The 2023 Genesis G80 Electrified

It looks like a G80. But the 2023 Genesis G80 Electrified is like no other Genesis before it. It joins the GV60 Electrified to present two electric vehicles from Hyundai’s luxury division to the buying public. The motor mavens at Napleton News try our best to remain plugged-in to the latest and greatest in automobilia. (Yes, that was a pun) Here’s what we thought about this new Genesis vehicle where “batteries are included.”

Charged up: What’s behind the new Genesis G80 Electrified?

Think of an electric vehicle as one of the world’s largest slot cars. For those not versed, a slot car is a small electric car that was about seven inches long with a guide that fits in a groove on a track. The “driver” would control the speed of the car by a “controller” with a trigger that increased or decreased electric current and overall speed. The concept behind a real-life battery electric vehicle is the same.

In the case of the Genesis G80 Electrified, there’s no guide, nor is there a controller. Instead, the car is powered by an 87.2 kWh battery pack with two electric motors. With a motor on each axle, the G80 Electrified brings all-wheel drive standard.

The front and rear electric motors provide 136 kW of power, each. When combined with the lithium-ion battery, total output is 365 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. Although we never saw it on the mileage gauge, Genesis says to expect a range of 282 miles. Strangely, charging on a Level 3 fast charger showed 257 miles of range, although we easily surpassed that.

To keep things in perspective, the Electrified can charge up using a 240-watt Level 2 charger. That device will charge from 10% to 100% in just under 7.5 hours. A standard household wall charger will take about 18 days. (Just kidding).

There are no options. The G80 Electrified is fully loaded.

How does the Genesis G80 Electrified look?

The new G80 Electrified bears a close resemblance to the fossil fuel-burning example that we have grown fond of through the years. The twin light lenses, twin running lights and more give a unique look that few others possess. There’s no rear bumper cutouts for the exhaust pipes, and we would describe the new ventless grille as bolder-than-bold.

When we first took possession of the G80 Electrified, it was charged up to 85%. After driving it around for a while, we found ourselves parking in the driveway at home. We figured it was a good time to top off the battery charge, so we pulled the charging cord from the compartment in the trunk floor. After plugging into the wall outlet, we looked for a chargepoint on the car. There did not appear to be one. Trying to look smarter than we are, we avoided a quick review of the owner’s manual. You know, it’s like a man who hates asking for directions.

Finally, we noticed a charging logo on the corner of the bold Genesis grille. By chance, we gave it a push, which caused it to open. From there, charging was as you would expect, with a voice coming on to say “Charging has begun.”

Inside “the Electrified”

Very much like the similarly designed G80 gas version, the interior of the G80 Electrified will not disappoint. That is, unless you have a tender behind. We found the seat bottoms, like many others in Genesis/Hyundai/Kia vehicles veer to the harder side of the equation. Perhaps it’s a result of the mechanisms required for the massage feature, or the ventilation equipment that blows cold air through the perforated leather.

We liked the “forged wood trim” which looked like wood chips in an epoxy formula making a kaleidoscope of color.

The driver’s instrumentation consists of the by-now standard size 12.3-inch 3D display screen. To the right of that is a 14.5-inch display that offered controls of the audio, climate, navigation, and vehicle settings.

A pair of large rotary dials find their way to the center console. The one closest to you is the knurled gear selector dial. It includes the familiar R N D detents that you expect. Above it is a rather awkwardly placed dial to operate the infotainment system. Take special care reaching for one when you intended to grab the other. We did it several times until we became familiar with the respective dials and their functions.

The second row offers plenty of comfort but not as much as you would find in a standard G80. Perhaps that’s a result of battery storage or some other compromise involved with electrifying the G80.

Behind the Wheel of the G80 Electrified

Drive silently and carry a big battery. That’s how it is in the world of electric vehicles. And it’s not too bad! In the Genesis G80 Electrified, it is downright sublime. Acceleration is fast, thanks to the instant-on capabilities of an electric motor. Add a second motor and it will kick you back into the seat like a flying dropkick from the Great Malenko.

Most of the time was spent driving the G80 EV in normal mode. Here, it felt just as you would expect a normal vehicle to act. Stepping over to sport mode brought on a new level of aggression that even had us wanting to carve some corners on our secret back roads. The steering was exceptional, except for a few times, where due to some electronic glitch, it felt if the steering became overly boosted.

We even had a chance to go to single pedal functionality. Stepping through the paddle shift levers, we got it to the single pedal drive mode which maintained your forward motion while your foot is on the accelerator. Lift it, to see your speed bleed off as though you were standing on the brake pedal.

We would sum up our week in the G80 EV this way: The new 2023 Genesis G80 Electrified is a breath of fresh air in a Tesla-heavy environment.

Specifications of the Genesis G80 Electrified.

 

	2023 Genesis G80 Electrified Specifications
Engine Type	Twin Electric Motor Generators
Horsepower	365 horsepower
Torque	516 lb-ft of torque
Transmission	1-speed automatic transmission
Fuel Economy	97 mpg (105 city/89 hwy)
Suspension F/R	Multilink /Multilink
Turning Circle	NA
Also Available	There are no options
Specs
Warranty	5 years/60,000 miles
Powertrain Warranty	10 years/100,000 miles
NHTSA Safety Rating	Not yet tested
Max Seating Capacity	5
Wheelbase	118.5 inches
Overall Length	197.0 inches
Width	75.8 inches
Height	57.9 inches
Headroom, Front	40.3 inches
Legroom, Front	42.1 inches
Headroom, Rear	36.5 inches
Legroom, Rear	35.9 inches
Shoulder, Front	58.3 inches
Shoulder, Rear	57.1 inches
Cargo Space	10.8 cubic feet