The Genesis’ G80 sedan is one of our favorites when it comes to recommending or even considering a flagship mid-size sedan. For the 2022 model year, it barely changed but there are some serious additions to the list like rear-wheel steering and an enhanced suspension. Can it be the ultimate mid-size luxury sedan among other leading options?

Overview

The SUV revolution in the U.S. did mess up the market share of other vehicle categories but luxury mid-size sedans are quite on the same level with a lot of options from the thriving German and Japanese brands like the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Audi A6, Lexus IS, and the Infiniti Q50. If you place the G80, it sits in the sweet spot between the G70 and the S-Class competitor G90, it is a great option if you look outside the German options. A few years back, the Asian carmaking companies were not as good as the Germans but fast-forwarding to 2022, we can proudly say that the competition has become tougher than we could have ever imagined. Hyundai is a world-renowned company for the budget segment and to give strong backing to its luxury sub-brand, the company has implemented every tech known to man-kind to the line-up. The end-product? Enter the 2022 G80 and you will be surprised about how beautiful it is crafted. The 2021 model year brought a whole lot of changes as it shifted to a new generation altogether. The changes are all carried forward to the 2022 model year along with hosts of improvements such as the enhanced suspension profile, redesigned front and rear bumpers for the Sport trim, adding rear-wheel steering, and a three-spoke steering wheel to the Sport trim. There are two available engine options - a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine and a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6. The former drives either the rear or all-four wheels while the latter engine drives all-four wheels by default. But that is not all, there are a lot of things you need to know before you make up your mind for the 2022 G80.

Trims and Features

Choosing a Genesis has always been easier because of its shorter trim list and the 2022 G80 is no different. This luxury mid-size sedan is segregated into two trims: 2.5T and the 3.5T Sport (previously 3.5T). The 2.5T gets a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-four engine and a rear-wheel drive setup as standard. AWD is optional with the mentioned trim. The 3.5T Sport is the top-tier trim among the two that boasts a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 and AWD as standard. The thing we love about Genesis cars is that they come fully loaded, and the G80 has good tech and features. Here is a detailed list of all the features available with the 2022 Genesis G80.

2.5T. } }

Price: $48,000.

- All LED exterior lighting.

- 18-inch alloys.

- Auto-defogging windshield.

- Rain-sensing wipers.

- Hands-free tailgate.

- Dual-zone automatic climate control.

- Ambient interior lighting.

- Leatherette upholstery.

- Power-adjustable tilt and telescopic steering wheel column.

- 12-way power-adjustable driver and front passenger seats.

- Multi-level heated front seats.

- Multi-level rear seats and steering wheel. (AWD only)

- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.

- 14.5-inch touchscreen display.

- SiriusXM.

- Navigation system.

- 12-speaker audio system.

- Genesis Connected Services.

- Parking sensors.

Standard driver assistance features fitted to the 2022 Genesis G80 are:

- Adaptive cruise control.

- Forward collision mitigation.

- Blindspot intervention.

- Blindspot monitoring.

- Lane-keeping assist.

- Driver attention warning.

- Evasive steering assist.

- Rear passenger safe-exit system.

Advanced package. } }

- Three-zone automatic climate control.

- Special wood trim.

- Ventilated front seats.

- Hands-free trunk closer.

- Panoramic sunroof.

- 21-speaker Lexicon audio system.

- Power rear window sunshade.

- 19-inch alloys.

Prestige package. } }

- Soft-close doors.

- Leather upholstery.

- Digital key connectivity via smartphone.

- Added power-adjustability for the driver seat.

- Rear-seat reminder.

- Heated steering wheel and rear seats. (with the RWD variant)

- Remote automated parking system.

- Rear automatic braking.

- Blindspot camera.

- 360-degree surround-view camera system.

- Wireless charging pad.

3.5T Sport. } }

Price: $63,450

- Sportier appearance with the grille, bumpers, exterior trim.

- Unique 19-inch alloy.

- Flat-bottomed steering wheel.

- Aluminum interior trim, paddle-shifters.

- Adaptive suspension.

- Upgraded front brakes.

- Ventilated front seats.

- Panoramic sunroof.

- Hands-free tailgate closer.

- Three-zone automatic climate control.

