New Genesis Electrified G80 2022 review

Verdict

With its rapidly expanding line-up, premium brand Genesis is gathering plenty of attention – and for good reason. If you’re looking for an EV that’s a little different to some obvious German alternatives, the Genesis Electrified G80 is a seriously talented all-rounder. What it lacks in outright space and practicality it makes up for with good refinement, long-range luxury and fast charging speeds. It’s pricey, but it’s good to drive, too.

The Genesis portfolio is expanding rapidly and the Korean luxury firm now has more models on sale than some well-established car makers.

We were impressed with its early efforts, despite the fact that up until the launch of the electric GV60 you could only buy a Genesis with either a petrol or a diesel engine. Its cars’ premium features and excellent refinement made for a new brand that was impossible to dismiss.

But the product onslaught keeps coming, because Genesis is looking to beat its German rivals at their own game with the launch of this: the Electrified G80.

The name is a little odd, but the company hopes it will help differentiate its bespoke, new-from-the-ground-up EVs from models offered with conventional powertrains. Unlike the electric-only GV60, the G80 is one of those cars; alongside ICE models, it’s now offered with an 87.2kWh battery and dual-motor four-wheel drive.

The result is a Tesla Model S-rivalling electric saloon with enough power and performance to surprise those drivers away from the lights. And yet there’s much more to the package than straight-line speed.

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Based on the same 800-volt electrical architecture as the GV60, the G80 can charge from 10-80 per cent in just 22 minutes; Genesis claims the car is able to maintain rates of 175-180kW for almost the entire charge time, too. This, added to the 323-mile official range, should give company car drivers something to think about.

The Electrified G80 undercuts chief rivals such as the Mercedes EQE on price, with the caveat that finance examples haven’t been determined. A basic EQE is more than £10,000 pricier, although it’s true that a lot of the kit found on our G80 test car comes from the extensive options list.

There’s only one trim offered, and for your money you get unique 19-inch alloy wheels, LED lights, two-zone climate control, electric heated seats and an intuitive 14.5-inch infotainment system.

Our test car added the £3,840 Innovation Pack, with Remote Smart Parking, Surround-View Monitor Cameras and Highway Driving Assist – as well as the £1,170 Convenience Pack, which features an electric tailgate, rear climate control and a heated steering wheel.

On top of this was the most expensive option available – the £4,600 Comfort and Executive Pack, which incudes electric everything, soft-close doors, window blinds and laminated rear glass. Oh, and our G80 also had £2,310-worth of Nappa leather, plus vehicle-to-load functionality (a £250 option that allows you to use the car’s battery to power appliances or even charge another car), and a solar roof (£1,360) that could add nearly 1,000 miles of range every year. The total with extras? A whisker over £80k.

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The price is high, but the G80 delivers an experience worthy of its billing – one you’d find hard to fault if the car had a BMW badge. Quality is great, with our only complaint being the slightly cheap-feeling shortcut buttons on the dash.

The G80 is incredibly refined, and the overall sense of quiet continues all the way to relatively high speed.
Apart from a firm ride in places, here the Electrified feels at home. Our route also took in some steep, winding roads, and we were impressed by the G80’s composure. The steering is direct and well weighted, and with the heavy battery kept low in the car’s structure, the Genesis stays level for the most part. The excellent and intelligent regenerative braking allows for one-pedal driving, too.

Genesis actually claims the Electrified G80 is 50kg lighter than its petrol equivalent, which no doubt benefits handling. It’s not lacking in performance either; 0-62mph takes 4.9 seconds, and even at the top end the motors felt like they had more to give – with that familiar, addictive torque we expect from EVs with this much power.

In an urban setting and with no rear-wheel steering, the Genesis feels like a big car. It isn’t cumbersome, and visibility is no worse than in any of the car’s rivals, but you’re well aware that it’s five metres long.

And despite its size, the G80 doesn’t feel enormously spacious. Legroom is fine, but headroom in the rear is at a premium for taller occupants. Boot capacity also takes a 70-litre hit, with just 354 litres of space.