- Images of third-generation G80 released
- Rides on an all-new platform
- 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Next-generation G80 will be a 2021 model in the U.S.
- Pricing not released; current model starts at $43,545
The 2020 Genesis G80 is the final model year of the current generation, and we now have our first official pictures of the new, third-generation Genesis G80. The new mid-size luxury sedan debuts in its home market later this month and will come to the U.S. as a 2021 model.
GV80 exterior styling influence
These first images of the new 2021 G80 show a strong influence from the recently introduced GV80 SUV. The most notable rub-off is the twin-bar lighting signature. This theme appears in the headlamps, on the front fenders, and again in the taillights. A generously sized, shield-shaped grille with a chrome chainmail insert echoes that of other Genesis models. The main bodyside crease starts on the hood and falls gently as it extends toward the rear. The fast-sloping roofline flows uninterrupted into the short decklid, and an oval concave section is employed at the rear.
The similarities go beyond the styling. The G80 shares the same rear-drive biased platform as the GV80. As a result, the new model will likely boast a choice of rear- and all-wheel drive similar to the smaller G70 sport sedan.
Interior design
Cabin images show a fat, 2-spoke steering wheel and a dial gear selector, similar to the GV80 SUV. The air-conditioning vents blend into a trim element that makes them appear as a single unit spanning the dash. It appears that Genesis worked to keep a low overall dash height, and the company also mentions the car’s narrow A-pillars, both of which should aid forward visibility.
Class of 2021: The New and Redesigned Cars, Trucks and SUVs
The new G80 looks poised to deliver an upgraded tech quotient. The current G80 offers a standard 8-inch touchscreen and an available 9.2-inch unit. But the new car features an ultra-wide 14.5-inch screen positioned front and center on the otherwise minimalist dashboard. Genesis promises “advanced driver assistance systems,” which we expect would include Highway Driving Assist II, a semi-autonomous self-steering function, as well as Blind Spot View Monitor. This setup displays in the instrument cluster a feed from side-mirror mounted cameras when a turn signal is activated. Both features are available on the GV80.
What powertrains will the G80 offer?
Genesis has not yet revealed powertrains for the new G80. The current car offers a naturally aspirated V6 as the base engine, with a twin-turbo 3.3-liter V6 and 5.0-liter V8 engines as upgrades. We expect the new version will offer a lineup that parallels the similar-sized GV80 SUV, in which a 2.5-liter turbocharged I4 is the base offering and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 is the step-up engine.
What will the G80 compete with and what will it cost?
Like the current model, the 2021 G80 faces off against the Audi A6, the BMW 5 Series, and the Mercedes-Benz E-class. Pricing has not been released but is likely to start in the mid-$40,000 range (the 2020 model starts at $43,545). Genesis has not revealed when the new G80 arrives here, but we’d look for it to appear here in late 2020.
Can’t wait for the all-new 2021 Genesis G80? Shop now for the current G80 at a dealership near you.
