Genesis Electrified G80 review: Leftfield luxury

4OUT OF 5

The verdict

The lap of luxury

The Genesis Electrified G80 is an appealing left-field alternative the the establishment, with an opulent interior and refined driving experience worthy of the limousine label

★★★★★

Genesis has been knocking around in the UK since 2021.

Launched as a premium alternative to the German establishment, its cars have consistently offered plenty of quality and value, even if they’ve failed to strike much of a chord with the wider car-buying public.

Its GV70 and GV60 both offer appealing SUV alternatives to the default premium choices, and I was hugely impressed when I ran a GV70 as a long-termer. But to really compete with the likes of BMW, Mercedes and Audi, you need a big saloon. And that’s where the Electrified G80 comes in.

Launched in mid-2022, this luxury-focused executive barge was initially up against the likes of the BMW i5 and Mercedes EQE. However, a big updated in 2025 brought more fancy features, a bigger battery and a bigger body, courtesy of an extended wheelbase specification. That shifts it closer to the realms of the i7 and EQS.

So in a world where three stars, four rings and blue-and-white propellers are king, is the Electrified G80’s glow-up enough to win buyers over?

Design and interior

The Genesis Electrified G80 now only comes in that extended wheelbase form, meaning it measures in at a hefty 5.13m long. And it does look absolutely enormous. That said, it’s handsome and understated. Compared with the soapbar looks of the Mercedes EQS or the automotive abomination that is the BMW i7, it’s a picture of restraint and sophistication.

From its neat diamond-patterned grille right back to its split slimline tail lights it gives proper executive limo vibes while maintaining clear links with the rest of the Genesis family. The deep Capri Blue of our test car particularly suited the long, low saloon shape.

Inside, Genesis also continues to lay down a challenge to absolutely any other premium car maker. From ceiling to carpet the G80’s cabin is a lesson in high-end materials and construction.

There’s a delicate balance between traditional and high-tech, with big solid physical controls blended with relatively simple touchscreen elements, all wrapped up in an elegant, logical design. It feels a lot calmer and simpler to use than its German counterparts.

There’s leather, metal and other premium materials everywhere, and in Luxury trim (the one you want) those in the front get 18-way adjustable seats with pneumatic bolsters, heating, cooling and massage.

In the back, the G80 takes things further, the rear doors are powered and, once closed, passengers are treated to powered reclining seats with “VIP” legrests, plus heating, cooling and massage, and their own air conditioning zone. There are powered side and rear window blinds for privacy, plus controls for the infotainment. It really leans into the chauffeur-driven angle.

The only problem is that even with that extended wheelbase, the G80’s underlying packaging is flawed. Being based on an adapted ICE platform means the battery pushes the seats towards the roof and robs the boot of space. The result is a stingy 354-litre boot, fairly limited headroom and a higher floor level than you’d like. Still, if you’re of shorter stature you can lean back and enjoy the overarching luxury of it all.

Technology and equipment

Among the updates the Electrified G80 shares with other Genesis models is a new one-piece 27-inch display setup that incorporates customisable digital instruments with the infotainment system. It’s still running the same Genesis system which blends big icons with relatively simple menu structures and which puts key functions in easy to reach places. It’s all controlled either via the touchscreen or the tactile rotary controllers in the front and rear centre consoles – a nice choice to have.

The screen also controls the 17-speaker Dolby Atmos-equipped sound system from Bang & Olufsen, which features various soundscapes and incorporates active noise cancelling.

Predictably, there’s an enormous list of driver assistance ranging from adaptive Matrix LED headlights and rear cross traffic alert to highway driving assist that blends adaptive cruise control and lane following assist with semi-autonomous lane changing. The key functions – speed and lane assist – are far less bothersome than in some cars but can also be deactivated with blissful simplicity.

Range, battery and charging

The Electrified G80’s facelift also swapped the battery from an 87.2kWh unit to a 94.5kWh one. Officially that gives it a range of 354 miles thanks to energy consumption of 3.4m/kWh.

