Distance: 538 km
Date: 22-23 November 2024
Location: Ontario, New York
Up front: The interior looks stunning at first glance, the stalks and buttons have muted clicks, and the genuine leather is supple. But a closer inspection of the materials reveal lots of plastics and the aluminium-looking plastics stain easily. The four seats have a wide range of adjustments, as does the powered steering wheel, and comes with heated and cooled front seats, but the headrest isn’t adjustable forward or backwards like with German luxury competitors. The 21-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system is appreciated as standard.
The speedometer is analog while the rev counter is digital, providing a good mix of infotainment features mixed with a traditional and legible appearance. However, the gear shifting knob is a similar shape and size as the infotainment navigation wheel, so changing the radio station could lead the driver to shift into neutral by accident.
In the back: Rear legroom is spacious, both door windows have manual sunshades and the rear sunshade is electrically controlled. Although both outboard seats can be heated, it can only be triggered from the fold-down armrest console and not from the elaborate centre console already armed with an array of buttons.
The trunk is spacious and can fit a bicycle with through loading if the handlebar or front wheel were detached. A ski hatch provide through loading into the passenger compartment, but I’m not sure how many buyers will drive this on ski trips and how often they will do so. This is the first car I’ve seen come with a donut spare with an alloy rim, these things are usually steel. Classy.
Driving: The 2.5-litre twin-turbo inline four is identical to the Hyundai Elantra N-line even though the G80’s chassis is unique to the Genesis brand. While adequate for such a hefty car, it labours under acceleration and has poor fuel economy compared to rivals. The eight-speed automatic gearbox is tuned for the U.S. market in mph, not the Canadian market in km/h, making drivers cruise at odd rev ranges.
But if you’re 75 and just want a good-looking and floaty lease that reminds you of the Cadillac DTS with new tech, this works. The firm but forgiving suspension is also comfortable over bumps; it can handle speed bumps comfortable at 50 km/h with zero residual bouncing. The advanced lane keeping assistance makes driving on marked highways under ideal weather conditions a breeze and can even lane change on its own. Too bad this rear-wheel biased sedan doesn’t like curves—just like the Cadillac.
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