Hypes: Scintillating Value, Fully Equipped Base Price Vehicle
Gripes: Front Seats Overstuffed, A-Pillar Vision Cluttered

Of all the new cars I drove in model year 2017, the Genesis line from South Korea proved the most unforgettable. While recognition of this new marque remains limited compared to long standing luxury stalwarts like Lexus, Infiniti and Acura, don’t be quick to rule out Genesis if you’re in the market for a luxury vehicle. You can certainly spend more for a Japanese big three product, but you’ll probably be wasting your money. Because Genesis has hit the bulls eye with both of their model lines – the G80 and the G90. The company explains that their rational take on luxury is called “Luxury, Evolved.” They explain that somewhat mysterious concept by saying, “Most luxury automotive brands share the view that luxury is all about status. An excessive price tag just to claim exclusivity. What sets Genesis apart is the belief that traditional ideas can be shaped in dynamic new ways.”

The first new dynamic you encounter in a 2018 Genesis G80 is the comparative affordability of this rear-wheel-drive, V6-powered four-door sedan which lists for $41,750. As if to prove the point about how completely equipped the base G80 is as delivered, our test car carried not a single additional charge beyond a delivery fee of $925. That means this exceptionally well equipped sedan sells for $42,725 out the dealer door. If this Genesis carried a BMW nameplate, it would also burden you with a pack sticker of at least $10,000 on top of the base price to cover all the ancillaries Genesis throws in for free: Bi-Xenon HID headlights, Proximity key with push button start, Leather seating surfaces, Dual automatic temperature control, 8″ Touchscreen navigation system, AM/FM HD radio and CD MP3 Audio system with 7 speakers. The list goes on and on, with a 5 year, 60,000 mile warranty, a complete complement of the latest safety controls and accident avoidance technology, and to top it all off, the top safety rating of 5 stars from the NHTSA. So in terms of value for the buck, this entry level Genesis is a steal.

But does the driving experience match the car’s economic allure? Most definitely. Unlike so many of the fiendishly complicated products I drive these days, the cockpit of the G80 seems to have descended from a kinder, gentler period of human/machine interface. Most basic driving chores – wipers, seats, defrost, temperature setting – are easily handled by the uninitiated thanks to smart button placement. Almost anyone can climb into the driver’s seat of a G80 and get with the program without a second thought. Such utter freedom from operational confusion is due to the linear, intuitive nature of the dashboard. If you feel the need to busy yourself exploring a host of command menus, find yourself another car. When the G80 arrived, a previous driver had selected the valet setting for seat and steering wheel, which slides the seat backwards and tilts the wheel up when you turn the ignition off. Since I find this song and dance routine quite annoying, I reprogrammed the car to muzzle the wheel and seat on shut down. The reprogramming took less than 60 seconds to accomplish, thanks to a small keypad on the right spoke of the steering wheel that lets you toggle through essential settings in an instant. On other luxury cars, this operation can take forever as you cycle through endless maps and options. On some cars, the dealer has to “perform” the change for you at shop rates.

This 4,500lb. sedan is so luxuriously appointed that it makes no pretense at sport performance. Besides, there’s a new twin-trubo Sport version of the G80 for that need. But the base model is certainly no slouch at the drag strip, nor on a back road. The large displacement (3.8 liter) V6 is creamier than a Boston clam chowder, with enough horsepower (311hp) and torque (293lb.-ft.) to meet any passing/merging eventuality that may arise. The handling is predictable, and well programmed, with 18 inch alloys fitted with chunky Michelin Primacy MXM4 radials (245/45R18) at each corner. You can chose from 3 available driving modes via a button next to the console shift lever. In “Normal” mode, the G80 feels a bit pitchy around sweeping turns, but if you select “Sport” mode, the comfy sedan hunkers down on its Michelins and really gets with the program. An “Eco” mode completes the trio, and will help you achieve 22MPG in overall driving – albeit at the expense of an annoyingly lethargic throttle pedal.

All in all, this base model G80, which is also available in all-wheel-drive configuration, remains a value revelation well into its second year of production.

