With its commitment to a zero-emissions lineup by the end of the decade, South Korean luxury car brand Genesis has reconfigured its G80 business-class sedan as a more eco-friendly way of moving around in executive style. Expanding its range into select Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and Washington retailers, Genesis has also revealed its opulent offering—dubbed the Electrified G80—will come with a starting MSRP fit for any Fortune 500 manager. 

How much does the 2023 Genesis Electrified G80 cost?

The 2023 Genesis Electrified G80 starts at an MSRP of $79,825. That, unfortunately, excludes a $1,095 freight charge. Depending on which Electrified G80 paint color you choose, you might also find yourself faced with a $575 surcharge for metallic and pearl exterior paint selections or a $1,500 surcharge for matte paint.

Inside the Electrified G80’s sleek design 

Although the luxury sedan is based on the gasoline-powered G80, it carries the same elegant, athletic appearance prudent for refined driving. The G80’s signature crest grille has evolved with a unique G-Matrix pattern that incorporates and essentially hides the integrated charging port. Along with a new rear bumper for the Electrified G80—because there are no exhaust outlets—the sedan features unique 19-inch wheels that give off an Alpina-esque style for the brand.  

Electrified G80 performance and battery specs

With 365 ponies and 516 lb-ft of torque from two 136-kWh electric motors mounted on each axle, the all-wheel drive (AWD) Electrified G80 will hit 60 mph in a blinding 4.1 seconds, reports Car and Driver. With its 87-kWh battery, drivers can expect 282 miles of range on a single charge. Although that may not sound too impressive, Genesis boasts of charging the Electrified G80 from 10 percent to 80 percent in 22 minutes.

There is a caveat here. The lightning-fast charging can only be experienced at a 350-kW (800V) DC (direct current) charge station. Luckily, Electrified G80 drivers will have access to ultra-fast charging on Electrify America’s coast-to-coast charging network and can seamlessly locate and access charging stations while on the road via the Genesis Connected Services and Electrify America mobile apps, a Genesis press release states. According to a test from Car and Driver, charging at a “Level 2” or 240-kW station will take seven hours.

What standard features are included in the G80 EV?

Like any lavish sedan, the Electrified G80 features powered everything, including power door closures and a hands-free “smart trunk.” Nappa leather seats have power in the front to support a four-way lumbar setting and are heated and ventilated. Behind the heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel is a 12.3-inch 3D digital instrument cluster tucked into the leatherette-wrapped dash, which features a 14.5-inch infotainment screen flanked by microfiber suede-trimmed headliners and pillars.

The matte-colored, forged wood center console provides wireless smartphone charging and a hideaway cupholder next to the tasteful, brushed aluminum gear selector knob and drive mode control buttons. In fact, anything that isn’t leather features subtle yet standout wood trim or metallic touches. 

Since the Electrified G80 only comes in one trim level—the Prestige Edition—there’s no worrying about what mixture of safety features you’ll get. Genesis gives you nearly two dozen. Along with the standard collision avoidance and radar-guided driver-assist systems, you can augment the world around you as the Electrified G80 comes with active noise control to subdue road noise.

How does the Electrified G80 stack up against the competition?

With a starting MSRP just shy of $81,000, the Electrified G80 is an expensive luxury car. It’s a few thousand more than a base model Audi e-Tron and tens of thousands more than a standard Tesla Model Y. Against those, the Electrified G80 begins to show some of its downfalls. 

The Electrified G80 is a repurposed internal combustion engine (ICE) car; therefore, the architecture doesn’t support premium cargo and passenger space in addition to a spine full of batteries, unlike Audi and Tesla. Because of this, the Genesis doesn’t even have a frunk.  

When you pit the Genesis against the BMW iX or Tesla Model X, the Electrified G80 begins to look like a bargain option. Yet, the German and American models are authentic, from the ground up-designed EVs. They are intended for a population looking toward 2040 with feverish delight and pumping all sorts of exciting sci-fi acceleration noises into their cabins. But what if you don’t want to pilot the USS Enterprise? What if you just want a car that doesn’t run on fossil fuels? 

Is the 2023 Genesis Electrified G80 too expensive? 

Genesis’ ICE-turned-EV allows drivers and passengers to live in the “new normal” without sacrificing who they are. Although the infotainment system is touch-operated, there are still buttons. Although it’s an EV, it’s still a classic long-wheel-base sedan. Electrification is not the core philosophy; it’s comfort. Consequently, roughly $80,000 isn’t bad for what is essentially a South Korean Bentley.