Hyundai’s luxury division, Genesis Motor, just introduced the new 2021 Genesis G80 sedan, a premium four-door that would have taken on the likes of the Cadillac CT6 had the CT6 not been discontinued in North America earlier this year. Let’s take a closer look at what the fresh South Korean entry has to offer.
The 2021 Genesis G80 heralds an all-new generation for the nameplate, and sports an enormous front grille section that is divided into a crest-like upper section and wide lower section. A thin lighting treatment can be found in the upper corners, while the profile reveals a long, cab-back body with a sloping fastback roof line.
The thin quad headlamps are echoed by thin quad tail lamps, while a dual exhaust,20-inch wheels, and chrome trim finish it off.
The cabin space of the 2021 Genesis G80 is designed with emphasis on the horizontal plane, as evidenced by the steering wheel, dash layout, and infotainment screen design. Digital readouts include a head-up display, 12.3-inch instrument cluster, and 14.5-inch infotainment system. Leather, soft-touch fabrics, and open-pore wood trim are all on deck for materials.
There’s also a slew of safety bits, such as Smart Cruise Control with Machine Learning, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, and Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance Assist.
Under the skin is the brand’s third-generation RWD platform. The 2021 Genesis G80 is also shorter in overall length, wider in overall width, and lower in overall height compared to the CT6.
Three engines are on offer, including a turbocharged 2.5L inline four-cylinder making 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, a turbocharged 3.5L V6 making 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque, and a diesel 2.2L inline four-cylinder making 207 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. The diesel will not be offered in the U.S.
Does the 2021 Genesis G80 have what it takes to rival the Cadillac CT6? Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Cadillac CT6 news, Cadillac news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
Cadillac…. swing and a miss!
The G80 and GV80 are both so great. Great design. Great proportions. Great looking interiors.
Not so fast. The interior and technology is first rate but I would not call this car so great yet. This vehicle yet has an EV or hybrid version of this car. However, this car looks promising so I will give you that.
How many EVs does Caddy build?
Cadillac is preparing to release multiple EVs, starting in 2021. GMs mistake and downfall will be that they release EVs under the Cadillac badge, and will be overpriced and out of reach fo most, but for those who can afford them, they’ll already be driving a Tesla, Audi, or some other automaker’s vehicle because of the build quality, materials used, and price you pay for what you get.
So what you are saying is that you rather drive an EV under Chevy brand?
The only EV that is affordable under Tesla is the Model 3. Everything else is priced at $70K and above, same as for the earlier adopters from Audi, MB and Jaguar.
We have yet know what the starting price the Lyriq will start but the Celestiq does not count since it’s a niche halo model coach built.
Genesis sedan sales have not been good in the last few years. Like 600 units a month on the G80. Hope this one does better cuz its a nice car.
Cadillac Matt
The G80 & G90 did well for a few months when they first came out. Then they started to fall apart, and livery companies stopped buying them.
The Germans and Lexus have a stranglehold on this segment.
when I see Genesis, the first thing that comes to mind is that this is the individual, Sean Nelson, running Cadillac because he knows what will sell while Cadillac is essentially clueless and we know why.. when the President of the United States uses the Defense Authorization Act to compel General Motors to build ventilators, it means Trump was tired of hearing crap from General Motors CEO Mary Barra as this is one of the most embarrassing things ever as Trump would probably have all the ventilators he needs if he asked Hyundai to build them.
Omegatalon
I don’t know what your talking about. Last night Trump said GM is doing a great job building ventilators. He’s probably never even been in a Hyundai.
They are only building them because Trump forced them to build them! GM and Ford changed their minds so then Trump had to change his mind and force them to do this!
Looking forward to seeing if this works to replace the CT6 I own and love and will drive until I can’t buy parts
Trump humiliated himself by demanding Lordstown which GM no longer owns. They would have had to break an entry to get up in there.
I do wish Trump would ask non US automakers to build PPE and Vents. Let it be a race, a way to garner consumer good will. Anyway we need every bit of what’s left of the US manufacturing base.
Btw, this vehicle is nice. The Korean brands look rather American except better.
