Much of the premium car market is now for SUVs, but to be anyone in the business you still have to offer a sedan or two.
They’ve been the bread and butter of the German big three for decades and even smaller brands like Jaguar and Lexus offer a selection of low-slung four-door options to satisfy traditionalists.
So alongside its capable GV70 and GV80, Korean newcomer Genesis has brought the imaginatively named G70 and G80 to rival the best in Europe.
The G70 is the BMW 3 Series/Audi A4 rival while the G80 seeks to steal the attention of the 5 Series and A6 – no easy task.
To help, Genesis spent a lot of time perfecting the G80 to match European expectations, from looks to ride and equipment.
This included extensive road testing and even a spell around the infamous Nurburgring Nordschleife, presumably to see how the G80 coped with its huge range of surfaces and conditions rather than chasing lap times.
Appearance-wise, it certainly fits in amongst the 5-Series, A6 and E-Classes with their long, low profiles and gaping grilles designed to bully little mortals out of the way on the motorway. The two-tier headlights and the characteristic line that connects them along the flanks to the similarly split taillights give it a distinctive look without going overboard.
Time testing on the Nordschleife and rough UK B-roads has clearly paid off in delivering a luxury ambience on the road. In terms of driving engagement, the G80 can’t match anything like a 5 Series, but for most drivers, edge-to-edge handling probably isn’t too high on the priority list. Ride comfort and refinement are probably more important, two things the G80 nailed. The cabin is a plush, soothing environment and the adaptive air suspension does a great job of smoothing out the harshness of bad surfaces, using a Rolls-Royce-style Ride Preview camera system to spot road imperfections and prime the dampers in result.
Our test model came equipped with all-wheel drive for added confidence in tough conditions, paired with its 2.5-liter gasoline engine via an eight-speed automatic transmission. Like the GV80 SUV we tested recently, the drivetrain meets all the big premium criteria on paper but can’t match its main rivals in the real world. The 2.5-liter turbo packs a lot of punch, with 300 hp and 311 lb-ft. It’ll rush to 62mph in just six seconds, on par with a 5 Series or A6, but the petrol four-cylinder doesn’t quite have the refinement of those rivals, or the economy. An all-electric version of the G80 is due later this year, offering hope for a drivetrain to match its otherwise smooth handling.
A smooth, quiet electric drivetrain would certainly be more in keeping with the G80’s interior vibe. The fit and finish around the cabin is impeccable and the choice of materials is as good as anything in the segment, with a high quality mix of metal and glass finishes. Touches like the open grain ash wood trim and leather finish on the dash are testament to the time and thought that has gone into making sure this car isn’t just a car too, but can legitimately compete with the big dogs in the sector.
Space is also generous, particularly for those in the rear who, according to specification, benefit from electrically adjustable heated and cooled seats, two infotainment screens and their own climate control zone. But those up front aren’t changed either and there’s plenty of room and adjustability to keep riders of all shapes and sizes comfortable, plus a massage function and adjuster to adjust automatically the driver’s seat to improve posture and reduce fatigue on long journeys. .
One of Genesis’ unique selling points is its ambition to simplify car buying by offering only a few incredibly well-equipped trim lines and very few individual options. In fact, there are only four individual options – 20-inch alloys, a panoramic sunroof, the premium Lexicon audio system and a space-saving spare wheel. Everything else is contained in three main packs – Innovation, Comfort and Executive – plus a Nappa leather pack which brings the most premium upholstery, suede headliner and leather dash top.
Comfort focuses on the seats, adding memory, electronic control, ventilation functions as well as electronic adjustment of the steering column. The innovation focuses on driver assistance technologies such as remote park assist, highway assist and adaptive LED headlights, as well as a head-up display, 12-inch digital instruments, 3 inches and wireless phone charging. Executive is mainly for the rear seat passengers, adding heating and ventilation, a center armrest with control box for the two rear infotainment screens, blinds and soft-closing doors.
Our test car – base price £47,950 – had the lot, spec’d with all the options to bring its final price to £61,340. As with other Genesiss, this means you get premium spec – everything from a 14.5-inch infotainment system to semi-autonomous lane changing – for significantly less than a rival’s price. German without sacrificing quality.
And that’s the strength of the G80. In all but a few areas, it’s on par with its rivals and in terms of spec and convenience, it stands out. For those more interested in the value than the cachet of the badge, that might be enough to rock the case.
Price: £47,950 (£61,340 as tested); Engine: 2.5 litre, four cylinder, turbo, petrol; Able: 300 hp; Couple : 311 lb ft; Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, all-wheel drive; Top speed: 155mph; 0-62mph: 6 seconds; Economy: 30.4-31.2mpg; CO2 emissions: 205-210g/km
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Source: www.bedfordtoday.co.uk
This notice was published: 2022-04-19 15:41:18
