Electrified Genesis G80 review: Luxury without German arrogance?

With the new Electrified Genesis G80, the Korean premium brand is once again challenging the established luxury class. The BMW 7 Series, Mercedes EQE and EQS, and Audi A8 have been dominant for decades. Genesis, on the other hand, remains something of a quiet challenger in this market. However, anyone who seriously considers the G80 quickly realizes that this challenger is extremely well-prepared. The initial impression is compelling. At 5,13 meters long, the G80 exudes a commanding and elegant presence without appearing bulky. proThe design is deliberately understated, yet extremely harmonious. The brand's signature split headlights, the large Crest grille, and the clean lines give the sedan a presence more reminiscent of British luxury than German dominance.

tl;dr: A message to European manufacturers.

The new Genesis G80 impressively demonstrates that true luxury doesn't necessarily have to come from Germany. For around €90.000, the 5,13-meter-long luxury sedan offers an extremely high-quality interior, standard features such as air suspension with road scanning, all-wheel steering, and a high level of comfort. Its main weaknesses are the overly complex software. Charging capacity and the 400-volt technology seem somewhat conservative in the premium segment. Overall, however, it's an impressive package with plenty of character. And, above all, a significantly lower starting price than an S-Class or 7 Series BMW.

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Design: Bentley wants its grill back.

The design of the Genesis G80 quickly reveals why the sedan exudes such a commanding and refined presence. This is thanks to none other than Luc Donckerwolke, former Bentley designer, who imbued the G80 with a distinctly British-inspired design language. A long hood, short overhangs, and a flowing roofline create a very elegant silhouette, more reminiscent of a Continental GT than a classic business sedan. The new matrix LED headlights with modern microlens technology are particularly striking.

These lights not only create a distinctive light signature but also provide exceptionally even and far-reaching illumination of the road. The G80 truly shines during night driving, making even high-end systems from BMW and Mercedes look surprisingly outdated. The overall design is timeless, sophisticated, and deliberately understated, without any ostentatious displays. It is precisely this elegance that makes the Genesis G80 one of the most stylish vehicles in the current luxury class.

Interior: on par with upper-class standards, if not above.

Opening the doors quickly reveals Genesis's priorities. The interior makes a real statement. Extensive use of Nappa leather, open-pore real wood trim, and impeccably crafted metal elements define the look. Everything feels premium; nothing appears cheap or like a cost-cutting measure. Even hidden areas are flawlessly finished, something that isn't always a given, even with BMW and Mercedes.

The seats offer excellent long-distance comfort. They are generously sized, electrically adjustable in many ways, and very comfortably padded. One might expect a massage function in the second row, but no, only the driver and front passenger are equipped with it. Especially compared to the sometimes sportily firm seats of German competitors, the G80 scores points with its true touring sedan DNA. The rear seats are also spacious. Legroom, headroom, and material quality are clearly on par with the luxury class.

However, the boot leaves much to be desired, thanks to its non-folding rear seats. The boot volume, at 5,13m in length, is more comparable to a VW Golf. I've rarely seen anything like it. A mere 334 liters fits in here; for an extended family trip, this could be a deal-breaker.

Here are some options already in series.

A major advantage of the Genesis G80 is its standard equipment. While BMW and Mercedes quickly push the price of optional extras into five-figure ranges, Genesis includes many features as standard. These include the active air suspension with Pre Sense technology. Cameras continuously scan the road and proactively adjust the suspension to uneven surfaces. The result is an exceptionally smooth ride, especially on poor road surfaces.

All of this is complemented by standard all-wheel steering. Especially in the city, the large G80 surprises with an astonishingly small turning circle. Parking garages and narrow city centers lose their intimidating aspect. On the highway, the rear-axle steering simultaneously provides additional stability at high speeds.

There's even a UV cleaning function for a compartment in the center console, which is a really cool feature.

Driving experience: between comfort and sovereignty

The Genesis G80 isn't a sports car, nor does it pretend to be. Instead, it offers a very calm and relaxed driving experience. The air suspension filters out bumps almost completely without feeling spongy. Steering and suspension are clearly geared towards comfort, but provide ample feedback at all times.

The noise insulation is outstanding. Road and wind noise remain pleasantly subdued, even at higher speeds. This clearly demonstrates how seriously Genesis takes the concept of luxury. The G80 invites relaxed cruising and is more reminiscent of classic luxury sedans than modern electric sports cars.

Infotainment: a lavish display landscape with both positive and negative aspects

The continuous OLED display immediately catches the eye. Visually, the system is a real highlight. The image is razor-sharp, the colors appear sophisticated, and the animations are fluid. In terms of design, Genesis is clearly on par with the German premium manufacturers.

However, the user interface reveals a weakness. The software sometimes feels cluttered. Many seemingly obvious settings are buried deep in submenus. In everyday use, finding specific functions can be a frustrating experience. On the plus side, the operation is quite successful thanks to the BMW iDrive-like rotary push-button controller. A particularly positive feature is the clever shortcut solution. Both Lane Assist and the EU speed limit warning can be deactivated directly from the steering wheel at any time. No more tedious menu searching, no need to reconfirm after every start. This is practical and deserves praise.

At least Genesis, like Hyundai and Kia, offers a charging provider filter that can automatically add your preferred provider to the well-functioning charging planner. Mercedes doesn't currently offer this feature. The charging planner in general could calculate the entire route a bit faster, but this is nitpicking. It's certainly reliable, and the calculated values ​​are rather conservative, so you usually arrive with a higher percentage charge than displayed.

Store: not up to date.

The Genesis G80 Electrified uses a 94,5 kWh NMC battery, of which approximately 90 kWh is usable. Depending on driving style and temperature, the range is solidly in the premium class. The G80 is therefore well-suited for long journeys, even if it doesn't break any records. In sub-zero winter temperatures, a range of 390 km is achievable. In summer, 450 km should be no problem.

The charging technology shows some weaknesses. Despite its shared ownership with Hyundai and Kia, Genesis uses a 400-volt system. The maximum charging capacity is up to 180 kW. That's decent, but no longer class-leading. Especially in the premium segment, we would have preferred an 800-volt system, as other models from the same group already offer.

In practice, this means slightly longer charging breaks on long journeys. For most users, however, this should be tolerable, as charging planning and performance are generally stable and reliable. The charging port, on the other hand, is very cleverly concealed in the front of the huge, non-existent grille, so that it only becomes noticeable upon closer inspection. AC charging is standard at 11 kW; a 22 kW option would be welcome given the battery size.

Why Genesis? What makes them different?

What makes the Genesis G80 special is its self-conception. It doesn't try to copy BMW or Mercedes. Instead, it defines luxury in its own pleasantly relaxed way. Less sporty ambition, more tranquility, comfort, and material quality. Just like Lexus used to do for Toyota.

Buyers who are fed up with endless option lists, aggressive marketing, and technological overload will find a genuine alternative here. For just under €90.000, you get a nearly fully equipped vehicle that, in many areas, even offers more luxury than many significantly more expensive competitors from Germany. The new G80 is an impressive luxury sedan. It impresses with its excellent interior, high level of driving comfort, comprehensive standard equipment, and distinctive character. Its weaknesses lie primarily in the software user interface and the somewhat conservative charging technology.

Ultimately, the G80 is a powerful statement from South Korea. Those open to new brands and who prioritize genuine comfort over sporty ambitions will find one of the most exciting luxury sedans of our time. Genesis has definitively arrived in the premium segment.