- 21-speaker Lexicon audio system.

- Soft-close doors.

- Leather upholstery.

- Digital key.

- Wireless charging pad.

- Added power-adjustability for the driver seat.

- Heated steering wheel and rear seats.

- Rear seat reminder.

- Blindspot camera.

- 360-degree surround-view camera.

Prestige package. } }

- Sport-tuned stability assist.

- 20-inch alloys.

- Premium leather upholstery.

- Microfiber suede headliner.

- Rear-wheel steering.

- 12.3-inch 3D driver information display.

- Carbon-fiber interior trim.

- Heads-up display.

- Active noise cancellation.

- Remote automated parking system.

- Rear automatic braking.

Prestige package. 0}

There is some controversy about how alien the looks of the new generation G80 are but we love it. It stands out because parts of it look modern and more majestic than the more conventional BMW 5 Series and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. We would say that the “Athletic Elegance” philosophy goes hand-in-hand with the G80. The front has a huge, angular, mesh intake grille with split LED headlights. The headlight design is sleek and unique. The lower grille spreads throughout the bumper while the hood has a nice round shape. The Genesis badging on the hood looks super cool. From the sides, the G80 looks quite like a big car, and since it has the longest wheelbase in the competition, there are second thoughts on that aspect. The standard wheels are 18 inchers but can be upgraded up to the 20-inch ones. The rear looks sexy too with the lip spoiler over the tailgate. The LED taillights match the front headlight design but are adjoined. Lastly, the twin tapered exhausts add up to complete the design. The G80 is a crowd-puller with looks such as an executive sedan but for half the price. A few of the exterior highlights are as follows:

- LED split headlights, DRLs, and taillights.

- Chrome-accented intake grille.

- 18-inch alloys fitted as standard.

- 19/20-inch optional wheels with performance tires.

- Optional panoramic sunroof.

- Twin exhaust tailpipes.

As far as the exterior dimensions go, the 2022 Genesis G80 is on the bigger side of the competition. You are looking at 196.7-inches in length, 75.8-inches of width, 57.7-inches of height, and a decent ground clearance of 5.5 inches. The wheelbase measures 118.5 inches, meaning that the G80 has the longest of it in the competition. The closest competitor would be the 5 Series with identical ground clearance, and somewhat similar numbers with an inch or two give or take. The curb weight of the G80 is rather on the higher side and weighs over 4,150 pounds.

2022 Genesis G80 Exterior Dimensions

Exterior: Genesis’ best design philosophy to date

Genesis was never this perfect in building an executive cabin that suited enthusiasts and those that want a tech-heavy experience. Enter the new G80 and you will see how the brand holds its own position in the segment. We bet that you won’t find a similar cabin design close to an executive sedan in the segment. The earlier generation G80 was never bad but had a few cost-cutting areas along with not the best cabin tech. Now, with the second generation G80, not only the design but the cabin quality has improved drastically. The dashboard has a floating design from the instrument panel hood and there sits atop a huge 14.5-inch touchscreen display. Gone are the soft-touch plastics, and now the dashboard is fully covered with faux leather. Similar materials are found on the door panels and lower dashboard trim. The higher 3.5T Sport upgrades the material quality to genuine leather on the dash and door trims. You’d be surprised that there are wooden inserts in the lower part of the dash and on the center console on the higher trim.

Speaking of which, the center console has a rounded drive selector and a few buttons for controlling the infotainment system. As standard, there is a leather-wrapped steering wheel that is power-adjustable. Yes, you get all of these by default. The steering wheel is a little weirdly shaped but we love it. It is different and if you don’t like it, Genesis has an optional three-spoke sports steering wheel which is a bit more conventional. The only thing that might bug you would be the absence of a fully digital instrument console. We mean, it is not completely absent. You still get a smaller multi-information display but it sits in between the analog dials. Also, the Prestige package with the 3.5T Sport offers a 12.3-inch 3D driver information display similar to what you can get with the S-Class. Sounds cool, right? If you ask us, we would happily give away the thought of having a fully digital instrument console. The standard feature list is so huge and definitely better than what the Germans offer.

