The Genesis Electrified G80 is far from new, having been introduced back in 2021. As a sedan, even Genesis makes you scroll past all the electrified SUVs to even find it on their website. But after spending a few days driving the electric G80, I was reminded of everything I like about sedans.
Comfort and performance
The first thing you notice about the G80 is its comfort. You slide into a spacious, yet well-bolstered seat and the picture in front of you is what you expect from Genesis: a very well thought-out dash and control layout, nice touch surfaces, and an intuitive easy-to-use car. Naturally, the electrified G80 takes cabin quiet to a new level since the car doesn’t have to use LT tires.
Your first freeway on-ramp demonstrates the performance package. While the Electrified G80 offers 365 horsepower (10 fewer ponies than the V6 version) you have a very civilized 516 lb-ft of torque under your foot, compared to 391 in the V6. The G80 simply glides to whatever speed you choose with perfect aplomb. Dual motors – one in the front and one in the rear – deliver a seamless all-wheel drive experience.
A driver’s car
My destination for the G80 was the Santa Cruz mountains. It’s a region I left over 30 years ago, but the back roads still invite me to depart the well-traveled freeway and take advantage of my local knowledge. Bear Creek Road is the epitome of a California mountain path, twisting and winding its way to the summit of the coast range. The G80 is a big car, but it offers crisp and precise steering that is only occasionally marred by the interference of the lane departure system.
I keep an eye on the range as I power up the hills and around the switchbacks. While the power usage is greater than the 1:1 on mileage we enjoyed on the freeway, the G80 doesn’t use too much power, even in vigorous driving. Soon enough we crest the mountains and I gain most of my extra usage back in one-pedal driving down to Boulder Creek.
Cool and complete
The trip takes place on the final day of summer, and temperatures approach the 90s on a clear, sunny day. The G80 behaves like the true luxury car it is, keeping the cabin temperature at a steady 67 and the audio system – nothing special, just the run of the factory – is flawless and easy to use with a short-wide 14.5-inch touchscreen and dial controller. There’s also voice recognition, if you prefer that. As an IIHS 2024 Top Safety Pick Plus, all the electronic goodies are there for safety and driver assistance.
Range and charging
Fully charged, the Electrified G80 is good for 282 miles. The G80 is capable of receiving up to 350 kW of DC Fast Charging, which will take the battery from 10% to 80% in 22 minutes. If you have a Level 2 charger at home with 48 amps, 10% to 100% is accomplished easily overnight in 7 hours, 22 minutes.
Pricing and verdict
The 2024 Electrified G80 starts at $75,625, which is a full $20,000 more than the basic G80 with a four-cylinder engine, but by the time you get the performance and AWD apples matched up, the comparable gas-powered G80 3.5T Sport Advanced AWD starts at $67,200, so it’s not a huge jump to go electric. Genesis has a standard $1,250 destination fee, which is not bad by industry standards. (Editor’s note: We quote pricing with the destination charge included, since the fee is not optional.)
More to the point, you can get a Genesis electric SUV for substantially less than the G80. The GV60 starts at $52,000 and the GV70 at $68,450. Make no mistake, this is a top-of-the-line luxury sedan. Yet in the days I drove the G80 all over the Bay Area, I never once wished for a taller, more ponderous SUV. The Electrified G80 was fit for my purpose, and looked as good as it drove. Genesis is killing the competition in that arena, as I’d certainly choose the G80 over the six-figure full-size EV sedans from Mercedes-Benz and BMW.
