Whereas its title could also be acquainted, the brand new 2021 Genesis G80 shouldn’t merely be thought of a successor to the outdated automotive. In truth, it’s so superior to the automotive it replaces that it must be seen by way of a distinct lens fully. It’s a correct rival to the likes of the BMW 5-Sequence and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, however for a lot much less cash.

Instantly differentiating the brand new G80 from its predecessor are the daring new appears, headlined by the model’s now-customary quad head- and taillights. It has such highway presence that a minimum of three folks advised me it regarded like a Bentley throughout my one-week take a look at of the automotive. Given how comparable the Genesis badge is to the badge utilized by Bentley, it’s straightforward to grasp how the G80 fools different motorists. Additional including to its premium look are the huge entrance grille and the lengthy, modern silhouette.

A G80 to swimsuit each style

Two variants of the 2021 G80 are offered in Australia. The entry-level mannequin that we examined has a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 300 hp (224 kW) and 311 lb-ft (422 Nm) of torque. This engine is coupled to an eight-speed automated transmission that drives the rear wheels. Pricing begins at a really cheap AU$84,900 (US$64,500) plus on-road prices, undercutting probably the most reasonably priced E-Class by AU$16,000 (US$12,160).

These in search of extra energy may go for the brand new 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 producing 374 hp (279 kW) and 391 lb-ft (530 Nm). This mannequin additionally makes use of an eight-speed automated however comes as customary with all-wheel drive and is on the market from AU$99,900 (US$75,900).

Loaded with tech

There may be an abundance of ordinary options discovered within the 2021 G80, no matter which engine is fitted. Clients get a 12-inch head-up show, panoramic sunroof, wi-fi smartphone charging, dual-zone local weather management, 12-way adjustable entrance seats with heated and cooled capabilities, a superb ambient lighting system, the automaker’s newest 14.5-inch infotainment display screen, and a 21-speaker Lexicon sound system.

There are additionally a plethora of passive and energetic security options, together with a 360-degree surround-view monitor with a 3D perform, driver consideration warning, blind-spot collision avoidance help, ahead collision avoidance help with automotive, bike owner and pedestrian detection, and a rear occupant alert to make sure no youngsters are left behind.

Clients may go for a Luxurious Package deal that provides a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster with a 3D perform, Nappa leather-based, soft-close doorways, an 18-way adjustable driver’s seat with therapeutic massage capabilities, three-zone local weather management, and suede throughout the roof and pillars. The pack additionally contains two 9.2-inch monitor for rear-seat passengers and prices AU$13,000 (US$9,880).

Watch Additionally: Whether Or Not The 2021 Genesis G80 Can Take Down The E-Class, It’ll Go Down Swinging

As talked about, our take a look at automotive featured the two.5-liter engine and lacked the Luxurious Package deal. Nonetheless, it didn’t really feel in need of luxurious.

The inside of the brand new G80 is worlds past the outdated automotive and is a pleasure to spend time in, no matter whether or not you’re within the entrance or the second row. The seats are extremely supportive and very like the smaller G70, will be lowered by a substantial quantity, leading to a near-perfect driving place.

The apparent standout of the cabin is the infotainment display screen. It may be operated by way of the touchscreen or by way of a controller within the middle console, with the controller being the extra handy of the 2. The brand new UI utilized by this technique, in addition to new Hyundai and Kia fashions, is an enormous enchancment over the outdated one and could be very conscious of all inputs.

Elsewhere, the entry-level G80 lands with a semi-digital gauge cluster that could be very clear, though at this worth level, it might be good if the all-digital one got here as customary. Different key cabin highlights embody the wood accents and knurled metallic knobs used to manage capabilities just like the HVAC and wing mirrors. It feels each bit as premium as an E-Class, though the plastic steering wheel buttons do really feel slightly low cost.

The second row is simply as spectacular because the entrance and on this base mannequin contains sunglasses. Little doubt one of many promoting factors of the brand new G80 is the aforementioned 21-speaker audio system. Whereas good, I wasn’t blown away by the sound high quality. What I used to be blown away by, nonetheless, was the automotive’s augmented actuality satellite tv for pc navigation system that overlays instructions on a reside picture supplied by the sedan’s front-facing digital camera.

Extra dynamic, extra refined

Driving the brand new 2021 Genesis G80 is a completely completely different expertise in comparison with the outdated automotive.

One of the vital spectacular options is the brand new 2.5-liter engine. Whereas down on energy from the three.5-liter twin-turbo V6, the turbocharged four-cylinder offers the luxurious sedan with greater than sufficient grunt, leading to a automotive that’s truly fairly brisk and pulls by way of the gears very nicely. It feels considerably smoother and extra responsive than the two.0-liter turbo of probably the most reasonably priced G70 variant.

Fashions outfitted with the V6 come as customary with adaptive dampers and whereas the two.5T has fastened dampers, it nonetheless delivers a really compliant and mushy journey. The automotive can also be nicely insulated and engine and tire noise are stored to a minimal.

Must you need to drive the G80 in a sportier method, you possibly can toggle by way of the completely different driving modes to alter issues like the burden of the steering. Whereas the automotive handles when being pushed by way of sweeping turns, it by no means feels fully at house doing so, as an alternative encouraging you to gradual issues down and drive in a smoother, extra relaxed method. Ought to Genesis resolve to create a Sport variant of the brand new G80, it should little doubt be extra at house alongside mountain roads.

Fills the luxurious sedan transient to a tee

I walked away from my week with the 2021 Genesis G80 2.5T very impressed. The automaker claims the two.5-liter returns 8.6 l/100 km (27.35 US MPG) over the mixed cycle and I wasn’t far off hitting that quantity, regardless of primarily driving the automotive in city, start-stop site visitors.

Nonetheless, it’s not the gas effectivity over the three.8-liter V6 of the previous-generation mannequin that’s the most spectacular side of the brand new automotive. As a substitute, it’s how rather more luxurious it’s. Genesis has clearly acknowledged the truth that to rival the Germans, in addition to Lexus, it wanted to start out from scratch and design a cabin that doesn’t really feel like a Hyundai inside that has been spruced up with some good leather-based. That’s precisely what it has executed.

Photograph credit: Brad Anderson/CarScoops