Experienced by Kimatni D. Rawlins,
Automotive Rhythms
Welcome to an immersive Genesis experience where the vehicle defines the man or woman behind the wheel. In this case, I’m referring to the new 2022 Genesis G80 AWD 3.5T Sport Prestige sedan, which is stunning in almost every department from the empowering shielded grille to its athletic performance. Its long, elegant, and attractive physique is uniquely outfitted all around, and the thrilling drive from its 3.5-liter V6 is more than memorable. Plus, the G80 Sport includes a complimentary Service Valet with scheduled maintenance and at-home pick-up for three years / 60,000 miles. Genius!
My weekly loaner arrived in a Tazman Blue hue, but I prefer the G80 Sport in Cavendish Red, inspired by the stunning red sand of the cliffside township on Prince Edward Island in Canada. Pretty clever. The ride pops from exclusive dual oval exhaust tips, LED quad headlights, and 20″ sport alloy wheels as part of the optional $6,300 Prestige Package. This upgrade also includes an electronically controlled suspension, rear-wheel steering (a company first), carbon fiber trim, heads-up display, Nappa leather, and a few other tech features. Yet, I can do without the gimmicky Remote Smart Parking Assist. I’ve used the feature once on a Hyundai and decided never again because it’s not a natural parking act and requires too much time. The 5-star rims are finished with a pronounced waffle pattern that you will love or hate. I think they are cool, but traditionally Genesis does not make desirable rim styles.
Safety seems to fall to the back of the line when discussing sport-luxury vehicles, but Genesis ensured that its suite of advanced driver assistance technologies took precedence. Bravo since the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) honored all 2022 Genesis models with the TOP SAFETY PICK+ (TSP+) for this year. For example, the G80 includes Forward Collision Avoidance-Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Keep Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, and more. “At Genesis, safety is our top priority and the customer is at the center of every decision we make,” said Claudia Marquez, chief operating officer of Genesis Motor North America. “Safety is emphasized in the design and engineering of our award-winning vehicles.”
Yes, the vehicle is quick, agile, and dynamic, with perpetual grace emanating from the V6’s 375-horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. A 2.5-liter G80 is also at your disposal starting at $48,000. AWD, Pirelli P Zero performance tires, and a sports-tuned suspension allow you to handle the G80 with more aggression if you choose. I enjoyed shifting the 8-speed automatic through the paddle shifters while cruising smoothly in Comfort or Sport modes. However, be careful with Sport + mode since that setting turns off traction control. More importantly, the Korean sports sedan will self-brake if it thinks you’re about to rear-end someone or hit something.
The grandeur of the interior is highlighted by V-patterned leather sport seats that hug your ribs during maneuvers, carbon fiber trim (sport aluminum standard), panoramic sunroof with a split opening shade, and sport model-specific 3-spoke steering wheel. Creative liberty resulted in a knurled rotary gear dial, control pad, volume and tuner, temp controls, side view mirror controls, and window tab tips. Silver grilles for the 21-speaker premium Lexicon audio system almost match the knurled knob theme. A small digital touchscreen is utilized for the 3-zone climate adjustments and a 14.5” HD touchscreen takes center stage for apps, music, navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. However, I would like to see USB-c ports for the next model year update. The control module is a bit overdone as well. It feels like an intermix of what BMW and Lexus implement for operating the infotainment system. Passengers will be delighted with the exemplary space and comfort in the rear.
Starting at $63,450 for the 3.5-liter G80 Sport, my G80 AWD 3.5T Sport Prestige package came in at $71,670 with all its shiny bells and whistles. With thoughtful safety features, standout styling, and too many cockpit amenities to mention, the latest G80 is a solid luxury option for your vehicle portfolio.