As for the seats, the front gets two 12-way power-adjustable front seats. Genesis was kind enough to add multi-level heated front seats as standard. With the 2.5T AWD, you can unlock the heated steering wheel and even extend heating to the rear seats. The standard seats are leatherette covered but are nice and comfortable. The Sport trim gets a microfiber suede headliner and leatherette padding on the pillars, adding to the opulent feeling. The cabin is decently spacious for a sedan and five people would easily fit inside. The driving ergonomics are perfect for a luxury sedan. You will sit low but you can adjust your sitting position anytime along with the steering column. With the utmost delight, we are here to tell you that the G80’s cabin is one of the best in terms of spaciousness. The front row has 41.1-inch headroom whereas the shoulder room is set to 58.3 inches. The Audi A6 and the Lexus IS are very close to each other at around 38 inches while the E-Class has the lowest headroom of 37.3 inches. While the majority of the competition is quite spacious in the front row, the rear row is all cramped up but not the G80. You will get a class-leading 38.1 inches of headroom back there which is about an inch or two higher than the usuals and good legroom of 38.7 inches. Be it a business trip or a family getaway, the rear seats will be the most comfortable place to be in especially if you like the whole executive-sedan feeling for a much lesser price.

Behind the rear seats, there are 13.1 cubic feet of boot space which is decent-ish, nothing special like the 5 Series’ 18.7 cubic feet. A few of the 2022 Genesis G80’s standout interior features are as follows:

- Three-zone automatic climate control.

- Leather-wrapped steering wheel.

- Aluminum paddle-shifters.

- Wooden trim on the dashboard and center console.

- Carbon fiber trim on the dashboard.

- Wireless charging pad.

- Premium leather upholstery.

- Microfiber suede headliner.

- 12.3-inch 3D instrument console.

- Power-adjustable and heated steering wheel.

- 12-way power-adjustable driver and front passenger seat with multi-level heating.

- Rear seat multi-level heating.

2022 Genesis G80 Interior Dimensions

Completing the wholesome cabin experience would be the intelligent infotainment system that starts with the 14.5-inch touchscreen display sitting on the top of the dash. It might be a bit uncomfortable for the driver to reach out and change or apply settings, so Genesis has implemented a touchpad-based controller on the center console and even voice assistance for hassle-less interaction. We have always praised how Genesis has incorporated their thoughts and processes into Hyundai’s system to make it look different. We wish to say the same to Lexus, Infiniti, and Acura’s systems. That said, the system is smooth and lag-free, mostly. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay wireless connectivity come standard with the 2022 Genesis G80. All the infotainment system features available with the 2022 G80 are as follows:

- Satellite radio.

- Navigation system.

- Ambient interior lighting.

- Genesis Connected Services.

- 21-speaker Lexicon audio system. (Optional)

- 360-degree surround-view camera system. (Optional)

- Active noise cancellation. (Optional)

- Heads-up display. (Optional)

Interior: Sumptuous, spacious, and what not!

The outgoing model year brought two new powertrains to the party which, in our opinion, has been the wisest among other necessary upgrades. The base engine on offer is a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-four which is no doubt the most powerful four-pot fitted as a standard engine. It puts out 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet, through the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is available with the 2.5T but only as an optional upgrade. However, for your young and athletic minds, the 3.5T Sport gets powered by a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-6. This engine adds about 75 horses and 80 pound-feet more to the G80 and that makes it a lot faster too. Now, if you compare the G80 with the other leading competitors, their base engines are relatively less powerful and much slower in the real world. But you can get more engine options with them, even the mild hybrid ones like the 5 Series and the Audi A6. If you take both the G80 trims to a drag strip or an empty street, the 3.5T Sport will show its true power by accelerating up to 60 miles per hour in 4.9 seconds compared to the 2.5T’s 5.7 seconds. The standing quarter-mile, however, was no whitewash for the lower trim and the V-6 equipped G80 completes the run in 13.4 seconds while the base four-pot powered G80 does it in 14.1 seconds.

