Genesis G80 Sport – Good enough to stand out from the crowd?

By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(October 23, 2017) It’s no secret that Hyundai has struggled to get its Genesis sedan the same kind of attention to a car buying public that has otherwise completely embraced the Korean auto manufacturer, whose popular models include Sonata mid-sized family sedan, Azera premium sedan, and Santa Fe and Tucson crossovers.


Now to help solve that and hopefully sell more cars, Hyundai is following in the footsteps of competitors such as Honda (Acura), Nissan (Infiniti) and Toyota (Lexus), and has moved upscale and created the standalone Genesis luxury brand.

The Hyundai Genesis was first introduce
d in 2009. For 2018, it has dropped the Hyundai moniker, and is now known simply as Genesis. Initially the Genesis brand is offering three models: the flagship Genesis G90 luxury sedan (formerly known as Equus, which debuted in the 2011 model year), the smaller G80 premium sedan; and the G80 Sport, which basically constitutes its own trim level.

The G80 Sport is powered by a twin-turbo
3.3-liter V-6 that makes 365 horsepower and slots between the 311-horsepower 3.8-liter V-6, and the 420-horsepower 5.0-liter V-8 offered in the G80. The G80 Sport has distinctive trim applications that set it apart from the other two G80s. It gets an eight-speed automatic transmission and is available with rear-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. 

The G80 Sport also gets a sport-tuned suspension, special front and rear bumpers, a new front fascia that incorporates a copper-accented mesh grille, quad tailpipes and special 19-inch wheels with copper accenting around the center caps. 

The Sport also comes fully loaded with what would otherwise be optional equipment, such as a panoramic sunroof, leather seats, 9.2-inch touchscreen navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for drivers who prefer a smartphone-specific interface. It also features a surround-view camera system.

The Sport interior gets a microsuede headliner, real carbon fiber trim on the instrument panel, and copper accent stitching throughout the interior. It looks fantastic, contrasting with the leather trim pieces in the upholstery.



The Sport also gets heavily bolstered seats that are especially comfortable. Most everything else inside carries over from the standard G80 sedan.

Our test G80 Sport was rear-wheel drive and we found it to be quicker than and better than the 3.8-liter V-6. But if you want more performance and power, you will want to opt for the 420 horsepower V-8 G80 sedan. Still, know that the G80 Sport still feels much more like a luxury sedan than a sports sedan. While it may favor luxury over performance, it’s still an exceptionally enjoyable car to drive.

Vital Stats
Base Price: $41,750 - $59,950
Price as Tested: $56,225
Engine: 3.3-liter twin-turbocharged V6
Horsepower: 365 hp
Transmission: 8-Speed automatic
Fuel Economy: 17-MPG City – 25-MPG Highway

Seating: 5
Crash Test Rating: IIHS Top Safety Pick+, 5-Star NHTSA

Competes With:
Audi A6
BMW 5-Series
Jaguar XF
Lexus GS
Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Fab Features:
Subtle copper details inside and out
Attractive luxury interior
Bargain priced compared to competition