Did you ever think you’d see that headline in your lifetime? A BMW 5 Series being taken on by a Hyundai? Ten years ago, that statement would have been laughable. However, the South Korean brand has recently been putting out some very good cars, cars that can compete with more premium brands. The all-new Hyundai Genesis G80 is certainly good enough to take on competitors from Cadillac and Lexus but is it good enough to take on the BMW 5 Series, mid-size luxury royalty?
In this review from AutoGuide, we find out.
The new BMW 5 Series, internally known as the G30 5 Series, is one of the best in the model’s history and possibly the best on the market. Its combination of performance, luxury, technology and handling make it a superb all-around mid-size luxury/sport sedan. There really anything the new 5 Series does poorly. The Goldilocks model in the 5 Series range is the BMW 540i. With its 3.0 liter turbocharged I6 engine, the 540i makes 335 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. When paired with an eight-speed automatic, the 540i can get from 0-60 mph in a scant 4.7 seconds. But it isn’t just the speed that’s impressive. It’s the smoothness with which that engine pulls. It’s like a jet turbine. It also sounds great.
Performance isn’t the only trick up the BMW 540i’s sleeve, either. It also handle well, like a proper 5 Series should. With sharp steering, even if it’s a bit numb, responsive chassis dynamics and a near-perfect ride compromise, the 540i can actually be fun to drive. We’ve said it before, the new 5 Series is the best driver 5er since the E39-generation. But it’s also far more luxurious than ever before, with one of the nicest cabins on the market and some of the most impressive tech. So can the new Hyundai Genesis G80 Sport keep up?
Surprisingly, yes. From the outside, it’s not bad looking at all. In fact, I actually like it. It looks aggressive but also premium, which can’t be said about its competitors from Lexus and Cadillac. On the inside, the cabin is nicely laid out, if a bit boring, and the materials are said to be premium and well put together. It’s not as premium as the 5er’s cabin but it’s also almost $20,000 cheaper, as-tested. But the cabin is quiet, comfortable and has all the tech anyone would need at this price point, even if it’s quite a bit less high-tech than the space-shuttle-like 5 Series.
In terms of performance and handling, the Genesis does better than expected. Its 3.3 liter turbocharged V6 makes 365 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque, so more than the BMW 540i. For the Genesis, 0-60 mph takes 5.2 seconds, thanks to being about 600 lbs heavier than the Bimmer. That’s still pretty quick and its extra torque gives it a nice, punchy mid-range. However, that’s about where its performance ends. While it looks aggressive and has the performance numbers to back that up, it still drives like a luxury can and lacks the responsiveness and fun of the 5er.
In the end, AG claims that the BMW 540i is the better car. It’s more luxurious, faster and handles better. Though, the Genesis G80 Sport offers a very interesting value proposition. If you can live with the softer handling and lack of tech for a much cheaper price, it could be the better buy.
[Source: AutoGuide]
that’s cute genesis but you’re not in bmw’s level. you’re in lexus’s level. as far as i’m concerned, the only 2 cars that’s in bmw’s level are mercedes benz and audi!
Level of what? Failure rate of electronics? Depreciation rate?
you must be a complete joke to think some mere korean automobile to compare against the german’s finest.
Answer the questions, instead of calling me a joke. Well, you are the joke as you are saying the whole point of the article is a joke.
BMW are doing record volume & profit and calling for a 50% increase in the former, while electrifying their range, expanding Spartanburg and building a new green 3er factory in Mexico. Despite your comment, they rank higher on J.D. Power than their other brands (save for Porsche, who build most of their volume on VAG SUVs). Even Toyota began with a knock-off S Class @ a reduced price. Hyundai began as a steel manufacturer, they are volume, but not top drawer. Yet.
what? stfu! i don’t need to answer your question! A Korean knockoff brand trying to compete against BMW is already laughable as it is! Who the F want to spend a over $50k on a overpriced hyundai if you can get a standard 5 series????
Your opinion doesn’t matter and doesn’t count as you don’t have any logical background. Just a brand snob that is stuck with old time memory. Did you ever own any BMW? I did and I know what I am talking about. There is competition which is why this article came out. If you don’t like the article, stop stupid argument get out of here.
competition? genesis against bmw? go fuck yourself you piece of shit. this asian automobile knockoff can’t hold a candle to an ultimate driving machine you fuckin prick! come at me when the genesis can get a proper design instead of copying audi, chrysler and whatever they copy it from!
Calm down moron. Don’t abuse f word as it shows you’re not educated. It only shows you just can’t discuss anything logically. Why don’t you fuck yourself? No one copied from anywhere. They hired Audi and BMW engineers. And some people like you call it as copying. I know people like you can’t even afford BMW, Genesis or whatever they talk in their crappy minds. They’re only best in internet, but sadly their dirty mouths can’t disguise they’re low and uneducated.
do you see that grille from genesis? i wonder where they got that from. the headlights looks like mercedes and the interior looks like crap. fuck genesis! i would buy a lexus before i even lay my hand on this korean auto crap!
Keep dreaming. You are perhaps only deserved with a crappy old civic or corolla at max.
and you deserve a broken down ford for your comment. go and masturbate your korean car motherfucker lol
I don’t but I had a Bmw so I just didn’t dream like you low grade. You asshole don’t have to tell others what you usually do during the last night.
fuckin prick. you lucky that you used to drive a bimmer. you drive it, own it and cherish it!
I wouldn’t be so sure PK, Guess who Hyundai and Kia snapped up from BMW M in 2015….. Albert Biermann. To do exactly this. Competition is always good thou.
Interesting… so the time has finally came when Hyundai and BMW have been started to get compared to each other.
Kudos, Hyundai.
I wonder whether this was bound to happen with these mundane and mediocre sedan designs of BMW. I may be wrong but then those guys haven’t picked Merc or Audi for this comparison.
This shouldn’t be shocking really. I’ve been expecting Hyundai to step up their game, ever since former BMW M VP of Engineering Albert Biermann left for Hyundai in 2015. I just didn’t expect them to take the Germans on so soon.
Former BMW are also in China: no product.
Talking about China, and all their rip off cars. How about that Bentley badge on this Hyundai G80. Im sure the Bentley fans wont be happy about this. Ten years from now, whenever people see a real Bentley in their review mirror, they will just think ‘ oh must be one of those fancy Hyundai’s”
Thus far the mass market supports luxury Koreans about as much as they do EVs (less, in fact). In a decade Bentley may still be around, but Genesis?
The record volume & margin mundane and mediocre sedan designs of BMW, that all the competition attempt knock-offs of? Kudos for what, exactly?
Korean sales are down for their volume models, upscale may be premature.
When you asked a few years ago who most car manufacturers were afraid of, they would respond Hyundai/Kia. Now everyone is changing over to EV’s as our atmosphere is running out of its diluting capability! Europe and China arevforcing everyone’s hands away from ICE. Who knows what Hyundai may have in store for EV power as they respond quickly to demand.
Breitling vs Gshock
Compared to a watch, it’s like this