2017 Genesis G80

The launch of the Genesis sedan in 2009 signaled that Hyundai was serious about its plan to shift the way American consumers thought about its brand and cars. Like the rest of Hyundai's vehicles, the Genesis offered a strong value proposition. But it was significantly more upscale than the rest of Hyundai's offerings and even provided a launching point for the arrival of the Equus luxury sedan a couple years later. For once, the concept of winning the Super Bowl and driving off in a Hyundai wasn't insulting.

Now the Genesis is being tasked with doing it again. Hyundai has spun off its luxury-focused cars to create a new brand, and the result is the 2017 Genesis G80. "Genesis" is now the name of the new brand, and G80 is the car. (The Equus will be called the G90.) To go along with the change the G80 also gets additional standard feature content this year. Features that were optional on last year's model, including a power-adjustable steering wheel, lane departure warning and blind-spot monitoring are now included on all G80s. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are also new for this year, allowing users to control smartphone functions such as navigation and audio playback through the touchscreen. Note that the upgraded 9.2-inch touchscreen in Ultimate models lacks Android Auto and CarPlay compatibility.

Just like last year's Genesis, nothing can match the G80's value for the money. But there are better luxury sedans if you're willing to pay more. The sporty Cadillac CTS comes to mind, as does the refined and supple Lexus GS 350. If you have extra-deep pockets, the BMW 5 Series is a perennial favorite, and the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class will floor you with its meticulously crafted cabin. The G80 might not have the panache or brand recognition of these rivals, but you also won't have to take out a second mortgage just to get a truly desirable midsize luxury sedan.

The 2017 Genesis G80 comes standard with antilock brakes, traction and stability control, active front head restraints, dual front airbags, front and rear side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and a driver-side knee airbag. Also standard is Genesis Connected Services, an SOS button, a vehicle locator, on-demand roadside assistance, remote door unlocking and remote start, stolen vehicle slowdown/immobilization/recovery and turn-by-turn navigation.

Standard advanced safety features include blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning and intervention, frontal collision warning and an automatic emergency braking system. Front and rear parking sensors are optional.

In Edmunds brake testing, a 2015 Hyundai Genesis 3.8 AWD came to a stop from 60 mph in just 109 feet while the Genesis 5.0 took 112 feet, both excellent stopping distances.

In government crash tests, the Genesis G80 earned a five-star overall rating, along with five-star ratings for its performance in front- and side-impact crash tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the G80 the best possible rating of Good in its moderate-overlap front-impact, small-overlap front-impact, side-impact, roof strength and head restraint (whiplash protection) tests.

The 2017 Genesis G80 is a full-size, rear-wheel-drive luxury sedan available in 3.8 (V6) and 5.0 (V8) models, with all-wheel drive as an option for the 3.8 model.

Standard features for the G80 3.8 include 18-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights with automatic high-beam control, LED daytime running lights, a rearview camera, heated mirrors, automatic wipers, adaptive cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless ignition and entry, auto-dimming mirrors, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and lane departure warning and intervention.

Inside you'll find heated eight-way power front seats (with four-way power lumbar), leather upholstery, a power-adjustable steering wheel and driver memory settings. Technology features include an 8-inch touchscreen interface, navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, Bluetooth connectivity, the Genesis Connected Services telematics system, and a seven-speaker audio system with a CD player, an auxiliary audio jack, a USB port, HD radio and satellite radio.

All-wheel-drive models also come with headlight washers, heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel.

There are two options packages for the G80 3.8: Premium and Ultimate.

The Premium package includes LED foglights, front and rear parking sensors, dynamic parking guidelines for the rearview camera, a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, a power rear sunshade, manual side window shades, a Lexicon 14-speaker audio system and an upgraded 7-inch driver information display

The Ultimate package builds upon the Premium package, adding a power trunklid, premium leather upholstery, additional driver seat adjustments (thigh cushion extension and side bolsters), matte-wood and aluminum trim, a head-up display, a 9.2-inch touchscreen, a Lexicon 17-speaker audio system, and a carbon-dioxide sensor for the climate control system. Choosing this package deletes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality.

The G80 5.0 Ultimate has all the content of the Ultimate package (minus the sunshades), a 5.0-liter V8, 19-inch wheels, quad exhaust tips and illuminated doorsill plates.

The 2017 Genesis G80 has two engine choices: a 3.8-liter V6 and a 5.0-liter V8. Both are paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles. The V6-powered G80 comes standard with rear-wheel drive but can be fitted with optional all-wheel drive. The V8 is rear-drive only.

The 2017 Genesis G80 3.8 comes with a 3.8-liter V6 rated at 311 horsepower and 293 pound-feet of torque. The EPA's estimated fuel economy for the rear-drive G80 3.8 is 22 mpg in combined driving (18 city/28 highway). Selecting all-wheel drive drops that to 19 mpg combined (16 city/25 highway).

The Genesis G80 5.0 has a 5.0-liter V8 engine that produces 420 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. Estimated fuel economy is 18 mpg combined (15 city/23 highway).

At the Edmunds test track, a 2015 Hyundai Genesis 3.8 AWD sprinted from zero to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds, which is slower than average for a midsize luxury sedan with a base engine. The V8 is quicker at 5.3 seconds.