The G80’s demeanor is something like an S-Class, and by which we mean that it drives like a flagship executive sedan. Genesis has made comfort more of a priority than making it more like a sports sedan, just like the Germans. A lot of you might actually like that but don’t forget that a luxury sedan like G80 is enjoyed just as much from the rear seat. In simpler words, the handling characteristics are not similar to that of the BMW M5 or the Mercedes-AMG E63. The steering wheel has a nice heft to it and turns around effortlessly. You can get the rear-wheel steering for better maneuverability at lower to moderate speeds. The 3.5T Sport has adaptive suspension and an even sportier braking system to make you feel confident on the road. In our test drive of the outgoing model year, we experienced a pleasant yet up to the mark driveability which we couldn’t complain about much. We feel that Genesis knowingly made the G80 to drive just the way executive sedans should be driven. Most importantly, the whole package is cheaper than its German rivals.

2022 Genesis G80 Performance Stats

Performance and Handling: Power-packed from the get-go

Mileage figures are one of the areas where the G80 falls short but that’s okay-ish given that both the engines are powerful. Surely, the Germans shine in this category of their heavily optimized engine. The EPA rates the base 2.5-liter engine equipped G80 23 miles per gallon in the city, 32 miles per gallon on the highways, and combined figures of 26 miles per gallon. These figures are with the rear-wheel drive setup while the all-wheel drive drops them further to 22/30/25. The more powerful 3.5T Sport with its 3.5-liter V-6 is a bit more thirsty and returns about 17 miles per gallon in the city, 26 miles per gallon on the highways, and 20 miles per gallon combined. Genesis packs a 17.2-gallon gas tank with the base G80 and that will return about 440 miles combined which is not bad at all. The 3.5T Sport, however, has a bigger 19.3-gallon tank and that will deliver about 385 miles per full tank. Genesis knowingly installed a bigger tank to suffice the lower fuel economy brought by its more powerful 3.5T Sport trim.

2022 Genesis G80 Fuel Economy

Fuel Economy

Oh, you don’t need to worry about that. The new G80 is not only feature-packed but also has been put together very well. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has rated the same with 5 stars while the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has fully tested and has awarded the “Top Safety Pick+” award. Keeping all the safety ratings aside, the G80 is packed with some serious driver assistance features which do not come standard with its German rivals. You can actually get the base 2.5T and experience self-driving tech without spending a few thousand dollars like you have to with the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and the Audi A6. Rest assured, the list is just below.

- Adaptive cruise control with stop & go.

- Blindspot intervention.

- Blindspot monitoring.

- Lane-keeping assist.

- Lane-departure warning.

- Automatic emergency braking.

- Evasive steering assist.

- Driver attention warning.

- Blindspot camera. (Optional)

- Rear automatic braking. (Optional)

How safe is the 2022 Genesis G80?

Without any doubt, yes. The Genesis G80 will serve you like a loyal dog from Day 1 because coming from Hyundai, reliability is something you don’t have to worry about. Secondly, the price. It is one of the cheapest if not the cheapest among other luxury sedans. The BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and the Audi A6 are all pricier, about $5,000-8,000 more than the asking price of the G80. But are you compromising by paying less? Nothing. In fact, you will get access to a lot of the newer tech without paying a lot of money. The performance, comfort, tech, safety, everything is just the way it should be and sometimes even better.

How much does the 2022 Genesis G80 cost?

How fast is the 2022 Genesis G80?

How efficient is the 2022 Genesis G80?

Is the Genesis G80 better than the BMW 5 Series?

FAQ

Q: How much does the 2022 Genesis G80 cost?

The starting price of the latest G80 is $48,000 without the destination charges.

Q: How fast is the 2022 Genesis G80?

Car And Driver recorded the base 2.5T to clock 60 mph in 5.7 seconds while the 3.5T takes 4.9 seconds. Quarter mile timings are 14.1 seconds and 13.4 seconds consecutively.

Q: How efficient is the 2022 Genesis G80?

The EPA rates the mid-tier Genesis sedan with 23/32/26 for City/Highway/Combined in its RWD guise. The 3.5-liter V-6 equipped G80 gets 17/26/20 for City/Highway/Combined.

Q: Is the Genesis G80 better than the BMW 5 Series?

Yes, mostly. The G80 is priced less, is a great overall package in its default attire, and is decently powerful. Whereas the 5 Series is a BMW, that’s it. And of course, the powertrain options are great. The 5 Series is a good car, only if you want to pay more. Germans do not play free.