Genesis G80 (RG3)

Back in the start of 2008, Hyundai launched a luxury premium sedan called the Genesis, their first rear-wheel-drive premium sedan, and it was pointed squarely at the Germans with its luxurious offerings in not-so-luxurious pricing. In 2013, it was given a full-model change and it made even better than before. Three years later, with Genesis now a luxury brand of the Hyundai Motor Group, we bid farewell to the Hyundai Genesis but its looks lived on as the Genesis G80. Fast forward to the present, the G80 gained its first full model change as a Genesis and as part of the brand revision which began with the GV80 crossover.

2021 Genesis G80

Starting at 52.91 million Korean Won (around US$46,000), the all-new G80 pushes the envelope further with its new Genesis signature styling introduced on the GV80 last January, new interior, new performance, and new tech, making the competition very nervous to see the new rich kid on the block trying to get a standing ovation from the superiors.

2021 Genesis G80

Before explaining what's what about the new G80, let's observe the design flow and because it carries the new Genesis signature look from the GV80 crossover, you can expect the front face that resembles the Genesis logo as well as the rearview that carries the rear lamps also similar to the logo as well. Speaking of the fake air vents, they're not vents you know. They're indicators and they lit rather well, which is a bit of a show-off for the new G80 if I'm honest.

2021 Genesis G80 interior

2021 Genesis G80 interior

On the inside job, the people that designed it has done a pretty good job creating a brand new interior that works not just as an executive office on wheels but also has plenty of space in the back for the clienteles who are busy with their business ordeals. On the driver's side, you are greeted by its weird-looking steering wheel, fancy instrumental panel, a long sat-nav monitor like you get from a BMW, a climate control, and two knobs; one for controlling the sat-nav and the other one for selecting gears, which is nuts for a car like this. Minimalist as it sounds, yes, and looks like speedo boys are in for a shock when they toy around with its dashboard.

On the passenger side, the new G80 is more spacious than the previous model and when fully equipped, the passenger can enjoy toying around with the rear-seat entertainment system that will keep them occupied for the whole trip to the office and back to the fancy mansion. That's fancy living to you and that "out on the limo" feeling will leave them smug for the whole day. Lucky them. Also, the boot space wasn't half bad for a luxury car.

2021 Genesis G80

Now we get to the really important bits about the all-new Genesis G80. Starting on the choice of engines, the new G80 is powered by three all-new engines starting from the brand new turbocharged 2.5L engine producing 304PS of power and 43kg-m of torque, the brand new turbocharged 3.5L V6 engine producing 380PS of power and 54kg-m of torque, and the new 2.2L diesel engine producing 210PS of power and 45kg-m of torque. All are mated to an 8-speed automatic. I was gonna say the diesel variant is the one to avoid due to you-know-what but since this is South Korea, who cares.

Aside from the performance, the new G80 now behaves like a real premium sedan because it now utilizes a new platform made exclusively for Genesis as well as the extensive use of aluminum to save weight, resulting in better performance and fuel economy. When you take this one for a spin, the new G80's relatively superior dynamics really puts the German imports on notice because this one is a good laugh.

Good laugh aside, the new G80 is serious about safety and with that, it offers a greatly expanded and revised list of safety features such as Highway Driving Assist II, Smart Cruise Control with Machine Learning, Pre-active Safety Seat, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, and Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist. It even comes with the Remote Smart Parking Assistant that allows the car to automatically park itself at the push of the button.

And there you have it. The new G80 not only marks the evolution of their first rear-wheel-drive saloon but it starts the revolution of the Genesis brand. With new and exciting features in store for Korea's 5-Series eater, there's no denying that we are getting jealous about owning one someday.

Photo: Hyundai Motor Company