The original G80 EV has always started behind scratch against its rivals because it is based on a model that was packaged for ICE power (even though the petrol and diesel G80 are no longer sold in the UK). That meant it lacked the handy frunk of others, its driving position was compromised by a big drive battery beneath the floor and its boot was almost comically tiny because more electrics intruded. In the latest model, Genesis has attacked every problem except the boot (there’s evidently nothing to be done about that) – and the result is an excellent luxury saloon.
Starting with the big stuff, the G80 gets 130mm of extra wheelbase, all of which is to the benefit of rear-seat passengers. The rear doors, roughly five inches longer, suit the car’s proportions well and the already decent rear knee room is now massive. Besides the extra length, which brings a small change to the rear pillar shape, the car gets modernised bumpers front and rear, a subtle grille update (it now features a power-assisted cover on the charge port), improvements to its already excellent headlights, some aero mods to improve brake cooling and a handsome new set of alloys, still 19-inchers as before.
Beneath the car is a lithium ion battery pack whose total capacity rises by 8.6% to 94.5kWh, a move that boosts the WLTP range from 323 miles to 354 miles. Autocar ran a previous battery G80 for six months, during which time the claimed touring range proved realistic except in darkest winter, and even then it was decent. Maximum charge speed is now 187kW, at which rate a boost from 10-80%, which adds 250 miles, takes an agreeable 25 minutes.
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