The Genesis Electrified G80 Saloon is a Gigantic Luxury GT.

The Genesis Electrified G80 Saloon stands out as a Gigantic Luxury GT, offering unique features and performance that set it apart in the market.

Jeremy Webb, who was chauffeuring the family around Canterbury, tested the Genesis Electrified G80 in the role for which it was designed. A luxury saloon styled as a limousine with the grandeur and elegance to match any premium marque. The car, with its opulent features and spacious interior, can serve as a family vehicle or a means of transportation for executives and CEOs, offering a pampering experience like no other.

I say the Genesis Electrified G80 is a luxury GT, knowing it doesn't qualify as a Grand Tourer, but to me, it does. It has five luxury seats and not the 2+2 configuration that labels a car as a GT, and to me, the availability of the extra seat makes it a Grander car than many. In fact, the interior space is not only gigantic but also accommodating and designed for your comfort and ease.

Genesis has taken a bold step into luxury electric vehicles with its exclusive Electrified G80, now offered solely with electric power. At the heart of this sophisticated sedan is a robust 94.5kWh battery pack that powers two identical motors—each producing 182.5bhp—one strategically positioned on both the front and rear axles. This dual-motor system enhances performance and provides the G80 with remarkable four-wheel drive capability. With a combined output of 365bhp, the Electrified G80 boasts an impressive official acceleration figure of 0 to 62mph in just 5.1 seconds, a feat that showcases its spirited performance and will surely thrill any driver.

The Electrified G80 faces formidable rivals, such as the BMW i5 and the Mercedes EQE, in carving out a niche in the competitive luxury electric car market. However, following a recent update in its long-wheelbase (LWB) configuration, it also sets its sights on distinguished competitors such as the BMW i7 and the Mercedes EQS.

The Electrified G80's powertrain is designed with everyday usability in mind. The rear motor primarily drives the car under normal conditions, with the front motor seamlessly engaging when additional power or traction is needed, especially in slippery conditions. This intricate system proves highly practical, allowing for impressive acceleration from a standstill, even in wet weather, with minimal wheelspin. In fact, the driving experience is often more exhilarating than the official 0-62mph time would imply, as the G80 effortlessly maintains its momentum and power through the gears, accelerating toward higher speeds without any noticeable drop in performance.

While the Electrified G80 excels in everyday driving scenarios, it faces criticism when pitted against sportier competitors like the Audi E-tron GT and Porsche Taycan. Genesis has prioritised comfort and a smooth ride over outright sporty handling. However, this approach is not without its flaws. The accelerator pedal calibration, particularly in Sport mode, may feel overly sensitive for some drivers, necessitating a period of adjustment. For those seeking an even more serene driving experience, the G80 offers a Chauffeur mode that softens the accelerator response, allowing for a more graceful and controlled surge of power as you navigate the road.

In essence, the Genesis Electrified G80 is a compelling blend of luxury and electric performance, targeting those who value comfort and sophistication while still offering respectable athleticism.

The Genesis Electrified G80 offers a unique driving experience, with remarkable grip at the front end, albeit with somewhat imprecise steering and a degree of body control looseness. This unique combination encourages a cautious and smooth driving approach on twisting rural roads.

This lack of control becomes evident during city driving, as the G80 often thuds over raised manhole covers and potholes. While the entry-level EQE shares similar challenges, it at least offers the advantage of air suspension. On the other hand, the G80 adheres to Genesis's design philosophy, relying on a setup of steel coils and adaptive dampers that constrains its versatility. In contrast, the BMW i7 offers a more universally comfortable ride thanks to its air-sprung suspension.

On the highway, though, the G80 truly shines. Its suspension adapts well to smooth surfaces, allowing it to glide effortlessly along the road. The absence of wind and road noise also contributes to a serene driving experience. This is particularly beneficial, given the official electric range of a commendable 354 miles, which exceeds the i5 M60 xDrive's range of 315 miles, although it falls short of the EQE 500's 385 miles, the i7 xDrive60's 387 miles, and the impressive EQS 450's 467 miles.

A noteworthy feature of the Electrified G80 is the option of rear-wheel steering. Although this upgrade comes at a premium, it significantly enhances the car's manoeuvrability, making it surprisingly agile for a long, limousine-like vehicle, especially in urban environments.

The driving position in the Genesis Electrified G80 garners high praise. The driver's seat is equipped with a plethora of fully electric adjustments, including lumbar support, ensuring personalised comfort. The alignment of the seat with the steering wheel and pedals facilitates a relaxing driving experience. However, one minor drawback is that, depending on your seating position, the steering wheel may obscure parts of the digital driver's display.

Unlike the higher driving position typical of electric SUVs, the G80 maintains a lower driving position, providing excellent visibility both ahead and at intersections, which simplifies manoeuvring. Rear visibility is also adequate, aided by rear quarter windows. Features like standard blind-spot monitoring and a rear-view camera further enhance safety.

Inside, one of the standout elements is the expansive 27-inch display, which seamlessly merges the infotainment touchscreen with the digital driver's display. Notably, the infotainment can be controlled via a large dial positioned between the front seats, much like the iDrive dial in the BMW i5.

While it may be easy to inadvertently reach for the controller instead of the gear selector, this setup proves less distracting compared to the touchscreen-only interface found in the Mercedes EQE. Moreover, the driver's display utilises physical buttons on the steering wheel, offering a user-friendly alternative to the haptic buttons in the EQE. For those who prefer tactile control, the infotainment system is also accessible through a responsive and sharp touchscreen that is well organised and incorporates features such as DAB radio, Bluetooth compatibility, and smartphone mirroring with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Additionally, a standard 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system delivers a powerful sound experience, complete with active noise-cancelling technology for enhanced cabin tranquility.

However, it's worth noting that Genesis has replaced several physical controls from earlier models with touch-sensitive buttons for climate adjustments, which can be cumbersome to operate while driving. Thankfully, physical dials for temperature control remain a significant advantage over the i5's interior setup, which mandates touchscreen interaction for climate settings.

The Electrified G80's interior radiates elegance, exuding a palpable sense of quality in its construction. Most buttons and switches feel upscale, and various colour schemes and real wood options allow customisation to create an ambience that can be either bright and airy or dark and sophisticated.

This level of craftsmanship extends to the rear seats, where the premium soft-touch plastics and leathers found in the front cabin are also present, including on the door panels. For rear passenger comfort, the Electrified G80 offers an optional Second Row Comfort Pack, enhancing the experience with features such as heated outer rear seats, power-closing soft-close rear doors, sun blinds, and a centre armrest control panel. While these upgrades provide a better experience than the i5, they don't quite match the opulence found in a BMW i7 equipped with its Rear Comfort Pack.

In terms of space, the front of the Genesis Electrified G80 is generous. The seats slide back significantly on their runners, paired with ample headroom. The back seat area mirrors this spaciousness, ensuring that even taller passengers won't feel cramped. The legroom in the outer rear seats is particularly commendable, thanks to the extended wheelbase.

As a result, the Genesis Electrified G80 offers more legroom than the BMW i5 and Mercedes EQE, providing levels comparable to those of the BMW i7 and Mercedes EQS. Rear comfort in the G80 surpasses that of the EQE and EQS, where the rear seats might position passengers in a more upright stance with inadequate support.

A fabulous vehicle, the Genesis G80 offers luxury travel to all occupants in a limousine-level interior. It delivers punchy performance when you need it and smooths out road surfaces sublimely. For such a long car, I found it extremely agile to negotiate Canterbury's charming but cramped lanes when delivering a University student back to their residence. It certainly won't be your average family car; it is a premium people carrier.

£75000