Test Drive: 2023 Genesis G80 Electrified | The Daily Drive | Consumer Guide® The Daily Drive

2023 Genesis G80 Electrified

2023 Genesis G80 Electrified in Capri Blue (a $575 color option)

Consumer Guide Test Drive

2023 Genesis G80 Electrified

ClassElectric Vehicle

Miles driven: 246

Battery capacity: 87.2 kWh

CG Report Card
Room and Comfort A-
Power and Performance A
Fit and Finish A
Fuel Economy A
Value B-
Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide’s impressions of the entire model lineup.
Big & Tall Comfort
Big Guy B
Tall Guy B+
Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. “Big” rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, “Tall” rating based on 6’6″-tall male tester.
Drivetrain
Engine Specs 335 horsepower
Engine Type 2 electric motors
Transmission Automatic
Drive All-wheel drive

EPA-estimate MPGe: 105 city/89 hwy/97 combined

EPA-estimated driving range: 282 miles

Consumer Guide range estimate (ideal conditions): 282+ miles

Base price: $79,825 (not including $1095 destination charge)

Options on test vehicle: Special paint ($575)

Price as tested: $81,495

 

Quick Hits

The great: Premium drive experience, better-than-average battery range, modern and opulent cabin appointments

The good: Impressive power, Excellent audio system, easy-to-use infotainment system

The not so good: High price, limited trunk space

 

Tom Appel:

By some time next year, Korean luxury carmaker Genesis will have three electric vehicles in its tidy lineup. The aggressively styled GV60 small crossover came last year, and an electrified version of the excellent GV70 compact crossover arrives soon. But perhaps crossovers aren’t your thing. Luckily, there’s also a volt-driven midsize sedan in the Genesis portfolio. Meet the G80, or more correctly, the G80 Electrified.

2023 Genesis G80 Electrified

2023 Genesis G80 Electrified

Unlike the GV60, which is a stand-alone EV model, the G80 Electrified is a battery-powered version of the impressive G80, which is powered by either a 4-cylinder or V6 gasoline engine. A bit of bad news up front: the G80 Electrified is not available everywhere. More on that in a moment.

Unlike the conventional G80, which is available in three trim levels ranging in price from about $50,000 to about $66,000 to start, the Electrified is offered only in a single, unnamed, very-well equipped trim. Our test car came to $81,495 including the destination charge and extra-cost Capri Blue paint. AWD is standard. No other options are available.

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2023 Genesis G80 Electrified

2023 Genesis G80 Electrified

Power comes from a pair of electric motors which combine to produce 365 horsepower. The standard and only battery has a reported capacity of 87.2 kWh, good for an EPA estimated 282 miles of driving range. And, if you have access to high-speed public charging, the G80 Electrified battery can be brought from a 10-percent charge to an-80-percent charge in just 22 minutes.

On the road, the G80 Electrified feels much like the conventional G80, though some testers suggested that the weight of the battery could be felt in aggressive cornering, contributing to additional roll, and slowing cornering response. Though the Electrified does weigh about 600 pounds more than the gas-fired G80, we doubt most drivers will sense the added mass.

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2023 Genesis G80 Electrified

2023 Genesis G80 Electrified

What drivers will sense is the immediate throttle response and seamless power available from any speed. The G80 Electrified is rewarding to drive aggressively, and makes quick work of merging and passing. Likewise, though the steering is a little overboosted, it’s tight enough to be called sporty. Once underway, the G80 Electrified settles in nicely at highway speed, and is among the quieter cars in its class. In warm summer testing, our estimated range consistently came in around 304 miles, exceeding the EPA estimate.

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2023 Genesis G80 Electrified

2023 Genesis G80 Electrified

The cabin, like that of all Genesis model, compares favorably with the likes of Bentley and Rolls Royce. The G0 Electrified’s interior is rich with high-end materials and modern-feeling design. The Digital interface includes a 14.5-inch touchscreen, as well as physical controls for the systems used most often. We were impressed by the touchscreen graphics, which were both clear and incorporated fun, rotating iconography presented in a classy sepia hue.

Like many premium midsize sedans, especially those from BMW and Mercedes-Benz, the Electrified’s front door openings are a little small for larger and tall folks, but there’s plenty of people space once inside the car.

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2023 Genesis G80 Electrified

2023 Genesis G80 Electrified

One compromise the G80 Electrified asks of customers is reduced trunk space. Because the G80 was initially designed to support an electric drivetrain, space needed to be made to accommodate the battery. Some of that space came at the expense of trunk volume, which in the case of the G80 Electrified comes in at 10.8 cubic feet, down from 13.1 feet in the gasoline-powered G80. You can see the battery intrusion in the trunk pic below.

For well-heeled shoppers looking for a low-key way to go electric, the G80 Electrified belongs on your must-test-drive list. Here’s the problem: At least initially, Genesis will only be making the car available in Arizona, California, New Jersey, the state of New York, Vermont, and Washington State. We expect to see broader availability sometime soon, but Genesis is mum on future distribution plans. But, if you can get ahold of a G80 Electrified, you’ve scored yourself an especially competent and refreshingly understated EV.

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2023 Genesis G80 Electrified

2023 Genesis G80 Electrified

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2023 Genesis G80 Electrified Gallery

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Test Drive Gallery: 2022 Genesis G80 3.5T Sport Prestige

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