The car segment with the most number of players is the luxury sports sedan segment. The level of competition is so high that being just a regular Joe here won’t cut it. Korea’s Genesis knew that very well and they have delivered a technical masterpiece with the 2018 Genesis G80, which is powerful, built like a tank and even the most basic model comes with a staggering amount of equipment.
SPORTY EXTERIOR
Long gone are the days when Korean cars looked cheap and plasticky. The 2018 Genesis G80 rivals and sometimes even bests some of the best looking sedans from European car manufacturers with decades of experience. The front end is massive without looking vulgar, giving it plenty of oomph. The sleek curves and overall flowing nature of the design add plenty of class and character to the exterior.
The 2018 G80 showcases many sharp lines, especially around the intakes and the base of the car. Car connoisseurs will feel like different parts of the cars have been inspired by different car manufacturers such as Jaguar’s grille, Lamborghini’s air intakes and so on. This isn’t a bad thing as nothing has been overdone and somehow this has enabled the 2018 Genesis G80 to come together and create its own unique character.
REFINED INTERIOR
The 2018 Genesis G80 sport plays it safe by opting for a black colour scheme. While this might make things a bit dark and foreboding at first glance, the open and airy interior with a full length panoramic sunroof brightens everything up. The contrast stitching is a subtle yet elegant design feature. The interior is contains a mixture of metals, carbon fiber trims and plastic, and each element combines for a seamless and luxurious design.
Genesis didn’t hold back when it comes to the infotainment system. The 7 inch LCD instrument panel is high quality and easy to navigate. The instrument panel uses elegant lighting to add further beauty and grace. The heads up display is also one of the best we have seen inside a car. The analog speedometer and tachometer add a nice classy touch.
The 900 Watt Lexicon sound system with 17 speakers is the cherry on the top. The audio is crisp and clear. All this shows the effort and thought Genesis put behind the impressive infotainment system.
PERFORMANCE AND DRIVE
The 2018 Genesis G80 Sport comes equipped with twin turbo 3.3L V6 engine that outputs 365hp. The engine is one of the most responsive and powerful ones we have seen at this price point. No matter how hard you push the engine it never feels overworked and you always get this sense that there is more power to be tapped.
A powerful engine would be useless if every corner or braking opportunity felt like you were careening out of control. The 2018 Genesis G80 Sport does justice to its incredible engine with magnificently reliable handling. The feedback is excellent and we always knew how much grip we had and so we knew how much harder it could be pushed. This is what traditional sports cars were all about, but the G80 gives you that driving experience, typically reserved for high performance sports cars, but in a refined and safe setting.
Being a luxury car, the 2018 Genesis G80 Sport is crammed with many technological safety features. The ESC and traction control ensure that every corner is dealt with safely even on slippery road surfaces. The ABS and Brake assist take care of the braking both under regular and panic conditions. The Lane Keep Assist and the Lane Change Assist features came in very handy during long drives.
The Driver Attention Alert worked like a charm and it felt like there was always a watchful set of extra eyes ensuring that we stayed focused on the road. The Autonomous Emergency Braking system and the Pedestrian Detection systems also worked surprisingly well. We put all these systems to the grind under different scenarios and each time they performed better than the competition.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Even though Genesis might not be the first name that pops into your head when thinking of a luxury sedan, the 2018 G80 Sport proves that it is now a serious contender. If you are looking for a well-equipped car at a great price that looks great both from the inside and out, then the 2018 Genesis G80 is definitely worth a test drive!
