At this point, we know what to expect when Hyundai apply a female badge to its cars. The resulting vehicles are serious performance machines with immense appeal to enthusiasts. Through company brothers and sisters GenesisHowever, label “Sport” has resulted in a relatively inconsistent experience. This confusion remains with 2022 Genesis G80 Sport.
Part of the problem is that there are two versions: Sport and Sport Prestige. Both add a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 as standard equipment, an engine that has since been discontinued as an option. other G80s for 2022. These cars are currently only equipped with 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder engines.
In addition, the two Sports have some cosmetic changes to further differentiate them from the standard models. These include a unique dark chrome grille, new front and rear bumper designs, black trim around the lights and transparent dark chrome where you’ll find the usual bright composition. G80s. The standard Sport gets special 19-inch wheels, but the Sport Prestige has its own 20-inch wheel design, which can be combined with optional summer tires.
That’s all she wrote for the base Sport, though, making it a V6-coupled looks package. If all you care about is looks and extra power – and interestingly, isn’t it pretty – check out our standard G80 review, because that’s how the standard G80 Sport will drive. For a more comprehensive, more fully realized performance model, you pay an extra $6,300 for the Sport Prestige. That’s the version we’re driving here.
Despite the name implying extra skin or general fervor, the Prestige is in fact a version that adds performance features in addition to a larger engine. You get high-performance, sport-tuned adaptive suspension brake, rear-wheel drive and optional summer performance tyres. In other words, this is real Sport.
That said, to set expectations, don’t go into this with hopes Mercedes-AMG, BMW USA or Audi Sport competitor. Despite the upgrades, the G80 Sport Prestige is still not geared towards that level of performance. The slinky sedan’s powertrain makes 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque and sends it through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The eight-speed remains the same as before, but new tuning for the unique “Sport+” driving mode makes the G80 a much more aggressive gearshift partner on winding roads.
No sport exhaust lets you hear the turbocharged V6 better than before, but you can tweak the simulated engine noise to your liking. It’s very loud in the cabin, but never sounds particularly good. However, this engine deserves some loosening of the reins, as it is a powerful engine. Launch control can be activated with stability control turned off, and with it, this G80 Sport Prestige can glide effortlessly from 0 to 60 mph in the sensation of just over 5 seconds. We estimate, because Genesis does not provide an official ramp time.
The “sport-tuned” suspension includes springs that are only slightly stiffer than those fitted to the standard car, along with revised damper adjustment. When you dial up Sport+ to the max, those electronically controlled dampers get stiffer than you might expect for such a large sedan – you really don’t want to move in that mode. this degree, because it is too hard. Plus, the steering wheel becomes unnaturally heavy to the point of discomfort, a shared trait with GV70 Sport.
One would expect that this extra stiffness could translate into better handling performance, but the G80 Sport Prestige doesn’t have the same playful attitude as it does. rock star little siblings, G70. This is a big, heavy sedan that feels like a big, heavy sedan in all circumstances. The addition of a rear-wheel steering wheel makes the turn feel quicker, but we still wouldn’t describe it as nimble. There aren’t many ways to roll the body, but unlike many large cars that shrink around you in a way that defies physics, the G80 doesn’t offer such stages. It is capable and ready to be roamed, but it is not a fun or fun exercise. The stiff suspension is a disadvantage in some cases, as it hits the mid-corner of the pavement poorly, feels a bit messy, and isn’t fine-tuned in the process.
The all-wheel drive system is effectively de-stressed, but the car doesn’t transfer what’s going on at the wheels back to the steering wheel, leaving you almost paralyzed on the road. You can tweak the little slip angle with traction control off, but the car isn’t eager to do so, nor does it inspire confidence (read: predictable) when you get there. At least the gearbox is eager to please in the Sport+, as it always shifts down when it can and holds gears as long as it can. Plus, the brake pedal is super stiff and responsive when you use it in sport mode – Genesis uses wire-brake technology to change how the pedal feels depending on which mode you set.
Where this G80 Sport Prestige shines most is when you roll it back to basic Sport mode or configure Individual mode to soften the suspension while keeping everything else at more flexible settings. Its power is satisfying to eat up the pavement as you soar up and down a gently winding road – think of a Highway journey first, not the Tail of the Dragon transformation. Additionally, the additional stability provided by rear-wheel steering, as the rear wheels rotate in the same direction as the front in higher-speed situations such as wide sweeps, gives the G80 a feeling of Safe and secure that we expect. tighter bits. The suspension is more forgiving and snappy on poor roads in the Sport, but still gives the G80 a solid ride. Our testers were fitted with high-performance all-season Pirelli P Zero tires that offer plenty of grip, but with the option, we recommend paying an extra $500 for summer tires from the factory. It snowed the week we got the G80 and the all-season tires are a poor substitute for winter real rubber, so you can also enjoy more grip in the summer and invest in a Good set of tires for winter.
For everyday driving duties, the G80 Sport Prestige is excellent, but not perfect. The large sedan has a fluid ride down the highway in Comfort mode, but similar to The BMW M550i we tested last year, it transmits minor road imperfections back to the cabin and into the occupants. It’s an odd mix of comfort with discomfort on the other, and we wonder if slightly stiffer springs or super-low tires are to blame. Even with this warning, the G80 is one of the better riders luxury sedan out there, bringing with it more costly competition like E-Class and Audi A6.
We can’t say enough good things about the G80’s interior. Sport trim adds a three-spoke steering wheel (better than two-spoke), diamond weave on the seats, and you can choose between two aluminum finishes, carbon fiber or decorative aluminum/carbon fiber combination. Our test car has carbon fiber combined with Sevilla red leather, and it’s beautiful. There isn’t a part of this interior that fails to appreciate what’s coming out in Germany these days, which is a serious accomplishment. We’d say that statement includes technology as well, but in many ways the Genesis’ infotainment and driver-assist tech is far superior. In particular, a special adaptive cruise control system called Highway Driving Assist II makes driving on highways easy. It’s especially great when you’re equipped with a 21-speaker Lexicon sound system that is sure to make any music lover happy.
We can also admire the exterior styling of this G80 Sport Prestige. All the changes to the Sport model give it an even sleeker presence than before, and no cheap performance gimmicks to be found. It’s classy, layered on top, then covered in this beautiful Makalu Gray Matte. For those who want to stand out even more, Genesis offers a Cavendish Red paint option (see above) exclusive to the Sport trim. And if you find yourself wondering about the wild, patterned wheels in these photos, rest assured that they look stunning in person. This large sedan has a huge design, more than most cars on the road today, and it may just be the G80 Sport’s biggest selling point.
Another good reason to buy the G80 Sport is its price. The base Sport version starts at $64,795 and the Sport Prestige (the one you want) at $71,095. Equipment a Mercedes-Benz E 450 or BMW 540i – the G80 Sport Prestige’s natural competition – with roughly the same level of standard equipment as the G80, and you’re looking at a price north of $77,000. Are those German luxury sedans worth the money? If you care about limited handling and want the best possible driving experience, it’s probably there. Otherwise, this G80 is a bizarrely beautiful alternative that we would highly recommend.
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