2018 Genesis G80: Mid-Size Luxury Sedan Cruises Under The Radar

The 2018 Genesis G80 started life back in 2008 as the Hyundai Genesis, a top-of-the-line luxury sedan created by Hyundai to take its image upmarket. Said to have been benchmarked against the BMW 5 Series of the time, the Hyundai Genesis languished in Hyundai showrooms, a super-expensive oddity among the low-priced hatchbacks and sedans that Hyundai was then known for. 

Genesis Becomes Its Own Brand, In The Worst Possible Way

After many years of indecision, Hyundai finally pulled the trigger and created a standalone luxury brand, Genesis, for the 2017 model year. The Genesis G80 is the mid-size luxury sedan intended to once again take the battle to the 5 Series and the E-Class Mercedes. It has been joined by the G90 large sedan, which is intended to go up against the Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7, and the Lexus LS. 

But the high cost of building separate Genesis showrooms was too much for the Hyundai dealers who were signing on to the new Genesis brand. The Hyundai Genesis had not sold well, and their chances of success with a new luxury brand were no slam dunk. 

So the Genesis cars sit in a designated area of the Hyundai dealerships, still rubbing fenders with Elantras, Accents and Tucsons. The complete lineup consists of two sedans, with not an SUV in sight. This is not a prescription for long-term success for a new luxury brand. 

UPDATE: Genesis has just announced that it will be severely thinning out its dealer ranks, and requiring the survivors to build new, expensive, standalone showrooms. Stand by for some major fireworks!

But What About The 2018 G80?

Let’s separate the car from the drama. The 2018 Genesis G80 is an excellent mid-size luxury sedan in its own right. If you can look at this type of car objectively, without thinking about the value of the brand name – and most people can’t – you will find the G80 to be a very well executed, high performing, luxurious and technology-packed sedan that will transport you in style. Just be prepared for no one else to notice!

A Choice Of Three Models And Three Powerful Engines

The 2018 Genesis G80 is available in three different models, each with its own dedicated engine. The G80 3.8 comes with a 3.8L V6 with 311 horsepower. The G80 3.3T Sport is powered by a 3.3L twin-turbo V6 putting out 365 horsepower. The top-of-the-line G80 5.0 has a 5.0L V8 with 420 horsepower under the hood. 

All of these engines are mated to an eight-speed electronic automatic transmission with manual shift mode and paddle shifters. Each model is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions.

High-Tech Safety Systems Are Standard
The 2018 G80 comes standard with a wide array of driver assistance and safety systems. In addition to a full complement of nine airbags, these systems are all on board:

• Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection 
• Driver Attention Alert 
• Smart Cruise Control with Stop/Start 
• Lane Departure Warning 
• Lane Keep Assist 
• Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross-traffic Alert and Lane Change Assist 
• Haptic Steering Wheel 
• High Beam Assist 
• Auto-Defogging Windshield with Humidity Sensor 

2018 Genesis G80: The Luxury Sedan With The Cloak Of Invisibility

If you like to be unnoticed while you’re piloting your upscale luxury performance sedan down the road, the 2018 Genesis G80 is the perfect car for you. Not since the Volkswagen Phaeton has so much been invested into such a fine vehicle that is unfortunately destined to go unappreciated.