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2021 Genesis G80 First Drive | A dashing debutant comes into its own

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Genesis has garnered the attention of the automotive industry, from observers and enthusiasts like ourselves, to that of its competition. The stunted brand rollout may have raised questions at first, but the cars weÂ’ve driven — especially the sporty, well-balanced G70 — speak for themselves. A North American Car of the Year win, favorable J.D. Power owner surveys and AutoblogÂ’s own praise — even in some “Spend My Money” segments of our weekly podcast — have joined the chorus of enthusiasm for a brand that brings a different kind of luxury to the conversation. Now, the car that started it all, the Genesis G80, gets its first total redesign since the brand it inspired got off the ground (the last G80 started life as the second-generation Hyundai Genesis). It feels like a debutant ready to make its splash in the world. You may not have paid much attention to the G80 until now, but the new generation ought to change that. The 2021 Genesis G80 has presence, whether seen in studio photos, mixing it up in traffic or just resting in the parking lot of your favorite restaurant. It exudes confidence and decorum without outright flashiness or gimmickry. The dimensions and proportions make it appear sizable, its personality stretching to every extremity of its sheet metal. The few character lines are placed with moderated elegance, letting the carÂ’s physique tell its own tale of space and stability. The lines of the badgeÂ’s wings seem to stretch around the car from the two horizontal lines of the headlights, to those on the fenders behind the front wheel, continuing invisibly until they reappear where the taillights wrap around the rear corner. The roofline meets the rear deck tidily just above a chrome accent that looks like wings spread wide across the top or the trunk face. The G80 might not scream “look at me” in a crowded parking lot, but it does look fit and polished standing at attention. The G80Â’s cabin picks up the story artfully. The wide, horizontal dash is garnished by a wooden trim piece that echoes that earlier wing design. Surfaces are layered with inlays that add character without producing visual clutter. Touchpoints like the steering wheel, rotary gear shifter, center console and door armrests reflect the solidity of the exterior proportions. And, of course, thereÂ’s lots of space, just as the external architecture promises. Occupants are treated to quality materials applied with delightful design.

2022 Genesis G70 comes into clearer view, adds a 'drift mode'

More information on the 2022 Genesis G70 is trickling out today. Genesis detailed the car in Korea, offering up more photos of the redesigned sedan, along with engine and feature updates. We’ll note that Genesis still puts an asterisk at the end of this release, saying that the specifications and features discussed are for Korean-market vehicles. U.S.-specific market info still isnÂ’t explicitly defined, but itÂ’s safe to assume that most of what we see here will also make it stateside.  WeÂ’ll start with performance. Genesis is carrying over the same couple of engine options as before. The base engine is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 252 horsepower, and the upgrade engine is the 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 that produces 365 horsepower. However, thereÂ’s a newly available Sports package with a variable exhaust that adds three horsepower to both engines and features a much more aggressive exhaust note. The Sports package also adds a “drift mode” with a tweaked all-wheel drive system. All G70s (with or without the Sports package) also add a new Sports+ driving mode that turns the engine and transmission tuning up another notch. Like we mentioned further up, these powertrain details are not final or specific to the U.S. Genesis could make some tweaks, and weÂ’re still hoping the U.S. gets the more powerful 2.5-liter turbo that is coming as a North America exclusive to the updated Kia Stinger. Since the G70 and Stinger share a platform, itÂ’s reasonable that we would get the big four-cylinder here, too. However, the updated Stinger is launching with the same 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 as before, so weÂ’re not expecting Genesis to give us the 3.5-liter with the G70. The 10.25-inch infotainment system from the G80 and GV80 is being carried over to this model. Genesis also made the instrument cluster larger for better readability. Folks will get a more powerful wireless phone charger on the interior, and acoustic glass is added to the windshield and front doors. All three new photos of the G70 show us what appears to be the four-cylinder model with its twin-pipe exhaust exiting out the rear bumper. WeÂ’re still digging the new look and canÂ’t wait to see one in the flesh. Genesis says the updated G70 will go on sale in South Korea first, with international markets following sometime in 2021. Update: More photos were posted to Hyundai Motor Group's Facebook page. You can find the additional photos in the gallery above.