2018 Genesis G80 RWD 3.8

• Engine: 3.8 liter V6 with GDI
• Horsepower: 311hp
• Torque: 293lb.-ft.
• Fuel Consumption: 19MPG City/27MPG Highway
• Price as Tested: $42,725
• Star Rating: 10 out of 10 Stars

Hypes: Private Jet Interior Furnishings
Gripes: Shiftronic Needs Manual Override

You can afford the car. But can you afford the chauffer? Because this is a limousine meant to be savored from the back seat rather than the driver’s seat. The G90 Ultimate is the bargain Bentley of the year. The Bimmer beater. The Rolls wrecker. Without so much as a single option to pack the window sticker, the G90 goes out the door for its base price of $71,850. Oh, wait – they do add $975 for delivery. But for $72,825 all in, you receive the best, most fully equipped Genesis that parent company Hyundai has ever made. All that for the base price of a BMW 6 Series sedan. And to be fair to Genesis, the G90 should not be compared to the BMW 6. Rather the G90 rivals BMW’s 7 Series, which starts at $84,095 and progresses rapidly to $125,295. So save yourself a lot of bucks and a lot of exotic repair grief, and check out the G90, which first appeared in 2017, and continues unchanged for 2018.

Our stunningly simple looking Casablanca White test sample featured the top engine offering available in the G90 – a 5.0 liter V8 producing 420hp and 383lb.-ft. of torque. A less powerful and less expensive turbo V6 is available as well that reduces output to 365hp and 376lb.-ft. of torque. Both engines couple to an 8-speed “Shiftronic” automatic transmission that includes paddle shifts at the steering wheel. Both the V6 and V8 G90 models are available with rear wheel drive (like our test car), as well as HTRAC all-wheel-drive. Standard on the G90 is an Intelligent Drive Mode System with a “Smart Shift” button on the console between the front seats that allows you to toggle between the following settings: Eco, Smart, Sport, and (driver-customized) Individual. In each case, Genesis artificial intelligence configures an appropriate setting for the G90′s engine, transmission, suspension and electronic stability control, as well as HTRAC for sedans with all wheel drive. We invariably opted for the Sport setting every time the G90 restarted, a setting which provided quick and accurate steering feedback, flat cornering, and immediate throttle response. About the only shortcoming of the system is lack of a manual transmission selection gate on the console shift. Yes, you can temporarily select a specific gear, but after a few seconds the Shiftronic automatically reverts to its “Drive” range.

For a car that rivals most limousines with its XXL 124″ wheelbase, the big sedan handles with surprising panache. While you never lose sight of the car’s massive size (4,820lb. curb weight, 205″ length), the ample rubber at each corner (245/45R19 front; 275/40R19 rear Continental ContiProContact tires) endows the G90 with a purposeful stance and plentiful grip. Feed in the lock as a turn tightens, and the precise steering and high bite from the Continentals insure strict adhesion to your chosen line. Even in the Sport setting, the overall ride experience remains plush and comfortable, with excellent electronically controlled damping provided by the Genesis Adaptive Control Suspension. But the thrill of owning a G90 doesn’t really start until you climb into the sedan’s phenomenal right rear seat. Okay, the left rear isn’t bad either. But where the left rear offers just 12 position adjustment, the right side ups that number to 14, and also enables the you to slide the front seat forward and collapse its back. You can then recline the rear into a full slouch position and use the inclined back of the front seat as your footrest. Follow that up by erecting all 5 privacy screens to ban prying eyes and sun from your cozy nest. The Genesis people wish you Sweet Dreams!

Of course, the G90 doesn’t exactly exclude the driver from the festivities. That seating position boasts no less than 22 power adjustment options, with 16 for the front seat passenger. All four cabin seats feature triple stage heat and ventilation, plus a toasted steering wheel. Nappa leather covers all surfaces with a cushy, handsome, hide that bespeaks luxury. The infotainment system, which Genesis dubs Lexicon, offers 17 speakers, Surround Sound and what they term “Clari-fi Music Restoration Technology.” If you turn this system up to full boost, you may have to avail yourself of hearing restoration technology.

In sum, the Genesis G90 lacks for absolutely nothing your heart could desire in a premium luxury limousine – save the obscenely high price other manufacturers have conditioned you to accept as the norm.

