ISSUE 83
MAR 2020
Cover Story:
HAMILTON
Cars
Words by Nathan Irvine
The best value luxury sedan on the road? EDGAR finds out...
If I’m completely honest, I found it hard to get excited by the prospect of reviewing the 2019 Genesis G80. Hyundai’s luxury sedan strand won’t be winning any beauty pageants any time soon with its average looks. Sure, it looks decent from behind with its quad exhaust pipes peeping out from under the bumper, but it lacks the allure of its rivals such as the BMW 5 Series or the Audi A7.
But what it lacks in cosmetic appeal, the 2019 Genesis G80 makes up for it in almost every other way possible.
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Genesis It's what's on the inside that counts.
specifications
Engine
5.0-litre V6
Power
407bhp
Torque
383Nm @ 5000 RPM
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
0-100 kmh
5.2 seconds
Top speed
240kmh
Price
From AED 154,000
In true executive style, the 2019 Genesis G80 ticks all the luxury boxes. Soft prime nappa leather seats provide consistent comfort on short or long drives, so no need to worry about numb backsides when you’ve high-tailed down to Abu Dhabi and beyond.
The cabin is huge and is big enough to ferry family or friends around without much fuss. Sure, it’s hard to shake the feeling that you’re a cab driver when you’re behind the wheel, but at least it feels like you’re driving a high quality vehicle.
I was hugely impressed with the sound system of the G80, too. Each track that I pumped through speakers sounded, by default, excellent with the right amount of bass and treble lifting each track.
Unfortunately, the infotainment screen is disappointing. In this day and age, most displays are sharp with crystal clear images. Although connectivity is swift through the likes of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, the screen clarity feels like it’s stuck in the past.
Photo By
Supplied
The interior is made up of real wood flourishes.
I covered the basic looks above, so I don’t need to go into this again. What I will say is that you should opt for the G80 Sport if you want a superior looking model.
In terms of safety, the 2019 Genesis G80 is in a league of its own. Sure, it’s not the most exciting feature on the spec sheet, but it has sailed through tests to make it one of the safest luxury sedans around. Peace of mind for all, and especially for those with kids.
The smart cruise control helps applies the brakes nice and early when the car ahead gets too close. It will even pick up the pace automatically when the other vehicle moves out of the way.
The 2019 Genesis G80 may look tame, but it’s no slouch. Sticking a size 9 down on the accelerator unleashes the throaty roar of the quad exhaust pipes as it speeds up through the gears.
I was also pleasantly surprised by how responsive the steering felt. It grips the road well as it nips around bends, which completely belies the G80’s cumbersome looks.
It’s also a supremely smooth ride thanks to the suspension gobbling up the road bumps easily.
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Supplied The metallic and wood finish is a great look.
It might not be the most attractive car out there, but the 2019 Genesis G80 is certainly a great car. The biggest draw, of course, is the fact that you get one of the leading vehicles in its class without the bank-busting price.
You’ll find higher tech and spec options within the market, of course. But with a starting price of around AED 154,000 for the base model that comes stacked with features, you won’t find a luxury sedan that’s better value for money.
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