The Genesis G80 doesn't get any extra power as part of its mid-life update, but there are some changes under its refreshed skin.
Genesis has detailed the mechanical changes it has made to its G80 sedan, after revealing the updated model earlier in December.
The updated Genesis G80 sedan will launch in Australia in mid-2024, and the Korean luxury brand says more details specific to the Australian market will be provided closer to launch.
The engines remain unchanged: a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder with 224kW of power and 422Nm of torque, and a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 with 279kW and 530Nm.
G80 Sport
Both are mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and the G80 continues to offer both rear- and all-wheel drive configurations.
The G80’s suspension, however, has received some tweaks. The shape of the bush within the suspension has been “optimised”, and there’s a new frequency-sensitive shock absorber, with Genesis claiming the updated G80 boasts a smoother ride than before.
Genesis’ Road Preview Electronic Control Suspension remains available.
The company says it has also reduced vibration and noise in the G80, partly through the introduction of sound-absorbing tyres and by “optimising the sealing structure”.
Models with the Sport Package get a new electronic limited-slip differential, joining the existing rear-wheel steering system.
Previously detailed exterior changes include a new dual-mesh design for the crest grille, which is flanked by new headlights that keep Genesis’ trademark two-line design but feature the brand’s Micro Lens Array technology.
G80 and G80 Sport
There’s a new 20-inch alloy wheel design “reminiscent of an aircraft propeller”, while a restyled rear bumper sees the exhaust outlets hidden and V-shaped chrome details added that evoke the crest grille up front.
Sport models get a unique frontal styling treatment with the same headlights but a “double-layered G-Matrix pattern” for the grille and larger air intakes; there’s also a unique black garnish down back.
More dramatic changes can be found inside, with the restyled dashboard dominated by a 27-inch-wide OLED display that integrates the digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen. It can be split into a two- or three-screen view.
Below this sits a touch-based climate control array, while on the centre console there’s a redesigned “crystal-like” rotary dial shifter.
It appears to have a different texture to the infotainment rotary dial, which has also become larger, helping to reduce confusion as to just which dial you’re grabbing.
A Bang & Olufsen sound system is newly available. The outgoing G80 uses a Lexicon system.
Other interior features include a centre console armrest with an ultraviolet sterilisation function and heating, tri-zone climate control, and a rear-seat entertainment system with a 14.6-inch screen that can play streaming services.
G80 Sport
The new screen array, rotary dials and Bang & Olufsen sound system also feature on the updated GV80 crossover, due here in the second quarter of 2024.
The current G80 offers a 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, and either 8.0-inch or 12.3-inch instrument cluster screens.
The G80 and G80 Sport will be offered in 10 exterior colours including a new Brooklyn Brown, along with four interior colour options: black, camel, grey/beige two-tone, brown/blue two-tone, and black/red two-tone.
The Sport, as the current model does, offers unique interior tweaks like a different steering wheel design and two types of carbon garnish.
Genesis has yet to reveal the updated Electrified G80, and while we expect similar interior and exterior updates to those bestowed upon the petrol-powered model, we don’t yet know what will be changed under the skin.
The G80 has been Genesis’ best-selling vehicle since it was established as an independent brand in November 2015, with 390,738 examples sold globally between that date and the end of August 2023.
Genesis sold 1,008,804 vehicles overall during that period.
The G80 hasn’t been as popular in Australia, where large luxury sedans are niche sellers, as it has been in markets like South Korea and the US.
From January to the end of November 2023, Genesis has sold 47 examples. That’s more than the Jaguar XF (6 sales) and Maserati Ghibli (28 sales), but well below the German triad: the Audi A6 (236 sales), BMW 5 Series (455 sales) and Mercedes-Benz E-Class (381 sales).
That figure also includes the Electrified G80, which means it’s being outsold by the likes of the Mercedes-Benz EQE (388 sales) and considerably pricier Audi e-tron GT (304 sales).
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