After the Genesis GV80 crossover fell short in a comparative test against the Tuareg, we now turn our attention to the all-wheel drive Genesis G80 sedan — pitting it against a near class leader, the BMW 530d xDrive. The Korean sedan may not carry the same prestige or price tag as the GV80 it shares a platform with, and its turbocharged four-cylinder engine is hardly exotic. Yet the G80 proves to be a more enjoyable drive than its SUV sibling — and holds up surprisingly well against the iconic “five.”
Interior Quality and Cabin Design
The interior of the Genesis G80 test car makes a strong first impression. The sculpted front panel is optionally wrapped in leather and accented with a wide matte wood trim strip, beneath which sits a tactile touch-sensitive climate control unit. Key quality cues include:
- Premium metallic button surfaces
- Soft-touch plastic in all the right places
- A rich, upscale cabin scent
That said, some familiar shortcomings carry over from the GV80: the column shifter and steering wheel hub are finished in noticeably cheap plastic — an inconsistency that stands out in an otherwise premium environment.
Ergonomics and Infotainment
Ergonomic frustrations familiar from the crossover resurface here. Reaching the large touchscreen — despite its sharp, high-quality display — requires you to fully lift your back off the seat. The rotary controller for the multimedia system feels imprecise and more tiring than intuitive. A few other ergonomic drawbacks worth noting:
- Cushion extension, massage function, and adjustable side bolsters are reserved for the driver’s seat only — rear passengers get none of these
- The four-spoke steering wheel, however, is more practical than the two-spoke design found in the GV80
Rear Seat Comfort: Genesis G80’s Strongest Suit
The G80’s rear cabin is one of the most impressive in its class. Even before factoring in the power-reclining function, the back seat stands out with:
- Generously padded cushions and headrests
- A relaxed, reclined seating position
- Exceptional legroom for a standard sedan
- Independently reclining rear seat halves that fold nearly flat — almost like a sleeping surface
- Power curtains for added privacy
In such surroundings, it’s easy to overlook the fact that headroom could be a touch more generous, the cabin slightly wider, and the floor tunnel a bit lower and narrower.
BMW 530d Rear Seat: Functional, Not Luxurious
The BMW’s rear seat is a different story. While it covers the basics, it doesn’t offer the same sense of indulgence:
- Fixed rear bench — no reclining function
- Firm padding beneath the leather upholstery
- Upright, business-like seating geometry
- Legroom roughly half that of the G80 (though adequate for passengers up to 6’6″)
- Dual-zone climate control, seat heating, window blinds, and padded headrests are included
The BMW does have advantages — a wider cabin, more headroom, and easier door entry — but these don’t fully compensate for the lack of rear-seat comfort features.
Driver’s Seat and BMW’s Cockpit Experience
The BMW 530d reclaims the advantage where it matters most to enthusiasts — behind the wheel. The driver’s seat is arguably the best in class, wrapping around the body with near-perfect precision. Key advantages over the G80 include:
- Thicker, more supportive cushion padding
- Adjustable upper backrest for shoulder support (absent in the G80)
- Greater range of seat and steering wheel adjustment
- More headroom for the driver
- A sportier seating position when desired
The BMW cabin may be less flashy than the Genesis, but it matches it in build quality and finish. The M-rim steering wheel is more comfortable to hold, the infotainment display is sharper and more colorful with a larger font, and it’s positioned closer to the driver. The rotary iDrive controller with surrounding shortcut keys remains a class benchmark for ease of use.
A few drawbacks, however, are worth noting:
- The virtual instrument cluster looks dated and lacks design flexibility
- Thick A-pillars reduce forward visibility
- The wireless charging pad and cupholders are awkwardly positioned — using one blocks access to the other
Ride Comfort and NVH: Quiet Korean vs Taut German
On the move, acoustic comfort is where the Genesis G80 truly shines. It handily outperforms the diesel-powered, Run Flat-equipped BMW in overall refinement, thanks to:
- A quieter engine that only raises its voice during kickdown
- Superior sound insulation in the wheel arches and door seals
- Standard double-glazed side windows (BMW uses single-layer glazing)
Ride quality on smooth roads is equally impressive — the G80 glides over surface imperfections with serene composure. However, the first pothole reveals its limits: the adaptive suspension delivers a sharp, jarring impact rather than absorbing it gradually, despite cameras supposedly pre-loading the dampers in advance. On roads with successive bumps, the chassis feels somewhat unsettled and the body develops a mild float. The GV80 crossover fares even worse in these conditions.
