CarBrandLogos archive · Genesis · 2016

GenesisG80

The same car as the Hyundai Genesis, until a full redesign made it its own.

Photo: Alexander Migl · CC BY-SA 4.0

The story

A defining chapter in Genesis history.

Explore the ideas, engineering and context that shaped the Genesis G80, then continue into its specifications and place in the marque's lineage.

2019 Genesis G80 3.8 HTrac, rear 3.11.20

Origins

The first G80 was a renaming exercise. When Genesis became a marque in 2016, the existing Hyundai Genesis saloon was rebadged with minimal change, which gave the new brand a competent executive car immediately but not a distinctive one.

2019 Genesis G80 3.8 HTrac, rear 3.11.20 · Kevauto · CC BY-SA 4.0

2019 Genesis G80 3.8 HTrac, front 3.11.20

Design and engineering

The second generation, launched in 2020, is where the model became itself. SangYup Lee's design gave it a low, tapered roofline, the brand's split-lamp signature and a cabin reviewers consistently rated above its price. Underneath was a rear-drive platform shared with the G70 and GV80, with rear- or all-wheel drive and turbocharged petrol engines.

2019 Genesis G80 3.8 HTrac, front 3.11.20 · Kevauto · CC BY-SA 4.0

2021 Genesis G80 2.5T AWD in Uyuni White, rear right

In production

An Electrified G80 followed: a battery-electric version of the same body rather than a bespoke EV, an approach Genesis used across several models while its dedicated electric platform came on stream. The G80 sits between the G70 and the G90 and is the brand's core saloon in most markets.

2021 Genesis G80 2.5T AWD in Uyuni White, rear right · Mr.choppers · CC BY-SA 3.0

At a glance