Genesis G80 and GV80 prices confirmed

• Will rival established premium brands 
• Customers to benefit from new purchase process 
• Prices start from £37,460 

Genesis, the Hyundai-owned luxury brand, has confirmed UK prices for its first European models. The G80 executive saloon and GV80 large SUV, which are rivals to the Mercedes E-Class and GLE respectively, will start at £37,460 and £56,815 when they go on sale this summer.

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Engines and specifications

Full specifications are yet to be confirmed for the G80 and GV80 but Genesis has revealed that the G80 saloon will come in two trim levels, called Premium Line and Luxury Line, with the option of two powertrains. 

The entry-level model in the line-up is powered by a 207bhp 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel engine. It’s linked to an eight-speed automatic gearbox that sends power to the rear wheels. The larger, 300bhp 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine shares the same gearbox but the car is four-wheel drive. 

Premium Line cars get plenty of standard equipment, including 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, electrically folding and heated door mirrors, and branded puddle lighting. As you’d expect, the G80 also comes equipped with a suite of safety equipment and driver aids, such as lane-keep assist, an intelligent cruise control system and parking sensors. 

The interior features a leather steering wheel, heated front seats, dual-zone air-conditioning, a widescreen infotainment system and a digital gauge cluster. If you spec either model in Luxury Line trim, for an extra £4,800 you’ll get real wood trim, larger alloy wheels and more in-car technology. 

Genesis has confirmed that the GV80 SUV will come with a similar level of standard equipment to the saloon but buyers can also choose to have five or seven seats. The additional two seats will add £500 to the price. 

There’s a small difference in the SUV’s engine range. The same 300bhp 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine is still available but, since the GV80 is a larger and heavier car, the carmaker is offering a more powerful 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel engine, which produces 278bhp. 

What is Genesis?

You may recognise the name from parent company Hyundai’s flagship executive saloon cars, which made an appearance in Europe before Genesis became a standalone luxury carmaker in 2015. Only a small number of Hyundai Genesis saloons came to the UK, however, and with a price tag of £48,000 and a 3.8-litre V6 under the bonnet, it was a hard sell for the brand. With a fresh vehicle lineup and a new focus on luxury design and customer service, Genesis is now targeting premium manufacturers in Europe. 

How can I buy a Genesis? 

Genesis plans to sell its cars both online and in physical retail spaces - but not via traditional dealerships. Instead, Genesis cars will be available to purchase from ‘Genesis Studios’ based in London, Munich and Zurich, where customers will be appointed a Genesis Personal Assistant. Genesis says these personal assistants will be recruited from the luxury hospitality and retail sectors, highlighting their commitment to providing a high-quality customer service with the “Genesis Difference”. 

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Dominique Boesch, managing director for Genesis Motor Europe, told our sister title, Auto Express: “It is our mission to offer so much more than just great products. We know that customers today crave experiences, and the onus is on us as a premium luxury brand to deliver a service which provides both convenience and exceptional hospitality to our customers. That is how we will stand apart.”

As part of the Genesis Difference, the brand will provide customers with a transparent pricing structure and all European models will come with a five-year care plan. This plan will include a five-year warranty, servicing package with courtesy car, roadside assistance and over-the-air software updates.

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Genesis is working to a motto of “we come to you”, which the brand says will enable them to deliver an easy-buying journey and ownership experience to customers. As a result, all new cars will be delivered directly to customers’ doors. Similarly, cars will be collected from and returned to Genesis owners for routine servicing, meaning they’ll never need to visit a dealership again. 

The G80 and the GV80 are to be followed by the smaller G70 compact saloon and GV70 mid-size SUV later this year, which will take on the likes of the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4 and the BMW X3 and Audi Q5 respectively. Genesis also revealed the G70 Shooting Break earlier this month, which is the fifth model to be announced by brand and one that will rival the BMW 3 Series Touring and Audi A4 Avant. 

Three electric cars wearing the Genesis badge will arrive in Europe by summer 2022. These include a hybrid G80, which was previewed at the Shanghai Motor Show last month, and two fully electric cars, one of which is likely to use the Hyundai-Kia E-GMP platform. 

Read our reviews of the Mercedes E-Class and the Audi A4.