Luxury Abounds
Class oozing with distinctive styling says there is nothing reserved about the 2022 Genesis G80 AWD Sport Prestige luxury sedan. Just the opposite. It may say “sport” in the name, but don’t be fooled as this flagship sedan for Genesis is far more than that. The interior welcomes you with supple quilted leather that seems to ask—“Why would you want to be anywhere else?”
Effortless Operator
New for 2022, the Sport designation means a G80 with all-wheel drive. Rear-wheel drive is still available on the G80 if opting for the 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, where AWD comes for an additional $3,150. Along with the AWD, the G80 Sport features one engine—a 3.5L twin-turbo V6 that produces 375 horsepower (hp) and 391 pound-feet (lb.-ft.) of torque. With paddle shifters and four driver-selectable drive modes, the 8-speed automatic smoothly goes through the gears and delivers a 0-60 time of about five seconds. The transmission is operated by a drive-by-wire illuminated rotary dial on the center console. Make sure to look for the gauges changing colors depending on which drive mode is selected.
The EPA estimates the G80’s fuel economy to be 17 mpg city/26 highway/20 combined. For better economy, the 2.5L engine with 300 hp and 311 lb.-ft. of torque returns 23 city/32 highway/26 combined. Both run on 91 octane.
Clean Fleet Report drove the 3.5L twin-turbo G80, so we can’t comment on the performance of the 2.5L single turbo model. If fuel economy is a pacing item, then getting 32 mpg with the smaller displacement probably is worth foregoing the performance benefits of the larger engine.
Genesis currently does not offer any hybrid vehicles, but as the up-market division of Hyundai they certainly could. Our review of the not-so-much-smaller 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid returned stellar fuel economy topping 50 miles per gallon. Even with the heavier G80, it is reasonable to think a G80 hybrid could at least get in the 40+ mpg range.
Driving Pleasure
The well-distributed 4,450-pound weight gave the G80 Sport a solid and confident ride. The staggered Pirelli P Zero (245/40 front and 275/40 rear) summer tires, mounted on 20-inch 5-spoke aluminum wheels, provided excellent grip, even when pushing to their limit on corners.
The G80 has an elegant ride with unnoticeable wind noise (partly due to the low 0.27 Cd), with only the harshest road imperfections transmitting sounds to the cabin. The power-assisted steering was direct, with the brakes having a progressive feel producing straight and true, no fade stops. To assist in handling, the G80 Sport has rear wheel steering that turns the wheels up to two degrees. This may seem small, but at low speeds it helps crank a tighter turn, being more agile, and achieving a 26.2 feet turning radius. At higher speeds and on tight corners, the rear grip is excellent.
The sport-tuned electronically controlled adaptive suspension has a camera system that scans the road to tighten the suspension for a smoother and more controlled ride. The driver can also affect the ride by choosing the Sport or Sport+ drive modes. The first thing felt when opting for these modes is the steering becomes heavier, but not necessarily more accurate than when in Comfort mode. The all-wheel drive on the G80 Sport has a multi-link rear suspension with an electronic limited-slip differential that can seamlessly send power to either rear wheel. The result is a very nice handling sedan with superb ride quality that was at home on wide sweepers and the open highway.
Dynamic Presence
The Genesis wing emblem sits proudly above the large grille, with a cross-hatch pattern that sparkles in the sunlight. The grille is bordered by quad, horizontal LED head and daytime running lights, which sit above air inlets and a narrow lower grille in the fascia. Twin horizontal turn signals sit sleekly on the front fender, just before the doors. Make sure when opening the front doors at night to check out the Genesis welcome logo projected at your feet.
The sides are smooth with chrome adorning a strip along the door bottoms and trimming the windows. The lightly raked roof, with a power panoramic sunroof and a body-color shark fin antenna, leads to a fastback rear window and trunk lid with a small integrated lip spoiler.
The dual-level horizontal LED tail lights wrap from the fender onto the hands-free power trunk lid where G80 and AWD 3.5T emblems are the only way to tell the world this is the G80 Sport model. The lower edges of the fascia find dual horizontal exhaust ports. Available in 13 exterior color options, Clean Fleet Report’s G80 was painted in a stunning Cavendish Red. The overall design will age well for years to come.
Elegant Interior
Simplicity and clean lines are the themes for the G80 interior. The calm and pleasant design only hints at the tech inside, which includes advanced safety features and an outstanding sound system. Clean Fleet Report’s interior on the 2022 Genesis G80 Sport Prestige had three color tones–with a black dash and Anthracite and beige on the seats and door panels. The dash had real carbon fiber trim along with a minimal use of brushed aluminum. The Nappa leather-trimmed, heated and ventilated front seats had driver-side memory with the driver getting 16-way power adjustments including side bolsters and a lower leg extension. This is part of the Smart Posture Assist system that is a feature of the Genesis Ergo-Motion seat. Checkout this video to see the technology that will make your journey even more relaxing and enjoyable. The front passenger seat gets 12-way power adjustments including 4-way lumbar and has power buttons to adjust the seat back to allow easier access to the rear seats.
