2023 Genesis Electrified G80 Review and Test Drive
One of the market's best midsize luxury sedans, now powered by electricity.
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It's hard to believe that it's been less than a decade since Hyundai Motor Group launched the Genesis brand in the U.S. Granted, the South Korean automaker started down the luxury path with the original 2009 Hyundai Genesis. Since its debut as a marque in its own right, Genesis has grown into a legitimate player in a luxury segment with names such as BMW, Lexus, and Mercedes-Benz.
Thom Blackett
That momentum continues with the 2023 Genesis Electrified G80. Based on the existing gas-powered G80, this new electric vehicle (EV) version offers similarly upscale styling and high-end features. The Electrified G80 is the second EV from Genesis, following the all-new GV60. The automaker has announced plans to introduce only EVs starting in 2025 and will transition to a full EV lineup by 2030.
The all-wheel-drive 2023 Genesis Electrified G80 seats five and comes in a single trim level with a base price starting around $81,000 (which includes the destination charge to ship the car from the Ulsan, South Korea, assembly plant). Unfortunately, due to limited availability, Genesis offers this EV only in selected areas.
For this Electrified G80 review, I test-drove the car on various New England roads. It came in optional Hallasan Green paint, bringing the manufacturer's suggested retail price to $81,495, including the $1,095 destination charge. Genesis provided the vehicle for this Electrified G80 review.
2023 Genesis Electrified G80 Review: The Design
Thom Blackett
Very little differentiates the Electrified G80 visually from its gas-powered G80 counterpart. The front styling is slightly different and the wheels offer an unusual design. The EV version has no exhaust system, so you won't see a pair of chrome tips below the rear bumper, and there is no fuel door on the rear quarter panel.
As I discovered, the Electrified G80 also lacks a visible access panel for the charge port. So, when charging for the first time, I walked around the car, tapping and pulling wherever I thought something might pop open. Eventually I swallowed my pride, accepted defeat, and consulted the owner's manual. Sure enough, once I pressed the right spot on the grille, bingo: I'd found my elusive outlet.
Credit goes to Genesis on that placement, by the way. Some EVs based on existing gas models use the fuel door to access a charge port. That placement is usually at the vehicle's rear, which works fine when positioned parallel to a gas pump. But EV charging stations can be set perpendicular to parking spots, so if the outlet is at the rear of the vehicle or out of the plug's reach, you'll need to back into the space. It's a minor inconvenience but annoying nonetheless.
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The Genesis 2023 Electrified G80's cabin is full of quilted and perforated leather, aluminum accents, and soft-touch materials. In addition, much of the trim is natural wood, crafted using what Genesis claims are remnants sourced from high-end furniture builders.
Planting myself behind the heated steering wheel, I found the driver's seat to be as comfortable as it looked. It offered power adjustments for numerous things, including the side bolsters, and also featured an extending thigh-support cushion. There was a selection of massage settings that helped me avoid muscle soreness during my hours-long test drive. Both front seats were heated and ventilated. However, with New England temperatures in the single digits, I admit I didn't evaluate the latter.
I also gave the Smart Posture control system a go. Genesis says this feature determines your ideal driving position and then adjusts the seat, steering wheel, and mirrors accordingly. Apparently, an upright and far-forward position is better than my lie-back-and-relax approach. In the name of proper posture, I stuck with Genesis' recommended adjustments and gradually got used to the setup.
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The rear seat is theoretically suited for three passengers, but I found the center section flat and hard. The outboard seats feature bucketed lower cushions and a seatback set at what I thought was a comfortable angle. I enjoyed ample head and leg room, thanks partly to front seats contoured for the rear passengers' knees. On the back of the center console, a panel controls the rear seating area's climate-control system. Like all of the Electrified E80's controls, it is well placed and easy to use.
Regarding storage: In addition to eight cupholders, you'll find door and seatback pockets, a center-console cubby, and ample space under the front armrest. Due to the car's battery placement, the trunk shrinks to 10.8 cubic feet, compared with 13.1 cubic feet in the gas-powered G80. A pass-through allows you to carry skis or other long items.
2023 Genesis Electrified G80 Review: The Technology
Thom Blackett
Genesis sells the 2023 Electrified G80 fully loaded, except for a few extra-cost paint colors and accessories. As a result, every car comes with features including a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel, a head-up display, a wireless smartphone charger, and a collection of safety tech.
The infotainment system features a 14.5-inch center-mounted touchscreen and a 21-speaker sound system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is standard.
My experience with the Electrified G80's voice-recognition system, unfortunately, was not great. I've raved about this feature in other Hyundai models, calling it one of the best I've tested and on par with Apple's Siri virtual assistant. Yet in the Genesis, my unscripted voice commands for things like "nearest hospital" or "coffee shop" appeared to go unheeded.
