By Karl Peskett.
Apparently you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. But you can certainly dress up an old dog to make it look newer.
That seems to be the approach that Hyundai has taken with its Genesis G80. To look at, it appears to be just a dressed up version of the old Hyundai Genesis that was introduced about five years ago. Back then it was a handsome (if somewhat derivative) sedan that had plenty of presence and enough space to sit happily in the large, premium sedan market.
Search for a used one and you’ll note that plenty of them have been dedicated to ferrying people around, with private chauffer companies buying a heap of them. So, you can get them quite cheaply, but with plenty of kay on the odometer.
In late June, the company has reintroduced this vehicle as the Genesis G80. Gone are all the Hyundai badges, which spoiled its premium look previously. The big sedan has also come in for a bit of cosmetic work, being enhanced at the front with a new DRL signature, new wheels, better suspension tune and other additions to keep it relevant in 2019.
The G80 Ultimate, which what we had on test, asks $88,900 of your hard earned cash. For that, you get 19-inch wheels, Nappa leather-appointed seats, heated and ventilated front and outboard rear seats, a heated steering wheel, a panoramic glass sunroof, soft-close doors (which pull shut automatically), a head-up display, powered back seats, suede for the headlining and pillars, plus a 7.0-inch full colour touchscreen infotainment system.
The materials used a quite good (the woodgrain is a bit naff, though) and the seat leather feels very premium indeed. But the presentation isn’t different enough from the previous car to make it feel new again. Sure, the gear shifter is a T-bar style and the rotary dial is replaced by few buttons in the centre console, but the overall layout is the same, and even the software that runs the infotainment isn’t any different from an i30.
The screen is quite small, and isn’t particularly high resolution, nor is the reversing camera. In the G70 you can forgive these minor issues because it’s so dynamically adept. But in the large and floaty G80 it just feels like a cut-price luxo-barge.
And there are other issues, too. The back seats won’t fold down meaning you can’t load through large items. Sure, the boot is a good size (493 litres) but even the G70 could fold its back seats down. Also, it’s 2019 and you’re paying nearly $90K for a luxury car. So, where’s the digital radio? The press release trumpets its DivX compatibility – who uses DivX anymore when everyone’s onto MP4? Again, it’s an old dog trying to do new tricks.
At least one thing is modern – the Genesis Connected Services app, which allows you to control the car from your phone. You can lock and unlock it, start or stop the engine, sound the horn, or set up the climate control so it’s ready for when you jump in.
When you do climb aboard, the Genesis greets you with fabulous pews which have all the adjustment you’ll need to get comfortable. The engine idles in absolute silence (with no vibration) and the electric park brake is also eerily quiet.
The 3.8-litre V6 is a carryover from the previous Genesis, and makes 232kW and 397Nm. Coupled with a smooth eight-speed auto, the powertrain is very polished, if not exactly quick. There’s enough grunt when you need it, but it’s nothing like its little brother for absolute punch. Still, it’s aimed at a different market, and chauffers will love it.
Genesis says it’s rated for 10.4L/100km on the combined cycle and for once it’s about right. Another thing the car gets right is its ride. Hyundai (whoops, sorry, Genesis) has tuned the G80 to Aussie conditions and it really does a fabulous job, even on 19-inch wheels. On a glass smooth freeway, you struggle to hear wind or road noise and the suspension irons out any creases underneath you.
The steering is well weighted but isn’t exactly confidence-inspiring with its feedback, nor does this big kahuna feel like you can throw it around. It’s far happier doddling along in traffic or along a straight country road somewhere, with its passengers stretching out in the back, enjoying the peace and quiet.
The G80 is never going to dethrone the 5 Series for driving involvement, nor will it compete on badge cachet with an E-Class. But it does offer a lot of luxury for the price and will keep private hire companies buying them, thanks to its space and comfortable ride.
It’s a bit too old to really compete in 2019, though. Hopefully the company is willing to get down to brass tacks with fleet buyers.
