Think what you want about Hyundai, but they are just not giving up. A trip from ridiculed, cheap cars in the past to one of the big players in the present was forged with determination. They gazed in the premium and then dared in 2008 with Genesis model, they enter ST, MPS, GTI segments and they are going to dare with N-performance. Now the first premium like Korean model received a mild refresh. Just to not be confused, Genesis became a separate brand in 2015, so Hyundai Genesis model from 2008 became Genesis G80 in 2015. Let’s see if Acura or Infinity have something to worry about.
CHANGES
Refresh brought BMW like changes, subtle but effective, not something that we are used to getting from Hyundai. Exterior is mildly tweaked but enough to keep it fresh looking, while new 18-inch wheels are offered for the base model.
Everything under the hood stays the same as 3.8-liter V-6 and bigger 5.0-liter V-8, together with the rest of its mechanicals, go untouched. Nothing more representative happened in the cabin since only Genesis fan could point to differences as shift knob that is now T-shaped and the instrument cluster that ditches digital coolant temperature and fuel-level readouts for analog gauges.
REAL CHANGE
Real change is the new version- G80 Sport! Refine, sportier look with more aggressive bumpers, mesh grille and cultivated lower-body kit. Under the hood, we feature something new like the 365-hp 3.3-liter twin turbocharged V-6 from the larger G90, former Equus, that has found its way down here.
Interesting would be to see whether weight with new V6 falls close to the weight of the older 3.8-liter unit and if that is the case, new V6 could outperform the top of the line 5.0-liter, despite lacking 55 hp compared to it.
EQUIPMENT
As expected the 2018 Genesis G80 Sport will be generously equipped when it goes on sale in spring of 2017. Standard equipment includes sports seats with copper-hued stitching, carbon-fiber dashboard trim, aluminum pedals, adaptive LED headlights, a 17-speaker Lexicon audio system, a Qi wireless smartphone charging pad, and the largest of G80’s a 9.2-inch infotainment unit.
Buyers can choose between black or gray interior color schemes as well as two colors, Polar Ice and Sevilla Red, reserved just for the Sport model.
DRIVE
Regular G80 offered a smooth and quiet ride, but handling and cornering left big space for improvements. It is a big luxury sedan, but there is nothing wrong to feel urge from time to time to push adrenaline level higher as you take twisty back roads in the countryside. This is the void that could be filled with Sport model so that Genesis could encircle the story with G80 now.
2018 Genesis G80 Video
OVERALL
If it weren’t for new Sport model, all changes would be just subtle. This way offer is completed, for those searching for luxury but still an affordable sedan, with a desire to sit in the well-equipped cabin while quietly gliding on the pavement, or for those looking for extra frills from the big limousine, with a dash of sportier look without spoiling origins of the car. As said Hyundai is just sticking to its story and while we watch as they continuously climb the ladder, don’t forget about G80 while considering executive segment.
