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0A large sedan isn’t necessarily the most obvious choice for buyers looking to make the move into an electric vehicle, but the 2022 Genesis Electrified G80 shows it can be a sumptuous offering in a segment defined by luxury.
The 2022 Genesis Electrified G80 we’re having an early opportunity to drive here will be offered in Australia in one trim grade only – with specification that will be high level. According to Genesis Australia, that will be a level of standard equipment normally associated with the Luxury pack.
The other interesting feature about this model is that its performance and capability mean it will effectively join the range as an immediate halo model above the regular petrol-powered range. It will, therefore, sit above the G80 3.5T AWD (with Luxury Pack).
The new G80 will launch in Australia in the third quarter of 2022 and it’s important to note that our quick drive is behind the wheel of a pre-production model, so elements of the suspension tune, cabin finish and details will be different on the model we will drive at the launch proper.
Standard equipment will be extensive – as you’d expect of both the Genesis brand and the price point – with 19-inch wheels specific to this powertrain, eight standard colours, four interior trim colours, 21-speaker Lexicon premium audio system, a Driver Ergo motion seat, heated and ventilated front seats, heated outboard rear seats, and solar panels on the roof. Cost options will include three different paint finishes.
The cabin of our test G80 – pre-production though it might have been – was beautifully finished and refined. It’s comfortable, roomy and quiet, as you’d expect of both an electric car and a large sedan.
We didn’t get to do any freeway-speed running, but the G80 wafted along in near silence at 80km/h, with the sense of light and airiness a strong point. It’s a room cabin, the electric powertrain and battery pack don’t eat into space, and there’s room for five adults in comfort.
| 2022 Genesis Electrified G80 | |
| Seats | Five |
| Length | 4995mm |
| Width | 1925mm |
| Height | 1465mm |
| Wheelbase | 3010mm |
Headed up by the excellent 21-speaker Lexicon premium audio system, there’s a 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen with on board augmented reality satellite navigation. We didn’t test the system extensively, given the abbreviated nature of the drive, so we’ll take a closer look at this at launch.
Given the safety rating of the G80 range, with a five-star ANCAP rating awarded to four-cylinder models in 2021, and the fact that the Electrified G80 will come standard with a full suite of safety inclusions, we expect it to score well on the ANCAP test. We’ll update these details as soon as we know the test results.
Despite the fact we don’t know exact pricing, the indicative guide of somewhere between $140,000 and $150,000 before on-road costs, sits the Electrified G80 right in the sweet spot of the current luxury electric options. The trick is the varied nature of the electric vehicles currently on offer at this price point, but the G80 will be competitive.
A solid warranty, quality service and an emphasis on the ownership experience is something Genesis has been bullish about since launch, and they undoubtedly add to the value for money equation.
Without a doubt, the G80’s most impressive feature is the way in which it drives. Or, more specifically, the way it feels from behind the wheel. I made the – somewhat logical – assumption that an already heavyweight luxury sedan, would feel even more weighed down by the added complexity of a battery and an electric drivetrain.
And, while the numbers might reflect that on paper, the drive experience is certainly anything but slovenly. I was impressed by the ride quality, bump absorption, the ability of the suspension to isolate imperfections without disturbing the cabin, and the steering precision. The Electrified G80 is a much lighter, more well balanced and composed sedan than I expected.
Dual motor means you get an electric motor on each axle, with AWD, and combined outputs of 272kW and 700Nm. The 87.2kWh battery pack delivers a claimed range of 500+km, and with 350kW rapid charging capability, you can get from 10-80 percent in less than 25 minutes. It’s not a rocket ship, but it’s way faster – easier- than the segment needs or will demand. Multi-stage regenerative braking with one pedal driving, harvests charge back as cleverly as it can.
Genesis won’t be making wholesale changes to the suspension for our local market but will be sending information and data back to HQ. The chassis though, the general balance, and the quality of the ride, are all excellent.
Electrified G80 has a sharp turn of speed, of course, as all electric cars do, but its elegance is the way in which it cruises down the road in near silence. We’re keen to spend some time with the production-ready version on a longer highway run when a full Drive test takes place.
| Key details | 2022 Genesis Electrified G80 |
| Engine | Dual electric motor |
| Power | 272kW |
| Torque | 700Nm |
| Drive type | All-wheel drive |
| Transmission | Single-speed automatic |
Overwhelmingly, Drive readers have told us that they are waiting for more affordable electric vehicles to gain a foothold in the market. Those of you less concerned with driving range and charging infrastructure are still cognisant of price. And, for those of you with that concern, the Electrified G80 isn’t the answer in that it isn’t a ‘cheap’ electric vehicle.
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