He didnt HAVE to ask Toyota, they understand the good will it would create, GM is friggin clueless on every count. That stupid idiot running the company cannot be fired fast enough!
https://pressroom.toyota.com/toyota-we-are-here-for-you-toyotas-response-to-the-covid-19-crisis/
G90 is CT6 competition, this is CT5 competition.
Exactly. This is a direct CT5 competitor but because of the CT5’s price point and supposed ‘tweener approach. G90 and CT6 are in same segment.
What’s crazy is that other manufacturers are still pushing into vehicle segments with new models while GM is steadily retreating.
Somewhere a CT5 silently weeps to self ‘I coulda been a contender’.
You both are wrong. The G80 is a direct competitor to the CT6 and former 3rd gen. CTS. The ’21 G80 is going up market but will compete in the E segment costing under $50K starting price.
I agree. The G80 is way upmarket from the CT5. I see it as a CTS competitor and the G90 as a CT6 competitor. But now that Cadillac has discontinued both, it really doesn’t matter, because Cadillac no longer competes in the medium and full size luxury market. Too bad, Cadillac used to make GREAT cars.
Now the only Cadillac that interests me is the XT5. I have 2017 and plan to replace it with a 2020 and hope it will still exist in 2023. Not sure what I’ll do when the lease is up on my 2020 CT6.
CT5 is supposedly a D segment vehicle based on pricing but in size and perception it’s still an E Segment vehicle.
CT6 was a full size F Segment vehicle; the G80 is mid size (E Segment).
I absolutely want this car. It looks like what a luxury brand should be. The one and only thing that makes me not want it is it’s a genisis. I just wish Cadillac could make something like this.this car looks special. I’d like to drive this and a Cadillac back to back just to gauge what’s the better place to be when comparing ride and comfort. I’d never buy this new I’d wait to watch the price drop for sure where the caddy I’d buy new if I was sold on it
I wish Cadillac would build something special also. They used to, but now they only build small generic sedans and SUVs. Interesting that the only “Special” vehicle Cadillac builds is the Escalade and it sell like crazy. Anybody else see the irony in that????
People see luxury now as being associated with an SUV when it comes to vehicles. Everything can be spot on with this vehicle and it will still have a tough time selling. Another thing going against the G80 that no one knows who Genesis is. I agree their G80 and GV80 are stunning. But still are viewed as the new comer on the block. Genesis still have a while to get to gain respect from a tier 1 luxury brand aspect. I hope the best, as competition makes a winner for the consumer.
Question is, what does Genesis offer that is unique? The technology like matrix headlamps and auto-park feature already came out on MB, BMW & Audi. The exterior blends in for the most part and the interior is now equally matches the E-Class and does not exceed it. This car could give the competition an excellent run on the money.
Lexus brought reliability, dependability and refinement that turned the industry upside down and Tesla bought EV luxury w/ performance where luxury automakers are planning several EVs due to Tesla’s success.
Price point and customer service. Unless you find comfort in spending extra, that is something to consider. Most dealership makes their money in after sale business. According to JD Power, the Sonata is as reliable as the Camry. You don’t have to first to be better. You can take something old and improve on it; which can make it better. That has been done many times.
Why doesn’t Hyundai follow GM.s lead and cancel these cars????? GM has shone the way!
Does anyone have the answer???
Bravo…. “the G80 rides on a new rear-wheel-drive platform” – CLEARLY Genesis didn’t get the memo that no one wants a luxury rear wheel drive sedan. Perhaps Genesis SENT it to GM??? Could be….
It’s spelled “SHOWN”.
A knockout – if any car can sell these days, it ought to be this one.
Very nice interior.
Exterior is…….OK. Not bad, just “been-there-done-that.” Nothing new or even interesting.
All the cars look alike! Look at the Chevy Malibu (if you can find one), the Honda Accord and the Mazda sedans! Side view, they all look alike!
This is more Audi A7 than those…
The interior is fantastic. I would not buy a car with that nose. Maybe it looks better in person.
The outside looks nice. Can’t say that it’s groundbreaking or anything, but it’s nice. Being just nice doesn’t sell in numbers. When you get to the interior, I’m not so impressed. I know it’s just in a pic, but the blue kind of looks like some kid took a spray can of blue to it. Maybe it will look better in person?
