Genesis Electrified G80 Review: The Ultimate Chauffeur Experience

Genesis, the luxury division of the South Korean automotive giant Hyundai, has quietly refined its flagship luxury sedan, the Genesis Electrified G80. In markets like Germany, where European dominance is fierce, this 5.13-meter-long electric "ship" remains an ultra-niche offering, with the predecessor model logging only low double-digit registration numbers in the first half of the year. We spent two weeks with the updated model to determine if this elegant, chauffeur-ready sedan is truly a hidden gem in the premium EV segment.

The Electrified G80 operates with electric motors on both axles, culminating in a total system output of 272 kW (370 hp). While its curb weight approaches 2.9 tons, the powertrain ensures the G80 is far from sluggish. It can reach a pleasantly quick top speed of up to 225 kilometers per hour and sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in just over five seconds. The performance is solid, befitting its status as a luxury cruiser rather than a dedicated sports sedan. The updated model now features a generous battery capacity of 94.5 kWh.

Our comprehensive two-week test drive revealed several standout qualities, particularly focusing on its commitment to passenger comfort, which is central to its "chauffeur mode" identity.

The Defining Advantages of the Electrified G80

Unrivaled Front Seat Comfort and Luxury

The experience starts strong in the front cabin. The two front seats are nothing short of **extremely comfortable and elegant**. Beyond the excellent physical shaping, the driving pleasure is amplified by an extensive and powerful **massage function**. The seats cleverly feature bolsters that automatically adjust, becoming narrower or wider depending on the driving maneuvers, ensuring perfect lateral support.

The entire cabin is a masterclass in **high-quality finish**. The pleasure of the tactile materials and the visual appeal of the design are palpable. The **head-up display (HUD)** is razor-sharp and easily configurable, adapting perfectly to personal needs. Even the ambient lighting can be individually tailored. A small, yet highly convenient feature: the passenger seat can be adjusted remotely from the driver's seat, simplifying the process of preparing the rear for the principal passenger.

The Gold Standard in Rear Seat Experience

As expected from a sedan designed for executive transport, the Electrified G80 truly shines in the rear right seat—the prime position. **Seating comfort is outstanding.** The front passenger seat can be moved far forward and even tilted, providing absolutely unobstructed legroom in the back. While there is no massage function in the back, the relaxation afforded by the superb seating means it’s hardly necessary.

The central backrest folds down to reveal an **optionally configurable control unit**. This discreet panel grants the rear passenger control over essential features such as radio volume, the automatic closing of the **soft-close doors**, and even the seat heating and ventilation. This attention to detail elevates the passenger experience significantly.

Crucially, the G80 features a dedicated **chauffeur driving mode**. This setting fine-tunes the vehicle's damping and response to ensure the driving experience is as seamless and comfortable as possible, prioritizing the serenity of the rear cabin above all else.

However, a caveat remains for taller occupants: individuals over 1.80 meters (5’11”) may find their head brushes the ceiling. For those up to 1.80 meters tall, however, the Electrified G80 offers arguably the most comfortable ride in its class.

Refined Handling and One-Pedal Capabilities

Despite its size and weight, the G80 sits **firmly and confidently on the road**. It cushions bumps wonderfully, maintaining a sense of luxurious isolation without resorting to overly soft, "floaty" padding. The response can be sporty-dynamic or completely relaxed, depending on the chosen driving mode.

The regenerative braking system is highly adjustable and can be increased to allow for **true one-pedal driving**, a highly desired feature for relaxed urban commuting. The steering provides appropriate feedback for such a large vehicle, and the comprehensive camera systems—including dynamic navigation overlays—make city navigation and parking surprisingly pleasant, provided, of course, that the space itself is large enough for this five-meter machine.

Cutting-Edge Assistance and Display Systems

In terms of driver assistance, the Electrified G80 is equipped with everything expected of a modern luxury EV. The systems perform reliably and accurately; the traffic sign recognition, for example, had a high hit rate during our test. **Automated lane changes** can be initiated simply with the turn signal, performing smoothly and reliably.

