Genesis has been on a roll in recent weeks. With an increasing percentage of its upcoming portfolio driven by electric powertrains, the quirky Korean luxury brand looks set to just keep expanding its presence in a luxury segment that has been dominated by too few options.
The Genesis brand was established as a true contender and not a mere curiosity with the introduction of the Electrified G80, an electric version of the G80. Does this emission-free version stand on its own?
What do you think about the G80's future? The existing car's platform will be reworked for one thing. Much of the batteries went underneath and behind the luxurious rear seats.
A lot of that pack protrudes into the trunk as a result of the compromises that had to be made. From the regular G80 to the regular G10 here, the cargo space is down from 13 to 10. If you haul luggage for a month-long European vacation it shouldn't be a problem.
A lot of that pack protrudes into the trunk as a result of the compromises that had to be made.
Under the hood, where once an either 2.5 or 3.5 liter engine sat, it's all inverters and chargers plus all the bright orange cables to connect the lot. Genesis chose to cover it all with a plastic shroud, giving it a familiar look. There isn't any token storage up here. I am sorry, lovers.
The car is powered by something. The equivalent of 182 horsepower is provided by the two 136 kilo watt electric motors. All-wheel-drive is a standard feature. The Genesis rate the Electrified G80 at over 400hp and over 500 lbs of Torque. It is 25 percent more powerful and 25 percent more Torque than the non-electrified G80s, and you will feel it as soon as you start the car.
The throttle curve is flattened dramatically if you are not in Eco mode. If you want the G80 to surge forward, go for Comfort mode. It is positively raring to go, charging out of tight corners harder than its tires can grip.
This is not a sports car, but an electric vehicle. Torque and throttle response are best at low speeds where you want them to go away from lights or slower traffic. It is only at higher speeds on the road. There is a lot of power for highway overtakes and high-speed driving.
Handling is compromised due to the extra 500 pounds of mass on theelectrified suspension. The rear end of the car takes a long time to settle after wallowing through corners and is easily upset on large bumps. When cruising on the highway, the G80 is a delight due to its smooth surface.
That is the way you should drive this car. The EPA-rated range is 282 miles. I averaged a consumption of 3.4 miles per kWh in my testing. If you add the 87.2kWh battery pack to that, you have a theoretical range of over 300 miles. The car would show me on a dash with an estimated range of over 300 miles.
The G80 is a pleasure to drive.
Setting the cruise control will help maximize EV range and the Highway Driving Assist will do its job. HDA did a good job of keeping the G80 centered in the lane. Even though HDA isn't capable of handling automated lane changes or the like, it's still good at looking ahead and maintaining speed in tight traffic. It leaves a generous gap between the car ahead and the one you're going to get cut off from.
When the car's seats kicked in, I wasn't really bothered by that. If you drive long enough, the G80 will decide it's time for you to adjust. The seat cushion will be raised and lowered by the car while it inflates and deflates. It is nothing compared to the massage you can get in a Mercedes-Benz, but it is $20,000 cheaper.
The back glass of the rear seats has separate heating and cooling controls and sun shades. A compromise is needed to facilitate that sloping roofline.
It is easy to know where to begin when discussing the exterior design. It is impossible to miss the crosshatch of the G80's schnoz in the largest parking lots. It makes a statement and I think it is a good one.
The lighting is sandwiched in a pair of slits that seem too slender for the task at hand, a design cue echoed in the fender vents just off of the front wheels.
My test car had a white interior and recycled wood dash inserts that promise to be good for the environment. The interior design is bright and clean. Carpets extend up the sides of the transmission tunnel from the driver's seat. The fabric headliners are pleasant to the touch, but poke around and you will find a lot of hard plastic within reach.
Genesis has a steering wheel with four spokes that looks odd but feels good and all the controls are under your thumb. While the left handles volume, voice, and media, the right handles cruise and driver assist. There are paddles on the back. The car will stop automatically if you hold down the left paddle.
I like the interior design, but I don't like the Genesis experience. There is a shiny, chrome and white knob in the center console that can be used to navigate through a lot of menus.
That's all good. The problem is the car is covered in shiny chrome and has the same size and location as the rest of the vehicle. Despite spending a lot of time in various Genesis cars over the years, I always try to shift into D when I get to the dashboard.
If you have a phone that's equipped, you'll be able to use the wireless charging pad if you so choose. The wired way can be charged with twoUSB-A ports. There are two hidden ports for rear passengers in the armrest.
The Genesis-specific skin on the insturment experience is the same experience we have been seeing for a long time. It doesn't change the function. Voice-recognition is not usable for the most basic of tasks. Don't forget your cable, you have your choice of the two. It's not a cell phone.
Equipment is complete and options are nil.
Equipment is complete and options are nil. There was a single paint option for the car here. Paint is the only other option besides interior color, and the most expensive option is the white, which looks stunning and is well worth the price.
The Genesis Electrified G80 is close to what you will spend. The car was stickered at $81,495 with the paint and destination charges.
This is a lot of cars. You're going to spend a lot more to get into either of those with this level of equipment, even though it lacks some premium niceties.
The Genesis GV60 has some of the more advanced tech features, but the Electrified G80 doesn't. The quirkiness of this car makes it stand out in the crowd. When you're tired of the crowd, the G80 will take you away to wherever you want to go.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
