When Genesis’ second-generation G80 was launched for the 2021 model year, the interior was enhanced and it gained more refinement. Yet the popular Sport model was missing on the midsize sedan.
The Sport model has been revived for 2022 and now every V-6-powered G80 will be either a Sport or a Sport Prestige. The changes include aggressive styling cues — unique diffuser, 19- or 20-inch alloy wheels, red or black brake calipers, and a three-spoke steering wheel — and some mechanical tweaks.
One notable change: available rear-wheel steering, a first on a Genesis, to optimize driving stability. The sport sedan’s rear wheels can now turn up to 2 degrees in the opposite direction of the front wheels at low speeds and the same amount in phases at higher speed. Its turning circle has also been cut by nearly 2 feet, to 36.2 feet.
The entry-level G80 Sport is a mechanical clone of the 2021 G80 3.5T AWD, with the same four-piston monoblock front brake calipers, suspension tuning and all-season tires as its non-Sport predecessor. And the 3.5-liter, twin-turbo V-6 engine with 375 hp is still paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
We’ve collected some reviews.
“Nothing about this G80 really screams Sport. Think autobahn, not autocross; fast drives on lazy country roads are totally what this car does best.
“Evidence of that comes when you switch to the Sport’s, uh, Sport driving mode. The steering gets heavier but it doesn’t add any additional feedback. The throttle response is sharper, but it’s harder to accelerate smoothly. Even the brakes are grabbier in Sport mode, the brake-by-wire tuning putting all the stopping force right at the top of the pedal’s stroke.
Then there’s Sport Plus mode, which is wholly unnecessary. In addition to the above issues, the transmission holds gears way too long and downshifts at awkward times. Also, Sport Plus partially deactivates the traction control system, which I can’t imagine ever wanting to do in a 4,453-pound sedan like the G80. It’s like applying the standard Sport Plus playbook to a car that doesn’t need it, and this otherwise lovely Genesis is worse when driven this way.”
— Steven Ewing, Roadshow by CNET
“”it the drive mode button to activate the Sport setting, and the G80 starts to live up to its name. The stiffer dampers relative to other G80s are immediately apparent, with none of the floatiness of Comfort while still retaining a reasonable amount of tranquility. The eight-speed transmission becomes more responsive as well, which makes dive-bombing into tight corners good fun as the gearbox bangs down from fifth to second, and clever shift logic holds that gear until it’s time to exit the bend.
“Body motions are more akin to a boat than a bullet train, sapping some driving confidence when pressing hard.
“The rear-axle steering is another boon in brisk driving. Turning out of phase with the front wheels at speeds below 37 miles per hour, the rears noticeably help the G80 carve through tight corners with confidence. And above that speed, as you might experience on a wide sweeper, for example, the rear wheels point in the same direction as the fronts, reducing turn-in sharpness but improving stability and confidence. My only complaint in such situations is a $500 one — the standard all-season tires give up before your courage when pushing toward the limit.”
— Brett T. Evans, motor1.com
“”he word ‘Sport’ does not appear on the 2022 G80 Sport, but ‘AWD’ and ‘3.5T’ badges give away the twin-turbo powerplant and drivetrain underneath its sheetmetal. The G80 weighs more than almost everything in its segment, but Genesis has optimized how its midsize sedan steers and handles, an effort that starts with a suspension that’s stiffer by 4 percent up front and 12 percent in the rear. If you want a six-cylinder G80, the Sport is now the only trim, and AWD is standard. The 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 produces 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque, unchanged figures from the 2021 G80 3.5T.
“The biggest update is a new rear-wheel steering system. This is the first time Genesis has used the technology, and not only is it a bit of a rarity among sedans, it’s a good fit on the G80. Just like the setup we knew and loved on the now-discontinued Lexus GS, the G80’s rear wheels can turn up to 2 degrees in the opposite direction of the front wheels at low speeds and the same amount in phase at higher velocities. The 2022 G80 Sport feels a little more agile in corners, and as a bonus, its turning circle has been cut by nearly 2 feet, to 36.2 feet.”
— Zach Gale, Motor Trend