Company car drivers seem to be moving away from the executive car segment and into SUVs, meaning the market for vehicles like our Genesis G80 is shrinking.

But it shouldn’t be. I’ve always been a fan of big luxury saloons. They offer the best of everything: sleek styling, dynamic handling, supreme comfort and the very best in-car tech.

While the SUV has a more practical edge, you do have to forego some efficiency.

A lower-slung, more aerodynamic saloon will simply use less energy to complete journeys and when we’re talking about electric powertrains that becomes all the more important.

Saloons also have less wind noise, better performance and, generally, better ride comfort.

When it comes to comfort and technology, the G80 has really set the bar high. As standard, the car comes loaded with equipment, including leather upholstery, electrically adjustable seats, keyless entry, LED headlights and a high-end Lexicon sound system.

There’s also an abundance of driver assistance systems, such as adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, reversing camera and blind spot monitor.

The optional Innovation Pack (£3,560), fitted to our car, brings even more goodies. My favourite is the blind-sport camera system, which activates when you indicate, giving a real-time view in the instrument cluster from the car’s rear quarter.

It also includes a surround view camera system, for parking, a head-up display and the ability to move the car forwards and backwards using the keyfob.

The Convenience Pack (£1,170) is another box we ticked, bringing a heated steering wheel, electric tailgate and separate climate controls for the rear passengers.

If that wasn’t enough, we also went for the Comfort Seat Pack + Executive Pack. A little frivolous at £4,960, but it does include massaging and cooled front seats, soft close doors, heated seats in the rear and a pair of monitors to keep rear seat passengers occupied.

The final option is the Solar Roof. One I’m particularly excited about. It costs £1,360 and is able to charge the car’s battery. Now, it’s not going to work in lieu of plugging the car in, but it should be able to add a couple of free miles on a sunny day and also ensures the car’s regular 12v battery won’t go flat.

So, our G80 is pretty loaded, but still represents good value. We tried speccing a BMW i5 or Mercedes EQE to the same level and, even when they’re into six figures, the Genesis still had features that are unmatched.

---

Genesis Electrified G80 joins our fleet

It seems like there’s a new car brand being launched every week at the moment, but the arrival of Genesis in the UK, in 2021, was one that caught our attention.

A few eyebrows were raised as to whether the Korean luxury brand, which is part of Hyundai, would resonate with our badge-oriented nation.

The first models to debut were powered by petrol and diesel engines, meaning the fleet appeal was limited. However, once Genesis started to introduce electric models the company’s proposition became a lot more attractive.

Genesis is a brand that is focused as much on its customer service as it is on products. The brand’s USP is its concierge style approach to sales and aftersales, where a representative, known as a Genesis Personal Assistant (GPA), will look after you from cradle to grave.

It means if you want to test drive a Genesis, you can just make an enquiry and someone will bring one round. Equally, handovers are conducted in a similar fashion, at the customer’s convenience. You can even call up your GPA if you’re not sure about how to switch off the lane keeping system or need some help pairing your phone to the car’s infotainment system.

When its time for a service, the GPA will arrange to come and collect the car, leave you a like-for-like replacement, and take yours away for the work.

Compared to the service level of other brands in this space, Genesis certainly stands out.

So, what about the car then?

Well, the Genesis Electrified G80 is the model we’ve got on test. It’s an executive saloon that competes in the same space as the BMW i5 and Mercedes EQE.

The most immediate thing you’ll notice about the car is its styling. Genesis is focused on luxury, rather than sportiness. The G80 is a sleek saloon, with classic looks. It flies under the radar but also retains a unique and distinct appearance.

On the inside the luxury theme continues, with a swathe of upmarket materials, high-tech features and impressive details.

The starting price for the Electrified G80 is £69,905, putting it in a similar place to both its keenest rivals.

There’s only one trim level, Luxury, and a small selection of option packs. Our car is loaded to the hilt, with a list price of £84,265. But we’ll detail the spec in the next update.

The powertrain uses an 87kWh battery and two electric motors. It gives a WLTP range of 323 miles, the assurance of all-wheel-drive and a power output of 370PS.