Rear seat access was excellent, with the comfortable, sculpted heated seats. Six footers need not worry about being asked to sit out back as there is ample head and leg room. The power rear window sunshade, which both the front and rear seat occupants can control, was complimented with manual side door shades. Cup holders, air vents and ventilation controls are found in the rear of the center console, with more cup holders and the rear seat HVAC controls in the fold-down center armrest, which also has storage and power ports.
Trunk room was spacious, even more-so when the 40/20/40 split rear seat is folded flat. The temporary spare tire is found in the trunk.
The low slung dash has a nicely placed 14.25-inch horizontal LCD touchscreen that houses the navigation and the Lexicon by Harmon premium audio system. The 1,050-watt surround sound 21-speaker system has multiple tweeters and woofers, including 8-inch subwoofers located under the two front seats. Sounds come from SiriusXM, AM/FM/HD radio or wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Bluetooth voice commands link the radio and telephone. The leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel has controls for audio, telephone and adaptive cruise control. The radio can also be controlled by voice, touchscreen, and volume and channel selection wheels on the center console. There is a quiet mode where the rear speakers can be turned off so not to bother the backseat passengers. There was a very short learning curve for this outstanding entertainment system.
Other interior features are a 8.0-inch color LCD instrument cluster that included easy-to-read gauges with white backgrounds and black numbers, a proximity key with push button start, USB and 12V power outlets, three-zone automatic temperature control, power tilt and slide sunroof, a color head-up display, 64-color ambient lighting, heated and power side mirrors with turn signals and wireless phone charging.
Technology features continue with the Smart Key, which provides access to vehicle systems, including remote start, with the Digital Key providing extra convenience and safety. The Homelink auto-dimming rear view mirror is an integrated transceiver (a transmitter and receiver) that can be programmed to activate radio frequency (RF) devices such as garage doors, estate/community gates, entry door locks, home/office lighting, security systems or other RF devices. Lastly, there’s the very convenient, modern and cool Remote Smart Parking Assist. Enjoy this demonstration to see how it works.
Safety
The G80 comes with an extensive list of standard safety features that your dealer sales representative should go over with you in detail. Some of them include front passenger, driver knee and side airbags, rear side impact airbags, anchors and tethers for child car seats, and child door locks. There is a rearview monitor with surround view, blind spot detection, forward collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic avoidance assist, lane keep assist, lane following and hill start assist, a tire pressure monitoring system and electronic stability control. One very cool feature is, when using the right or left turn signal, a camera comes on showing the sides of the G80, depending on which direction is being turned.
The G80 has a semi-autonomous driving system, which works very well. Checkout the Genesis Highway Driving Assist here.
The 2022 G80 has received stellar safety awards. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2022 G80 five stars, and the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) gave a Top Safety Pick+, the highest overall safety ratings from both organizations.
Warranties
The 2022 G80 comes with these warranties:
- Powertrain – 10 years/100,000 miles
- New Vehicle – Five years/60,000 miles
- Maintenance – Thee years/36,000 miles
- Roadside Assistance – Five years/Unlimited miles
- Anti-perforation – Seven years/Unlimited miles
Pricing
The 2022 Genesis G80 comes in nine trim levels ranging in base prices, including the $1,045 freight and handling fee, from $49,045 to $71,295.
Observations: 2022 Genesis G80 Sport Prestige 3.5T AWD
Value is a relative and subjective term, one Clean Fleet Report doesn’t toss around lightly. In the case of the 2022 Genesis G80 Sport Prestige 3.5T AWD, we will gladly use it to describe what is a truly fine luxury sedan that is packed with technology and safety systems.
The Genesis G80 had to stand-out to get attention competing against luxury sedans from Mercedes-Benz, Audi, BMW, Porsche, Lexus and Cadillac. It has done this by being feature-rich, offering a choice of rear- or all-wheel drive, having the best warranty of them all, while costing thousands less.
The G80 has contemporary styling and an impressive interior with generous passenger and cargo space. The features list is long and deep, including a full safety suite, making the G80 a true value proposition among luxury midsize sedans.
The 2022 Genesis G80 will appeal to a certain strata of car buyers: those desiring a sedan that will take them, and their friends, on a journey in comfort and style. If this is you, then visit your Genesis dealer and take in all the G80 has to offer.
Make sure to opt-in to the Clean Fleet Report newsletter (top right of page) to be notified of all new stories and vehicle reviews.
Story and photos by John Faulkner.
Flash Drive: 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS EV
Road Test: 2018 BMW 530e xDrive PHEV
Road Test: 2020 Lexus ES 300h Hybrid
Road Test: 2018 Lexus GS 450h Hybrid
Road Test: 2021 Cadillac CT5
Flash Drive: Tesla Model 3 EV
Road Test: 2021 Polestar 2 EV
Road Test: 2019 Volvo S90 PHEV
Disclosure:
Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.
Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and diesels. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.
10 thoughts on “Road Test: 2022 Genesis G80 Sport Prestige 3.5T AWD”