eyes of a passerby. A prominent line runs from over the front wheel and to the tail light, gradually becoming more defined the further back it goes.

As for the back of the G80, the edges and complimentary lines come together in a stylish and attractive rear end. As a finishing touch, the exhaust tips resemble the front grille's shape. The G80 is of larger proportions than some cars. It is 196.7 inches long, 75.8 inches wide, and 57.7 inches tall. The G80 has a wheelbase of 118.5 inches.

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Interior Design

If you think the G80 is beautiful on the outside, the inside is just as impressive. The metal, carbon fiber, plastic, and leather trim exuberate the environment of the G80's interior and give it a proper purpose of luxury. Even the stitching patterns on the seats exemplify this aspect. As seen in the GV70 I previously reviewed, my favorite feature of the interior of the G80 is the crystal-like gear dial.

With every luxury vehicle, seat comfort and support are vital when coming to a decision. The G80 has that for anyone in the market looking to buy a luxury family sedan. This becomes especially important for long stints on the road or vacations. After a long trip, I never had any aches or fatigue as I've experienced on other car's I've reviewed.

Speaking of seats, I was able to sit behind myself (I am is 6 foot 2 inches in height) with next to zero issues of being uncomfortable in every seat. And as for trunk space, you can fit a couple of suitcases in there for the family for a week's or so getaway with room to spare. Front legroom in the G80 offers up to 42.5 inches. Rear legroom offers up to 38.7 inches. As for cargo space in the trunk, 13.1 cubic feet of space is available.

Comfort and Convenience Features That Stood Out

• Heated and ventilated powered front seats
• Ergonomic (Ergo Motion) driver seat
• Heated rear seats
• Adjustable ambient lighting
• 3-zone climate
• 14.5-inch infotainment system with Bluetooth, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay
• AM/FM/XM HD Radio
• Wireless device charger
• Lexicon premium audio with 21 speakers
• Prestige Package Option ($6,300): Nappa leather seating surfaces, microfiber suede headliner and pillars, remote parking assist, heads-up display, 12.3-inch 3D instrument cluster, carbon fiber trim
• Power door closure
• Heated and power tilt and telescoping steering wheel

RELATED: 2022 Genesis G80 Sport

Performance

The twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 under the hood of the G80 produces 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Power goes to all four wheels through the G80's 8-speed automatic transmission.

As for acceleration, the G80 gets off the line aggressively and smoothly. Going through the gears feels more controlled and rational than you would want if you were driving a sports sedan. But that is what the Genesis G80 is all about; smooth and linear to keep away drama Acceleration is no different.

Ride comfort in the G80 proved to be remarkably well. The electronically controlled suspension with Sport Tuning (Prestige Package) kept the G80 from overreacting to the pothole-riddled roads of New Jersey and felt like floating on clouds on the better asphalt. Steering was tight, direct, and balanced thanks to the rear-wheel steering (Prestige Package). The brakes, on the other hand, seemed to fade when trying to stop under heavy braking.

Coming to gas mileage, with my driving habits, I was able to achieve 18 mpg. After driving almost 260 miles from a full tank, I still had 80 miles left in the range until I reached empty. The fuel tank capacity is 17.2 gallons in the G80.

Safety Features That Stood Out

• Forward Attention Warning (Prestige Package)
• Parking Collision Avoidance Assist in the rear (Prestige Package)
• 10-airbags
• Smart cruise control with Stop and Go
• Forward collision avoidance assist with pedestrian/cyclist detection
• Lane change assist
• Highway driving assist II
• Driver attention warning
• Lane keep assist
• Blind-spot collision-avoidance assist
• Rear cross-traffic avoidance assist
• Parking distance warning (front and rear)
• Ultrasonic rear occupant alert
• Surround-view and blind-spot view monitor

Key Issues I Had With The G80

There wasn't much to complain about with the G80. The only issue that I could find was that the drive mode for some reason would always revert back to "Comfort" after shutting off the car in "Custom." I always have cars like the G80 set up in "Custom."

My "Custom" setup on a luxury car that offers one is "Eco" or similar, based on the engine configuration. Every setting after that is set to comfort including suspension and steering. On the G80, at every initial start-up, it would be in "Comfort" mode. So, I would have to change it to "Custom" drive mode every time I started the G80 up.

Pricing, Warranties, and Competitors

So, how much does this Genesis G80 AWD 3.5T Sport Prestige cost? After adding up the cost of the Prestige Package ($6,300), the Makalu grey paint ($575), and the freight and handling fee ($1,095) to the starting price of $63,700, the total price comes to $71,670. The base model G80 (2.5T) starts at $48,000. That is more than a $23,000 price difference with the tested model. The mid-range G80 (2.5T Prestige) started at the price of $56,900. That is over a $12,000 price difference from the tested model.

As far as the warranties, the G80 has some of the best in the market. The new vehicle warranty covers up to five years or 60,000 miles. The powertrain warranty covers up to 10 years or 100,000 miles. The anti-perforation warranty offers up to seven years with unlimited miles. It is hard to beat warranties like the ones Genesis offers.

The G80 does have some fierce competitors. For instance, the G80 goes up against the Audi A7, BMW 5-series, and the Volvo S90. The Audi A7 starts at $69,200. The BMW 5-series starts at $54,200. The Volvo S90 starts at $52,850. Out of the competition, I would avoid the Audi A7 over the rest, due to my previous experiences with Audi vehicles. But it would be a tough choice to choose between the Volvo (for safety) and the Genesis (warranties).

RELATED: The 2023 Genesis G80 Is An Ultra-Posh Mercedes-Killing Midsize Luxury Sedan

Conclusion

So, is the Genesis G80 the go-to luxury sedan for the family? In short, yes it is. Sure, it breaks the bank a bit (this particular model) but it is one of the most aesthetically pleasing vehicles on the road today. Not only that, but the warranties make it almost worth its price tag.

Not all cars on the market have the warranties offered by Genesis. While other manufacturers already have built up their name, Genesis is still working on it by providing not only warranties but beautifully designed cars that are as luxurious as the big shots. The only difference is that any Genesis is a Hyundai in most, if not all, aspects. Once people get over that, they can learn to appreciate the luxury manufacturer name of Genesis.