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Electric/hybrid, Executive saloon, GENESIS, Motoring

A luxury electric limo, but how good is it?

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GENESIS G80 Electrified

By Bill McCarthy

Genesis is making a powerful statement in the luxury EV market with the Electrified G80. This all-electric executive saloon combines classic limousine styling with cutting-edge technology and a high-tech cabin.

Styling and road presence
The Genesis G80 Electrified is a substantial car that commands attention. Its elegant design, featuring a distinctive crest grille and ‘Two Line’ quad headlights, delivers a refined, Bentley-esque presence. For this electrified model, the wheelbase has been extended by 130mm, enhancing its imposing profile and creating more rear legroom.

Exterior updates include a new bumper, polished 19-inch alloys, and a seamlessly integrated front charging port that opens and closes electrically. At the rear, the signature ‘Two Line’ tail lights feature new graphics.

Price and options
As a luxury brand sibling to Hyundai, the Electrified G80 isn’t cheap, with a starting price of £74,800. However, it undercuts similarly powerful all-wheel-drive premium rivals.

The price can rise with several optional packs, including:

  • Comfort Pack: £1,780
  • Second-Row Comfort Pack: £2,640 (adds power-closing doors, heated seats, and controls)
  • Nappa Leather Pack: £2,620

A hi-tech luxurious cabin
Step inside, and the G80 embodies what Genesis calls the ‘beauty of white space’. The atmosphere is one of serene calm, balancing elegant, uncluttered surfaces with advanced technology.

The centrepiece is a stunning curved 27-inch OLED display that blends the digital cluster and infotainment screen. This system controls everything from navigation to smartphone connectivity and supports over-the-air (OTA) updates. It can be operated via a crystal-like console dial, voice commands, or via the multi-function steering wheel controls.

Comfort, and practicality
The most significant upgrade is in the rear seats, where the extra wheelbase creates limousine-like legroom. The optional second-row comfort pack transforms it into a true chauffeur-grade experience.

Boot space is 323 litres, which is reasonably spacious but notably shallow due to the underfloor battery. Standard equipment is comprehensive, featuring a premium 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, a fingerprint authentication system, and a UV-C storage compartment steriliser.

Performance and refinement
On the road, the Electrified G80 delivers exceptional performance. Its dual electric motors – one on each axle – produce a combined 370PS and a mammoth 700Nm of torque, enabling a 0-62mph time of just 5.1 seconds.

Despite this power, it remains a sublime motorway cruiser, whisking occupants along in near silence. The 87.2kWh usable battery provides a practical WLTP range of 323 miles. The ride is exceptionally smooth, aided by the ‘Road Preview’ electronic suspension that scans the road ahead to actively iron out bumps.

Comprehensive safety
The G80 comes with a full suite of advanced safety systems. Key ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems) include:

  • Highway Driving Assist 2 for semi-autonomous motorway driving.
  • Collision avoidance for vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians.
  • Lane-keeping and lane-centring assist.
  • A 360-degree camera system with parking sensors.

Verdict
The Genesis G80 Electrified is a tech-laden luxury saloon that successfully blends traditional executive comfort with a zero-emissions powertrain. It boasts a spacious, premium cabin, a 323-mile range, and stunning performance, although the boot is relatively modest. While expensive, it undercuts its direct premium rivals and delivers a magic carpet-like driving experience.

Factfile

GENESIS G80 ELECTRIFIED 

  • Price: £74,800 (£84,925 with options)
  • Mechanical: 370PS, twin electric motors driving all wheels via a single-step automatic transmission 
  • Max speed: 139mph
  •  0-62mph: 5.1 seconds 
  • Range: 323 miles (WLTP) 
  • CO2 Emissions: 0g/km
  • Insurance Group: 50 
  • Warranty: Five years, unlimited mileage
Manufacturer, Motor reviews, Toyota

Lights, Camry, action

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Toyota Camry hybrid

By Bill McCarthy

‘A Toyota what?’, said a neighbour. He could be forgiven for not recognising the name as the Camry has not been around in this country for a while and he is quite young.

