The 2024 Genesis Electrified G80 is a unique car. It’s a sedan, which immediately caps its sales potential in the USA since this is a market dominated by crossovers and trucks. It’s also built on a convergence platform, meaning it shares architecture with the combustion-engined G80. Technically, this recipe should not work on paper and there’s no way that such a car should be able to compete with ground-up EVs like the BMW i5 and Mercedes-Benz EQE Sedan, but Genesis still found a way to build a great electric sedan even when starting with compromise.
Genesis currently builds three EVs: the Electrified G80, Electrified GV70, and the GV60. Those first two are built on convergence platforms, but the GV70 makes no sacrifices in terms of interior space or charging speed. The GV60 is based on the E-GMP platform – a dedicated battery electric vehicle platform – so it gets the best of what the Hyundai Motor Group has to offer. Then there’s the Electrified G80, which makes less power than the other two while compromising on trunk space, legroom, horsepower, and charging speed. Does this instantly count the G80 out against the i5 and EQE? Surprisingly, not at all!
Exterior: Wait, That’s An EV?
Looking at the Electrified G80, it won’t be immediately apparent whether it’s the gas or electric model. Aside from the grille, which is more filled in on the EV and camouflages the charging port, the unique 19-inch wheels are the only other telltale sign that this isn’t the gas-powered G80. The regular G80 is available with some sportier 20-inch wheels, but these smaller 19-inch ones are better for range and ride comfort. In both gas and electric guise, the G80 is one of the most attractive sedans on the market with a curvaceous body and the brand’s signature two-line theme that extends to the headlights and taillights.
Genesis is known for offering some unique colors, and the Electrified G80 offers one of the best palettes in the company’s range. The Matira Blue ($575) on our tester drew tons of compliments, looking green or blue depending on the light. Other great hues on offer include Hallasan Green, Capri Blue, and Makalu Gray Matte, the latter costing $1,500. Of course, there are more conventional shades like Alta White (the only no-cost option), Vik Black, Uyuni White, Savile Silver, and Makalu Gray.
Interior: Budget Bentley
Few cabins offer the elegance found in a Genesis for less than $100,000. Genesis only sells the Electrified G80 very well-equipped with a full leather interior or Nappa leather as part of the Prestige Package. Our tester featured the latter, which feels supple and includes gorgeous diamond quilting. The interior can be finished in Obsidian Black, but we much prefer the lighter interior that we had, which is paired with Dark Lagoon Green leather on the dash. The front seats are heated and ventilated as standard with the Advanced trim, adding an Ergo Motion massage function in the Prestige trim.
The technology is pretty great, and with the Prestige Package, you get a 14.5-inch infotainment system paired with a clear-sounding Lexicon Premium Audio system. Though it sits a bit high on the dash, that screen can be controlled via touch or using the rotating knob. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, though they are not wireless here. A fully digital 12.3-inch gauge cluster comes as part of the Prestige Package with 3D effects that make the needles look more realistic. Genesis has a more updated user interface that we were introduced to on the new GV80 Coupe and SUV, but that is only being added to the G80 lineup for 2025.
Performance: Who Needs Gasoline?
Dual electric motors produce 365 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. That’s 10 hp down on the top-spec gas model with its twin-turbo V6, but the torque is up by a whopping 125 lb-ft. Torque is the most important statistic in the majority of circumstances, meaning the Electrified G80 almost always feels more eager to accelerate than the regular one. Since there is no transmission in an EV to sift through gears, acceleration is more immediate no matter your speed. 0-60 is dealt with in 4.1 seconds – more than half a second quicker than the V6-powered G80.
The 87.2 kWh battery is larger than what’s found in the GV60 or Electrified GV70. That means the Electrified G80 can go an impressive 282 miles on a charge. We averaged 3.5 miles per kWh during the week, which would extrapolate out to around 305 miles of driving, besting the EPA rating. The downside here is that this larger battery contains a different cell chemistry that only charges at 187 kW, not the 235 kW peak speed that the other Genesis EVs can achieve. The G80 still retains an 800-volt architecture, so a 10-80% charge takes just 22 minutes on a 350 kW charger.
Practicality: Compromising For Range
In order to pack in maximum range without compromising performance, Genesis had to make compromises somewhere when converting the G80 from gasoline to electric. Those compromises become apparent when you step inside. Overall passenger volume is cut from 103.8 cubic feet in the gas model to 100.7 cubic feet here. That reduction will be felt if you are a taller driver or passenger. Front legroom drops by just 0.1 inches, but the rear legroom is cut more significantly from 38.7 inches to just 35.9 inches. Headroom is also tighter, but exact figures depend on whether the sunroof is optioned onto the gas model.
Cabin space wasn’t the only thing sacrificed to accommodate a larger battery pack. Opening up the trunk reveals 10.8 cubic feet of space, which is 2.3 cubes less than the gas-powered G80. A large hump takes up a significant portion of the trunk space and leaves only a small passthrough to the cabin for long, skinny items. It’s worth noting that the standard G80 also lacks the ability to fold the rear seats into the cabin.
Driving Impressions: Soft, But Fun
Like the standard model, the Electrified G80 model is tuned on the softer side of mid-size luxury sedans. It reminds us a lot of the now-defunct Lexus GS, which was a stupendous driver’s sedan that was also a plush daily driver. Electronically controlled suspension comes standard with a Road Preview feature that can read the road ahead and pre-condition the car to ride softer over bumps.
You can feel the added weight of the electric powertrain (around 500 pounds more than the V6), but the lower center of gravity helps the Electrified G80 stay composed around corners. There’s a fair bit of lean, but we prefer this to the stiffer ride found in German rivals. Standard rear-steering further helps the car feel smaller when driving spiritedly or in tight parking maneuvers. We were a bit surprised by the amount of heft in the steering rack, which gets even heavier in Sport mode. It’s certainly not uncomfortable, just unexpected given the soft nature of everything else.
Eco mode seems to improve the driving range by reserving the front motor for hard acceleration, though it does require a heavier foot when commanding a burst of acceleration. Comfort and Sport mode feel more eager to accelerate, though the instant thrust from the electric motors tapers off significantly at higher speeds. Compared to the Electrified GV70 and the GV60, this feels like the least “sport-tuned” Genesis EV.
Pricing & Verdict: Still Compelling
Up until very recently – right after we handed the car back, in fact – the Electrified G80 was only offered in a single, fully-loaded trim level. Genesis has since brought the price down a bit by offering a slightly de-contented Advanced Package, starting at $74,375. This trim still offers the same dual-motor setup, but it loses a few features like the fully digital instrument cluster, surround-view monitor, soft-close doors, Nappa leather, and massage seats. The Prestige Package adds $4,750 to the price, bringing the total to $79,125, which is actually a little less than last year’s model.
The BMW i5 is less expensive at the low end of the range, starting at $66,800 for the 335-hp i5 eDrive40 model, but the Mercedes EQE Sedan is pricier at $74,900 in its base trim. Both German options only include a single rear electric motor with less power than the Genesis at that price, but they do offer a higher EPA-rated range. When similarly equipped, the Mercedes EQE is much more expensive.
As mentioned, the 2025 G80 lineup benefits from some exciting changes; the brand also recently announced a bespoke division that features a limited-run Genesis G80 Performance special edition. It’s clear Genesis isn’t resting on its laurels, and while the 2025 G80 models are the ones to have, the current Electrified G80 remains a compelling sedan that trades usability for range without detracting from performance. We don’t see it being the most popular EV in the Genesis lineup, but the Electrified G80 feels like it adds up to more than the sum of its parts.
