2023 Genesis G80

Equipped to succeed. The cheapest way into G80 ownership is via the $50,595 Standard model, powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged gas engine producing 300 horses and returning 26 mpg combined (or 25 if you spend $3,100 upgrading from RWD to AWD). Every model receives a cinema-style 14.5-inch touchscreen whose furthest icons are too much of a stretch from the driver’s seat – you might have to ask a passenger to operate them instead. At least there’s a 12-way power adjustment for the heated front seats.

If you’d like a little more power and prestige, the AWD-only 3.5T uses a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 to capitalize on the G80’s well-sorted chassis. It’ll dispatch the 0-60 sprint in five seconds, with paddle shifters enabling you to override the excellent eight-speed automatic transmission, though combined fuel economy drops to just 20 mpg. You can also work your way up the trims, with a $4,700 premium securing the 21-speaker Lexicon sound system, panoramic sunroof, and front seat ventilation of Advanced models. Sport Prestige retails at $10,200 more than the standard trim, in exchange for which you receive a massaging Nappa leather driver’s seat, a surround-view camera system, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

Electric dreams. Genesis offers a single all-electric model in the G80 range, called the Electrified. Capable of traveling 282 miles on one charge, which is the equivalent of 97 mpg, it can replenish 70% of its battery capacity in just 22 minutes on a 350kW connector. On the move, its 365 hp output propels it to 60 in just under five seconds, with particularly strong acceleration from town speeds upwards, and it’s impressively quiet at all times.

Sadly, there are a few significant drawbacks. Firstly, the Electrified G80 costs $81,000, which is 60% more than the most affordable gas-powered alternative. Secondly, it’s only available in eight states and lacks enough real-world range to cross any of them. The 87.2kWh battery pack steals space from everywhere – headroom shrinks despite a higher roofline, there’s three inches less legroom in the rear, and the trunk capacity drops by a sixth.

Safe as houses. You’d expect a modern sedan to be impressive in crash testing, but the G80 goes above and beyond. It has the highest scores possible from America’s two crash test agencies, while only the relatively small side windows compromise visibility. For this reason, we’d like to see surround-view cameras fitted as standard rather than saved for Sport Prestige models. We can’t quibble with the standard adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking, plus a safe exit monitor and active lane controls.

Invest in a 3.5T or Electrified model and you also benefit from rear-wheel steering for sharper turn-in, alongside adaptive dampers which read the road ahead and pre-emptively adjust themselves accordingly. You’d never describe the standard suspension as uncomfortable (though it’s not as silky as some would hope), but the adaptive dampers elevate its performance.

Final thoughts. We can start our conclusions by dismissing the Electrified G80. Despite its impressive range and V6-rivaling performance, it’s expensive to buy with uncertain resale prospects, while reduced interior space detracts from the range’s luxury ethos and results in a trunk too small for normal family use. Genesis’s decision to only market the Electrified in eight states also suggests a lack of faith in the most expensive G80 – don’t be surprised if it disappears from the range entirely in a year or two.

We’d be very disappointed if the rest of the range disappeared because Genesis is a couple of revisions away from having a market leader on their hands. The infotainment system looks stunning but is too far away from the driver, while even the standard-sized trunk isn’t big enough for such a large vehicle. Otherwise, it’s hard to fault this opulent, potent, and spacious sedan. It’s distinctively styled both inside and out, drives with aplomb, is generously equipped and is reassuringly safe. Add in reasonable prices and a five-year warranty encompassing three years of scheduled maintenance, and what’s not to like?

Check prices for the 2023 Genesis G80 »