A FORGOTTEN MID-SIZE LUXURY SPORTS SEDAN THAT RIVALS THE BEST FROM EUROPE

Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Audi A6, and BMW 5 Series are usually the top picks for buyers shopping for a gas-powered mid-size luxury sedan. And that's for good reason, as these European models offer a great package in terms of performance, luxury, tech, and comfort.

But the latest-gen Genesis G80 is an excellent alternative to these segment toppers. It's a handsome car with a powerful engine line-up, loads of tech, and high-end luxury. It's based on the same platform as the GV80 SUV, which is designed by an ex-BMW engineer - promising to offer an engaging drive.

With prices kicking off at $55,345 for the base 2.5T trim, the G80 is cheaper than these mid-size luxury sedans from Europe. Though it weighs 4495 pounds, its turbocharged engines offer great gas mileage. And for those seeking higher efficiency, Genesis also sells the Electrified G80 in the States.

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The Genesis G80 Comes With A Quick And Powerful Engine Line-Up

2024 Genesis G80: Specs

The 2024 G80 has two engine options: a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-four and a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6. The four-pot motor produces 300 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, while the twin-turbo V6 cranks out 375 hp with 391 lb-ft of torque.

Both engines come with an eight-speed automatic, and all-wheel drive is standard across the range. Models equipped with the turbo four can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, while V6 G80s can do the same sprint in 4.9 seconds.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class gets two engine options for its non-AMG versions. The base engine is a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four in the E350 models, producing 255 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. It's available with either rear or all-wheel drive.

The E450 has a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The combo produces 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, with power going to all the wheels through Mercedes' 4Matic all-wheel drive system. The E350 can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 6 seconds, while the E450 reduces the time to 4.9 seconds.

The Audi A6 also comes with two powertrains: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6. The smaller engine produces 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. At the same time, the bigger V6 pumps out 335 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. Both motors are available with mild-hybrid tech, using a 12 or 48-volt system.

A seven-speed automatic and Audi's brilliant Quattro all-wheel drive is standard across the A6's line-up. The 45 TFSI trims equipped with the turbo four-cylinder can achieve 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, while the 55 TFSI models that get the turbo V6 can reach 60 mph in 5.1 seconds.

The BMW 5 Series offers three powertrains to choose from. The entry-level 530i gets a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four that produces 248 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. While the mid-level 540i comes with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, cranking out 335 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque.

The top-spec M550i gets a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 that's good for 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. All models are equipped with an eight-speed automatic, while rear-wheel drive is standard with BMW's xDrive available across all trims.

As you can see, the G80's engine line-up is the most powerful compared to its European rivals, offering quicker acceleration for its four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines. Only the BMW 540i xDrive is faster than the Genesis. Its inline-six can push the 5-Series to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds - 0.1 quicker than the G80.

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The Genesis G80 Offers Impressive Interior Space

2024 Genesis G80: Interior

Besides offering powerful engines that perform better than its European rivals, the G80 also offers more interior space. It has the highest front headroom of 41.1 inches, with the E-Class, 5-Series, and A6 offering 37.9 inches, 38.8 inches, and 38 inches, respectively.

At 38.2 inches, the rear headroom in the G80 is evenly matched with the European models. The E-Class also offers 38.2 inches, with the 5-Series offering 37.5 inches and the A6 38.1 inches.

The front legroom in the G80 is also the highest - 42.2 inches. The 5-Series trails close behind with 41.4 inches, with both E-Class and A6 offering 41.3 inches of legroom for the first row.

The G80 takes the top spot in offering the best legroom for the second row, having 38.7 inches of space. The Audi A6 comes second with 37.4 inches, with the E-Class and 5-Series trailing behind at 35.8 inches and 36.5 inches, respectively.

Where the G80 falls short is in the cargo area. It has 13.1 cu-ft of luggage space, slightly smaller than the 5-Series' 14 cu-ft and A6's 13.7 cu-ft. The E-Class has the same cargo area as the G80.

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The Genesis G80 Comes With The Biggest Displays

In terms of tech, the G80 comes with a 12.3-inch digital driver's display and a 14.5-inch central infotainment screen. The huge screen can be controlled through a circular knob on the center console or the buttons on the steering wheel. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard across the G80's line-up.

Like the G80, the E-Class also gets a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. It shares the same display unit with the 12.3-inch central screen, featuring a different layout than the G80, where the infotainment unit pops out separately from the dashboard. The E-Class comes with Mercedes' MBUX infotainment system that is standard with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

The 5-Series and the A6 both also offer digital driver displays. While the 5-Series gets a 12.3-inch infotainment unit, the A6 receives a smaller 10.1-inch display.

Genesis G80's Prices Are Evenly Matched With The European Rivals

Prices for the G80 start at $55,345 for the base 2.5T that comes with the turbo four-cylinder. The top-spec 3.5T Sport Prestige would set you back by $74,045. However, you'd have to shell out $57,900 for the entry-level E-Class and spend $66,700 for the range-topping E450 sedan.

The base Audi A6 retails at $58,395, with prices increasing to $71,995 for the top-spec Prestige 55 with the V6 motor. The 5-Series kicks off at $56,995 for the entry-level 530i. At the same time, you'd have to spend $63,895 for the 540i. But if you want the M550i with the twin-turbo V8, prices go up to $82,495.

Is The Genesis G80 Worth Buying?

The 2024 G80 comes with an impressive engine line-up. It's also spacious on the inside and offers a decent amount of tech. There are loads of features on offer across its variant line-up, with the latest driver assistance and safety systems also available. It is neck and neck compared to its European rivals across the board with a comparable price range.

So, if you are shopping for a mid-size luxury sedan, you should consider the Genesis G80.

Is The Genesis G80 A Hyundai?

The first generation of the G80 was sold in the States as the Hyundai Genesis. In 2016, Hyundai established Genesis as its luxury vehicle division, and the G80 became a separate model under this newly formed brand. The 2024 G80 is the second generation of this mid-size luxury sedan.

Is Genesis As Reliable As Lexus?

Lexus has a reputation for building some of the most reliable cars. But Genesis is also doing a great job with its models. The G80 won the J.D. Power highest-quality Upper Midsize Premium Car of 2022 award. Besides the European models, this segment also includes the Lexus ES.

According to iSeeCars, the G80 has an overall reliability rating of 5.9 out of 10. Whereas the ES 350 gets a rating of 9.0 out of 10.

Source: J.D. Power / iSeeCars

2023-09-25T22:09:05Z dg43tfdfdgfd