The 2021 Genesis G80 Is a Stunning 5-Series Fighter
Genesis, Hyundai's luxury sub-brand, revealed its all-new mid-size G80 sedan last night. Set to compete against cars like the BMW 5-Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and Audi A6, it brings some stunning looks, a new rear-wheel-drive design, and two turbo powertrains to the table. We're interested.
The G80's looks are pure Genesis. It uses the same upside-down pentagon grille and quad-rectangle headlight design as the company's GV80 SUV. It's no coincidence the two cars also share the same platform. The car is 249 pounds lighter than before thanks to use of aluminum in the chassis, and comes with a choice of two turbocharged engines: a base 2.5-liter inline-four making 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, and an optional twin-turbo 3.3-liter V-6 making 375 horsepower and 291 lb-ft of torque. Overseas, a 2.2-liter turbodiesel inline-four making 210 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque will also be available. Sadly, the 5.0-liter V-8 from the last-gen car is no longer an option. Both engine trims coming to the U.S. will send power to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission, and can be equipped with all-wheel drive.
The interior is a major step up, with a clean, minimalist design and some upscale materials. The 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster is paired to a massive 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen mounted on top of the dash. Thankfully, there are still some real buttons underneath for the climate control. There's also a bunch of safety tech onboard, including smart cruise control with "machine learning," forward collision assist, and blind-spot monitoring.
Genesis says the G80 won't arrive at dealerships until the second half of this year. It hasn't released pricing for the new G80, though our colleagues at Car and Driver predict a starting price under $50,000 and a fully optioned price around $70,000.
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