Toyota says increasing customer interest in and demand for hybrid vehicles have paved the way for its return to the UK after an absence of 15 years. 
The Camry does buck the trend a little, a mid-sized full hybrid family saloon where the crossover/SUV seems to rule.

But it is cheap at 31k for a hybrid, has head-turning looks and excellent performance, matched by good economy and is packed with standard kit. Performance comes via a powerful 2.5 litre petrol engine, mated to an electric motor and lithium-ion battery.
 It is the eighth generation of the model and is built on the firm’s  GA-K platform which means it sits lower to the ground, delivering a sleek profile. The front features a a slim grille, flanked by narrow headlights with LEDs and daytime running lights.
In addition a much larger trapezoidal lower grille occupies almost the full width of the bumper, which the firm says are designed to be  reminiscent of the twin hulls of a catamaran. It certainly gives it a distinctive look. The smart rear end and alloy wheels, complete a pleasing and contemporary design.

It definitely has an upmarket feel with heated, powered leather seats, while the console houses the gearshift, two drink holders and a large bin for odds and ends.

The interior features a mixture of dark and shiny in the shape of leather soft touch finishes with chrome trim and a cockpit packed with goodies.
Centrepieces are seven-inch multi-function screen and leather multi-function steering wheel, while the binnacle features two large information dials, which monitor how the hybrid system is distributing the energy between engine, battery and electric motor.
The touchscreen is small compared to some prestige competitors, but is supplemented by by buttons and controls major functions such as infotainment, connectivity via Bluetooth and navigation.The power transfer can also be monitored here.
There’s also a smartphone charging pad, but on the downside, no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility. 
It definitely has an upmarket feel with heated, powered leather seats, while the centre console houses the gearshift, two large drink holders and a large bin for odds and ends.
Standard kit on this model includes dual zone air con, footwell lights, an ambient door panel lighting and auto headlamps, smart entry and push- button start, front and rear parking sensors and reversing camera.

On the road, the car is a comfortable place to be, with the clever petrol engine electric motor automatically switching modes, while the smart suspension delivers a comfortable experience for occupants, particularly on longer journeys. Bump and lumps in the road are soaked and it is an excellent motorway cruiser with road, engine and wind noise muted.
Full hybrid system output is 215bhp and CO2 emissions are from 120g/km with fuel consumption of between  50.44 to 53.30mpg (WLTP) for this Design model and 50.44 to 51.36mpg for the  Excel. 
The car also has an EV button for electric power only where it can be driven at low speeds over short distances with zero carbon emissions, providing there is power in the battery. Where power is down the self-charging mode from the petrol engine delivers charge back to the battery. The information display tells the driver what is going on.
The driver can also select Eco, Normal and Sport driving modes using the Drive Mode Select switch. While sport mode does sharpen things up, 60mph is hit in a very respectable 8.5 seconds, the roar between shifts in the CVT box can be a bit disconcerting.
The car is also packed with safety kit including Toyota Safety Sense active safety systems which comprise a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control , lane departure alert with steering assist, road sign assist, sway warning and automatic high beam. In addition there is a full complement of airbags and hill start assist.
 A welcome return to a car many may not have heard of, but as electric power units continue to grow, it has plenty to offer. At a shade under £31k, it offers pretty good value for money, not to mention the five year, 100,000 mile warranty for peace of mind.

Factfile


Toyota Camry Design 2.5 litre hybrid
Price: £30,710
Mechanical: 215bhp, 2487cc, four cylinder petrol engine and electric motors driving front via CVT auto gearbox
Max speed: 112mph
0-60mph: 8.3 seconds
Combined mpg: 50-53 (WLTP)
Insurance group: 31E
CO2 emissions: 98 g/km
Warranty: 5yrs/100,000 miles