Genesis G80 Electrified (2024) Review

EXCLUSIVE, it’s a bold claim by any motor manufacturer particularly those who live at the luxury end of the market.

We get what they mean but are these chariots of the bourgeois really exclusive when you see so many of them of our roads?

Various leasing, contract hire and company car schemes have seen these vehicles proliferate as the instalments put them in reach of most of us. Pay monthly, enjoy poshing it up and worry about depreciation and interest rates further down the road.

So with all these lovely BMWs, Audis, Jaguars and Mercedes filling our roads, driveways and car parks is it really fair to call something so common ‘exclusive’? I think not.

If you truly want exclusive, meaning unique or limited, then I’ve just the thing, a Genesis. Genesis is to Hyundai what Lexus is to Toyota and the latest G80 Electrified is more than a match for the opposition and beats them hands down on exclusivity.

You have to ask why you don’t see more of them on the road when they are such a great car and it must be down to dealer availability and marketing, something they are trying to sort out.

So before they do, jump into a Genesis now and revel in the joy of having to explain exactly what this striking vehicle might be.

Parked on an industrial estate, a pimped up Audi RS6, black on black with huge alloys and lowered suspension, crawls by. Its young driver pauses while he takes in the scene of the eG80. He looks puzzled, has a quick Google, realises what it is and then locks eyes with me. Up comes his thumb in a coy show of appreciation of what he is witnessing.

G80 is like that. It is such an appealing car, long, wide, low slung, with a bold grille and double-decker LEDs, what is not to love? The back looks great as well with attractive lights and tidy rear end and the profile is coupe-esque and shark-like. It’s cracking and, for me, because it is a rare sight, wins hands down over more common breeds.

Also, how many cars do you know where the roof is a solar panel – now that is unique. It’s not just a gimmick either as it powers the ancillaries, so when you put the heating on, or anything electrical, the range doesn’t budge. That range is good too. It varies with your driving style but I managed over 300 miles at 100 per cent, which is a useful amount and means that range anxiety never becomes an issue.

Genesis are posh pure and simple and the G80 is no exception. The interior is sumptuous and fitted with every luxury imaginable, including heated massage seats which turn on after an hour to get the circulation going in your cheeks and lower back. There’s a heated steering wheel too which I absolutely love – trust me, this is no cursory frippery, you will love it. There are screens in the back as well.

To drive, the eG80 is a stunner, even better than the petrol, which is impressive too. Being electric it is even quicker off the mark with an amazing mid-range for overtakes and it’s eerily silent as well. The power consumption is good too equating to around 128mpg – and just think what you are not doing for the planet.

Limo-levels of ride and sophistication make the eG80 the perfect tool for chomping merrily through motorway miles. Town is dispensed with with equal disdain but the eG80 also loves to be driven cross country. It rides the bumps and bruises of our disaffected roads brilliantly well, tracks perfectly around bends and hangs on like a limpet when pushed hard. The steering is positive and well-weighted so you are going to want to enjoy yourself.

If I was in the market for a luxury saloon I wouldn’t hesitate for a second in choosing the Genesis over more common brands. It will match and surpass the other pretenders in terms of luxury and dynamics and you’ll be the only one on your street to enjoy the prestige.

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