Road test | Genesis G80: Face the opposite winds

Who still wants a large luxurious sedan? It is necessary to question when we observe the etiolation of the sales of these models which were once the archetype of the car splendor. Buyers in means now seem to prefer versatility and the pre -eminent driving position of SUVs. This deal does not prevent Genesis from continuing the adventure with a renewed G80. We took its wheel to see how it is negotiating with these opposite winds.

Sound design

This G80 first spreads its plume with its 5 m length and its 1.93 m wide. The object is imposing, but well proportioned with an upward train which ensures continuity on the bottom of the doors. However, you must like calenders with a large deployment to appreciate the front part, a stylistic component being part of the DNA of the Korean brand. The double features also remain present for 2025, they who shape the lighting as much before the Arrière, but also the elegant side fires encrusted in the wings. The exhaust pots are also now piercing the rear bumper for a more homogeneous rendering. On the storage side, the rear trunk is only accessible by a lid separate from rear ice, which limits the volume available to 371 L, 48 l less than a Honda Civic sedan.

On board

It is the interior that receives the lion's share of this M-Cycle rejuvenation. The instrumentation and the multimedia screen now share a 27 -inch rectangular OLED screen fixed on the lower part of the dashboard. Its visual integration does not swear too much with the general design of the outposts, it which puts on a horizontal train in which the ventilation nozzles hide. The air flow that drives it is now controlled by practically all tactile controls, but well placed and easily available. Moreover, note the seriousness of the assembly and the refined arrangement of the materials whose carminate interior of the tried vehicle highlighted the contrasts with the carbon fiber. The front places are spacious and the furniture very comfortable and opulent. At the rear, it is the legs that suffer from the configuration, despite the wheelbase of more than 3 m.

Under the hood

Apart from the electric livery, the sedan retains its two turbocharged thermal cores, one with four cylinders of 2.5 l and the other with six.5 L six-cylinders. The latter equipped the sport version tried with its 375 hp and 391 LB-Pi delivered from only 1900 rpm without electric support. We pushed the accelerator with a very light adjustment to denote a setting up on the smoothness of this propellant group. No vibration is a priori transmitted to the passenger compartment and the flights in a diet are accompanied by a rise retained in decibels. Automatic eight -speed transmission greatly limits the proven liveliness of this V6, which struggles to report promptly in recovery. The other bat which hurts is the consumption of this mechanics which can exceed 10 l/100 km on the highway, which is greater than much more powerful rivals.

Behind the steering wheel

The G80 Sport may suggest a dynamic positioning by its name, its temperament is essentially defined by its road ways, despite its propulsion platform. The acoustic insulation is excellent and the stability at highway speed is superb. The direction, lightly, adds the definition in turns by firming and the directional rear wheels do a good job to tighten the agility and the turning radius. The damping also leaves an impression in halftone. The slimming of the flanks of the tires accentuates an impression of drought during more pronounced impacts, but the long wheelbase and the depreciation controlled with detection of asperities make the bearing generally well amortized. Moreover, it seems necessary to highlight an ergonomics always present: a superposition clearly too close to the gear selector and multimedia control wheel.

Embedded technologies

Speaking of the multimedia system, it is largely inspired by the interface found in a number of Hyundai models, but with a more licked presentation. This provides intelligible menus that do not require too many handling to access the most frequented features using a solid touch dial. The right definition of the OLED screen which houses without separation the instrumentation and the multimedia screen adds a certain theatricality to the rendering. A nacelle control of the heating/air conditioning system hosted by a screen detached from the multimedia system completes it all with acuity. We would have liked a little more physical materials, but this approach is among the best in the segment. The sound provided by Bang & Olufsen is also well nuanced and powerful thanks to its 1400 W and 18 speakers.

The verdict

Do not be fooled, the improvements made to the 2025 vintage of this Genesis G80 will not change its impopularity trajectory encrypted in only 186 copies sold in Canada in 2024. Without being a boon to break everything at $ 89,000 in V6 version, the intermediate sedan still navigates in troubled waters, shaken by waves caused Always in deficit of Genesis. Never mind, it presents great overall qualities and driving pleasure greater than a number of utilities. His engines unfortunately do not make the weight in the face of the finesse and the strike force of the Germans. A part lost in advance, will say some, but a product which still deserves a certain attention, if only for its elegance and a certain flair well to itself.