Test Drive Gallery: 2022 Genesis G80 3.5T Sport Prestige

2022 Genesis G80 3.5T Sport Prestige

Miles driven: 335

Fuel used: 19.5 gallons

CG Report Card

Room and Comfort	A-
Power and Performance	B
Fit and Finish	A-
Fuel Economy	C+
Value	A-

Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup.

Big & Tall Comfort

Big Guy	B
Tall Guy	B+

Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester.

Drivetrain
Engine Specs	375-hp 3.5L
Engine Type	Twin-turbo V6
Transmission	8-speed automatic
Drive Wheels	All-wheel drive

Real-world fuel economy: 17.2 mpg

Driving mix: 75% city, 25% highway

EPA-estimated fuel economy: 17/26/20 (mpg city/highway/combined)

Fuel type: Premium gas required

Base price: $63,700 (not including $1025 destination charge)

Options on test vehicle: Prestige Package w/ all-season tires ($6300)

Price as tested: $71,095

Quick Hits

The great: Value pricing for a luxury-brand large car; cabin quietness; smooth, satisfying acceleration

The good: Bold, distinctive styling; comfortable seats; some unique tech features

The not so good: Ride composure isn’t quite as refined as class leaders’; some complicated controls; V6’s fuel economy isn’t impressive; less trunk space than you’d expect for a large sedan

More G80 price and availability information

CG Says:

After its impressive redesign for 2021, the Genesis G80 luxury sedan undergoes a few changes for 2022—most notably the addition of Sport versions that come standard with V6 power and unique interior/exterior trim. Last year, we tested the G80 with its base 4-cylinder engine in Standard trim with rear-wheel drive and step-up V6 powertrain in Prestige AWD trim. You can check out those reviews for more details. This year, we sampled the new top-line 3.5T Sport Prestige version.

The “3.5T” stands for a turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 with 375 horsepower. All 3.5T G80s come standard with all-wheel drive and offer smooth, strong acceleration. Fuel economy is not a strong point of this powertrain, however. We’ve never averaged better than 20 mpg in testing one, and our observed fuel-economy numbers have fallen notably short of EPA estimates in the 3.5T GV70 and GV80 SUVs we’ve evaluated.

The G80’s ride quality is pleasant enough, but it’s not quite at the level of its European-brand rivals. Sharp bumps and expansion cracks can induce a “thunky,” jittery feel in around-town driving. Our test G80 seemed happier at highway speeds, where the ride was mostly smooth and serene. The G80’s handling is satisfyingly crisp for a big car, though established class rivals might have the upper hand here too. Selecting the Sport drive mode inflates pneumatic bolsters on the driver’s seat back that hold your backside in place more snugly in aggressive cornering—a clever feature.

There’s ample space in the front seats, but considering the G80’s bigger-than-midsize dimensions, the rear-seat headroom and leg room isn’t great. Four average-sized adults will be perfectly comfortable in the G80’s cabin, but when the front seats are adjusted to accommodate tall occupants, rear legroom quickly grows scarce. Our 6’6”-tall editor’s 10-year-old son complained of limited legroom when he was riding behind his dad (who had the driver’s seat adjusted as far back as it would go). Another annoyance: The wireless phone charger is nestled in a small covered storage bin at the leading edge of the center console, and that bin is small and tricky to access from the driver’s seat. It’s awkward to put your phone in or take it out.

The G80 offers a very generous level of equipment for the money, however. The $6300 Prestige Package adds a bunch of premium trim and technology features to turn the “standard” $63,700 3.5T Sport model into a Sport Prestige: Nappa leather upholstery, microfiber suede headliner, carbon-fiber trim, head-up display, 12.3-inch 3D digital instrument cluster, electronically controlled suspension with sport tuning, 20-inch sport wheels, Forward Attention Warning, Remote Smart Parking Assist, and rear Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist. Also included is rear-wheel steering, which enables a tighter turning radius in close-quarters maneuvering (as in cramped parking lots, for example), as well as enhanced cornering performance/stability at speeds.

We’ve listed a number of our quibbles with the G80 here, but we also need to note that this car boasts excellent “presence” inside and out. The confident exterior styling, dazzling LED daytime-running-lamp arrangement, and sumptuously finished cabin all contribute to the G80’s truly luxurious look and feel—and even in top-line trim, that ambiance comes at a price that’s thousands less than the competition.

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