2021 Genesis GV80 First Drive | In the (second) beginning ...

If Genesis had it to do over again, it’s safe to say that its first three models would not have been a trio of sedans. The Genesis G80, G90, and G70 certainly have their merits, but when so many luxury-car intenders are shopping SUVs exclusively, the complete absence of such a vehicle in the lineup has prevented the brand from even getting consideration from a huge swath of the marketplace. Now, at last, comes salvation in the form of the GV80, the brandÂ’s first SUV. The arrival of the 2021 Genesis GV80 is such a momentous event that everything leading up to it feels like a preamble. This is the vehicle that will redefine Genesis, and that starts with its look. One upside of the GV80Â’s late arrival is that it skipped the milquetoast styling phase that the other models went through. The massive shield grille with the chain-link texture; the twin-slit motif seen in the headlights, the side repeaters, and the taillights; and the gently arching shoulder line all will be seen in other models — and are already in the newly redesigned G80 and the upcoming second-generation G70. The GV80Â’s design makes it appear much lower and longer than the competing BMW X5 though the Bavarian is just an inch taller. The Genesis also will face off against the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, the Lincoln Aviator, and the Acura MDX, among many others. Like the BMW, Benz, and Lincoln, the Genesis features a north-south engine orientation and uses an RWD-based layout, a fact telegraphed by the long hood and the cab-rearward design. Two engines are on offer: a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-four and a turbocharged 3.5-liter V6. The four-cylinder turbo boasts output more often seen with V6 engines: 310 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque (both figures shade the GLE 350Â’s 2.0-liter turbo-four). The boosted V6 is good for 375 hp and 391 lb-ft, beating the six-cylinder X5 (335 hp, 330 lb-ft) but not the Aviator (400 hp, 415 lb-ft). Both engines work with an eight-speed automatic. Missing from the lineup are the sort of high-performance or hybrid powertrain choices offered by most of the aforementioned competitors. Genesis serves up the GV80 a total of 10 different ways, and there are no factory options. The 2.5T can be had in Standard, Advanced, and Prestige trims, each with RWD or AWD. The AWD-only 3.5T offers the same three trims — each with a bit more content than their 2.5T equivalents — as well as a fourth 3.5T variant, the Advanced+, which is the only GV80 with a third-row seat.

Hyundai Motor heir Euisun Chung takes over from father after 20 years in waiting

SEOUL — Hyundai Motor Group appointed Euisun Chung as group chairman on Wednesday, cementing his succession from his octogenarian father in a move likely to give impetus to the world's fifth-largest automaker's push into electric vehicles and flying cars. In the first generational handover at the South Korean automobile giant in 20 years, Chung, 49, said he hoped to lead change at South Korea's second-biggest conglomerate as it battles to stay ahead of the pack in a time of rapid technological innovation in the global auto industry. "Carrying on their bold and innovative legacies, I feel privileged, yet also a sense of great responsibility for opening a new chapter of Hyundai Motor Group," Chung said in his inauguration speech to employees. Chung identified autonomous driving, electrification, hydrogen fuel cell, robotics and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) — industry jargon for flying cars — as his initiatives for the future. Hyundai Motor shares were trading up 0.3% after rising as much as 2.5% after the appointment, while the wider market was down 0.6%. Kia Motors and Hyundai Mobis fell 1.6% and 1.1%, respectively.   Legacies Hyundai Motor Group earlier on Wednesday said Chung had been promoted to chairman from executive vice chairman, replacing his father, Mong-Koo Chung, who was made honorary chairman. Key affiliates of Hyundai Motor Group, including Hyundai Motor, endorsed his inauguration unanimously. The appointment makes Chung the latest third-generation leader to take over one of South Korea's family-led conglomerates, which have been credited with lifting the war-stricken country out of poverty since the 1950s. His father took the wheel of the group in 2000 and transformed the company, once mocked for poor vehicle quality, into the world's No.5 automaker. The 82-year-old has been stepping back from frontline operations in recent years, and gave up his board seat in Hyundai Motor earlier this year. Euisun Chung has played an increasingly visible leadership role since September 2018 when he was promoted to executive vice chairman. Hyundai Motor Group invested $1.6 billion in a self-driving technology joint venture with U.S. Aptiv, forged a partnership with Uber on electric air taxis and invested in ride-hailing firm Grab. In July, Chung set a goal to win more than 10% of the global market for battery EVs by 2025.

