Genesis has really hit its stride over the past two years. As a new design language swept over most of its models and the brand’s sensational SUVs hit the marketplace, we at AutoTrader took notice, bestowing the rather youthful luxury brand with no fewer than four AutoTrader Awards last year, including the Best Overall SUV for the Genesis GV70.
Not resting on its laurels, Genesis has expanded the lineup, including the electrification of the stunning G80 sedan, which has only helped secure its repeat win in the Best Large Luxury Car category.
Our contingent of more than 20 expert evaluators consider every model for sale in 2023 before casting votes in each category. The finalists in this category are some of the most impressive machines available today, including a brand-new BMW, a pair of Porsches, and Genesis’ own G90, which means the G80 had to be truly something special to win this award, and it is.
There are a dozen factors considered when voting on a winning car and the G80 excels in every criteria, which is something very few other cars can manage. Arguably, the G80 is the Goldilocks of the Genesis lineup in terms of styling, with exceptional proportions that render it simultaneously sexy yet sophisticated.
The cabin is equally impressive with posh materials throughout and a cockpit design that doesn’t spare elegance in the name of modern technology. There is plenty of tech present, of course, with a pair of widescreen displays forming both the gauge pod (with its very cool 3D graphic effect), and the infotainment system. And even loaded up with the sort of impressive features expected in a luxury car, it’s still easy to learn and operate – something that can’t be said of all the G80’s competitors.
The best contemporary luxury sedans balance serenity with capable performance, and the G80 equalizes the two exceptionally well. Although its ride is quiet and comfortable, the G80 doesn’t shy away from corners, putting its standard all-wheel drive grip and decent steering feel to good use. There’s now a trio of drivetrains from which to choose, including the competent, turbocharged four-cylinder that dispenses 300 horsepower, while the twin-turbo V6 ups the ante to 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. Make no mistake, the G80 is properly quick.
The big news for 2023 is the addition of a fully electric version of the G80 with an 87-kWh battery fuelling a pair of motors offering up a combined output of 365 hp and a whopping 516 lb-ft of torque, giving the EV G80 remarkable, effortless acceleration.
The Electrified G80 offers a range of more than 450 km and can be fast charged at rates up to 350 kW, meaning it’s very easy to live with, even if road trips are required from time to time. Best of all, the Electrified G80 doesn’t look like a typical electric car, closely resembling its handsome, gasoline-powered siblings, save for the filled-in front grille.
To top it all off, the G80 still represents a solid value with a starting price of $69,000 and climbing to $82,500 for a fully loaded 3.5T Sport Plus version. The Electrified G80 adds a considerable chunk to the bottom line, ringing in at $105,000, but still comes in well short of a comparable Tesla, BMW, or Mercedes EV.
At a time when sedans have largely lost favour to SUVs, Genesis put forth an incredible effort with the G80 and Electrified G80, rightly earning it this back-to-back win as the Best Large Luxury Car.
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