On that note, I did take some time at the LA auto show in the Genesis cars. I did like most of the outside, but the interiors just didn’t do it for me, at least for the colors. Very strange color combinations. Insides had numerous colors that just didn’t look good together. To top it off, they are offering colors that just don’t match up from inside to outside of the car. Who the hell thinks blue and brown go together other than you 80 year old uncle? This is kind of like Mazda with the new CX30. I just don’t get the ugly combinations they force you to take. You want the CX30 premium in polymetal gray (only color it looks good in due to the massive plastic trim all over the outside), then you get to have the white/brown or black brown interior. WTF. Same with the soul red and brown. Do people just not care about a good mix of colors from the inside and out?
I agree with you 100%! GM has that UGLY “orange” interior with exterior colors that do not match at all. The designers must be color blind!
I am THRILLED that my 2020 Chevy Malibu Premier in Cajun Red had the option to pick the “light tan” interior. Of course I wasn’t exactly sure what the light tan interior would look like, but I knew that being a light color it would look nice with the Cajun Red. I could never see it ahead of time because there wasn’t one dealer that had a Chevrolet Malibu Premier in stock or ANY Malibu! As a matter fact, for some very strange reason, this car took four months before it came in and that would’ve never happened if it wasn’t for ME calling the factory and finally getting somebody who was DOING their job a GM and got my car built the next day! Even my dealer couldn’t get any answers! Thank God it was just before the strike because I kept extending my current Malibu lease and I was already in the fourth month and I only had two more months to go.
Anyway, sorry I got off topic, but when the car came in and I saw the interior I was over the moon because it looks more white than light tan. I love a red and white color combination.
Ya, I think most dealers only know how to check the box for “black” inside! It’s very difficult to find most brands with anything but black. I give Volvo props for having some nice colors and offering many of them, though they also use black on a lot.
I know – black, gray or ugly orange/so-called brown! Kudos Chevrolet for bringing out this very light interior that some people really do like! I think it really makes my car stand out with the Cajun red exterior.
It sure beats the boring black crap that literally everything stocked in dealer lots seems to have. So sick of it!
Leave it to Genesis to spank Cadillac with a grill that resembles their crest!
I’m convinced that designers over at Hyundai/Kia/Genesis are cribbing Cadillac design cues. I’ve noticed something “Cadillac-esque” on multiple products now…cars and SUVs. Let’s just take the Kia Telluride as an example.
The new GV80 SUV was designed by “Luc Donckerwolke, who left Bentley for Genesis”, I seriously doubt he even considers Cadillac in his designs. Why select a marginal confused player when you can take a fresh pen and paper and rival global luxury brands with REAL cache’. Cadillac is a limp wrist currently…
The Kia Telluride mimic’s Cadillac how? Is it that the Kia has a nicer interior than any currently available GM product at ANY price?
The only Cadillac that truly matters in terms of sales and profits is the Escalade. And I think they pretty much knocked that one out of the park…
It is now called the “Selluride” by Kia, because they are selling everyone they can make.
In this economy?, they literally giving it away for free?. People love to troll defective import products here, lol.
One thing for sure, Hyundai/Kia/Genesis have the longest warranties. And how better to stand behind your vehicles than to show through your warranties. I don’t see GM, Toyota, Honda, Ford or anyone coming close to Hyundai’s warranties. If you are confident in your product, you don’t mind having such a long warranty. If you are shoveling crap, you only give short warranties. Plus, how many manufacturers will pick up your vehicle from home, leave you a loaner, and return your car to you cleaned and polished? Not to mention, bring a car to you to test drive. GM has never done any of that for me. I had one of the managers fired because he told me, that I shouldn’t expect the same level of service from Chevy that I get from Audi and Jaguar. When I sent a letter to GM corporate about my experience, he was fired on the spot. When I received a call from a salesperson from that dealership asking me to put a deposit down on a new 2020 Vette, I explained what happened, and he said that particular service manager was fired by corporate. That someone complained, and they were wondering who was that person.
They ALL steal from each other!
To answer the question that was asked: Does the 2021 Genesis G80 have what it takes to rival the Cadillac CT6? – The answer is absolutely, because the CT6 is DEAD and this vehicle is on a brand new rear wheel drive platform. GM discontinues, Hyundai moves forward.
