Tuesday, March 5, 2024

2024 Genesis Electrified G80 AWD: The Brand’s Flagship All-Electric Sedan


Highlight: The Electrified G80 is only available in select states.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $81,525 (Base Model): $75,500

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: ABS; airbags; a vehicle stability system; a hill-start assist control system; a forward collision assist system; a lane following assist system; a lane keep assist system; an electronic blind spot system; a blind spot view monitor; a rear cross traffic avoidance system; a high beam assist system; a driver warning attention system; an automatic brake hold feature; a hill start assist control system; a rear camera; and a tire pressure monitoring system

Standard Equipment Test Model: 19-inch wheels; power front seats; power driver’s seats with power cushion extension, power bolster and a massaging seat; heated and ventilated front seats;  heated power tilt/telescopic steering wheel;  power rear and manual sunshade; a three zone automatic climate control system; a heads up display system; power door closure; power hands free trunk; power outside mirrors with Genesis logo puddle lamps; Nappa leather seats; Matte wood trim; microfiber suede headliner; a wireless device charging system; a remote parking steering assist system;  and a vehicle to load charging system


Options: premium exterior paint

Other Trim Levels: Only 2 trims

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: a Lexicon 12-speaker AM/FM/HD with SiriusXM

Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard

USB Connectivity: Standard

Apple/Android Connectivity: Standard

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles



Powertrain Warranty: 10 years or 100,000 miles

Electric Vehicle System Warranty: 10 years or 100,000 miles

Motor/Horsepower: 272 kW (Front: 136 kW/Rear): 136 kW)/365-hp

MPGe:105 city/89 highway

Standard Driving Range: 339 miles

What’s New: With the exception of adding a lower price trim for the 2024 model year, the Electrified G80 is essentially a carryover model. 



Pros:

All-Electric

An ability to charge electric vehicles, electric appliances and the like

A great road/travel vehicle

An EV driving range upwards of 339 miles

Sophisticated design with bold grille and sloping roof line

Besides the grille and the lack of exhaust pipes, its an inconspicuous EV

A variety of driving ranges

AWD standard

High-quality Nappa leather seating available

Host of standard features, including a navigation system

A long list of safety driving aids

A well-executed design and layout of the instrument cluster and infotainment center (doesn’t look like its designed for gaming)

One of the best new car warranties in the segment

Easy-to-use new 15-inch infotainment screen

Easy-to-use 12-inch digital cluster

Easy-to-read electrification data screen

Wireless charging available, but not for smartphone enclosed in a case

Upscale quilted Nappa leather seating area

Luxurious appointed interior

Comfortable and supportive front seats

Ergonomically designed contoured front seats with the center armrest and infotainment system controls

Massaging driver’s seat

A Heads-Up Display (HUD) system available

A peppy motor

Roomy rear heated seats available in a variety of setting

A crystal-clear audio system

Manual rear side window shades

Power rear sunshade

A high level of safety driving aids

An optional remote parking assist system, which is great for squeezing in an out of tight parking spaces

Seemingly great fit and finish

A co-pilot steering assist system

Offers one pedal driving (it takes a moment to figure out how to activate)

Eligible for any state or dealer lease incentives available

But: 

Smartphones enclosed in a case will not charge without a connecting cord

Sloping rear trunk reduces cargo space

No sunroof available

No traditional knobs to control the audio system

No rear wheel drive only configuration

The gear selector has been relocated to the center console, using a circular dial (drivers will have to adjust to this non traditional configuration and location)



Verdict:  Until the brand’s stately flagship G90 goes electric, the incognito Genesis Electrified G80 will serve as the Korean brand premiere electric vehicle.

While Mercedes and BMW have pushed forward with electrifying their luxury fleet, many of the critics have been either the German makes grilles are over styled and/or they look like a jellybean on steroids. In fact, we hear that Mercedes-Benz’s design team are making plans to create a more prominent grille in its vehicles, restoring it signature fascia. As of now, Mercedes-Benz EVs look like they were generated by AI.

Unlike some of its EV segment competitors, the Electrified G80 maintains the Korean brand's prominent bold grille.

Outside of the gray matted grille and the removal of the tailpipes, the Genesis Electrified G80 mirrors the G80 with the gasoline powertrain. In fact, there are no exterior badges indicating the Electrified G80 is a green vehicle.

The midsize Electrified G80, which is available in two trims, is only accessible in select markets. The luxurious EV can achieve up to 339 miles on a full charge. Thus, this type of range virtually eliminates anxiety until one decides to make an out-of-town road trip. And that we did.

The well-equipped Electrified G80 we tested driving range exceeded that of the EPA, although it fell short of newcomer’s Lucid 400-plus driving range.

Like with the gasoline powered G80, the Electrified G80 was outfitted with such features as a 12-inch digital instrument cluster, an easy-to-use 15-inch infotainment system, quilted leather pattern seats, a chauffeur-like operated front passenger seat and a 21-speaker crystal-clear audio system. In short, the interior design team created a cabin space that exudes luxury without being to techy or gimmicky.  

Furthermore, the Electrified G80 we reviewed was also equipped with the latest safety diving aids too, ranging from a highway driving assist system, which is pushing the vehicle closer to being a hands-free vehicle, to an optional forward attention warning system, which helps with parking and the like. The Electrified G80 was an effortless drive, especially when using the co-pilot radar activated cruise control system in our 400-mile plus road trip. The vehicle literally drove itself.

Lastly, the only issues we faced were finding Level 3 chargers, which charges the vehicle up to 80 percent capacity in 20 to 30 minutes. And the Level 2 chargers were extremely limited at our point of destination. There were only three EV chargers available. Two were being utilized and the other was being blocked by a gasoline powered vehicle. In the EV world, we refer to this as EV etiquette, when drivers don't reserve the charging parking spaces open for EVs.

Other than those hiccups, once we arrived at our destination, we spent approximately $22 charging up on our road trip.

Competition:  BMW i5; Lucid Air Pure; Mercedes-Benz EQE; and Tesla Model S

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