2018 Genesis G90 RWD 5.0 Ultimate

• Engine: 5.0 liter GDI V8 with Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing
• Horsepower: 420hp
• Torque: 383lb.-ft.
• Fuel Consumption: 16MPG City/24MPG Highway
• Price as Tested: $72,825
• Star Rating: 10 out of 10 Stars

Hypes: Ultra Quick, Beautifully Detailed, Premium Ride
Gripes: No Printed Owner’s Manual, Separate “Park” Button Distracts

We’re barely half way through 2017 but since model year clocks run double time in Korea, we have already driven the 2018 Genesis G80 3.3T Sport sedan. It’s a winner. This delicious looking concoction handles so well and accelerates so hard that it will plant seeds of doubt in anyone aspiring to buy a much more expensive BMW, Mercedes or Audi. Mid-size sedans from the German big three cost can easily double the price of the G80, which retails for just $56,225.

Hyundai hatched the Genesis line from their previous G80/90 luxury sedans. Think of Genesis as a newly positioned up-market brand, as Lexus is to Toyota, or Infiniti is to Nissan. With the advent of this 2018 model, the G80 moves into its second year of production with some notable changes to pique the interest of sporting drivers. The twin turbo 3.3T Sport is available for the first time as a separate model in 2018. High on the list of important features is its “Sport CDC Suspension with Intelligent Drive Mode.” Genesis engineers have endowed the G80 platform with a fully independent suspension system that covers all the bases of daily driving, from plush freeway ride to taut mountain pass precision.

In the “Eco” mode, the suspension swallows up road irregularities with relaxed imprecision. You’ll feel some float over bumps as the shocks damp inputs at the expense of precise snubbing. But if you slide the G80′s ride control switch into the “Sport” mode, the shock valving firms up instantly, the steering reacts with greater precision, and the throttle pedal requires less travel to spur the 365hp double turbo V6 into immediate action.

Tire choice also receives careful attention from Genesis. Top line Continental Conti Contact GT rubber blesses each corner. These tires, mounted on dark chrome 19 inch alloy rims, measure a hefty 245/40R19 up front and an even heftier 275/40R19 in back. The Continentals boast aggressively siped sidewalls for good rain dispersion, but they perform quite effectively in dry weather as well. The only negative is that they generate some queasy tramlining on grooved concrete pavement like you find on bridge roadways.

The G80 turbo V6 is extremely quick in a straight line. Quick enough to accomplish virtually any passing maneuver you care to attempt. However, bear in mind if you have locked the 8-speed automatic transmission in “Drive,” the turbo needs at least a full second to spool up to max power If you need more instant punch, press the gear “lockout” button next to the Shiftronic shift lever, then make your shifts via the paddles on the steering column. This routine locks the gearbox into the gear you have selected and thus eliminates the turbo lag factor. It also involves you more fully in the sporting operation of your G80 Sport.

However, should you decide to lay back and trundle along at a less than interstellar pace, just dial up “Eco” on the Drive Mode selector, settle back into one of the most supportive sports seats you’ve ever occupied, and let the 17 speaker Lexicon audio system lull you into bliss with its “Quantum Logic Surround and Clari-FI.” Of course, it goes without saying that Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are part of the infotainment system, along with a 90 day subscription to SiriusXM Radio. The cabin of the G80 Sport verges on palatial, with lavish spreads of real carbon fiber adorning the dash and doors. This extravagance, standard on the Genesis, would add thousands of optional dollars to the base price of a comparable German sedan. All the seats, door panels and instrument facades benefit from subtle contrast stitching to make the seams look elegant and tailored.

The Sport is also available with all-wheel-drive if that suits your needs, or with a truly earth shaking 420hp V8 that will not require any transmission tweaking to light off instantly. However, the 5.0 liter V8 produces just 7 more foot-pounds of torque than the turbo V6 in our test car (383lb.-ft. for the V8 to 376lb.-ft. for the V6).

In its first year of existence, the G80 immediately earned a “Recommended” rating from Consumer Reports. The allure of this fast, capable, handsome family sedan is reassuringly enhanced by the Genesis Warranty, which extends to 60,000 miles over 5 years. With the advent of this superb new sports sedan, there is less incentive than ever to cross shop the more famous and pricey European name brands in the mid-size field.

2018 Genesis G80 RWD 3.3T Sport

• Engine: 3.3 Liter V6 GDI Twin-Turbo
• Horsepower: 365hp
• Torque: 376lb.-ft.
• Fuel Consumption: 17 MPG City/25 MPG Highway
• Price as Tested: $56,225
• Star Rating: 10 out of 10 Stars

By David Colman

Hypes: Beautifully Crafted Interior, Regal Back Seat
Gripes: Turbo Lag, Poor Rear Vision

It’s time to rewrite the book on luxury sedans from Hyundai. In 2016, the Korean company offered two posh rides, one large (Genesis) and another even larger (Equus).

