So this isn't really an introduction - the car has been shown in the "Post pics of your car right now" thread. I hadn't the time then to do a write-up of the purchase decision / process, so for those who are interested in that sort of thing, do read on. This will also serve as a place-holder for future updates - and here's hoping they are as boring and drama-free as they were with the old boss.
So, you’ve got, like, 2 Genesis sedans now???
I’d barely driven my 2015 Genesis 3.8 V6 over the last two years. With only a brief blip of a part time return to the office, I’ve been working from home. My daughter has been quite happy to make sure the car didn’t sit idle, though, and has been happy to have essentially unfettered access to it as needed. With the return to work on the very hear horizon, however, I could see the writing on the wall. Just before the pandemic hit, we had been looking at the Venue, Kona and CX-3 as possible subcompact / compact options for her for a first car. But in the present moment, with new car availability being less than stellar and markups on dealer stock being quite common, buying new would definitely have its drawbacks. And used car prices can be pretty bonkers as well at the moment.
It occurred to me that she might already be driving her best option. It’s certainly not the first vehicle that comes to mind for a first car for a new driver, but it’s an unstoppable tank in any weather and she really enjoys driving it. With only 70,000 km on the clock, and a known history of reliability that approaches perfection, there was real peace of mind with the choice. For those who think it’s too posh for a first car, well, I get that point of view for sure. But on the other hand, it’s a 6-year-old Hyundai.
Now, one thing that came to mind in considering a replacement vehicle for myself was – okay – get something fun and sporty. But suddenly, fun and sporty cars have dropped in my want list since getting my motorcycle – because it is vastly more fun and engaging than any Miata or Mustang (to me), not to mention a fraction of the price. A 4-wheeled summer toy will be off the table for me for as long as I roll on two wheels.
The second thing that came to mind was that I couldn’t have been more completely happy with the Genesis in the time I have had it. It simply excels in its role as a luxury sedan. And reliability has been damned near perfect – a weak battery when brand new and a faulty door handle last year about sums up the drama. So I decided I might just look at getting the same car again. Other than a brief consideration of a used Lexus LS, nothing else really appealed to me as much and nothing at all appealed to me more.
And the third thing to come to mind was that, notwithstanding the rise in used prices, luxury sedans still absolutely suck for depreciation, and Genesis is even worse than Lexus in that regard. Which, from this side of the fence, is very good news indeed.
But I figured that if I was going to end up driving more or less the same car for more than a decade, version 2 would be as different within the range as it could be just for the sake of some modest level of variety. 1) Different exterior colour – this was least on the requirement list because I still think this car looks amazing in white. But two white Genesis in the driveway seemed vaguely weird. 2) Different interior colour – this was a big one. Pretty much EVERY car I have owned since my first has had a grey leather interior. Definitely time for a change there. 3) Different engine. I’ve been wholly satisfied with the normally aspirated 3.8 V6, but given the reduced price-delta on the used market, I might as well go for moar powah.
But duuuude – you coulda had a V8! Duuude!?!?!My main focus actually WAS on getting the V8. They are already all but gone from the automotive landscape, and the Tau 5.0 is a pretty sweet example. I ended up test driving a few of them of them, ranging from 2015 to 2018 model years. One thing that impressed me on ALL the cars I drove was how tight and rattle-free they were (even some examples comfortably over 100,000k) and how solid and well-damped the suspension felt. None of the cars felt even a little “old” in any way. I had identified a couple viable options, but kept looking. The main thing I noticed in driving the V8s was how incredibly similar the driving experience was to my V6 – which absolutely echoed my perception from back when I was shopping new.
Both engines are smooth and quiet and move the car along briskly in a buttoned-down, drama-free way. This is due in large part to very similar power curves, with peak torque coming waaaay up the rev range. The V8 is always making more power, of course, but this is partly offset by the extra weight. In normal driving, it doesn’t feel that much different than the V6. The differences really emerge between 7 or 8/10ths throttle to WOT. Absolutely mash the pedal on a highway on-ramp and the extra 100-plus horse of the V8 definitely wake up and gallop. There’s also a noticeably deeper tone at full blast, but this thing doesn’t howl, bellow or scream – muted and hushed is the order of the day.
So, what’s so different about the turbo 6, then?Which brings me to the 3.3t Sport. Now, my only experience with this motor was when our own Patrick D took me for a spin in the G90. Just from the passenger seat I could feel the substantially stronger pull from down low as compared with my car, but I couldn’t tell how much throttle was being applied to make that difference evident. So, I drove one. And immediately found out. This engine makes the car feel MUCH different – and much more powerful – than my 3.8. And that difference is manifest just off idle where peak torque arrives early and parties hard. By early, I mean something like 1300 rpm. The V8 makes a bit more torque still – but like the 3.8, you find the torque peak well up the tachometer. With the turbo, you get immediate thrust any gear, any speed, any rpm.
(Bonus points to anyone who noticed that all pics shown thus far have been taken in exactly the same spot) 
There are no dogs in this generation of Genesis, though. The 3.3t is bit more than a full second faster than the 3.8 in a zero-to-sixty run, and about a half second slower than the 5.0, but it FEELS the most unique and different of bunch. I came across this dark grey example with the Panda interior and felt like I’d found the one. The two-tone seats won’t float everyone’s boat but I absolutely love them. A welcome break from the dark interiors I have known and more distinctive than the slightly old-man-ish (yes, I know I fit that description) tan leather found on the V8. A dark brick-red / oxblood interior would be killer, but was never offered to my knowledge. I didn't love the carbon fiber trim at first. My old-man-ish self would have craved perhaps a matte black ash burl instead. But the carbon fiber trim has quickly grown on me and I’m not sure I would swap it now if I could.
What about the tech? This represents by far the biggest change in the driving experience. Just a few highlights:
Adaptive cruise – I’m a believer. Far less fiddling about in moderate traffic and very smooth transitions in speed – not as abrupt as some I have experienced.
Active lane keep assist. Didn’t love it at first, but it’s growing on me. It does want to keep you right in the EXACT center of the lane.
Auto-levelling and cornering LED headlights. These are a real upgrade over the HID units in the old car. Brighter, wider beam, and a surprising degree of deflection in the cornering direction to illuminate your intended path.
Android Auto / Apple Carplay. Love it. Seamless integration of music and updated-to-the-minute nav using the apps right from my phone.
Text message reader. Loving this, too, as I do NOT otherwise check texts while driving.
Upgraded sound. I’m no audiophile, but even I can discern an upgrade in the 900 watt 17 speaker sound system of the new(er) G80.
And that’s about it. So, meet the new boss. Same as the old boss. Sort of.