2022 Genesis GV70 shows assertive design in official spy shots

Genesis one-upped the spy photographers who roam the globe in search of prototypes by releasing images of a fully camouflaged GV70. Positioned below the GV80, the firm's second SUV is expected to go on sale in 2021. We've already seen the GV70 lapping the Nurburgring, but the photos published by Genesis give us a clearer look at its exterior design. Although it's not a Xerox copy of its bigger sibling, the two SUVs share several styling cues, including a shield-shaped grille that dominates the front end. It's flanked by one-piece horizontal headlights with LED accents, and the lower bumper receives mesh-like inserts that give the GV70 a relatively sporty look. Its roofline is more rakish than the GV80's, though it's not quite fastback-like, and it flows into a rear end that wears a spoiler and a pair of two-piece horizontal lights. Mesh-like plastic trim again appears on the rear bumper, and it's flanked by sizable round exhaust tips that suggest we're looking at a performance-oriented variant, not at a base model. The subtle diffuser on the bottom part of the bumper adds credibility to this theory. Genesis stopped short of publishing technical specifications, but unverified reports claim the GV70 will share its basic platform with the G70, which recently received comprehensive updates. If that's accurate, it will likely come standard with a new turbocharged, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine also available in the Kia Stinger, where it makes 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. We expect a V6 will be offered at an extra cost. Rear-wheel drive will come standard, and all-wheel drive will be offered at an extra cost on at least some versions. We recently reported the Genesis GV70 will go on sale during the first half of 2021, meaning it will likely make its debut in 2020, and it may not arrive in showrooms until the 2022 model year. When it lands, it will compete in the same hotly-contested segment as the Audi Q5, the BMW X3, the Lexus RX, and the Mercedes-Benz GLC, among many other models. Pricing is expected to start in the vicinity of $40,000. What's next? Hyundai-owned Genesis has teased its plans to double the size of its lineup in the next 12 months. It currently sells three sedans, it's about to launch the aforementioned pair of SUVs, and it will release an electric model (which will be positioned in the crossover segment) before the end of 2021.

2022 Genesis G70 revealed with bodywork to match its brethren

After seeing it in spy photos for a few months, the 2022 Genesis G70 has officially been revealed. It bears the design cues of its bigger siblings, and we find it to be a major improvement. That's despite the fact that it's a relatively minor update, leaving the interior nearly unchanged. At the front, the G70 adopts the pentagonal grille and quad headlights of the G80. The main grille looks shorter than the old one, but wider. The lower fascia features new grilles and large outboard units that are less cluttered and awkward than the openings and accent lights on the outgoing G70. The sides of the car aren't majorly changed except for the front fenders. The large fake, chrome-adorned vents have morphed into small simple openings in the lower sections of the fenders. There aren't any accent or turn signal lights in the fenders like on the G80 and G90. The shape of the rear is fairly similar to the current model, but simple changes make it look more different than it is. Quad taillights mirror the headlights, but fill about the same area as the old dual taillights. The license plate area moves down into the bumper, and the trunk now has "GENESIS" spelled out across it. The interior is almost completely unchanged. The one exception is the infotainment. The G70 now gets a 10.25-inch display and a new Genesis-specific interface. Genesis hasn't yet said if any mechanical changes have been made. We're expecting it to get the new turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder, which makes 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque in the updated Kia Stinger. It's a toss-up whether it will get a carryover twin-turbo 3.3-liter V6 or the new turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 from the G80. We do know that there won't be a manual transmission offered this time around. Genesis said it will have more details, likely including mechanical specs, next month. Launch window and possibly pricing could also be announced then. Correction: A previous version of this story stated the redesigned Genesis G70 was a 2021 model. Genesis has informed us it will actually be a 2022 model. The article has been updated to reflect this. Related Video:    

