The 2023 Genesis G80 proves its mettle among luxury sedans. The G80 is a mid-size luxury sedan with two turbo engine options, as well as a full battery electric model in the Electrified G80. It rivals class leaders such as the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes E-Class, as well as the Cadillac CT5 and Volvo S90. The G80 is gorgeous and sumptuous, and worth a long look against rival mid-size luxury sedans. For 2023 Genesis expands the availability of the Electrified G80 to eight states this year, and Genesis now has a couple standalone dealerships.
With European curves and a cosseting cabin, the G80 demands long, appraising looks. It lacks the goofy grilles of the latest BMWs, and subdues the lightshow paraded by recent Mercedes’ cars. There’s a maturity to its fastback shape, which is ironic since it’s a relative newcomer to the class. The Electrified G80 doesn’t look much different, except the roof sits about a half inch taller than the gas variants.
Genesis wants it to blend in with other G80s, so much so that the diamond-shaped charge port is concealed within the solid mesh panel grille. That wide crest grille stretches more uniformly across the face than other big and bold grilles, and Genesis splits its headlights with an LED ribbon that wraps around the fenders and accentuates the body line to the rear, where the taillights reconnect with this interrupted halo of light. It looks good day or night, and the fastback rear lends it a look of captured motion.
Built similarly to the gas G80, but girded with an 87.2-kwh battery pack under the floor and a 136-kw motor powering either axle, the Electrified G80 generates 365 hp and 516 lb-ft to hit 60 mph in less than five seconds, according to Genesis. It lacks the gut surge off the line of other luxury or performance EVs, instead opting for a more gradual surge that really takes off above about 25 mph.
It has the same rear-axle steering as the 3.5T, but it’s stiffer and weighs about 500 pounds more at 5,047 pounds, so it feels both more powerful and more planted. It’s also much quieter, with only the 19-inch wheels contributing to a pitter patter of pavement from outside. It has an estimated range of 282 miles, which likely won’t get you from state to state in the eight states it’s sold in: Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Washington, California, Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York.
The Electrified G80 benefits from an 800-volt DC fast-charging architecture, and with a 350-kw connector it can charge from 10% to 80% in as few as 22 minutes, according to Genesis. Owners get three years of 30-minute charging sessions at Electrify America stations. At home, on a 240-volt outlet, the EG80’s onboard charger accepts 10.9 kw and charges overnight. A Vehicle to Load (V2L) function outputs up to 3.6 kw to power tools or appliances in a pinch.
The G80 aces crash tests. With a five-star rating from the NHTSA, and a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, the Electrified G80 earn top marks in safety. Add in a suite of standard driver-assist tech designed to avoid crashes, and options such as a surround-view camera system or a blind-spot monitor that appears in the instrument cluster when turning. Standard safety features include automatic emergency braking, active lane control, blind-spot monitors, a safe exit monitor that alerts of an approaching car or cyclist, adaptive cruise control down to a stop, and automatic high-beam LED headlights.
The G80 marks Genesis as a full-fledged luxury brand. The interior dazzles with a low dash stretched horizontally and the touchpoints range from buttery leather to knurled metal knobs and buttons. Every surface feels thoughtful and the look calm and pleasing, from the steering wheel to the available wood-covered console. The touchscreen is a reach, but voice commands and one of two control dials in the console limit the need to lean.
The mid-size sedan comes standard with heated front seats with 12-way adjustment with power lumbar support for all-day comfort. Top grades sport nappa leather upholstery and have power side bolsters, leg-rest extenders, and a pseudo massaging seat function that automatically adjusts seat positions during extended driving time to reduce fatigue. They’re not Lincoln-level of comfort, but they’re pretty close.
Four bigger adults can fit in the G80, with about 36 inches of rear legroom and enough headroom to accommodate longer trips. The flat middle seat is best as an armrest and can also double as a pass-through for longer items to extend the roughly 11 cubic feet of trunk space. In all but the trunk, Genesis lavishes the G80 with the finest luxury touches, such as metallic trimwork, beautifully stitched leather on top grades, and wood dash pieces. Even at its flashiest, it never looks cheap or gaudy and it all feels warm and luxurious.
The 2023 Genesis G80 swaddles drivers with luxury, then challenges them with infotainment. The Electrified G80 costs $80,920 and comes standard with 12-way power leather front seats that are heated and massaging, heated steering wheel and heated rear seats, surround-view camera system, wireless smartphone charging, and a 3-D 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 14.5-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
Genesis is still the new kid on the block but with knockouts like the Electrified G80, it has quickly become top dog in its class. With stunning looks, commendable driving manners, and topnotch technology with a great value proposition; it’s easy to see how the new Genesis G80 is stellar. For those looking to try something new and step out of the current luxury flock, the Electrified G80 is definitely worth a look.