All you toads that bust on Genesis, I mean seriously, they were nothing 5 years ago yet they continue to punch forward and are creating their space. GM/Cadillac is rudderless…
http://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/autos-luxury/2021-genesis-g80-fully-revealed-and-were-impressed/ar-BB11T9bm?ocid=ientp
Also, “NO” to it competing with the CT6 as – “While it has the same 118.5-inch wheelbase as its predecessor, the G80 rides on a new rear-wheel-drive platform and is a bit longer, lower, and wider than before. It remains slightly larger than competitors such as the Mercedes E-class and BMW 5-series, ” If it is a CT5 competitor that vehicle has been out classed and it just came out. Typical GM.
I’ve said here many times that I view the situation at Cadillac as hopeless. Mary Barra wouldn’t know style and class if it smacked her in the face. Having her effectively running a luxury brand has been an unmitigated disaster for the Weath and Crest but honestly nobody at GM has had a clue for 40 years; Mary isn’t the first GM lifer to cause grave harm to the brand. Thus, I think the only hope for Cadillac now is for GM to sell the brand. I have zero faith that Mark Ruess’ current scheme to turn Cadillac into Tesla is going to work either so here’s an idea: Why not sell Cadillac to Hyundai. It strikes me that Hyundai has a great team that has been steady, focused, and methodical in building a luxury brand and their work is really beginning to get noticed and bare fruit. The only thing their products lack is a name with cachet and history which is huge in the luxury car business and takes a long time to create. Over at Cadillac, all they really have left is a name with cachet. The products are mostly mediocre Chevrolet derivatives again.
The perfect marriage would be Hyundai’s commitment to top rate products and GM’s storied ‘Cadillac’ name. The other benefit would be it saves Cadillac from the indignity of being later bought by the Chinese when things get more dire for GM. South Korea is a long-standing US ally too. It isn’t ideal of course. Ideal would be if GM could resurrect Cadillac themselves but we know they can’t and that’s an impossibility given their never-ending cost focused and chaotically managed culture. Left on the current trajectory, Cadillac is heading towards being ‘Oldsmobiled’ by the GM Board. A Hyundai rescue is much better than the alternatives.
Mary Bara – your Aunt running Cadillac. As long as GM leads in PC correctness, diversity, making sure toilet paper is made of discarded cheese, then all is good in the company.
You want incompetent men that put forward undesirable, unreliable, fwd POS that lead BK to run GM again because you guys don’t like a women to run the company?
Shes a political appointee of Barry Soetoro… YES
She’s incompetent… YES
She should be fired… YES
Did anyone say anything about Men… NO….
Move on, you’re wrong… Competence whether male or female should be the order of the day. She is incompetent…
Get ride off all of them!!!!
I know where this going so I’ll be limited in my response. Please show us where President Obama appointed MB as CEO with receipts. GM under her watch haven’t had a bad quarter, that will change now but not due to GM’s strategies.
Many here think GM needs to be #1 in sales (I do also) but they need to be #1 in the bank accounts as they went BK while “#1”.
Since G.M. is unwilling or unable to properly fix these 8 speed automatic transmissions it has me searching elsewhere…The Genesis G70 ..(2019 North American Car Of The Year) is a top contender…i only hope Genesis have not heard of the transmission issues and takes my 2017 ATS on trade for a fair price.
If you think about it, everyone is building too many suvs and not enough sedans. Not everyone wants a suv or have a need for one. Genesis will capitalize on all those who wants a sedan. And let the car manufacturers fight each other over the suv market. And when the suv market dies down, and GM, Ford, and others wants to go back to building cars again, they will have a helluva tooling up cost. Plus, having a 10 year 100,000 warranty is where it is at. Speaking of suvs, have you seen the Genesis GV80 on which the G80 is based on?
The interior is very nice. The exterior is derivative of Audi/Lexus designs and nothing special. The 4 cylinder has no place in the lineup.
