Genesis G70 Vs G80: Which Luxury Car Is Right For You? - HotCars

When Hyundai first launched the Genesis coupe all the way back in 2009, you would have been publicly mocked for suggesting that within a decade, the Genesis name would not only grow into a separate brand under the ever-growing Hyundai-Kia umbrella, but that its products would also be viable competition to established luxury marques from America, Japan and Germany.

However, in the upside-down world we now find ourselves in, that’s precisely the case. Genesis Motors has a handful of its own models – including an upcoming GV80 SUV, a first for the brand – that can compete quite handily against Lexus, BMW and Mercedes. Unfortunately, the two-door coupe that launched the Genesis name all those years ago has yet to see a revival, but the four-door models in the current lineup are criminally overlooked luxury car bargains that might suit your needs much better than you might think a Korean car could.

For the purposes of this comparison, we’ll be looking at the two smaller sedans on offer from Genesis, the G70 and G80. Both are reasonably priced, well-equipped and are more mainstream-oriented vehicles than the flagship G90 – though it, too, is quite a thorn in the side of the Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7-Series.

The G70 is the entry-level car, but it's also the most athletic in the lineup and meant to be the enthusiast’s choice, for reasons which will become clear. The G80, for its part, is the mid-ranger; the one with the widest appeal. It also just got a massive redesign, the first complete overhaul of any model since the inception of the Genesis brand, so it's running on the latest architecture and technology.

They may be built on similar architecture and use similar engines, but the Genesis G70 and G80 give two different new-age Korean luxury experiences for different kinds of people. The question is, which one is right for you?

Design: Hello, Gorgeous

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Straight away, Genesis' designers did an excellent job with the 2021 G80. They managed to incorporate the new signature grille and headlight design without making the front end look over-done, which is no easy feat when you have a huge aluminum shield to work with. It's restrained and clean without looking boring or anonymous, and it sets an excellent tone for the brand's next generation of products.

We did see this design language used on the G90 sedan, and of course the brand new GV80 SUV, but the latter is just that, an SUV, and the former was more of a mid-cycle refresh to update the front fascia, rather than a completely new model.

The old G80 wasn't a bad looking car either. It was an evolution of the last Hyundai Genesis sedan, but it still looked different enough to the Cadillac CTS' and BMW 5-Series' it competed with to stand out. Neither G80 makes quite the same visual impact as their platform sibling, the Kia Stinger, but they are nonetheless handsome and respectable cars.

The G70, on the other hand, is a delightful car to look at. It's a more youthful car, targeting a younger crowd with a bit more aggression and athleticism in its shape. Its proportions are excellent, and though it has some similarity to a Mercedes C-Class in the rear, it's unique enough to set itself apart from the competition without taking and major risks to do so.

We slightly favour the youthfulness of the G70, but the 2021 G80's next-generation looks are a good sign of what's to come next from Genesis.

RELATED: All-New 2021 Genesis G80 Makes Its Grand Debut

Engines: Four, Six Or Eight?

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Engine choice is important in a luxury car, but right now is a tricky time to be writing about Genesis engines. With the upcoming new models for 2021, all of the current engines are being replaced with new turbocharged four- and six-cylinder units. For the sake of comparing engines here, we'll use the 2020 and older G80 and G70, since they both use the current, soon-to-be-replaced Genesis powerplants.

The smallest engine available is the 2.0l turbocharged inline-4, making 252 horsepower. This engine is only available in the G70, and it can be mated to your choice of rear- or all-wheel-drive, and either an 8-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual transmission, a class-exclusive in North America. Unfortunately, the manual will be going away after the 2021 model year, as Genesis announced it would be dropping the manual option due to lack of sales.

The base G80s came with a 3.8l V6, a carryover engine that had seen use in all sorts of Hyundai-Kia vehicles, including the Genesis Coupe and the Kia Sedona minivan. However, it fell out of favor to the now-ubiquitous 3.3l twin-turbo V6 making 365 horsepower, which you'll also find in the Kia Stinger GT. The engine was first used in the G80 Sport edition in 2018, and it is also the highest-spec engine option for the G70. Reviewers say it lacks a little bit of audible character, but it delivers its power competently and it competes well within its class. This engine is only available with Hyundai-Kia's 8-speed automatic transmission in both cars.

There is, however, a third option. You won't be able to get it in a brand new model anymore, but if you're prepared to shop second-hand, you could find yourself a Genesis G80 with a 5.0l "Tau" naturally-aspirated V8 that produced 420 horsepower. It sounds awesome with the right exhaust, and it gives the G80 character that it lacks in other trims.

RELATED: Here Are The 10 Best Sedans You Can Get With A V8 Engine

Driving Dynamics And Performance

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As you'd probably expect, the G70 is the sharper vehicle to drive. Reviewers have commented on its quick steering, compliant ride, and good handling. The optional manual transmission with the 2.0l engine gives it an edge over even the new BMW 3-Series in terms of driver involvement. But even when equipped with the 8-speed auto, it is still an excellent chassis, and accepting the loss of the manual transmission means you can jump up to the 3.3l twin-turbo V6.

365 horsepower is the correct number for this package - the 5.0 would have upset the balance too much - and the V6 doesn't alter the weight distribution enough to noticeably upset the handling characteristics. Upgrading to the V6 also gets you a limited-slip rear differential and bigger Brembo brakes.

The G80, meanwhile, loses the dynamics fight to its smaller sibling. Even in G80 Sport trim, the car was simply too heavy and the steering too numb to deliver a truly "sporting" driving experience. However, it's quieter, more comfortable, has more interior room (particularly in the back seat, which is strictly off-limits in the G70 if you're over six feet tall), and a nicer ride than the stiffer G70.

It's the one to buy if you want a bigger, softer daily driver or if you have backache. The G80 has a whiff of "old man's car" about it, but that's who the G90 is aimed at now so perhaps the 2021 model will improve on the old one's driving characteristics as much as it improved the styling.

RELATED: Review: 2019 Genesis G70 – Another Step To Automotive Greatness

Value, Availability, And Which One We’d Have

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The G70 is going to be the value proposition if you're buying either model brand new. In Canadian dollars, a new G70 starts at $43,000 and can range up to $58,000 for the highest spec. A brand new G80 will start at $66,000 and will reach $76,000 for top trims.

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However, these cars start to become serious value propositions if you shop second-hand. At the time of writing, the cheapest G70 listed for sale in Canada is going for $33,000 for a 2019 2.0t Sport automatic. That's $10,000 cheaper than a new model for a car that's less than two years old. Manual ones are nearly impossible to find, but the cheapest one of those listed for sale is still only $36,000 CAD with low miles.

Used first-generation G80s are even better deals. There are a few 3.8l models listed for under $30,000, and the cheapest V8 model is a 2017 G80 Ultimate listed for $38,000. G80s with the twin-turbo 6 are newer and thus a little more expensive, but there are still plenty of them around the $40,000 mark.

Either one of these cars represents phenomenal value, as you'd expect from a Hyundai-Kia product, but they're also good enough vehicles that they can stand on their own without the cliché "it's really good for a Hyundai product" preface. They're well-priced, quality cars that drive very nicely and could probably use more time in the spotlight than they seem to get.

Overall, we favor the current G70 over the current G80 for its lower brand new price, sharper looks, and more performance-oriented setup and dynamics (and that sweet manual option while it’s still around). However, once reviewers and customers get access to the next-gen G80, with its new architecture, technology and engine options, that could all change.

NEXT: Here’s How Hyundai Fixed Its Broken Reputation