Hyundai introduced the Genesis as its premium rear-wheel-drive sedan in 2008, marking a major step upmarket for the brand. It was developed to challenge established luxury sedans and quickly earned attention for its balance of comfort, technology, and driving dynamics, including recognition as North American Car of the Year for 2009. The original car established the Genesis nameplate as Hyundai’s flagship sedan lineage before a significantly revised second generation arrived for 2015. In 2016, Hyundai moved the model under the newly formed Genesis luxury division and renamed it G80, ending the Hyundai-badged Genesis nameplate. The Genesis is therefore remembered as the model that helped Hyundai build its modern luxury reputation and laid the foundation for the standalone Genesis brand.
MODEL HISTORY