2017 Genesis G80 Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
byDan Frio
Reviews Editor
Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to Edmunds, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.
Pros
- More affordable than similarly equipped luxury sedans
- Roomy and high-quality interior that stays very quiet at highway speeds
- Excellent crash test scores
- Long warranty coverage
Cons
- Doesn't soak up road bumps as well as competitors
- Rear seat headroom is a little tight for this class
What’s new
The 2017 Genesis G80 (formerly known as the Hyundai Genesis) gets a new name, additional standard features and revised package content. Several features from last year's Signature and Tech packages are now standard equipment, while the remaining options are bundled into the new Premium package. Smartphone integration via Android Auto and Apple CarPlay comes on all G80s with the standard touchscreen.
Vehicle overview
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.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2017 Genesis G80 3.8 4dr Sedan (3.8L 6cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.32 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$184/mo
G80 3.8
vs
$211/mo
Avg. Large Car
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.
Notably, we picked the 2017 Hyundai Genesis as one of Edmunds' Best Used Cars.
Edmunds' Expert Rating
A long list of features and a bargain price draw you in to the 2017 Genesis G80, but its quality interior and overall refinement might make you drive one home.
Driving
The 2017 G80 isn't a sport sedan, even with the 5.0 Ultimate's engine and transmission control parameters set to Sport mode. But most drivers should still be quite happy with the way it drives. Around turns, it responds precisely to steering inputs and has adequate grip for a sedan of its size, despite its hefty weight. The ride quality is decent enough, and it's never unruly, but it doesn't do as good of a job soaking up bumps as the luxury class leaders. The cabin, on the other hand, is impressively quiet, and you'll be hard-pressed to hear wind whoosh, tire whine or engine noise.
Both engines feel strong when it comes to acceleration. The V8 model clearly has more low-end punch and is the dictionary definition of a "smooth operator." From a numbers standpoint, this is the engine that keeps the Genesis competitive with other luxury sedans. But the V6 is strong enough that we think most shoppers will be quite happy with its performance.
Interior
Thanks to a long-for-the-class wheelbase, the 2017 G80 has a roomy cabin, with more interior volume than many rival sedans. This translates to an abundance of rear seat legroom, yet headroom in the rear remains at a bit of a premium, one of the few criticisms we can level at this palpably high-class cabin. The one other criticism is that although the front seats are highly adjustable, they aren't as comfortable over the long haul as the ones found in several rivals.
Materials on the dash, doors and seats are as good as any in the class, and there's not a visible interior piece or panel with even a whiff of cost-cutting. Capping it off is a meticulous level of assembly: Every panel and piece inside the G80 fits with intense precision that matches just about any premium sedan you'd care to compare from Germany or Japan.
Designers took a minimalist approach to the dashboard and center console, and we like how it brings a distinct airiness to the cabin. The center stack and center console aren't overwrought with buttons, controls or busy shapes. There's everything you need, but it's never in your way and never cluttered. We particularly like the simplicity and straightforward operation of the rotary-dial input for the navigation system.
Like the cabin, the trunk is expansive with a generous opening for easy loading. At 15.3 cubic feet, it's large for the segment.
2017 Genesis G80 models
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.