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New Car Road Test | Genesis G80 Electrified

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With this G80 Electrified model, luxury brand Genesis offers a different take on what a full-sized luxury EV saloon should be. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

The Genesis G80 Electrified offers a more sensibly priced choice to those in the premium large saloon sector looking to make the switch to a full-EV. It lacks the pizzazz of obvious rivals but there's plenty here to like.

Background

Most manufacturers use the term 'electrified' to designate petrol engines with an ineffectual mild hybrid tinselling of battery power. Korean luxury brand Genesis, different in lots of ways from its rivals, is different again here, using the term 'electrified' for full-EV models also available in full-combustion form. Like this big G80 Electrified luxury saloon. The brand won't need to persist with this titling for long because from 2025, it will only sell full-EVs.

This one fits in the segment for large premium badged saloons like the Mercedes E-Class. The full-EV Mercedes equivalent to that E-Class model, the EQE, costs vastly more than its combustion stablemate. But the G80 Electrified provides an appealing full-EV option in this sector without the full-on price increase. Spec for spec, it costs pretty much what you'd pay for an equivalent combustion powered large posh saloon from a rival brand in this sector. Sounds an interesting proposition.

Driving Experience

Unlike the combustion-fuelled G80, there's no option of a rear-driven powertrain here, so the G80 Electrified comes only with AWD. That All-Wheel Drive system though, works rather differently than it does with the fossil-fuelled models, with separate motors driving each axle, each generating 185PS and collectively generating a rather impressive 700Nm of torque. That's good enough to power the car to 62mph in 4.9s, which to give you some class perspective is around two and a half a seconds quicker than a rival Mercedes EQE 300. Of more interest though to a likely owner is the projected driving range between charges, WLTP-rated at a fairly unremarkable 323 miles between charges of the 87.2kWh battery (it's up to 388 miles for the EQE 300, but that's a lighter, less powerful rear-driven model).

Special noise-cancelling technology on this EV G80 variant improves refinement, reducing tyre roar by using microphones and sensors to project inverted sound waves through the audio speakers. There are four selectable driving modes - 'Eco', 'Comfort', 'Sport' and 'Snow'. And three selectable 'Smart Recuperation' energy harvesting options ('Slower/Smooth', 'Medium' and 'Strong', the latter effectively a 'one pedal' mode).

As far as handling is concerned, you won't be expecting this to be any sort of sports saloon (particularly given that it weighs over 2.3 tonnes) and it isn't. Unlike the brand's larger G90 model offered in other markets, there's no air suspension, but adaptive damping is standard and there's a clever 'Ride Preview' system working via a camera built into the windscreen that primes the suspension for upcoming bumps. The result isn't exactly magic carpet-like but progress is nevertheless quite serene.

Design and Build

The main visual difference with this G80 Electrified model over its combustion stablemates is the fact that this car's usual signature 'Crest Grille' has evolved into an aerodynamic appendage that features an inverted G-Matrix pattern and incorporates a hidden electric charging port. All of which is like its GV70 Electrified SUV stablemate. This G80 saloon certainly has plenty of road presence - primarily due to its huge front grille and bisected LED headlamps. Some will see shades of Bentley Flying Spur here, encouraged perhaps by the rather similar winged Genesis bonnet badge. Size-wise, this car competes against full-Executive EV models like the Mercedes EQE.

Inside, there's a very high quality feel and an almost Bentley-like knurled finish to some items of switchgear. And of course there's the usual huge 14.5-inch centre touchscreen, accompanied by a digital instrument cluster that's either 8-inches or 12.3-inches in size, depending on spec. The quilted leather seats are superb and the build quality and open pore wood inlays impeccable. Genesis also includes standard double glazing for the front side windows. Textured two-tone indicator tips, a faux-ivory circular control pad and arcing door panels complete the high-end ambiance. A variety of eco-friendly materials have been used around the interior and each features a high quality finish, completing a design that embodies Genesis' vision for a sustainable luxury from the inside out.

There's very comfortable space for two adults in the second row, where the central tunnel has been lowered and you can really stretch out, though headroom isn't especially generous. Out back, the 424-litre boot you get in an ordinary G80 falls to 354-litres here.

Market and Model

You'll need around £70,000 for a G80 Electrified and there's only one trim level offered - plush 'Luxury'. That's around £2,000 more than a base Mercedes EQE 300, but to spec that Merc up to G80 Electrified 'Luxury' standard would cost you around £86,000. Plus that Merc lacks this G80's AWD system and is much slower. Genesis might not be charging much of a premium for this full electric model compared to segment rivals but the premium is pretty large over an identically equipped G80 2.5-litre rear-driven petrol 'Luxury' model - around £21,000. Still, this Electrified variant comes very well equipped for that. Tick off 19-inch alloy wheels, quad LED headlamps, leather upholstery, Open Pore Real Wood interior trim, a Head-up display, a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a Surround View Monitor, Remote Smart Parking Assist and a wireless phone charger.

Genesis doesn't have a network of UK dealerships. Instead, everything is done via so-called Genesis 'Studios' - which will be shopfronts in upmarket shopping centres. One has already been opened in London and others will follow. But you don't have to go to one of those. You simply connect with Genesis online, then you'll be allocated your own Genesis Personal Assistant who'll take you through the sales process, from test drive to delivery - and they'll deal with after-care as well. This Assistant won't be salaried on commission as an ordinary car salesperson would be, so you won't get any hard sell.

Cost of Ownership

As we said in our 'Driving' section, the car gets twin electric motors powered by an 87.2kWh battery which, when fully charged, delivers a rather unremarkable 323 mile WLTP-rated driving range. As with all EVs from the Hyundai Motor Group, the powertrain here is underpinned by an 800 volt electric architecture, which means that unlike most of its rivals, the car can use ultra-fast 350kW chargers - such as those provided by IONITY. In the unlikely event you can find one of those, a 10-80% battery top-up will take just 18 minutes. A V2L feature is available to supply up to 3.6 kW of power from the battery pack to charge ancillary devices - say a drone or an electric scooter for instance; or even another EV.

Like every Genesis, this one will come covered by a generous 5 year Care Plan, which includes scheduled servicing for 5 years or 50,000 miles. With each service visit, Genesis will collect and return the car to your door. This also applies to any necessary work required, including warranty work. You simply contact your Genesis Personal Assistant to make it happen. Who can also arrange a courtesy car. Try asking for any of that to be included in the price from a rival premium brand model. The 5 year Care Plan also includes updates to in-car navigational maps. And there's complimentary subscription to Genesis Connected Services, which will allow you to access information services from your 'phone to digitally enhance your ownership experience.

Summary

EVs are no longer rare on our roads, but this one will be. Most of the few who somehow have their hearts set on a full-sized luxury Genesis EV will properly prefer the identically engineered GV70 Electrified SUV. In lots of ways though, this G80 Electrified model would be a better bet. It rolls less, rides better, goes further between charges and is rare and different. But it's also old school in a class increasingly dedicated to futuristic thinking.

If you don't mind that, you'll get a lot for your money here. Plus there's no need to spend a fortune specing the car up because just about everything you might want comes included. Along with the usual impressive Genesis after-sales care package. For most, all that won't be enough to sway them towards a G80 Electrified. But a very few will find in this car everything they need and nothing they don't.

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