The upcoming 2017 Genesis G80 (essentially a rebadged Hyundai Genesis) has been refreshed to include more features aimed at luring luxury car buyers away from the Germans, Americans, and to a lesser extent, the Japanese. We’ll go over that stuff in a moment but first let’s cover the basics.
This is a value-oriented luxury mid-sizer that takes on the likes of the Cadillac CTS, Lexus GS, Infiniti Q70, BMW 5-Series, and Mercedes-Benz E Class. Hyundai has created the Genesis brand in the same way – and for the same reason – that Toyota created Lexus. The G80 will likely be the volume leader, but the all-new G90 will be the flagship.
Power comes from either a 3.8-liter V6 or a 5.0-liter V8. Both are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with manual shifting capability. The 311-horsepower-V6 with 293 lb-ft of torque can be had in RWD or AWD models. The 420-horsepower-V8 and its 383 lb-ft of torque only comes in RWD. Hyundai claims a 52/48 front-to-rear weight distribution for all versions of the car.
Safety features in the Genesis G80 include all the right ingredients for semi-autonomous driving. Standard will be lane keep assist, blind spot detection, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control with start/stop capability. Also found on all G80 models will be high beam assist, helping preserve the vision of oncoming traffic.
Also in the safety realm is something interesting. Genesis has fitted the car with a CO2 sensor to help prevent drowsy driving. The ventilation system monitors the CO2 level in the cabin and keeps it “well below” 2,000 parts per million, the point at which people start dozing off. This is the same technique casinos use to keep you playing the slots into the wee hours of the morning.
If you’re on the fence about the Genesis G80, the company would like to point out that its passenger and cargo volume best those of the aforementioned competitors. Still on the fence? Genesis will also throw in 3 years of complimentary scheduled maintenance and valet services. Owners can schedule to have their car picked up for maintenance and dropped off at a time and location of their choosing. Still on the fence? The dealership might also have coffee and donuts if you get there early enough.
Until we get our hands on a 2017 Genesis G80, check out its predecessor – the Hyundai Genesis.
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