This year, Hyundai created a whole new luxury division called Genesis which is dedicated to the sale and maintenance of their line topping sedans. This new brand sells two models for 2017, the sizeable G80 and the limousine-like G90. Two flavors of G90 are available: the 3.3 liter twin turbo V6 which makes 365hp, and the 5.0 liter V8 good for 420hp. Our test hop took place in the twin turbo V6, which retails for $68,100. While that may seem like a lot of money for a Hyundai product, the G90′s price is exceptionally reasonable when measured against the car’s the car’s rightful competition. BMW’s 7 Series and Mercedes Benz’ S Class sedans cost more than twice as much as the Genesis G90 3.3T.

While some sedans aspire to limousine status by providing back seat amenities like spacious legroom and separate HVAC controls, the G90 far exceeds those minimal specifications for comfort with its armada of exclusive features. Start with the windows. Each side window and rear quarter pane comes with its own electrically operated privacy screen. A fifth screen covers the back window. All are operable only from the rear seat. The center rear armrest contains a sizeable storage bin, plus a dashboard for the infotainment system. Four separate air vents cater to the back seat HVAC system, and both rear seats are heated. All controls are located on the drop down center console. Even the position and inclination of the right front seat can be controlled from the rear seat panel.

You might assume that this plush lounge car is something of a slug to drive. You would be wrong. The 3655hp motor couples to an 8-speed Shiftronic gearbox equipped with paddle shifts at the 9 and 3 o’clock positions. Once the twin turbos spool up, the G90 surges ahead with enough momentum to obviate the need for a paddle controlled downshift. However, given this sedan’s 5,335 lb. curb weight, and the turbochargers’ propensity for lag, there’s a full second delay between throttle application and actual propulsion. If I were buying a G90, I would bypass this V6 in favor of the sweet 420hp V8 which proved completely lag-free in the G80 I recently tested.

Of course, most obliging chauffeurs would disdain such full throttle frivolity in favor of a more sedately measured ride. However, if your inclination is to toe heavily into the throttle, you will be stunned by the pace this limousine is capable of generating. But first you must select the “Sport” setting from the available four “Drive Mode” choices (Eco, Smart, Normal). Sport gathers the ammo for a backroad assault by adjusting steering effort and changing transmission and engine control logic to favor more feedback, higher rpm engine ranges, and delayed upshifts. If you choose the Sport setting, the G90 remains locked into that choice for the duration of your drive. However, it will defer to “Smart” the next time you restart the car. The Smart setting evaluates the way you drive, and recalibrates itself depending on whether your method is mild, normal or aggressive. A green readout of the word “Smart” on the instrument panel means Mild, a white version means Normal, and a yellow illumination corresponds to Sport. In any of these 3 settings, you can rely on this sizeable sedan to corner without undue fuss. Its Continental tires (ContiProContact) are sizeable enough (275/40R19) to leave a lasting impression on the pavement.

If you aspire to learn all the operational secrets of this Genesis, you better prepare yourself for some serious reading. Fully two-thirds of the very large glove box are occupied by publications ranging in size from 206 pages (Navigation Owner’s Manual) to a thick encyclopedia of an Owner’s Manual that must weigh more than 2 pounds. But just poking around in the electric self-opening and closing trunk will reveal that Genesis has equipped the G90 with an enormous rear mounted battery, a Hankook emergency spare tire (good for just 80 KPH), and an abbreviated tool kit including jack, screwdriver and lug wrench. Of course, if you’re being transported in the G90′s back seat, these are items with which you’ll never need concern yourself. Because even if your G90 doesn’t come with a chauffeur, it does come with 3 years of “Complimentary Enhanced Roadside Assistance.”