The BMW 530d makes no apologies. Equipped with the Sport package, 20-inch wheels, and reinforced-sidewall Run Flat tires, it rides firmly in every suspension mode — transmitting medium and large road imperfections clearly to occupants. Road surface noise is more present, and expansion joint thuds are more pronounced. But there’s a sense of purpose to it all — the suspension never feels sloppy or out of control, regardless of the road surface.
Handling and Driving Dynamics
When the road begins to twist, the BMW 530d is in its element. Despite its size and weight, it responds to steering inputs with impressive immediacy:
- Fast, precise steering with strong road feedback
- Minimal body roll through corners
- A chassis that feels like a single cohesive unit
- Neutral, four-wheel slide behavior at the limit
- Excellent brake feel — progressive, powerful, and easy to modulate
The Genesis G80, by contrast, actually stops shorter: averaging 121.06 ft from 62 mph versus 122.7 ft for the BMW. But in everyday driving, the G80’s braking system frustrates — the pedal firms up almost instantly, demanding significant effort for smooth modulation. Combined with a largely uncommunicative steering wheel, significant body roll, and reluctance to change direction quickly, spirited driving is actively discouraged. Push it to the limit and the G80 simply runs wide at the front.
Engine and Powertrain Performance
A direct power comparison isn’t entirely fair given different engine types, but both powertrains deserve individual assessment.
The Genesis G80 runs a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 249 hp and 422 Nm of torque. On paper it looks adequate, and in practice it delivers reasonable mid-range elasticity and a refined, unobtrusive character. But it has its weaknesses:
- A noticeable hesitation off the line — Racelogic clocked 0–62 mph in 7.1 seconds vs. the claimed 6.5
- Strong pull up to around 75–80 mph, after which acceleration fades noticeably
- Soft throttle responses even in Sport mode
- The eight-speed automatic is smooth but slow to kick down — it can drop five ratios at once, just not quickly
The BMW 530d’s 3.0-liter inline-six turbodiesel is in a different league entirely. With 249 hp and a muscular 620 Nm of torque, paired with a lightning-quick eight-speed gearbox, the results speak for themselves:
- 0–62 mph in 5.5 seconds — actually 0.1 seconds quicker than the official figure
- Strong, sustained thrust well past 93 mph
- A wide range of drive modes: Eco, Comfort, Standard, Sport, Adaptive, and Individual
- Sport engine + Sport gearbox combination can feel slightly over-eager for everyday use
Verdict: Which Luxury Sedan Should You Choose?
Both cars make a strong case for themselves, but for different buyers with different priorities.
The Genesis G80 excels in the areas that matter to passengers and long-distance travelers:
- Outstanding rear seat comfort and versatility
- Best-in-class acoustic refinement
- High-quality interior materials and visual presence
- Smooth, effortless powertrain for relaxed driving
The BMW 530d xDrive is the driver’s choice, and an overall more complete package:
- Exceptional driver’s seat and ergonomics
- Best-in-class handling precision and feedback
- A genuinely thrilling six-cylinder diesel powertrain
- Superior infotainment usability
If the word “chauffeur” means more to you than “driver,” the Genesis G80 will rarely disappoint. But if you value engagement behind the wheel, precise controls, and the kind of mechanical refinement that comes from decades of development, the BMW 530d with the M Sport package remains the benchmark — and a very personal recommendation.
This is a translation. You can read the original here: https://www.drive.ru/test-drive/bmw/genesis/61262bc886232857e05d65f6.html
Published May 19, 2022 • 7m to read