All-electric Genesis eG80 caught in new spy photos

Spies have caught what appears to be an electrified variant of the new Genesis G80 luxury sedan testing at the Nurburgring. Hyundai's luxury subsidiary has been hard at work re-inventing itself, and it appears a midsize EV dubbed "eG80" is the brand's next step.  We don't have any serious hints as to what is going on under this prototype's sheetmetal, but our spies said there was no engine noise, which is our first clue. The remaining indicators are visual — the absence of any exhaust outlets (or a lower rear bumper cover that would eventually accommodate finishers), the solid grille and the lack of a visible cut-out for a gas cap.  The last item there could go either way, as there also doesn't appear to be a cut-out for a charging port, but there appear to be some electrical tape shenanigans going on there on the driver's side front fender, which may be keeping a flap of vinyl in place to disguise the door covering the receptacle. Our spies also note that the bumper designs appear to be unique to this variant.  Genesis is also expected to get a variant of the small Hyundai 45 electric crossover. In fact, this eG80 prototype is likely running a dual-motor version of the 45's powertrain, which is itself expected to be adapted from the 201-horsepower system utilized in the Hyundai Kona Electric. Genesis has stepped things up in terms of its interior quality and technology The huge, standard 14.5-inch touchscreen with iPod-like secondary controller stands out in particular for being feature-rich and user-friendly, which is a rarity in luxury cars. There's also tons of space in the comfy back seat, which is a big part of buying a big luxury sedan like the G80. The eG80 should further cement the big sedan's role in the future of Genesis. While Genesis has been hard at work developing crossovers in order to stay competitive, the company appears to remain committed to sedans. It's even one of the few that still offers a manual transmission in its entry-level G70 model, though that option is not long for this world.  Related Video:      

2021 Genesis G80 Review | Bland no more

Luxury sedans certainly aren't what they used to be in the automotive pantheon, largely supplanted in the buying public's eyes by SUVs. However, a sleek and elegant sedan can still turn heads, and with the 2021 Genesis G80, we think that some swiveling is bound to occur. Though its shape is certainly evocative of the Audi A7, that's not really a bad thing, and there are more than enough unique details to make it something other than a copycat. It's also the first G80 you can't describe as bland, as it presents more reasons than just a low price and long warranty for folks to consider it instead of established segments entries like the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class. That's particularly the case inside, where Genesis has really stepped things up in terms of quality, technology and a unique design that should definitely stand out during back-to-back test drives of various luxury sedans. It looks and feels special inside. The huge, standard 14.5-inch touchscreen with iPod-like secondary controller stands out in particular for being feature-rich and user-friendly, which is a rarity in luxury cars. There's also tons of space in the comfy back seat, which is a big part of buying a big luxury sedan. As for the driver, they'll be treated to powerful engine choices as well as a sophisticated suspension (especially on the 3.5T) that impressively filters out road imperfections while still delivering a taut, controlled feel. You know, just like those sedans from Germany. It's time to take the G80 seriously. What's new for 2021? The G80 is completely redesigned for 2021 and represents the third generation of a car that began life as the Hyundai Genesis. 2021 Genesis G80 interior View 33 Photos What's the interior and in-car technology like?           While we come away impressed with every version of the G80 we've tested, it was the top-of-the-line 3.5T Prestige model with its deep blue leather accented in chocolate brown and rich matte-finish wood trim that really made us go "wow." It really looks sensational. Unique, too, which is definitely something that matters in this high-priced segment. There are different two-tone schemes available (see photo gallery at the top of the page), which may not be as distinctive, but are still quite classy and memorable.  Quality throughout is excellent, with many surfaces covered in a convincing leather substitute, plus that opulent stretch of wood across the dash and on the center console.