Out on the road, that energy usage is closer to 2.8-3m/kWh and real-world range is in the region of 270-280 miles. That’s not exactly brilliant, but this is a massive heavy saloon pushing out close to 400bhp, so it’s hardly surprising.

While other Genesis models can charge at well over 200kW, the G80 is capped at 183kW. A couple of years ago that would have seemed pretty impressive, now it’s behind the curve, meaning a 10-80% recharge takes around 25 minutes.

Helping get the most out of the battery is natural-feeling four-stage regenerative braking which is controlled by big steering column paddles and includes a full one-pedal option.

Performance and driving

The Genesis G80 is a big car, but 365bhp from its two-motor, all-wheel-drive setup is still enough to make pretty quick progress. The 0-62mph run takes just 5.1 seconds and if you can find a stretch of autobahn long enough, it will eventually wind its way up to 139mph.

But that is absolutely not what this car is about. This car is about smooth, refined progress. Which is where the well-weighted controls and impeccable refinement come in. The throttle gives enough response to keep up with traffic without spilling the drinks of those in the back. There’s even a chauffeur mode that dulls the pedal inputs and adjusts the suspension to ensure you can’t upset the VIPs in the rear.

You can stick in in sport mode, where the screens light up red and things get a bit more responsive, but what’s the point?

There’s also more life and feedback to the steering than anything to come out of China this decade, but you’ll use that feel to gently guide the G80 through bends rather than chucking it in. What makes that easier is surprisingly good body control and the four-wheel-steering that allows this massive machine to tuck neatly around corners whether on the open road or in a crowded metropolis.

Like the GV70 (or a Rolls-Royce Ghost), the G80 gets road-scanning adaptive suspension which responds in milliseconds to any upcoming imperfections. The result is perhaps not quite Rolls-Royce “magic carpet” smooth, but it’s really not far off. Likewise, the active noise cancellation works well at wrapping occupants in a leather-wrapped cocoon isolated from the outside world.

Price, trim and rivals

Obviously, pitched as an executive-level limo, the G80 isn’t going to be cheap, but compared to rivals, it’s relatively affordable.

The range starts at £76,515 for the “basic” Design grade, with the tested Luxury grade priced from £84,215. The difference between the two lies in the sheer level of opulence, with the Dynamic model missing out on all the fancy rear cabin elements, Nappa leather and suede finish and the ergo-motion massage seats in the front.

Even at £85k, the G80 is cheaper than its most obvious rivals. The Mercedes EQS is priced from nearly £92,000, while the BMW i7 starts at an eye-watering £104,000. Both rivals, however, pack more range and faster DC charging, with the Merc offering 490 miles and 330kW, and the Beemer managing 451 miles and 250kW. The i7 also packs an extra 85bhp.

Verdict

The Genesis G80 is never going to be a big seller. It’s pitched at an incredibly niche market and has to overcome decades of badge snobbery that gives the German establishment the advantage.

Nonetheless, in terms of delivering an effortless, relaxing and refined experience, wherever you’re sitting, it hits the mark. And if you want something that no-one else in the boardroom has, then it’s well worth a look.

For

Beautiful interior

Refined driving experience

Useful real-world range

Against

Not as spacious as rivals

Power and charging can’t match rivals

Badge snobs might sneer

Fact file

Genesis Electrified G80 Luxury

Price

£84,215 (£86,225 as tested)

Powertrain

Dual-motor, all-wheel-drive

Battery

94.5kWh

Power

365bhp

Torque

516lb ft

Top speed

139mph

0-62mph

5.1 seconds

Range

354 miles

Consumption

3.4m/kWh

Real-world range

270-280 miles

Real-world consumption

2.9m/kWh

Charging

up to 183kW

Boot space

354 litres

Insurance group

50

The rivals

Alternatives worth a test drive