Midsize sedans could also be falling out of vogue, however in terms of the premium area there’s nonetheless loads of alternative.

From the same old suspects just like the Audi A6, BMW 5 Collection, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class to a hair-on-fire scorching rod just like the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing, the spectrum is roofed after which some. There’s even a couple of electrified choices as of late, together with the 2023 Genesis G80 Electrified and the 2023 Volvo S90 Recharge.

We’ll be the primary to confess that these are very completely different takes on electrification, with the G80 operating on nothing however battery energy and the S90 utilizing it to reinforce its gasoline engine; however each convey with them professionals and cons which might be worthy of cautious consideration. What’s simple, nonetheless, is the type, efficiency, and effectivity they usually every handle to stability remarkably nicely.

Styling

Each of those vehicles originated with gas-only powertrains, they usually’re styled as such. Put one other means, neither resembles a well-used bar of cleaning soap, as so many electrical automobiles (EVs) appear to do as of late within the identify of final aerodynamic effectivity.

Volvo’s S90 sedan has been round for a couple of years now, however the Scandinavian type is ageing superbly with lengthy, low, and vast proportions. In a uncommon deal with, the Volvo’s grille doesn’t resemble a feeding basking shark the way in which most trendy machines’ gaping maws do.

Genesis has actually discovered its styling stride as of late, with its present lineup sporting a twin-strake mild and fender vent design nicely. The sharply raked roofline of the G80 lends an magnificence to its look that’s missing on loads of premium machines right this moment. On the gasoline-powered G80, the outsized grille is a lovely criss-cross mesh impact, whereas the Electrified model contains a stable piece of plastic with shiny diamonds painted on. It appears fairly good from about 30 paces, however up shut it cheapens the general aesthetic. Equally, the 19-inch turbine-style wheels don’t fill the wheel wells as prominently because the sportier 20-inch rims do on different G80 fashions.

The fluid magnificence of the present Genesis design language carries over within the G80, electrical or in any other case. It’s a profitable consequence with numerous stitched soft-touch panels complemented by loads of matte-finish wooden trim. Of be aware, the G80’s digital gauge show generates a 3-D visible impact that’s notably slick and helps to make this really feel just like the extra trendy automobile of the 2.

The S90’s inside is not any much less particular, simply with a completely completely different vibe that’s chunkier and extra extreme. The surfaces are coated in wonderful supplies right here, too, and the caramel-coloured leather-based on this tester contrasts dramatically towards the black dashboard and darkish open-pore wooden and steel trim work. To not be outdone by the G80’s 3-D gauges, the S90’s showpiece is its crystal gear selector.

Genesis G80 Electrified: 8/10; Volvo S90 Recharge: 9/10

Consolation

I’ve but to expertise a Swedish automobile whose seats weren’t sensational, and this S90 is not any exception. There’s loads of adjustability to make sure all occupant shapes can discover consolation, and the mix of supple leather-based, plush cushioning, and agency assist is spot-on. The G80’s seats are additionally splendidly supportive and adjustable, too, and racking up kilometres in both automobile ought to produce no again aches.

The G80’s rear seat presents extra headroom, however the legroom out there behind the S90 is sort of limo-like. However then the G80’s experience is splendidly compliant, and its smaller wheels imply extra tire absorption over street irregularities than the Volvo’s massive 20-inch alloys can present – though this tester was optioned with rear air suspension that helped the large Swede clean out bumps within the street.

One space the Genesis does higher than Volvo is noise attenuation. Whereas wind- and street noise is just about non-existent in each vehicles, the S90’s gasoline engine noise can turn into surprisingly intrusive, and never simply in comparison with the silence of the full-electric G80, however due to its coarseness that’s out-of-character for such a primo sedan.

