2026 Genesis Electrified G80 First Drive: Bigger, Better, More Range

No doubt about it — the 2026 Genesis Electrified G80 turns heads. And in this longer, more luxurious form, it’s doing it louder than ever. The sleek exterior oozes premium vibes, and once you peek inside, it’s clear Genesis is pulling out all the stops to woo buyers away from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes.

Let’s be real — taking on the Germans is no small task. Audi, BMW, Mercedes… they’ve been perfecting the art of blending comfort, style, and cutting-edge tech for decades. And that’s before you even get to how great they are to drive. So yeah, building a true rival? That’s a seriously tall order.

2026 Genesis Electrified G80 First Impressions

The original G80 EV always felt like it was playing catch-up. Built on a platform meant for gas engines, it missed out on EV perks—no frunk, a slightly awkward driving position thanks to the battery under the floor, and a trunk that was laughably small thanks to all the extra electrics. But with the latest model, Genesis has tackled nearly every issue — well, except the trunk — and the result is a genuinely impressive luxury sedan.

Let’s start with the biggest news — literally. The 2026 Genesis Electrified G80 gets a wheelbase stretch of 130mm, and it’s all about treating rear-seat passengers to first-class legroom. The longer rear doors (about five inches longer) don’t just make getting in easier — they actually look great and suit the car’s sleek proportions.

There’s also a slight tweak to the rear pillar shape, updated bumpers front and back, a refreshed grille with a slick power-assisted charge port cover, improved headlights (yes, even better than before), some aero tweaks for better brake cooling, and a set of eye-catching 19-inch wheels that bring the whole look together.

2026 Genesis Electrified G80 Dimensions, Capacities and Weights

Underneath this big, bold sedan is a beefed-up lithium-ion battery — now up to 94.5 kWh thanks to an 8.6-percent increase in capacity. That translates to more range, with the WLTP figure rising from 323 to 354 miles. Charging is quicker too, with a new max rate of 187 kW, meaning a 10 to 80 percent top-up — around 250 miles — takes a reasonable 25 minutes.

Driving Impressions And Performance

The 2026 Genesis Electrified G80 keeps things simple with one powertrain: a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive setup. Both the front and rear axles get identical 182.5 bhp motors, giving you a solid 365 horsepower and a hefty 516 pound-feet of torque to play with. There are three drive modes to choose from — plus a Snow mode for the winter warriors — and performance is more than punchy: 0–62 mph in just 5.1 seconds, with a top speed of 139 mph. Smart torque vectoring and traction control help keep all that power in check.

So, what’s it like behind the wheel? Honestly, the G80 EV shines most when it’s gliding down the highway. The whisper-quiet electric powertrain, smart noise-canceling tech, acoustic glass, and road-smoothing adaptive suspension all come together to make it a seriously relaxing long-distance cruiser. Sure, you can put your foot down if you need to — it’s no slouch — but this isn’t a car that’s begging to be thrashed. It’s all about calm, confident comfort.

The G80 EV’s steering has a nice, balanced feel, and the Hyundai-Kia Group’s clever paddle-operated regenerative braking system is easy to love. You can tweak it on the fly with four levels to choose from—the strongest setting even lets you drive with just one pedal, which is perfect for stop-and-go city trips.

One feature that stood out was the G80 EV’s new ‘Chauffeur Mode.’ It smooths out the throttle and takes the bite out of the brake pedal, making the ride extra comfy for backseat passengers. But if you’re just cruising around, it’s also a super-chill default driving mode that makes every drive feel a little more relaxed.

2026 Genesis Electrified G80 Performance Specifications (UK Model)

My biggest gripe with the G80 EV? The driver-assistance systems can get a bit annoying. The lane-departure and speed-limit alerts are way too sensitive, and the attention monitor sounds off even when you’re just reaching over to adjust the climate controls. Sure, you can switch them off, but other brands seem to nail this balance better—keeping the help without the hassle.

2026 Genesis Electrified G80 Efficiency

During our testing, the G80 EV delivered a solid 3.5 miles per kWh, which should make a real-world range of around 300 miles totally doable in everyday driving. And that was during a typical UK summer — not exactly a heatwave. Still, the standard heat pump should help keep things efficient when temperatures drop. Plus, the G80 can disconnect its front axle while cruising to squeeze out even more range when you’re just coasting along.

Now for the nitty-gritty: as mentioned earlier, the G80 EV can charge at up to 187 kW — and that’s thanks to its shared architecture with the GV60 SUV, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Kia EV6. That setup means you can go from 10 to 80 percent in around 25 minutes, making quick top-ups easy on longer trips.

Interior Design And Comfort

Step inside, and the first thing that grabs your attention is the massive new fascia screen. It’s fully customizable and cleverly blends the digital driver display with the central infotainment screen. Thankfully, there’s still a dedicated row of physical buttons for climate control — because sometimes a real button just makes life easier. The instrument cluster has also been repositioned and paired with a new steering wheel, which helps fix one of the old model’s biggest issues: that awkwardly high driving position.

It has to be said — the G80 EV’s interior is easily one of the best in the game. It blends natural wood and smooth leather (our test car had the optional Nappa leather, a £2,620 / $3,490 upgrade) with a slick digital interface that’s both stylish and user-friendly. The touchscreen is quick to respond, and there’s a healthy mix of physical controls — including a rotary dial — that makes navigating the system feel intuitive rather than frustrating.

There’s plenty of kit included as standard, but Genesis also offers a handful of tempting extras. The Comfort Pack (£1,780 / $2,371) adds a massage function for both front seats, upgraded comfort seating, and ventilated front seats — perfect for long drives or hot days. For those who spend time in the back, the Second Row Comfort Pack (£2,640 / $3,517) is where things get seriously plush: think heated seats front and rear, rear vanity mirrors, soft-close doors all around, electric window curtains, powered rear doors, and a center armrest with its own control panel.

Our test car came loaded, too — it featured rear-wheel steering (£1,120 / $1,491) that added agility and stability, a Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) adapter (£300 / $399) so you can power gadgets from the car, white brake calipers (£340 / $453) for a clean visual pop, and sleek Geneva Silver paint (£850 / $1,131) to top it all off. All in all, the vehicle we tested came with an on-the-road price of £84,925 ($113,034), while the starting price for the model in the UK sits at £74,800 ($99,558).

Overall Verdict

Hop behind the wheel, and with its clear quality and finely tuned controls, you’ll quickly see the G80 EV as a serious contender — and a real bargain — against the competition. Genesis has “high hopes” for this model, and after spending 10 days with it, it’s easy to see why. The G80 EV nails the fit and finish test in this competitive segment, and its electric credentials — like range and charging speed — are solid, though you can find sedans with longer range for the price.

You’d hope that extra length would mean a roomier rear cabin, but while legroom is generous, the bulky battery cuts into foot space under the front seats. Taller passengers might find themselves slouching to avoid bumping their heads on the roof. The trunk takes a hit too — the electric motor’s packaging shrinks it to 334 liters, smaller than a Volkswagen Golf’s, and that awkward step in the floor means you can’t fully load it to the back. Definitely give the G80 EV a good test before buying – although your option now may be to buy a used model since Genesis has discontinued the model in the U.S.