When first told the ct6 was going to be discontinued, I developed a list of luxury sedans I would buy in March 2020. The Genesis g90 was one along with Mercedes S 550, Audi 8, Lexus and BMW 7. Fortunately the dealership found me a 2020 ct6 with options I want. In 2 years I will revisit all those vehicles. No more cadillacs for me!
Is it just me, or does the grille look like they took a picture of a Cadillac grille, stretched it towards the bottom a bit, and called it good? Every single Cadillac offering today has that grille design! And who is that infotainment screen designed for? Talk about what looks to be one heck of a reach in order to get to anything on the passenger side of that display. I don’t like the fact that GM has decided to all but kill off their sedan lines, nor the fact that they killed off the best plug-in hybrid technology on the planet (which would have been great technology to use on a Silverado!) instead of finding more vehicles to use it in and slowly phase over to full electric vehicles. GM can do better, but in typical fashion, they’re more worried about profit per vehicle, than overall company health.
The Cadillac CT6 3.0 Twin Turbo is rated at 400hp. The Super Cruise system makes any vehicle without it a non-starter for me. I have the 2018 model and it works great. The new CT6 will get integrate the Super Cruise and lane change. If any company can create a true match for the Cadillac autonomous driving system then I would look at it. Now the CT6 does have its short-comings. Wireless charging is not up to par with the latest phones. No front 12v power plug.
Very impressive brand. Good warranty and a 10 100.000 mile powertrain warranty. Regardless Cadillac should be looking over there shoulder.
2 reason GM and caddy will fall if things don’t change very soon .
1. No action only day late reactions. Not seeing that that have a winning play form but trashing it ats v cta v ct6 v black wing. And not seeing EVs sooner.
2. Customer service. They suck. Really leave a person. With a warranty work no car to drive for months . They lose almost everything then a recall all in all 2 months without a car 4 more to fix it . And nothing not even a reach around .
I like the car ,and never was into Genesis…
The slow burn of rage people had for Cadillac on there loyal fan base is now full on hatred.
I adore Cadillacs, and a true aficionado….
But enough is enough .
Mary Barra has NO class, Mark Ruess none either , and are finally taking the limping brand into death rattle mode.
They have the most legendary name in the world , on par with Mercedes, Rolls Royce; storied in songs, film : Car of film stars, sports legends, Industrialists ,heads of state.
How can you blow that?
Build Chevys with Cadillac name plates ( again ) , and throw away the beautiful designs like the Escala ( is that an Italian pasta dish? ) Ceil , ( people drooled over that car !) , and muffle the big sedan under a robot name, CT6 ,only to cancel it.
Build a great engine: Blackwing, and sell it out in two weeks ,then drop that!
These people are either very stupid, suicidal, or committing Industrial espionage.
40 years is to long to wait for them to get it together…….
Sell the Division to someone who understands the legend, brand, car !
Very well put. How can anyone look at clueless, incompetent GM management and not think they are actively trying to destroy the company! All they do is cut, cancel and pronounce wild fits of fantasy about the future. A truly pathetic bunch……….
I agree with Dante and Cadriver. In fact, I’ve said the same things myself. The frumpy midwestern woman who dresses in Harley- rider-like black leather most of the time and effectively runs Cadillac is clueless about style and appears devoid of class and sophistication as well. Her second-in-command is no better. The pair may have risen through the GM ranks as second-generation lifers in crusty decaying Detroit and understand how to keep the money flowing in by selling trucks and big SUVs but they lack the taste to properly execute a luxury car. That’s harsh to say but I think it’s entirely true. There is zero evidence to refute it. The only success Cadillac fans can point to of late are the V Series cars which are a rather unsophisticated blunt instrument approach themselves typical of folks whose skill level doesn’t reach beyond doing pickups well. Likewise the cash cow for Cadillac keeping the lights on at their dealers is just a Chevy work truck underneath.
I have zero hope that the crew running GM today can execute on a luxury car and I have zero hope they are smart enough to bring in people who can. Cadillac is now in a death spiral and the only salvation would be if GM sells off the brand to a company like BMW. The little carmaker from Bavaria has been a masterful curator for Rolls Royce and is building the best products in the history of Sir Henry Royce’s namesake brand. Cadillac needs an outside rescuer like that.
That infotainment thing sticking up out of the dash ruined it for me.