Genesis G80 Electrified: 9/10; Volvo S90 Recharge: 8/10

Practicality

The spacious interiors in each of those vehicles supply an honest quantity of room for as much as 5 occupants. The G80’s trunk is compromised considerably by its electrical {hardware}, with a large bump consuming up some cargo area simply behind the rear seat. Its 304 L of quantity falls nicely in need of the Volvo’s 382 L, however even nonetheless, each trunks ought to swallow sufficient baggage for a weekend getaway.

The Volvo’s inside lacks the little nooks and cubbies which might be helpful for all times’s requirements. In the course of the check week, the cupholder ended up getting used to carry my standard-size telephone and sun shades that wouldn’t match within the console bin.

With customary all-wheel drive and a set of respectable winter tires, each of those vehicles ought to handle Canadian winters with ease. The Genesis has a normal warmth pump and battery heater to assist with wintertime effectivity and vary considerations.

Genesis G80 Electrified: 7/10; Volvo S90 Recharge: 7/10

Options

The type and materials finishes in each of those vehicles ought to be thought-about a part of their options. Past that, each are well-equipped with wonderful sound programs, onboard navigation, heated and ventilated seating, multi-zone local weather management programs, and rear sunshades.

The one notable omission right here is the G80’s lack of sunroof, which was ditched to make up for the way in which the under-floor battery pack reduces headroom. The Volvo, in the meantime, has a big panoramic sunroof.

Genesis G80 Electrified: 8.5/10; Volvo S90 Recharge: 9/10

Security

Given Volvo’s historical past, the S90 is well-equipped with passive and lively security options, however Genesis contains its full security suite, too, so that they’re nicely matched on this regard. Blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping, and front-and-rear crash avoidance assistants are present in every automobile, together with wonderful adaptive LED headlights.

Each vehicles function automated driver help programs with lane centring and adaptive cruise management that works in stop-and-go visitors, however the Genesis system works higher, with smoother steering inputs.

Genesis G80 Electrified: 9/10; Volvo S90 Recharge: 9/10

Person Friendliness

Genesis’s inside designers have achieved a very good job making the G80’s controls extremely user-friendly. The 14.5-inch widescreen infotainment contains contact performance, however it will also be managed utilizing a handy console knob. Steering wheel switchgear contains toggles, buttons, and scrolls, and whereas the local weather controls require occasional display faucets, it will possibly by and enormous be left in automated mode, with temperature adjustments managed with giant dials. The seating place places all controls inside simple attain, and outward visibility is superb.

By comparability, Volvo’s interface permits for a cleaner, easier sprint format due to the inclusion of fewer bodily controls, however it means performance suffers as extra options are managed utilizing the vertical touchscreen. Equally, the twist-to-operate ignition change and the double-tap requirement of the shifter every take a while to develop accustomed to. With follow, all of it works wonderful, however the Genesis system is just extra intuitive.

Genesis G80 Electrified: 7.5/10; Volvo S90 Recharge: 7/10

Energy

Whereas these machines are supposed to waft alongside in a dignified method, when summoned with a severe jab of the throttle, they will actually boogie. The Volvo’s drivetrain is a wildly complicated combine of two.0L turbocharged and supercharged four-cylinder gasoline engine, with a single electrical motor juiced by an 18.8-kWh battery. The result’s a cumulative 455 hp and spectacular 523 lb-ft of torque. For around-town driving, the S90 Recharge is fast, however delivers output in a dignified means, not snapping heads again when pulling away from a cease. But when passing must occur in an enormous hurry, the Volvo delivers with a wallop of thrust that may be sufficient to catch customers, together with yours actually, off-guard.

The Genesis G80 Electrified additionally options greater than 500 lb-ft of torque from its dual-motor setup, fed by an 87.3-kWh battery. Regardless of much less horsepower (365 hp in all) and extra mass than the Volvo, the Genesis advantages from the sheer immediacy of its electrical increase. Because of this with modest throttle software acceleration is equally modest, however a heavy boot will snap heads into headrests and the large sedan will rocket with amusing silence towards the horizon.