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I'll note that the system does include beginner, normal, and expert settings. However, those dictate the depth of response you'll get and have nothing to do with interpreting your instructions. I later found a list of preset commands in the car's infotainment guide, which proved helpful.
In terms of safety features, the 2023 Electrified G80 comes with the driving-assistance and collision-avoidance technologies you expect in a modern luxury car. One unusual item is the Blind-Spot View Monitor that transmits video from an exterior camera to the gauge cluster. I've always liked the little bit of extra assurance it provides, in addition to the expected visual and audio blind-spot alerts.
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Highway Driving Assist (HDA) is the name Genesis gives to its semi-autonomous driving technology, which pairs adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist. These systems merited few complaints from me in the Electrified G80. During testing, I opted not to have the car automatically respond to any change in the posted speed limit, and the HDA executed its tasks flawlessly. However, the lane-centering feature made frequent minor corrections that were difficult to ignore. In fairness, that complaint isn't unique to Genesis or the Electrified G80, in my experience.
Regarding crash-test ratings, the 2023 Genesis Electrified G80 was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. As of this review's writing, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration had not rated the Electrified G80.
2023 Genesis Electrified G80 Review: The Drive
Thom Blackett
In place of a traditional powertrain, Genesis equips the 2023 Electrified G80 with dual electric motors that collectively generate 365 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. An 87.2-kWh lithium-ion battery provides the necessary power.
I found the motors' output as impressive in the real world as it looks on the screen. That torque provided excellent off-the-line acceleration, and response was consistent as speeds rose. The Electrified G80 delivered power in a way that felt effortless, albeit without the sound or feel of a traditional internal combustion engine. For some, that lack of visceral response can be a hurdle in transitioning to an EV.
While I found that the Electrified G80 delivered on performance, I wouldn't call it a sports sedan. The suspension did an excellent job of insulating me from the effects of bumps and potholes and kept the car composed on back roads; the steering was nicely weighted but could have been more responsive. You can select one of two brake modes, though I couldn't discern any difference between them.
That's not the case with the three settings for the regenerative braking system: faster, normal, and slower. When lifting off the throttle with the faster setting, I found deceleration to be so aggressive that I seldom needed to apply the brake pedal. It did not equate to an engaging experience. Put another way, driving the Electrified G80 is more enjoyable than fun. For the vast majority of buyers, that's likely just fine.
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Finally, let's take a look at the range and charge times. According to the EPA, the 2023 Genesis Electrified G80 has a maximum range of 282 miles and averages 34 kWh of energy use per 100 miles traveled. (That measurement is equivalent to a gas-powered vehicle's combined city and highway fuel-economy rating.) Genesis claims its EV can be charged from 10% to 80% in about 22 minutes using a 350-kW DC fast charger or roughly eight hours using a Level 2 home charging station plugged into a 240-volt outlet. It's also worth noting that new Electrified G80 owners get three years of complimentary DC fast charging at Electrify America stations throughout the country.
My first trip was to my nearest charging station, with machines capable of recharging up to 150 kW. The battery charge was down to 31% and the range was 73 miles. Once plugged in, the charger estimated 36 minutes to charge to 80% and 62 minutes to 100%. Since my area was experiencing the coldest winter temperatures I've seen in years, I used the heat sporadically as I waited in the car. As a result, it took 40 minutes to get to 80% and 64 minutes to charge the lithium-ion battery fully. Instead of the EPA-estimated 282 miles, the gauge cluster showed 259 miles of range, which dropped to 239 miles with the heat turned on.
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My second charge came after 125 miles, with 77 miles of remaining range. If my math is correct, that equals 202 miles, or 37 shy of the 239 I expected. I was averaging 43 kWh/100 miles. Again, I attributed those poor results to the extreme cold. On my final visit to the charging station after driving in much warmer weather, I beat the expected range by five miles. In addition, the average energy consumption was down to 31 kWh/100 miles — better than the EPA estimate. Still, a full recharge topped out at 259 miles instead of 282 (in response to the recent driving conditions).
Overall, I was satisfied. Without access to a 350-kW DC fast charger, I expected to spend additional time reenergizing the battery and attributed the fluctuating range to subzero temperatures.
Is the 2023 Genesis Electrified G80 a Good EV?
Thom Blackett
The 2023 Genesis Electrified G80 is a compelling choice, thanks to its styling, slate of standard features, IIHS crash-test scores, interior quality and comfort, and performance. Genesis also provides two years of free maintenance, three years of complimentary charging, and backs its EV with a long warranty.
Aside from style, I believe the Electrified G80's differentiating factors to be driving dynamics, brand recognition, and EV performance. However, the Mercedes-Benz EQE may be a better choice if you want a universally recognized name and badge. Plus, it offers a broader range of configurations, including a high-performance AMG version.
That said, individual priorities and preferences will vary, but the 2023 Genesis Electrified G80 deserves serious consideration until more challengers arrive in the segment.
