A Week With: 2023 Genesis Electrified G80 AWD

(Editor’s note: Since this review’s publication, Genesis requested the vehicle be returned to undergo a thorough examination to determine to cause of the problems experience during our test drive.)

If everyone seems to be going hog wild over electric SUVs, it comes at the expense of vehicles like the 2023 Genesis Electrified G80 AWD, which is pretty much identical to other G80 sedans with one exception: it’s pure battery-electric powertrain.

But it’s not available everywhere, with sales limited to Arizona, California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Utah, Virginia and Washington.

Nevertheless, we spent a week with the first pure battery-electric vehicle built by Hyundai’s luxury nameplate, one that preceded the GV60 and Electrified GV70 SUVs in the line-up. 

Overview

The 2023 Genesis Electrified G80 AWD joins an increasing number of battery electric vehicles from Hyundai Motor Group’s luxury brand. Unlike the Genesis GV60 and GV70, which uses the E-GMP platform shared with its more mainstream Hyundai and Kia siblings, the Electrified G80 uses the same platform as the conventionally-powered G80. The 2023 Genesis Electrified G80 AWD is sold in one trim level: Prestige. As the name implies, this rig is fully loaded, making buying one a lot simpler; just choose your colors.

Exterior

With the exception of its grille, the Electrified G80 looks little different from its conventional siblings. Given its lack of an internal combustion engine, the front “grille’ is basically covered up with a unique texture, one that camouflages the charger door on its upper right side.

Otherwise, it retains the coupe-like profile and junior G90 styling details. It’s at once distinctive, elegant and eloquent, looking dignified and refined like any great luxury car. Thankfully, there’s no mistaking it for anything else.

Interior

Upon first glance, the Electrified G80 makes a very positive impression, with beautiful leather, aluminum and open pore wood trim. The seats are wide and welcoming, but hard and flat. They do have a power extender for the seat bottom for those with longer legs. And unlike similar systems in British luxury cars, there’s no crevice to collect crumbs and debris; it’s seamless.

Legroom is plentiful, but the low roofline robs the vehicle of headroom and lends the cabin a claustrophobic feel. The seats seem unnaturally high due to Genesis jamming batteries into a platform not designed for electrification. This also robs the trunk of cargo space, so pack lightly. At 10.8 cubic feet, it’s far too miserly for a luxury car. Even the $20,650 Hyundai Elantra has 3.4 cubic feet of additional cargo space.

Powertrain

Dual electric motors generate 365 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, enough to scoot to 60 mph in a quick 4.9 seconds according to Genesis. Range is EPA-rated at 282 miles, and fuel economy of 105 MPGe city and 89 MPGe highway. All-wheel drive is standard.

The Electrified G80’s 87.2-kWh battery recharges from 10% to 80% in 22 minutes using a 350-kW DC fast charger. At home, using a 240-volt outlet, it takes nearly seven-and-a-half hours. The charger port is located on the behind a door on the front grille. 

Safety and Technology

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration hasn’t crash-tested the 2023 Genesis Electrified G80 AWD. But the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has tested the conventional, non-electric G80 and dubbed it a Top Safety Pick+, it’s top designation.

Standard Advanced Driver Assistance systems include standard Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Forward Attention Warning, Vehicle Stability Management, Electronic Stability Control System, Traction Control and Anti-lock Brakes. The car’s software uses machine learning to learn and adjust to your driving style, while “Highway Driving Assist II” feature automatically changes lanes when the turn signal is activated.

The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is clear and easy to read, and augmented by a head-up display.

A 14.5-inch high-def screen comes with Navigation, Android Aroid Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, two USB ports front and rear, and an epic 21-speaker Lexicon surround sound audio system. As with other carmakers, owners can use their Android smartphone or NFC key card in place of a key fob.

Thoughtfully, the system is capable of over-the-air updates, ensuring that your software is up-to-date. But the screen is controlled by a large knob on the center console, which is more cumbersome than a touchscreen, requiring the driver to divert his or her attention from the road. And it’s the same size as the rotary shifter that’s located behind it, although the two knobs’ textures differ. 

Driving Impressions

The Electrified G80 is everything its gasoline counterpart is, minus the gasoline, of course. 

Its ride is comfortable, although a drive mode selector can change its demeanor, particular in powertrain response. It becomes very lively, with the thrill that comes from the electric motors’ instant supply of torque. It does so silently, without the rumble and vibration that comes with conventional drivelines. It’s not missed here, adding another impressive level of refinement. The steering’s nicely balanced road feel makes hustling this sedan down busy boulevards a breeze. Body lean is well managed, and the whole vehicle has a feel appropriate to its station as a junior G90, but with a sportier flair.

That said, the vehicle had an unexpected, and dangerous, electronic glitch.

After stopping to recharge, and not finding a plug that fit, I got back into the car with the same key fob, and started to drive. Suddenly, while driving at about 35 mph, the multimedia system began to clock, and the car capriciously decided to switch driver profiles while the car was moving.

For a moment, I thought I was in a French car.

This caused the seat bottom to motor forward as the seatback reclined. The steering wheel retracted into the instrument panel away from my grip as it also changed its rake. The side mirrors adjusted, showing views of the car’s doors. Distractingly, the radio station presets changed, as did the radio station, tuning in some distant, out-of-market PBS station.

Ghost in the machine? Perhaps. Dangerous? Extremely. Certainly, having experienced this, I wouldn’t trust this car to automatically park itself regardless of what Genesis promises.

2023 Genesis Electrified G80 AWD Specifications

Wrap Up

The 2023 Electrified G80 has all the attributes of its gasoline-powered sibling, with a nicely finished cabin and impressive performance.

But rather than create an electric sedan from scratch, Genesis cobbled together an electric vehicle using a sedan initially engineered for an internal combustion engine. Given the Electrified G80’s tight headroom, meager trunk space and wonky electronics, the 2023 Electrified G80 seems an exercise of expediency and economy over engineering excellence. While a fine performing sedan, the Electrified GV80 comes off as a compromise. 

Thankfully, it’s only sold in 12 states.

2023 Genesis Electrified G80 AWD ­— Frequently Asked Questions