What is it?
The term ‘electrified’ has been tenuously stretched by car makers’ marketing folk in recent years, increasingly applied to any form of hybrid car with even the merest hint of electric assistance in an attempt to make them sound greener and cleaner.
So you might be wondering what sort of hybrid powertrain the new Genesis Electrified G80 features. But here’s the thing: it’s a pure battery electric car. In fact, Genesis doesn’t even do hybrids: if you fancy yourself a big Korean luxury saloon, your choices are a turbocharged petrol engine or this dual-motor EV. Genesis uses ‘electrified’ to differentiate EV versions of multi-powertrain models (which is why the EV-only Genesis GV60 crossover doesn’t have the descriptor).
It’s a temporary measure, given that by 2025, all new Genesis models will be EV-only, but it's one example of how the ‘Genesis Difference’ might actually be more than marketing speak for the firm’s sales, customer service and aftermarket care plan (and, in the case of EVs, a charging package). And ‘different’ is a term that definitely fits the Electrified G80.
In combustion-engined form, the Genesis G80 offers a pleasingly alternative take on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5 Series. But with a dual-motor, 364bhp electric powertrain and a £65,802 starting price, the Electrified G80 lands in a gap in the market, priced well above the Tesla Model S but usefully undercutting the entry-level £76,450 Mercedes-Benz EQE – which it’s notably longer than, at 5005mm.
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I think it looks fabulous. So much so I placed deposit earlier in the year, and all being well am hoping to take delivery of my car by the end of the month! Same exterior colour as shown in the article - Matira Blue but with Arctic white interior. Same options as the test car, but without the rear screens which come in the Executive package which is seemingly aimed at a rear passenger owner with a chauffeur up front.
I wish you joy with your new car. It does look pretty stunning with those alloys especially, and as an EV is a completely different prospect to the slightly-underwhelming ICE versions. Having been in various Genesis/Hyundai models over the years it is clear the company is a major player -with more experience than Tesla- and those on here whinging about residual values perhaps don't see how the EV market is different and the supply-chain issues will keep RVs high for the next 5 years anyway.
Rather like the grille on the G80 it's certainly more appealing than the snouts on BMW offerings,the styling looks quite crisp and the interior looks very comfortable if slanted towards North American tastes.
The front 'grille' is rather garish... a softer looking body colour nose like the GV60 would be preferable. But it's still better looking than any current BMW and with a rather enticing cabin too.
Expensive, but almost all will be company purchases and overall costs probably competitive with a £50k diesel exec saloon. It's quite appealing.
The size of that grille is frankly ridiculous. The 5 series BMW that this would compete with, has a much more restrained grille and overall styling. That said, I don't mind it as a whole, and the interior does look nice, and to their credit they've not dispensed with physical buttons for some of the often used functions.
The price is very off putting, though others in the sector are probably just as expensive, but they are more established. Nevertheless, it's always good to have more choice in the market