When I was a long-haired, combat-jacket-wearing, scruffy student at Durham University, music was something I spent too much time listening to and too much of my grant on. I ended up running discos at the student union building, and I was also the bar steward (careful) at my college. I was ‘paid’ in bar tokens, which I flogged at a cut price. I used the cash to buy records and steadily built up a collection, which I still have.

One of the trendy bands at the time was Genesis, and their first LP was called From Genesis to Revelation. The first Genesis LP I bought was A Trick of the Tail, which had Phil Collins on lead vocals for the first time, replacing Peter Gabriel. The LP and single were both successful.

All of which brings me to the car currently sat on my drive…it’s a Genesis and, I have to say, like the band’s first LP, it’s a bit of a revelation.

What is Genesis?

Genesis is the posh brand of Hyundai, in a similar way to Lexus with Toyota, Infiniti with Nissan, and, to a certain extent, Polestar with Volvo or DS with Citroen. But don’t assume every Genesis is just a rehash of current Hyundai models. They aren’t.

Things are also very different in the way you buy a Genesis. If you fancy giving a Genesis a spin, they’ll actually bring one to your home or office. You’ll also be given a personal ‘concierge’ who will sort any purchase queries, servicing, etc. Genesis places a lot of emphasis on the buying and ownership experience.

Exterior

So, what about the car itself?

First up, it’s 100 per cent electric. The original diesel and petrol models have been dropped

And it’s big…and it’s a saloon, although the swoopy rear roofline gives it a distinct coupé appearance. We think it looks rather smart. It’s also different. You’ll certainly spot the G-Matrix grille which includes a flap which reveals the charging sockets.

Range, Charging Time & Price

Range is good, topping out at around what Genesis reckon is 354 miles. It can charge from 10%-80% in around 25 minutes. The 94.5kWh battery can churn out 365bhp via a pair of motors which means you get all-wheel drive. 0-60mph takes 5.1 seconds…50-75mph is 3.3 seconds…top speed is 139mph.

A price of £75,615 (March ’26) might sound a bit steep, but you need to consider that the Genesis G80 is packed to the rafters with kit and there’s only one trim, so in other words, you get everything as standard.

Driving Experience

Head out onto the road and the first thing you’ll notice is that you ride along in near silence. The G80 has sound absorbing tyres and dampers, hushed electric motors and thick, soundproofed glass. The slippery shape means there’s hardly any wind noise.

As for the handling, you can tell that Genesis wants to cosset the occupants. The ride is cushy to say the least. I don’t suspect that many owners will want to chuck this car around on a country lane and it’s the sort of car where you glide along. Motorway driving is uncannily smooth. This is refinement on a spooky scale. It also has a clever gadget which scans the road ahead of you and adjusts the dampers before you whack a pothole. Okay, the performance figures suggest that you can hustle the G80 along, but it’s not a car for keen drivers.

The steering wheel paddles, which adjust the regeneration levels, can bring the car to a halt. Pretty handy in town traffic.

Interior

Inside just oozes class, and the whole cabin is a work of art. The build quality is stunning with a mixture of stitched leather and soft-touch materials, and you can really see that Genesis has put in a lot of work to make the car justify its price tag. Everything is refined and tasteful. For example, the quilted seat coverings look and feel great.

Something you can’t fail to spot is the 27-inch driver infotainment screen. This is one of the G80’s hi-tech highlights, but it blends in nicely. Rather than having to frantically dab away at the screen or use buttons and sliders on the steering wheel, Genesis has gone down the route of allowing drivers to scroll through menus or input a sat nav address by using a rotating wheel situated between the front two seats. Once you’ve got the hang of it, you’ll whiz through maps, radio stations, ride settings, etc. BMW has used a similar system for years and it puts other manufacturers to shame who insist on putting everything into a central touchscreen.

And to make life even simpler, Genesis has gone with good old fashion buttons and knobs for the everyday stuff. Once you’ve got used to where they are, you won’t need to take your eyes off the road. Hurrah.

As for other standard kit, there’s a cracking Bang & Olufsen audio system, sat nav, powered boot opening, wireless phone charging, heated and powered seats, heated steering wheel, LED front and rear lights, heated charging flap…I’ll leave it there, otherwise I’ll be going on for ages. The central glove box has a sterilising light inside.

There’s a handful of options like rear wheel steering (don’t bother), comfort pack, which gives soft closing front and rear doors, rear window blinds, and massage seats for those in the front.

As for space, five adults can travel in supreme comfort. As I mentioned earlier, this is a big car measuring 5,135mm in length. Passengers in the rear can sit with their legs crossed, although the boot is a tad small if those five adults all want to have a suitcase of holiday gear.

Should you buy one?

The Genesis G80 shows how far Hyundai has come. This is a car which would suit companies who like to have a chauffer shuttling their execs and VIPs around, it really is that luxurious.

And yes, this is one of those cars where you feel better getting out than when you got in. It makes the world feel like a better place. A stunning electric limousine.

Does the Genesis G80 rival BMW, Audi, and Mercedes? You bet it does.

words: Graham Courtney
pictures: Genesis

Genesis G80 - An Electric Revelation