Genesis Electrified G80 review

Our opinion on the Genesis Electrified G80 

The Genesis Electrified G80 executive saloon is a car that immediately grabs your attention – doubly so in this longer, more luxurious facelift guise. The exterior is suitably premium, while a peek inside the upmarket cabin highlights how committed the Korean luxury car brand is to winning buyers from the likes of Mercedes, BMW and Audi. 

The fit and finish of the G80 certainly passes muster in this hard-fought sector, and its electric car credentials – namely range and charging capabilities – are strong. But you’d have hoped that extra length might’ve resulted in a more spacious rear cabin; a BMW i5 trumps the G80 here, while an i7 still feels like a class-and-a-half above.

While the electric Genesis is capable, hybrid models are expected to join the range later – and should add another string to the executive car’s bow.

About the Genesis Electrified G80

Taking on the likes of the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class is no easy task, but Genesis has struck an impressive balance with its talented G80 executive saloon – a car that, at least at first glance, possesses a lot of the key features needed to succeed in this hard-fought premium sector.

The iconic German manufacturers have a wealth of experience in producing cars that manage to combine impressive levels of comfort and refinement with stylish interiors and the latest on-board technology. The fact that they’re generally good to drive as well just makes the quest to create a competitive rival all the more difficult.

Genesis initially offered a choice of petrol and diesel engines in the G80, but since it was facelifted – and lengthened by 130mm – in 2025, it’s only available in ‘Electrified’ guise. The powertrain has been beefed up with a bigger battery (94.5kWh gross) for a range of up to 354 miles. The firm hopes its single-spec line-up offers enough to tempt business users and chauffeur drivers away from their trusty premium saloons.

That lone ‘Dynamic’ trim replaces the old ‘Luxury’ model and is priced at a whisker under £76,000. On face value, that’s up by around £6k versus the pre-facelift car, but the firm claims the added kit means that in real terms the difference is less than £1,500.

Every car gets 19-inch alloy wheels, fully-electric, heated and cooled leather seats, a brand-new 27-inch single-screen infotainment system and digital instrument cluster, plus a 17-speaker Bang and Olufsen stereo with Dolby Atmos, and three-zone climate control. There’s a full suite of driver-assistance systems, too.

Now you can buy a car through our network of top dealers around the UK. Search for the latest deals…

While the G80 grabs your attention with its sleek exterior style and sumptuous cabin, out on the road it doesn’t offer up quite the same level of dynamic polish. Compared with the class leaders from Mercedes and BMW, the G80 can’t strike quite the same balance when it comes to comfort and handling.

The Genesis is at its best when cruising along on the motorway, where the quiet electric powertrain, clever noise-cancelling tech, acoustic glass and road-reading adaptive suspension make it a compelling long-distance companion. Driving with a little more urgency doesn’t really suit the G80, although it’d be unfair to suggest it was anything other than perfectly capable when you’re in more of a hurry.

The steering is well weighted, and we love the Hyundai-Kia Group’s paddle-activated regenerative braking system, which can be adjusted on the fly. There are four settings – the strongest of which offers one-pedal driving, and is perfect for use around town.

There’s plenty of punch from the dual-electric motors – even at 70mph-plus – and while it’s not as well tied-down as a BMW i5, the G80 is far from a sloppy mess. If comfort is key, the camera-controlled damping does a pretty decent job of smoothing out lumps and bumps in the road.

One function we particularly liked is the G80’s new ‘Chauffeur Mode’, which softens the throttle map and removes the initial sharpness in the brake pedal. It’s designed to make the car more relaxing for those in the back, but if you’re just pootling around, it’s a perfectly likeable default driving mode.

Our biggest complaint centres around the often distracting driver-assistance systems. The lane-departure and speed-limit warning systems are annoyingly sensitive, and the attention monitor seems to sound its alarm all too often – even when glancing to change the temperature on the climate control. You can turn these warnings off, of course, but the likes of BMW and Audi seem better able to integrate these systems without reducing their functionality.

Performance, 0-60mph acceleration and top speed

With 365bhp on tap, plus a meaty 700Nm of torque from the two electric motors, the G80 feels plenty quick enough for a model of this type. Perhaps most impressive – as mentioned above – is the instant, in-gear shove, with the car able to accelerate keenly even at motorway speeds. From a standstill, 0-62mph officially takes 5.1 seconds – and that number feels perfectly achievable in the real world.