2021 Genesis G80 Review | Bland no more

Luxury sedans certainly aren't what they used to be in the automotive pantheon, largely supplanted in the buying public's eyes by SUVs. However, a sleek and elegant sedan can still turn heads, and with the 2021 Genesis G80, we think that some swiveling is bound to occur. Though its shape is certainly evocative of the Audi A7, that's not really a bad thing, and there are more than enough unique details to make it something other than a copycat. It's also the first G80 you can't describe as bland, as it presents more reasons than just a low price and long warranty for folks to consider it instead of established segments entries like the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class. That's particularly the case inside, where Genesis has really stepped things up in terms of quality, technology and a unique design that should definitely stand out during back-to-back test drives of various luxury sedans. It looks and feels special inside. The huge, standard 14.5-inch touchscreen with iPod-like secondary controller stands out in particular for being feature-rich and user-friendly, which is a rarity in luxury cars. There's also tons of space in the comfy back seat, which is a big part of buying a big luxury sedan. As for the driver, they'll be treated to powerful engine choices as well as a sophisticated suspension (especially on the 3.5T) that impressively filters out road imperfections while still delivering a taut, controlled feel. You know, just like those sedans from Germany. It's time to take the G80 seriously. What's new for 2021? The G80 is completely redesigned for 2021 and represents the third generation of a car that began life as the Hyundai Genesis. 2021 Genesis G80 interior View 33 Photos What's the interior and in-car technology like?           While we come away impressed with every version of the G80 we've tested, it was the top-of-the-line 3.5T Prestige model with its deep blue leather accented in chocolate brown and rich matte-finish wood trim that really made us go "wow." It really looks sensational. Unique, too, which is definitely something that matters in this high-priced segment. There are different two-tone schemes available (see photo gallery at the top of the page), which may not be as distinctive, but are still quite classy and memorable.  Quality throughout is excellent, with many surfaces covered in a convincing leather substitute, plus that opulent stretch of wood across the dash and on the center console.

2021 Genesis GV80 Review | Price, features, safety ratings, pictures

The 2021 Genesis GV80 is the newest model from the newest luxury brand, a midsize crossover with a grand grille, a plush interior and more than a whiff of Bentley in its proportions and detailing. Considering that Genesis is to Hyundai what Lexus is to Toyota, it would seem logical that the GV80 is just a tarted up Palisade, but that actually isn't the case. Instead, it shares its rear-wheel-drive platform with the also-new G80 sedan, which graces the GV80 with more elegant long-hood/short-overhang proportions and grants it superior driving dynamics. It also makes the GV80 a more convincing answer to comparably laid out luxury SUVs, including the BMW X5, Mercedes GLE and Lincoln Aviator, and quite frankly makes it harder to dismiss. And after getting time behind the 2021 GV80's unusual monospoke wheel, it would be a mistake to dismiss it. Although Genesis is a new brand, Hyundai has been churning out dependable, high-quality cars for years. People dismissed Lexus in the beginning, too. The GV80 isn't just festooned with the requisite amount of leather and fancy features, it's cabin is uniquely designed, slathered in rich details and comes standard with an abundance of technology that's actually user friendly. Space inside is less than you'll find in bigger, pricier luxury SUVs (BMW X7, Mercedes GLS), as well as big non-luxury crossovers like the Palisade, but it should be more than enough for those also considering the similarly sized X5, GLE, Aviator or perhaps the smaller Lexus RX. The driving experience isn't quite as memorable, but the ride and handling balance are appropriately sophisticated, the steering is precise and both engine choice offer more than enough power for such a large luxury vehicle. It definitely fall more on the comfortable-yet-controlled end of the spectrum with Mercedes and Range Rover.  While Genesis has been around for a few years now, its really the GV80 that stands the best chance of getting noticed by luxury buyers who are used to looking to Germany or Japan. SUVs are obviously what most people want and in the GV80, they'll find a good one.   What's new for 2021? The GV80 is an all-new model. 2021 Genesis GV80 interior View 39 Photos What are the GV80 interior and in-car technology like? The GV80 cabin is just as impressive in person as it is in pictures. It's tastefully unique and genuinely luxurious.