For openers, don’t call this midsize luxury sedan the Hyundai Genesis. That’s so last year.
The 2017 Genesis doesn’t live in the Hyundai neighborhood. It’s in an upscale new subdivision known as the Genesis brand, and the model name is G80.
The 2017 Genesis G80 looks just like the 2016 Hyundai Genesis but has higher pricing. That’s not a rip-off. The price hike is warranted because the G80 comes with more features included as standard equipment, and some not even available previously.
Genesis G80 has a compelling advantage over many other luxury midsize sedans: Gorgeous design, great performance, premium features, high-quality materials and first-rate construction, but priced within reach of buyers who are financially comfortable yet don’t own the luxury of not having to consider cost.
There are three models in the G80 lineup: 3.8 with rear-wheel drive, 3.8 with all-wheel drive, and 5.0 Ultimate. The first two have a 3.8-liter V6 engine with 311 horsepower and 293 lb-ft of torque. The third one comes with a 420-horsepower, 5.0-liter V8 producing 383 lb-ft of torque. All are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
City/highway/combined fuel economy ratings are 18/28/22 for the rear-drive 3.8, 16/25/19 for the AWD 3.8, and 15/23/18 for the V8.
My tester was an AWD 3.8 whose power and performance left nothing to be desired, especially within the confines of driving on public roads shared with law enforcement officers. Better fuel economy is always attractive, and in the Pacific Northwest all-wheel drive is more beneficial than over-the-top horsepower.
Sitting inside the G80, it’s hard to believe you’re in a midsize sedan, given the enormous amount of space. A peek at the trunk explains the reason for the phenomenon. Not that the trunk is small per se, but it is small compared to how roomy the cabin is.
The G80 interior is everything a luxury car’s interior should be: beautiful, comfortable, quiet and loaded with pampering features, safety equipment and infotainment technology. I really liked the little touch of antiquity: a CD player. A nice gesture on the part of the Genesis brand, to acknowledge that there are still people alive who play CDs. It’s also a shrewd marketing move, since many of the Jurassic CD people have the wherewithal to buy a luxury sedan, unlike many of the young shoppers who like to tech-shame the rest of us.
Base pricing of the 2017 Genesis G80 is $42,350 for the RWD 3.8, $44,850 for the AWD 3.6, and $55,450 for the 5.0 Ultimate. These numbers include a $950 destination charge.
The total price of the test car was increased by a Premium Package ($4,750) and an Ultimate Package ($4,200).
2017 GENESIS AWD 3.8
Base price, including destination charge: $42,350
Price as driven: $53,800
Mary Lowry is an independent automotive writer who lives in Snohomish County. She is a member of the Motor Press Guild, and a member and past president of the Northwest Automotive Press Association. Vehicles are provided by the manufacturers as a one-week loan for review purposes only. In no way do the manufacturers control the content of the reviews.
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