The petrol and diesel G80s are no longer available, but a hybrid version is in the works, plus a fire-breathing ‘Magma’ model based on the Kia EV6 GT. You can expect all of the Hyundai’s Group’s fast-car know-how, including the augmented gearchanges and synthesised soundtrack – which should make for a formidable alternative to the BMW i5 M60 and Mercedes-AMG EQE 53. More information is expected later in the year.

Expert view, on driving experience

“The Genesis G80 is no worse off now that it’s only available as an EV – proving quiet, comfortable and decent enough to drive, wherever you take it.”  - Richard Ingram, Deputy Editor. Drove the Electrified G80 on a mixture of roads in the south of England during the summer months.  

Genesis initially offered the G80 with either a petrol or diesel engine, but both were dropped either before or in time for the facelift in 2025. The range now comprises a single all-electric model, which means business users, in particular, may wish to take a longer look at this impressive executive saloon.

The 365bhp all-electric G80 sits in the lowest tax band, attracting a three per cent Benefit-in-Kind tax rate for 2025/26. The facelifted car brought in a slightly larger 94.5kWh (gross, not usable) battery, meaning range is bumped to an impressive 354 miles – up from 323 miles previously, and just two miles short of the most efficient i5. 

During testing we saw a very reasonable 3.4-3.5 miles per kWh, which should ensure a range of close to 300 miles is achievable in normal driving conditions. Our test took place on a warm summer’s day, although the standard-fit heat pump will help maintain efficiency – at least to some extent – when the cold weather sets in. The G80 can also disconnect its front axle at a cruise, further boosting range.

Based on the same 800-volt electrical architecture as the GV60 SUV, as well as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6, the G80 can charge at up to 187kW, taking the battery from 10-80 per cent in just 25 minutes. A BMW i5, despite claiming a higher peak speed of 205kW, takes longer to charge its slightly smaller battery to 80 per cent.

If you’re in the market for an executive saloon then you probably won’t be surprised that insurance premiums will almost certainly be a little more expensive than the norm. The powerful Electrified G80 sits in the top group 50, whereas a mid-range BMW is in group 43.

Our data suggests that values for the G80 have softened just a touch over the last year or so, with new models expected to hold on to 40 per cent of their value after a typical three-year/36,000-mile ownership period. A Mercedes EQE is no better – retaining as little as 35 per cent over the same timeframe. The i5 is the class champ in this regard, with data showing you should get back between 42 and 46 per cent after three years, depending on model. 

A premium executive car has to offer the right balance of style and sophistication that will win over customers seeking to make a particular impression. The G80 looks suitably purposeful with its huge (and now even longer) wheelbase, coupé-like lines, long bonnet and oversized grille providing a little individuality and helping it to stand out from the office car park crowd.

If the exterior appeals, then a glance inside the cabin will possibly seal the deal, because the G80 serves up a serious slice of luxury: high-quality materials are in use throughout the interior, with real wood trim and Nappa leather upholstery available as an option. It’s not just the areas in frequent use that make a good impression, the fit and finish everywhere is first class and we think the G80 can hold its head high alongside the Mercedes EQE on this score.

Since the car was facelifted, there’s just one specification on offer. It’s technically labelled ‘Dynamic’, but has been designed to replace the old ‘Luxury’ trim. Despite its name, the G80’s styling doesn’t offer the racy edge you’ll find with M Sport BMWs or AMG Line Mercs – this is a car that’s unashamedly aimed at business users and the chauffeur-car market, and has been designed to shout more about its premium aspirations, than its sporting prowess.

At the front, you’ll immediately notice the huge grille, which subtly hides the (heated, no less) charge port on one side. Some of the trim, plus the headlights and bumpers have been updated for 2025, alongside the wheels and windowline. Apparently, everything from the B-pillar backwards is new – chiefly to accommodate that 130mm-longer wheelbase.

Inside, all cars get lovely leather trim (upgradable to a Nappa alternative for an additional charge) meaning quality is first rate. We’d like a bit more adjustment in the seat – the big battery means you sit quite high – but we didn’t find the driving position particularly uncomfortable.

There’s a new 27-inch, single-piece screen on the dashboard, spanning the infotainment system and digital instrument cluster, and while some of the graphics perhaps aren’t the most cutting edge, it’s relatively easy to navigate and comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. 

While most of the equipment is standard, you can add things such as the Comfort Pack (£1,780) and Second Row Comfort Pack (£2,640), while that aforementioned Nappa leather is £2,620. White brake calipers – a pointless addition, given the stylish but fared-in alloy wheels – are £340, while an adaptor for the Vehicle to Load (V2L) system is £300. The only other option is the excellent rear-wheel steering set-up – a snip at £1,120. 

