Genesis G80 Review (2021-present)

Genesis is a premium car brand that was launched by Hyundai in the UK in 2021. The Genesis G80 is one of its first models, along with the smaller G70 saloon and the GV70 and GV80 SUVs. There’s also the GV60, which is a bespoke EV based on the same platform Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6

The G80 is offered with a 206bhp 2.2 four-cylinder diesel engine and rear-wheel drive or a 300bhp 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol with four-wheel drive. Both have an eight-speed automatic gearbox as standard.

Those wanting something a bit more ‘on message’ in terms of the current trend for EVs can choose the Electrified G80, which packs an impressive official range of up to 323 miles and 800 volt architecture for the fastest charging. Even so, the established German competition certainly offers a broader array of engine options.

The G80 is a bold looking car and, while the sizeable chrome grille has something of the brash American or Chinese-market styling to it that might seem a little tacky to our European tastes, the sweeping lines and the striking chrome strakes give it serious presence, as does the eye-catching quad LED lamp layout that’s used both front and rear. With its swoopy, coupe-like roofline it looks different to the other big executive cars out there, and in a good way, too.

There's a lot of space inside the G80, even by the high standards of the executive saloon class. There’s ample head- and legroom in the front and back; a couple of six-footers will be comfy in the back seats even if they're behind tall front occupants. The middle seat has a raised cushion and won’t be terribly comfortable for a long journey.

Elsewhere, there’s enough handy storage to make mincemeat of the executive odds and ends that a business high-flier normally carries around. There are numerous cupholders, a deep lidded cubby between the rear seats and roomy doorbins, plus ahead of the gear lever is a large wireless charging pad for a smartphone. Speaking of which, there are also numerous USB charging points dotted around the cabin, so your passengers won’t have to suffer from a flat phone battery.

The 424-litre boot is big enough for a set of golf clubs, even if it’s quite a bit smaller than the boots in the BMW 5 Series and the Mercedes E Class. Being a saloon, the opening is smaller than on hatchback alternatives, such as the Audi A5 Sportback or the Volkswagen Arteon. That said, if you add the Executive Pack then you get electrically controlled, 40/20/40 split folding rear seats for extra flexibility. Although quite what executives need folding rear seats for is anyone’s guess.

As a result of its large battery pack mounted under the floor, Electrified G80 gives a little away to its internal combustion rivals in terms of space. There’s a fraction less legroom for rear seat passengers, while the boot shrinks to 354 litres, which is less than you’ll get in a VW Golf.

Still, what the EV version lacks in carrying capacity it makes up for with ease of charging. Using the same 800-volt electrical system as the smaller GV60, the Electrified G80 can accept ultra rapid charging, meaning topping the cells up from 10 to 80 percent takes just 21 minutes.

We’ve only driven the range-topping Genesis G80 2.5T AWD and, while it’s plush and refined, it falls short of the handling and performance abilities of its rivals. That’s not to say it’s a disaster behind the wheel, more that its priorities are slightly different from the slightly sportier class norms. The Genesis G80 turns into corners neatly and predictably, and it clings on gamely, but while the steering is accurate it’s also overly light, and the car generally lacks the handling poise of rivals such as the BMW 5 Series or the Jaguar XF.

The petrol engine is also quite coarse if you rev it hard, and the eight-speed automatic transmission is a bit clunky and slow to respond in faster driving. The G80 is certainly quick enough (it will hit 62mph in 6.0 seconds, while the diesel G80 2.2D will do it in 8.0 seconds) and the petrol model's four-wheel-drive system brings added reassurance.

The Electrified G80 also gets four-wheel drive thanks to its twin motor set-up, with one driving the front wheels and another the rears. A combined power output of 365bhp certainly isn’t shabby and helps the car sprint from 0-62mph in a supercar-baiting 3.9 seconds.

Yet overall, the Genesis G80 is a bit lacklustre for those who want an executive car that can also thrill on a decent road. And it’s not helped by a driving position that feels too high set for a saloon with sporting pretentions.

However, if your priorities are refinement and easy-going progress, the Genesis G80 could be just what you’re after. Ride comfort around town is a little busy, but it settles down at higher speeds, which makes it a very chilled motorway cruiser. It’s quiet, too, with wind- and road noise well suppressed even at higher speeds. Few cars in the class leave you feeling as stress-free at the end of a journey.

A large, 14.5-inch touchscreen on top of the dash in the Genesis G80 is the centrepiece for the infotainment, and it features satnav, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth and all the connectivity features you could want. The screen’s graphics are sharp and it responds quickly, but having to swipe left and right to access certain features is a bit awkward. You can also navigate the screen with a touch-sensitive controller, which can be a bit easier than using the screen when you’re driving. Voice control is also standard.

Safety equipment is top notch, and includes adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist, blind spot warning and autonomous emergency braking, which brakes for you if it senses an imminent collision with another car, pedestrian or bicycle. Like the GV80 SUV, the G80 also gets the brand’s machine learning algorithms that learn your driving style and adapt the various semi-autonomous driver assistance systems to create a more natural feel.

Comfort and convenience kit is also impressive. The entry-level Premium Line trim gets electrically adjustable heated front seats with adjustable lumbar support, a nine-speaker audio system, a reversing camera, dual-zone climate control, leatherette upholstery, 19-inch alloy wheels and front and rear LED lights.

Top-spec Luxury Line trim gets 20-inch wheels, quilted leather seats, real wood trim, a powered bootlid and climate control in the back as well as the front.

Electrified G80 gets much the same kit as the internal combustion-powered models, but there are some neat, EV specific extras. For instance, there’s the option of a solar roof panel that can add over 700 miles of range over the course of a year. And because the car uses the brand’s 800-volt electrical system, it can be used to charge external devices, such as electric bikes or even the odd domestic appliance.

The Genesis G80 is significantly cheaper to buy than its obvious counterparts. Perhaps surprisingly, it’s also forecast to have quite reasonable depreciation over the first three years, so it might not be the resale disaster you'd expect for a new and untested premium car brand in the UK: a notoriously difficult thing to master.

If economy is a priority, the diesel is inevitably the best choice. It manages up to 45mpg according to official WLTP fuel economy tests, which is much better than the 2.5T's 31.2mpg but still less than the BMW 520d, which will return more than 50mpg.

Electrified G80 gets a large 87.2kW lithium ion battery pack, which according WLTP data makes it capable of 323 miles on a single charge. Reckon on around 280 miles in real-world conditions and you won’t go far wrong. It’s also worth considering that solar roof, which can add up to 700 miles of range over the course of 12 months motoring, although you’ll need a few years to offset its near £1,400 asking price.

Insurance is very competitive with all of the Genesis G80’s rivals, and servicing is free for the first five years or 50,000 miles as part of the company’s Five Year Care Plan that comes with every G80.

It’s tricky to comment on the reliability of the Genesis G80 as both the brand and the car are too new to have featured in any owner surveys. However, it is promising that it’s owned by the Korean brand, Hyundai, which is well known for producing very reliable cars and routinely does well in ownership and used car surveys.

More than that, you get a five-year unlimited mileage warranty, five years of roadside assistance, including European cover, and five years of servicing all included.