Genesis G80 2022 Review

It is officially time to stop wondering if Hyundai and its Genesis luxury brand can build world-class vehicles. The answer is yes, and the 2022 Genesis G80 is but one example of the proof. Korean designers, engineers, assemblers and marketers can take on the best luxury marques on the planet. Full stop.

Redesigned last year, the G80 midsize luxury sedan was the first Genesis built from the ground up to reflect the company's distinctive new design language, inside and out. The result is a car that oozes class and sophistication and contains the engineering and technological foundation to make it more than just a styling exercise. From its turbocharged four-cylinder and V6 engines and rear- and all-wheel-drive layouts to its sumptuous interior materials and generous ownership perks, the 2022 Genesis G80 demands consideration.

With that said, the leaders in the midsize luxury sedan remain compelling alternatives. Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz have been perfecting this recipe for decades, while the Genesis brand didn't exist seven years ago. So, while the company has come a long way in a short time, it still has a few details to hone. Be sure to see our full Expert Rating for more in-depth info about the 2022 G80.

Which G80 does MatoCar recommend?

The 2022 Genesis G80 is available in 2.5T RWD, 2.5T AWD and 3.5T Sport trim levels. Versions with a 2.5T designation have a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (300 horsepower, 311 lb-ft), an eight-speed automatic transmission, and rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. A turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 (375 hp, 391 lb-ft) is standard in the G80 3.5T, which uses the same eight-speed automatic and comes with standard all-wheel drive.

G80 2.5T Standard equipment with 2.5T trim includes:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• LED exterior lighting
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Auto-defogging windshield
• Hands-free trunklid
• Ambient interior lighting
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Power-adjustable steering column
• Simulated leather seating surfaces
• Power-adjustable and heated front seats
• Heated rear seats and steering wheel (with AWD)
• 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
• Satellite radio
• Navigation system
• Genesis Connected Services
• 12-speaker audio system
• Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)

The Genesis G80 also comes with many standard safety features, including:

• Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
• Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Genesis and the car in front)
• Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)
• Blind-spot intervention (automatically steers the car back into its lane if you try to change lanes while a car is in the vehicle's blind spot)
• Driver attention warning (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued)
• Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
• Evasive steering assist (enhances the forward collision mitigation system with steering-based collision avoidance)
• Rear passenger safe-exit system (can prevent a rear passenger from opening a door into traffic approaching from behind)

Genesis offers two option packages for the G80 2.5T:

• Advanced package
• 19-inch wheels
• Hands-free trunk closer
• Ventilated front seats
• Panoramic sunroof
• Special wood trim
• Power rear window sunshade (manual rear side window)
• Three-zone automatic climate control
• 21-speaker Lexicon audio system

• Prestige package
• Digital key (turns your smartphone into a digital key to unlock and start the car)
• Soft-close doors (automatically catch as they're being closed and gently pull shut)
• Leather upholstery
• Additional power adjustments for the driver's seat
• Heated rear seats and steering wheel (for rear-wheel-drive 2.5T)
• Rear seat reminder (alerts you to check the rear seat before exiting the vehicle)
• Wireless device charger
• Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the G80 and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
• Blind-spot camera (displays an image of the vehicle's blind spot in the instrument panel when you activate a turn signal)
• Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)
• Remote automated parking system (pulls in or out of a parking spot via remote control from the key fob)

G80 3.5T Sport Compared to the base 2.5T, the 3.5T has the more powerful V6, standard all-wheel drive and this equipment:

• Sport appearance bumpers, grille and trim
• Sport-design 19-inch wheels
• Sport steering wheel
• Aluminum interior trim
• Metal pedal covers
• Upgraded front brakes
• Adaptive suspension
• Selected contents of the Advanced package
• Hands-free trunk closer
• Ventilated front seats
• Panoramic sunroof
• Power rear window sunshade (manual rear side window)
• Three-zone automatic climate control
• 21-speaker Lexicon audio system
• Selected contents of the Prestige package
• Digital key (turns your smartphone into a digital key to unlock and start the car)
• Soft-close doors (catch as they're being closed and gently pull shut)
• Leather upholstery
• Additional power adjustments for the driver's seat
• Heated rear seats and steering wheel
• Rear seat reminder (alerts you to check the rear seat before exiting the vehicle)
• Wireless device charger
• Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the G80 and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
• Blind-spot camera (displays an image of the vehicle's blind spot in the instrument panel when you activate a turn signal)

One package is available for the G80 3.5T Sport:

• Prestige package
• 20-inch alloy wheels
• Sport-tuned stability control
• Rear-wheel steering (improves low-speed maneuverability and high-speed stability)
• Upgraded leather upholstery
• Microfiber suede headliner
• Carbon-fiber interior trim
• Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield)
• 12.3-inch 3D digital gauge cluster
• Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)
• Remote automated parking system (pulls in or out of a parking spot via remote control from the key fob)
• Active noise control (with optional summer performance tires)