Genesis Electrified G80 (2022-2026)

Electric luxury at its best – Genesis have quite possibly crafted one of the best luxury EVs you can buy. It undercuts a few rivals, like the BMW i7 and the Mercedes-Benz EQS. With the Tesla Model S currently unavailable for order, I want to explain why you absolutely shouldn’t overlook this luxurious high voltage sedan. Just like every Genesis, build quality is well… Read more

above what you’d expect from this car's parent company Hyundai.

The doors are heavy, the leather is rich, the buttons feel weighty and there were absolutely no rattle, creaks, squeaks or peeps to be heard.

A great thing to know is that just because you’re buying a new brand, it doesn’t mean you have to gamble on build quality as you would with some other EV manufacturers.

This G80 isn’t cheap. It’s priced from $145,000 before on-road costs and incentives. Looking for the most expensive Genesis you can buy today? You’re looking at it.

You also get the choice of 5 years complimentary charging with Charge Fox EV chargers, or a free installation of an AC fast charger for your garage. I’d pick the AC charger.

The warranty is 5 years/unlimited kilometres, and 8 years/unlimited kilometres for high-voltage parts. Service intervals are every 12 months or 20,000km, whichever comes first.

Servicing is complimentary for 5 years, and if you live within 70km of a Genesis Studio, your car will be picked up and a service loan car will be provided until your car is ready to be dropped back to you.

In addition, you’ll also get 10 years roadside assist and map updates, which is important, as charging station locations are stored here.

Thanks to the boot space being separated from the cabin, unlike other electric Genesis cars, the G80 offers even greater sound isolation in its cabin.

Alongside what feels like a metric tonne of sound deadening materials packed into this car, you also get active sound cancellation that enhances the silence experienced in here.

Of course, you get a little bit of road noise in here, but it’s all drowned out by the spectacular Infinity sound system. It’s so good that you’ll feel like you’re sitting in the studio when listening along to your favorite podcasts.

The G80 suffers the famous Genesis rock, which is where the car gently rocks once brought to a stop. It’s something I wish they’d learn how to mitigate, especially at this price.

Regenerative braking can be adjusted via paddles on the steering wheel, and it operates perfectly. It’s not quite as aggressive as I’d like in its highest setting, but I prefer to leave it in Auto and let the car decide what's best.

This G80 has two electric motors found between the front and rear wheels. Depending on your driving style and demands from the all-wheel drive system, it’ll switch between rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive to reduce energy consumption.

You’re getting a combined power output of 272kW (364hp) and 700Nm, which is good for a 0-100km/h sprint in 4.9 seconds. Power outputs are capped depending on which drive modes you’re in (either Eco, Comfort or Sport).

It’s not an athletic-feeling EV; it does take a little moment to get this much mass moving. But once you’re on the go, you feel like you’ve got the power of an elegant V12 under the bonnet, but without the fuel bill.

You change gears via a crystal look rotary shifter in the centre console.

You only have one forward gear like you’ll find in the GV70 electrified, and it’s an intoxicating feeling to simply sail at a range of speeds without interruption from any gears.

The way the G80 handles the road is almost unmatched by other cars at this price point. Despite packing a heavy battery, the ‘Preview-Electronic Control Suspension’ system will read the road ahead and prepare the car for any imperfections in the road.

I loved the driving position, but that steering wheel felt a little too chunky for enthusiastic driving. This is a land yacht when it comes to its intentions. It’s designed to float down the road and gently carve mountain roads.

It’s a comfortable car to handle, but you will find the limits of that suspension if you hit a speed bump just a little too hard. In addition, that suspension can feel a little rocky over uneven sections of road, rather than simply soaking up these bumps.

The claimed energy consumption is 19.1kWh per 100km. I saw figures in the early 20kWh per 100km range. It also boastsg an enormous 87.2kWh battery with a claimed range of 520km. The car reads a real world prediction of 520km when fully charged too!

This battery runs the same 800V architecture you’ll find on Hyundai’s other new EVs, meaning it’ll charge from 10-80% in just 22 minutes from a 350kW charger.

The problem is that most chargers in Australia provide just 50kW, so you’ll be waiting at least 17 minutes just to charge from 65% to 80% as an example.

Solar panels are fitted to the roof of this car to help increase range and provide power to components like the sat nav and interior electronics. Genesis claims this solar roof should add an extra 1100km of range per year too.

There hasn’t been much of a diversion from the regular G80 inside this electric version. You’re getting lots of wood trim, even more leather, and what feels like kilometres of stitching.

There’s a 14.5-inch touchscreen, which also can be controlled via a dial that sits on top of the dash. It’s not as intrusive as other displays as it's a large rectangle, rather than being more square.

The 12-inch 3D driver display mimics analogue dials, but can change its design depending on your drive mode. On top of that, the screen to control the climate controls is a far more intuitive design over normal buttons.

There’s only 354L of boot space available, thanks to some of it being stolen by the rear motor and batteries. But you can store longer items in the ski passthrough found in the middle seat.

There’s no front trunk under the hood as it's occupied by more motors and batteries, so it’s not going to replace an SUV for its practicality. Instead, the G80’s comfort is unmatched when compared to the other electric SUVs offered by Genesis.

Now look, if you get the Electrified G80, you’re after the best luxury EV, not the sportiest or the quickest.

Your budget needs to be this side of $200,000 and you need some decent battery tech too. That’s the G80 for you. It should be compared against other electric sedans at this price.

However, you’re better off in something like a Porsche Taycan if you’re after superior driver engagement.

*Disclaimer - I work for ProductReview as their independent car and motorbike expert. I borrow new cars and motorbikes from manufacturers and owners to review. I am not paid or incentivised by these brands to post reviews. I write and create content to provide insight and information about any new or used vehicle I can get my hands on.