The infotainment crown jewel is the 27-inch ultra-wide screen that seamlessly extends from behind the steering wheel into the passenger area. This single expanse can be configured individually—including an impressive ultra-ultra-wide navigation view that maximizes situational awareness.

The Key Shortcomings of the Electrified G80

The Luggage Compromise and Platform Limitations

While the interior space for passengers is generous (apart from the rear headroom issue), the **luggage space tells a different story**. The sedan's huge central transmission tunnel, a remnant of its combustion engine platform heritage, is hardly utilized for useful storage compartments, wasting potential space.

The **trunk** itself is the trickiest area. The hatch opening is not particularly high, and while the trunk is deep, it contains a significant **bulge in the rear section**. This intrusion severely complicates the loading of bulkier items, such as a stroller or large suitcases, making the loading process impractical. This compromise is a clear consequence of the Electrified G80 being built on a platform shared with internal combustion engine models—a critical drawback compared to pure EV architectures.

Furthermore, there is **no frunk (front trunk)**, a common feature in purpose-built EVs, which is disappointing for a car of this size. At least the charging cable can be neatly stowed under the double floor of the main trunk.

Underwhelming 800-Volt Charging Performance

Despite the Electrified G80’s lineage from the Hyundai Group—pioneers of the high-speed 800-volt technology—the charging performance is surprisingly restrained. With a maximum charging power of **187 kW**, it lags behind some of its siblings (like the Ioniq 5 or Kia EV6, which often exceed 230 kW) and top-tier European rivals.

While this is "whining at a high level"—187 kW is still fast—we would expect charging capacities of 250 kW or more from a luxury car featuring 800-volt tech and a 94.5 kWh battery. Thankfully, the large battery means that even with an average motorway consumption of 22 kWh/100 km (as determined by us), more than **400 continuous motorway kilometers** are still possible before recharging is necessary.

A minor design flaw is the placement of the **charging socket at the front of the vehicle**. This can be problematic at some public charging stations and forces the long G80 to protrude significantly into the passage of conventional underground garages when using a wallbox.

The Unintentional SOS Problem

Our test included an unexpected, involuntary trial of the Genesis customer service. A rear passenger, while exploring the various luxury controls, pulled on a prominent lever located in the door shelf—a lever that was not visually marked as an emergency release from the seated position. This action triggered the vehicle's alarm, and a persistent red **"SOS"** indicator appeared in the dashboard display.

Since the indicator refused to clear itself, we contacted the control center (confirming no actual emergency signal was sent) and then the Genesis service hotline. We received a prompt callback and instructions on how to manually reset the system. This incident highlights a crucial design oversight: the emergency door release, which also disengages the child lock when pulled twice, is too easily accessible to both curious passengers and potential children. For safety and practicality, this lever needs to be better hidden or marked.

Conclusion: Fairly Priced Luxury, with Caveats

The Genesis Electrified G80 is an undeniably **great company car**, especially when prioritizing the passenger experience. If you employ a driver and are a maximum of 1.80 meters tall, you will struggle to find a more comfortable rear seat experience. However, even from the driver's seat (and perfectly suitable for taller drivers), it is a wonderful place to be.

The charging performance, while not class-leading for an 800-volt car, is competitive with many European rivals in this luxury segment. For the sheer level of bespoke comfort, high-quality materials, and advanced assistance systems the G80 offers, the pricing is **quite fairly calculated**.

The Electrified G80 starts at just over **€77,000**.
A fully equipped model ("full house") with premium features, optional rear-axle steering, metallic paintwork, and full options pushes the price to a little over **€88,000**.

Final Verdict: The G80 delivers a premium, sophisticated electric driving experience focused on comfort and elegance. However, potential buyers who value maximum efficiency or frequently need to transport large, bulky items (like strollers or excessive luggage) must carefully scrutinize the limited and compromised trunk space beforehand. If the priority is executive comfort and refined cruising, the Electrified G80 is a hidden luxury champion.