There are 14 colours to choose from, including 12 pearl options and a single matt shade. Solid Alta White is the only standard colourway. Inside, there are four interior colours and five trim selections to pick from.

Infotainment, sat-nav and stereo

The brand-new widescreen infotainment set-up in the Genesis G80 looks very smart, doesn’t distract from driving and is easy to glance at for quick directions. It’s a shame we can’t say the same of the car’s driver-assistance systems, which seemed to beep and bong more than we might like.

Back to that screen, though. We found the menus easy to navigate, either via touch, or by using the rotary dial on the centre console, while the digital instruments are clear and easy to read. The blind-spot monitor, which pops up with a camera view when you indicate to change lanes, is particularly well integrated. 

Expert view, on design

“The Genesis G80 is plush inside, and now has bags more presence on the outside, thanks to the longer wheelbase and subtle design tweaks.” - Richard Ingram, Deputy Editor. Drove the Electrified G80 on a mixture of roads in the south of England during the summer months.

The G80’s cabin is a quality affair and full of luxurious touches; the seats are extremely comfortable and there is the option of specifying the Comfort Pack and Second Row Comfort Pack if you want to take things up a notch.

However, as before, the G80 is a little lacking when it comes to rear-seat practicality, which is a shame given it’s so specifically targeted at the executive chauffeur-car market. The longer wheelbase (up by 130mm) gives you loads of legroom, but thanks to the chunky battery, foot space under the front seats is limited. There’s not enough headroom for taller adults, either, forcing you to slouch a bit if you want to avoid rubbing your head on the roof.

The G80 is something of a behemoth – particularly since the car was facelifted and an extra 130mm was added to the wheelbase. At 5,135mm long, it sits somewhere in between in the BMW i5 and i7 – meaning it feels like a particularly long car when trying to park. Things are made much easier by the optional rear-wheel steering system and surround-view cameras, but you’ll still need a long space to avoid car-park dings.  

Boot space

The old, petrol-powered G80 offered a reasonable 424-litre boot, which while not big enough to challenge the class leaders, did at least mean you could fit a couple of large suitcases in without much trouble.

The Electrified G80, however, loses a big chunk of that due to the packaging of the electric motor. At 334 litres, it is smaller than a Volkswagen Golf’s, and the compromised shape and step in the floor means you can’t push things to the very back. Both the Mercedes EQE and BMW i5 boast more than 400 litres apiece, and the latter is also offered as a Touring estate should you need the extra room. We’d recommend trying the G80 before you buy, because it could be a dealbreaker.

Expert view, on practicality

“We’d like a bit more space in the back, and the boot isn’t great either – which is a shame given the G80’s target audience.” - Richard Ingram, Deputy Editor. Drove the Electrified G80 on a mixture of roads in the south of England during the summer months. 

Genesis didn't appear in our 2025 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey, although being the luxury arm of parent company Hyundai should inspire some confidence - the Hyundai Tucson finished 13th overall in our list of the top 50 cars to own.

Industry crash-test body Euro NCAP awarded the pre-facelift G80 a full five-star rating, with a 91 per cent score for adult safety, 87 per cent for child protection and a reassuring 91 per cent mark for on-board safety assist technology. It hasn’t yet tested the long-wheelbase car, nor do we expect an updated score any time soon.

All models include Smart Cruise Control (SCC) and a range of driver ‘Assist’ features: blind-spot collision-avoidance, lane keeping, forward collision-avoidance, intelligent speed limit, lane following and highway driving are all standard. 

While Genesis is boosting its dealer presence, it is still looking to differentiate itself with a concierge-style offering that can arrange delivery to your home address, plus offer ongoing support via its ‘Personal Assistant’ service.

Genesis offers a Care Plan for all of its model ranges that brings together warranty cover and servicing under one banner. The package includes a five-year warranty and free servicing with a limited mileage of up to 50,000 miles. When your car is due for an inspection, Genesis will arrange to collect your vehicle, perform any necessary work and return it to an agreed location. A courtesy car will also be made available while your vehicle is off the road.

How much is your car worth? Find out with our free car valuation tool...

Genesis Electrified G80 pictures

24

Great leasing deals on Genesis models

Genesis G80

New Genesis G80From £616 ppm**

Genesis Gv60

New Genesis Gv60From £517 ppm**

Genesis Gv70

New Genesis Gv70From £483 ppm**