Genesis launched in the UK last summer, with no fleet aspirations as such. Not surprising when you consider that currently their appeal to the corporate market is marginal, as they have no EVs available yet, and all the models available currently are powered by large petrol and diesel engines - none of which fall below the top 37% BIK company car bracket. 

Instead, Hyundai's luxury arm believes it will attract corporate buyers, by placing the emphasis on pleasing them with a different kind of owner/manufacturer relationship. There are no dealers, although you can visit the one London-based 'Studio' with plans for more. Plus, you're looked after by a Genesis Personal Assistant (GPA) who's not a salesperson as such, but can do everything from booking a test drive at the start, right through to arranging a service.  

But back to the G80 saloon, we have in range-topping Luxury spec. Outside, the G80 manages to look similar to other luxury models but is still identifiable as something different - especially in our test car's matt paint finish. Key to this, is the 'four-dash' front and rear light signatures, the large front grille and the sleek fastback-like styling. Although, the G80 is a regular saloon.   

Inside, on this Luxury version, it's the attention to detail that impresses. Genesis engineers and designers have obviously spent a lot of time in premium rivals, as the G80 feels more special than most with the soft Nappa leather and proper ash wood trim on the dashboard. Front or back, the G80 is spacious too. 

There's plenty of the latest tech, as you'd expect. Highlights include Hyundai's excellent blind spot monitoring system that activates every time you put the indicators on. Then, there's the fact it can be parked or moved forward and back without you in the car - which is operated by the key. This works well enough, but it is odd to see any car moving without a driver behind the wheel. 

The G80's infotainment works via a 14.5in screen, but the operating system isn't anything special, as it feels the same as you'll find in any standard Hyundai or Kia. Also, during my time with the car, at night the screen projected a view from the front camera, which we found distracting and couldn't seem to turn off.

On the road, it's the ride that impresses first. It's cosseting and refined - despite the 20in alloy wheels and low-profile tyres. That refinement is unchanged in the other Sport and Eco modes, where the only noticeable change is to how sensitive the throttle is. Genesis claims 304hp from the 2.5-litre turbo engine, but it doesn't feel as quick as that and can sound a bit harsh when extended - plus the fact it struggled to reach an indicated 20mpg was a worry. The drive and handling is tidy enough, with welcome extra grip from the standard four-wheel drive system. The G80 is best described as comfortable, yet unremarkable. 

This Genesis is majestic, feeling almost like a Mercedes from half a generation back, but it's more impressive for the sum of its parts than the drive itself. We look forward to driving the all-electric version of this saloon in due course and the GV60, which will be more relevant to corporate markets.