2017 Genesis G90 RWD 3.3T Premium

• Engine: 3.3 liter Twin Turbo V6
• Horsepower: 365hp
• Torque: 376lb.-ft.
• Fuel Consumption: 17 MPG City/24 MPG Highway
• Price as Tested: $69,050
• Star Rating: 9 out of 10 Stars

By David Colman

Hypes: Faultless Construction, Lap ‘o Luxury
Gripes: Lots of Dash Reflection in Windshield

Genesis. A name of Biblical derivation, generally used to denote birth. In this case, a new model line of cars has been born. Hyundai has appropriated the name Genesis – previously used on a single model of Hyundai – to designate their new line of premium passenger cars. They also appropriated a winged trademark insignia for the brand that is highly reminiscent of Aston Martin’s logo. Currently, two Genesis models are available – the large and plush limousine-size G90 and the slightly smaller G80. Although no limo, the G80 is plenty spacious, with a stretched wheelbase of 119 inches, a length of 197 inches, and a width of 74 inches. Those numbers translate into a passenger compartment capable of escorting 5 adults to any destination in spacious luxury.

The keynote here is fit and finish. The moment you climb into the G80, you feel better than you did. Thanks to buttery leather seating surfaces, subdued swaths of matte finished real wood, and lustrous true aluminum, you feel like you’ve stepped into an exclusive first class travel experience. While you might expect such cosseting in the front row, Genesis has gone to exceptional lengths to make the back seat comfortable. The key here is the sling-like posture of the outboard back seats that encourages you to slide your torso forward and down until maximum comfort is achieved. The key to making this hammock work is the abundant legroom afforded by that 119 inch wheelbase.

While the G80 never lets you forget that it’s big and heavy (4,530lbs.), Hyundai has endowed it with an all-aluminum 5.0 liter V8 with direct injection and variable valve timing, potent enough (420hp) to give the big sedan some real sporting punch. That’s because the power-to-weight ratio of 10.7lb/hp is good for 13 second quarter mile runs and 0-60mph sprints in the 5 second range. You can also order the G80 with a twin turbocharged V6 producing 311hp, but if you opt for this combo, the power-to-weight factor jumps the wrong way almost 50 percent – to 14.5lb/hp. Since the V8 returns a surprising 23MPG on the highway, there’s really little economic incentive to replace it with the turbo V6.

Part of the reason that this powerful and torquey (383lb.-ft.) V8 can record such acceptable fuel mileage is the Hyundai designed and built 8-speed automatic transmission with manual override (Shiftronic) and nifty aluminum paddle shifters. The transmission works so smoothly through the gears that the G80 produces a seamless stream of jet thrust. If you do decide to harness the output specifically in a particular rpm range, the Shiftronic allows you to hold any gear in force without fear of an unwonted upshift to a higher cog. To complement this do-it-yourself shifting you can toggle the G80′s “Intelligent Drive Mode” (IDM) from “Normal” to “Sport” configuration with a simple switch flip that stiffens the steering and heightens suspension response. “Eco” and “Snow modes are also on offer from IDM. This kind of manual oversight is both surprising and welcome from a car that looks more like a limo than a sports sedan.

Equally ingratiating is the finely tuned array of suspension components, wheel size, and tire contact patch. In “Sport” mode, the big sedan corners flat and hard, with lots of grip generated by its sizeable Continental Pro Contact radials (245/40R19 front/265/35R19 rear) mounted on 8.5 x 19 inch alloy rims, These gun metal rims not only complement the Patagonia Blue Metallic paint of our test G80, but spread a wide and dependable footprint through each and every bend. While I wouldn’t say the G80 merits full sports sedan accolades, it will nonetheless surprise you with it athleticism.

If i were commissioned to redo the G80, the first thing on my list would be to eliminate the split-lid storage box between the front seats and equip it with a one-piece top. Next, I would provide privacy screens for the rear seat windows as well as the back light. I would convert the rear seat’s large central arm rest into a storage bin, since it’s size is wasted on just 2 cup holders. Finally, flip down tray tables for the back seat would increase the limo utility of this plush area.

The transition from Hyundai to Genesis recalls the leap Lexus made from Toyota back in 1990. The G80 is a fully realized luxury sedan with welcome sporting aspirations. At its current list price of $54,550, it is worthy of any prospective BMW or Audi buyer’s immediate attention.

2017 Genesis G80 RWD 5.0 Ultimate

• Engine: All Aluminum 5.0 Liter V8, DOHC, GDI Dual CVVT
• Horsepower: 420hp
• Torque: 383lb.-ft.
• Fuel Consumption: 15MPG City/23 MPG Highway
• Price as Tested: $55,660
• Star Rating: 9.5 out of 10 Stars