2021 Genesis G80 pricing and specs detailed: Luxurious Kia Stinger sibling arrives to rival Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5 Series

The all-new Genesis G80 has arrived in Australia to replace the old model which has been a part of the brand's line-up - including as a Hyundai product - since 2014. And it could be the start of something big for the Genesis brand.

The all-new Genesis G80 is exactly that - brand spanking from the ground up - with new underpinnings, engines, technology, safety gear and driving dynamics, not to mention the fact it clearly brandishes the company's new design language. It should easily stand out amongst its chief rivals, those being the BMW 5 Series, Audi A6 and Mercedes E-Class. 

The company is taking a less is more approach to the range, only offering the car in two derivatives based on the engine used. 

The entry-level version is the G80 2.5T, which runs with a 2.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine producing 224kW of power and 422Nm of torque. This model is equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and is rear-wheel drive. 

The top-end offering is the G80 3.5T, and it has a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine churning out 279kW of power and 530Nm of torque. This version is also fitted standard with an eight-speed auto, but is all-wheel drive. 

The 2.5T costs $84,900 plus on-road costs (MSRP), but the less is more approach is not a factor in terms of standard equipment. It has 19-inch alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 rubber, locally-tuned ride and handling, a panoramic sunroof, keyless entry and push-button start with remote start tech, a power boot lid, rear door shades,  heated and cooled front seats, 12-way electric adjustment front seats (driver's with memory settings), and full leather trim with wood finishes.

There's a 14.5-inch touchscreen media display with sat nav featuring augmented reality and live traffic updates, plus the system incorporates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, DAB digital radio, a 21-speaker Lexicon sound system, and there's a 12.0-inch head-up display (HUD), and dual-zone climate control by way of a haptic touchscreen controller. 

The 3.5T - priced at $99,900 (MSRP) - adds a few extras in addition to the 2.5T, and we're not just talking about horsepower. The 3.5T gains 20-inch wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber, a bigger brake package, larger fuel tank (73L vs 65L), and "Road-Preview adaptive electronic suspension" that has been tuned to Australian desires.

Both the 2.5T and 3.5T models are fitted with a raft of safety technology, including auto emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, junction turning assist, blind-spot monitoring with the brand's clever Blind-Spot View Monitor (which shows up in the digital instrument cluster), rear cross-traffic alert, driver attention warning, lane keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and lane following (plus Machine Learning), auto high-beam lights, rear occupant alert and a surround view camera system with 3D display. There are 10 airbags, including a front centre airbag.

If all that isn't enough for you, the G80 grades are also available with an optional Luxury Package, which costs $13,000 but adds: Forward Attention Warning and rear AEB, an "Intelligent Front Lighting System", soft close doors, Nappa leather interior trim with quilting, suede headlining and pillars, three-zone climate control, a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument display, a semi-autonomous parking system and remote smart parking assist (use the key fob as a remote), 18-way adjustment for the driver's seat including massage function, heated and cooled rear outboard seats, a heated steering wheel, power rear window shade, and twin 9.2-inch touchscreens for rear occupant entertainment.

The Genesis G80 is available in 11 different exterior colours, with nine gloss/mica/metallic shades at no extra cost, while the two matte paint options ask an additional $2000.

Genesis backs its models with a comprehensive ownership package, because "the ultimate luxury in our lives today is time". As such, the company offers a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and roadside assistance, as well as complimentary servicing for five years/50,000km (intervals every 12 months/10,000km), and they even collect and return your car to you (if you're within 70km of a service zone), or you can access a loan vehicle during the maintenance period.

2021 Genesis G80 pricing (MSRP):

Variant	Price
2.5T rear-wheel drive 8-spd auto	$84,900
3.5T all-wheel drive 8-spd auto	$99,900