The Volvo is barely extra thrilling if solely as a result of its energy supply isn’t fairly as digital feeling, and is accompanied by an inside combustion soundtrack, albeit not an excessively pleasing one. Even nonetheless, in need of timed drag races, it’s powerful to inform which one accelerates extra ferociously.

Genesis G80 Electrified: 9/10; Volvo S90 Recharge: 9/10

Driving Really feel

Patrons on the lookout for a luxurious sedan that may do double-duty as a sports activities automobile must look elsewhere. Battery packs are heavy, and though they’re mounted low in these vehicles to decrease their centres of gravity, the physics behind making a heavier automobile flip and cease nonetheless impacts its driving really feel.

Even nonetheless, whereas neither of those vehicles are lightweights, they acquit themselves nicely sufficient with good physique roll composure when hustled round corners. There’s little steering really feel transmitted to the wheel, and whereas braking is robust, the regenerative nature could make them a bit grabby in each vehicles.

The Genesis’s shorter wheelbase helps give it a barely nimbler really feel, and a extra participating drive expertise general.

Genesis G80 Electrified: 8/10; Volvo S90 Recharge: 7/10

Gasoline Economic system

Whereas the intense energy is a particular plus to having an electrified powertrain, effectivity reigns supreme. With a mixed score of two.4 Le/100 km, the G80 Electrified is predictably the extra environment friendly machine because it has no inside combustion engine. The S90 Recharge is rated at 8.1 L/100 km mixed, which is spectacular for a sedan as giant and highly effective as this. Plus, homeowners with modest every day commutes can maintain the Volvo in EV mode as much as 61 km, incomes it a mixed score of three.4 Le/100 km.

The Genesis will be charged at a DC fast-charger from 10 to 80 per cent in below 22 minutes in optimum circumstances. It has a rated vary of 454 km, nonetheless, throughout this early winter drive in delicate circumstances, indicated vary by no means exceeded 400 km, even with a full cost. The Volvo, utilizing its hybrid system, can journey 750 km or extra earlier than needing to refuel, so consumers trying to do extra freeway driving will likely be higher with the S90 Recharge.

Genesis G80 Electrified: 9/10; Volvo S90 Recharge: 8.5/10

Worth

With a beginning value of $77,950 earlier than freight and tax, the 2023 Volvo S90 Recharge strikes as an excellent deal, however there are some fairly rudimentary options that value further, like a heated steering wheel, energy trunk, and surround-view digicam show. Even nonetheless, loaded up with greater than $10,000 in choices, this tester nonetheless rang in nicely below $100,000 for what’s a genuinely luxurious automobile.

The 2023 Genesis G80 Electrified comes just one means: Status trim with all of the fixings. Taking an opulent sedan and remodeling it with a posh electrified system is a pricey endeavour, it appears, since this EV model rings in at $105,000. That’s $20,000 greater than the subsequent costliest G80, however $30,000 lower than a fundamental Tesla Mannequin S, which is roughly the dimensions of the Electrified G80, however has considerably higher energy, vary, and cargo capability. The Mercedes EQS 580 and BMW i7 each begin at notably larger value factors, as does the Porsche Taycan, which additionally presents far much less inside area than the Genesis. What all this implies is that whereas costly for a G80, the Electrified model represents a stable worth towards different premium, midsize electrical sedans.

Genesis G80 Electrified: 7/10; Volvo S90 Recharge: 7/10

Verdict

Though comparatively related in dimension, gear, and value, these two differ in additional methods than their modes of propulsion. They take distinctly completely different approaches to what a premium electrified sedan ought to be, with the 2023 Volvo S90 Recharge presenting as a extra basic wanting – and feeling – luxurious automobile. However the 2023 Genesis G80 Electrified presents a extra modern look, really feel, and driving expertise. Whereas every of those machines will certainly enchantment to sure automotive wants, the all-electric G80 is such an distinctive providing within the class, undercutting different full EVs by such a terrific margin, that it wins us over right here.