The 2022 Genesis G80 is every bit as elegant as its top industry rivals, which include the German-branded heavy hitters: the BMW 5 Series, the Audi A6, and the Mercedes-Benz E Class. This posh midsized sedan is expertly crafted by the premier engineers and designers at Genesis, and it has been a consistent award winner since its inception. After a full redesign last year, which introduced a host of upscale new features and a reimagined identity, not much has changed for 2022. However, the latest G80 does return with some updates: the 3.5T Sport trim has a new name (it was previously called the 3.5T) and now gets all-wheel drive, and rear-wheel steering is introduced as a new technology found within the 3.5T Sport’s Prestige Package.

Trims, Mechanical Details, and Efficiency

There are two versions of the athletic and sophisticated 2022 Genesis G80: the 2.5T and 3.5T Sport. The 2.5T comes with either a rear-wheel or all-wheel drivetrain and is eligible for Advanced and Prestige packages. As mentioned, the 3.5T Sport is strictly AWD. It also qualifies for a Prestige Package, with a choice of summer performance tires or all-seasons. The 2.5T gets its name from its powerplant, a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder that churns out 300 hp and 311 lb.-ft. of torque. Similarly, the 3.5T Sport’s prefix refers to its turbocharged 3.5-liter V6, which produces 375 horses and 391 lb.-ft. of torque. An eight-speed automatic pairs with either engine. Based on EPA estimates, the RWD 2.5T returns 23 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. With AWD, it achieves 22 city/30 highway. The 3.5T Sport is a bit thirstier, getting 17 city/26 highway.

2.5T

Given the ‘22 G80’s status as a full-on luxury vehicle, you can expect it to embrace a special level of equipment. The standard 2.5T comes with LED headlights, front and rear parking sensors, a self-leveling suspension, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a hands-free trunk, proximity key with push-buton start, selectable drive modes, synthetic leather upholstery, heated and power-adjustable front seats with driver position memory, dual-zone automatic climate control, ambient interior lighting, and an 8-inch LCD gauge cluster.

The 2.5T also has a noteworthy infotainment system with a 14.5-inch touchscreen, navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming, and a premium 12-speaker sound system. Not only that, but it’s stocked with a suite of active safety features: forward collision-avoidance assist, lane keeping assist with road edge detection, lane following assist, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with speed limit recognition, driver attention alert, automatic high beams, and safe exit assist.

The 2.5T Advanced gets a sunroof, tri-zone automatic climate control, ventilated front seats, matte-finish wood interior trim, a deluxe 21-speaker Lexicon sound system, and rear sunshades. The 2.5T Prestige receives smartphone-based Digital Key, power-close doors, genuine leather upholstery, a wireless phone charger, a more ergonomic driver’s seat with additional power adjustments, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. It also tops the safety suite off with a surround-view camera system, a live-feed blind-spot view monitor, Remote Smart Parking Assist, reverse automatic emergency braking, and rear occupant alert.

3.5T Sport

The base version of the 3.5T Sport includes the same features as the 2.5T Advanced, along with an electronically controlled suspension with road preview, Digital Key, power-close doors, leather seats, a wireless phone charger, alloy sport pedals, heated rear outboard seats, aluminum interior trim, an ergonomic driver’s seat, and a heated steering wheel. It also comes with most of the active driving aids from the 2.5T Prestige, minus Remote Smart Parking Assist and reverse automatic braking. The 3.5T Sport Prestige adds those two driving aids, in addition to a sport-tuned suspension, performance brakes, rear wheel steering, Nappa leather seats, a microfiber suede headliner, carbon fiber interior trim, a 12.3-inch 3D digital gauge cluster, a head-up display, and forward attention warning. Regular all-season or summer performance tires are available. When it’s ordered with the summer tires, the 3.5T Sport Prestige comes with active noise control.