Two things I learned driving the all-new, fully electric Genesis G80 in Arkansas: the state is known as The Natural State; and there aren’t very many EVs zipping in and around the Ozark Mountains here in the northwest corner of Arkansas. In fact, the fleet of G80s Genesis USA was using during this first-drive event outnumbered the entirety of EVs I saw during my three days in The Natural State.
Truth be told, I did learn much more than those two things, particularly about the electrified version of the automaker’s flagship executive sedan. For instance, the current G80 is the direct descendant of the Genesis brand origin story, as the 2008 Hyundai Genesis premium sports sedan was the first vehicle from the Korean automaker to wear that badge. That vehicle proved so successful — garnering worldwide praise and honours, including Consumer Reports’ top-rated upscale sedan in 2009; and J.D. Power’s number-one-rated midsize premium car that same year — that Hyundai spun the Genesis name into its own standalone luxury brand in 2016.
Since then, Genesis has produced sedans, crossovers, and sport utilities with distinctive designs, sumptuous interiors and performance attributes that have put it squarely in the same conversation as the German luxury market heavyweights. Often for much less money.
The 2023 Electrified G80. CREDIT: Andrew McCredie
And as we are living through the early stages of age of electrification, Genesis has begun bringing all-electrics to global markets, first with the GV60 subcompact crossover that was released late last year, next with this electrified G80 that will be available in Canada by the end of the summer or early fall, and then the built-in-the-USA electrified GV70 sport-utility, scheduled for release by the end of the year. Pricing for the G80 will be revealed closer to the release date.
Genesis has taken a somewhat unique approach in the naming of its electric line-up, choosing to simply badge them the same as their gas-powered counterparts, but with ‘Electrified’ in front of the alphanumeric name. Thus, the all-electric version of the G80 is the “Electrified G80.” The thinking behind this is that since the entire Genesis line-up is scheduled to be all-electric by 2030, why introduce EV-specific model names only to phase out the preferred gas-powered names in eight years’ time?
As with many automakers beginning the conversion to all-electric chassis, Genesis’s parent company Hyundai has developed an EV-architecture platform that is beginning to be utilized in new vehicles. Called the E-GMP platform, it underpins the Hyundai Ioniq5, the Kia EV6, and the Genesis GV70; however, it is not used in the Electrified G80.
Instead, the executive sedan follows the same formula as BMW has with its completely redesigned 2023 7 Series line-up, which includes for the first time an all-electric model. That is, to use the exact same platform, and most of the same body parts and cabin features, for both gas and electric versions. The rationale is that it simplifies the decision for a consumer, who can choose between a gas or electric powertrain for essentially the same vehicle.
So, open the hood on the Electrified G80 and instead of the expected frunk, you’ll see the electric powertrain system, not unlike an ICE unit. Sit in the driver’s seat of the Electrified G80 and you’ll feel very much like you are sitting in the gas-powered G80 (which isn’t a bad thing at all, as Genesis interiors — from styling to functionality to materials used — are among the best in the rarefied air of luxury motorcars at this moment in time). And see an Electrified G80 rolling down the road, and you’ll be hard-pressed to tell it apart from its carbon-emitting stablemate, as there is no differentiating external badging, and the bodies are almost identical.
One difference is found on that big distinctive Genesis Crest grille. The electrified version gets a unique G-matrix patterned grille with a hidden charge port door on the driver’s side. The rear bumper design is subtly different, and the 19-inch turbine-fan wheels are exclusive to the EV. Inside, there are several eco-friendly materials used in the name of sustainability, including a forged wood made with discarded birch that has a unique pattern in each vehicle.
The 2023 Electrified G80.
The 2023 Electrified G80.
The 2023 Electrified G80.
The 2023 Electrified G80.
The 2023 Electrified G80.
The 2023 Electrified G80.
The 2023 Electrified G80.
The 2023 Electrified G80.
The 2023 Electrified G80.
Where they differ, of course, is in the powertrain department. The all-wheel-drive Electrified G80 has an 87.2-kWh battery driving dual motors for an output rating of 365 horsepower (272 kW) and 516 lb-ft of torque. That battery is bigger than the one in the current E-GMP platform, and like the vehicles using that platform, the Electrified G80 offers V2L output (1.9 kW), or bidirectional charging that turns the vehicle into a battery pack for standard 120/240V appliances, such as a laptop or popcorn maker.
In terms of charging and according to Genesis, using a 350-kW DC fast-charger, the G80 will charge from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in 22 minutes; using a Level 2 charger (240V) it will charge from near-zero to 100 per cent in just over seven hours. Also according to the automaker, full-charge range is 454 kilometres.
Unlike the other assembled automotive journalists, I’d had a sneak peak of this EV during the AJAC EcoRun a couple of weeks ago. I was unable to report any driving impressions of that until today’s embargo on the Electrified G80 lifted, but I can now report that the luxury sedan proved the second-most efficient of the five all-electrics that were part of the 700-km three-day drive around Ontario. With a stellar efficiency rating of 15.8 kWh/100 km, it was just a shade behind the Kia EV6 at 15.6. Granted, that impressive number was reached during an event that put a premium on economical driving, meaning keeping climate controls to a minimum and keeping at or even below the speed limit.
For comparison’s sake — and the fact it was 35C for most of the drive — I cranked the air conditioner, activated the cooled driver seat, and might have crested the speed limit once or twice driving the great back-road tour through the Ozark Mountains along the Arkansas-Missouri border. The drive covered 300 kilometres, and my final efficiency number was 16.8. That’s a fantastic number for an executive sedan, and underscores the aerodynamic work and the weight-savings employed in body materials and other bits and pieces the Genesis engineers focused on in the name of efficiency.
The 2023 Electrified G80.
The 2023 Electrified G80.
The 2023 Electrified G80.
The 2023 Electrified G80.
The 2023 Electrified G80.
The 2023 Electrified G80.
The 2023 Electrified G80.
The 2023 Electrified G80.
The 2023 Electrified G80.
The 2023 Electrified G80.
The 2023 Electrified G80.
The 2023 Electrified G80.
The 2023 Electrified G80.
The 2023 Electrified G80.
The 2023 Electrified G80.
The 2023 Electrified G80.
The 2023 Electrified G80.
The 2023 Electrified G80.
The 2023 Electrified G80.
Kudos, too, for the decision to use small steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters for the three-mode regenerative braking, which in strongest mode is one-pedal driving. I also really like the audible bing! and the small lit icon on the gauge package when one-pedal driving mode is employed. Too often it is a guessing game as to which level of regen you are on.
The drive route was a good mix of secondary highways and twisty mountain roads and really showed off the strong handling and performance attributes of the vehicle, with its low centre of gravity translating to very little body roll around the tighter corners. The electronically controlled suspension system uses front-end cameras to spot potholes and bumps in the roadway then sends signals to dampen the system to smooth out the ride. Active noise control uses sensors in the cabin that monitor noise levels and emits inverted sound ways through the nearest speaker to muffle the noise. All in all, a sophisticated sedan worthy to be in the sport luxury category.
Speaking of category, or at least direct competition, the Electrified G80 doesn’t seem to have any. Yes, there are other all-electric sport luxury sedans available in Canada, but not at the price point this one is expected to have. As with the GV70, the Electrified G80 indicates that Genesis will be taking the steady momentum it has built up in the past half-decade with its gas-powered offerings into the electric age.
Keyword: First Drive: 2023 Genesis Electrified G80