If you’re considering a Genesis Electrified G80, especially on the used market, you’re probably asking a simple question: how safe is it really? The good news is that the Electrified G80 has been through rigorous crash testing and safety evaluation on both sides of the Atlantic, and it’s earned some of the industry’s top ratings. There are also a few nuances and recalls worth understanding before you buy.
Key takeaway
Genesis Electrified G80 safety at a glance
Electrified G80 safety snapshot
On paper, the Electrified G80’s safety resume is strong. In 2023, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the 2024 G80 and Electrified G80 its coveted Top Safety Pick+ rating when equipped with standard equipment. Around the same time in Europe, Euro NCAP gave the Electrified G80 a 5‑star overall safety score, noting robust crash protection and a stable passenger cell. Combined with a long list of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), this makes the Electrified G80 a very compelling option if safety is high on your priority list.
IIHS crash tests: how the Electrified G80 scored
IIHS is the main independent crash-testing body U.S. safety-conscious buyers look to beyond the federal government. For the 2023–2024 Genesis Electrified G80, IIHS tested a right-hand small overlap frontal crash and evaluated the EV’s performance in several other major categories.
- Overall award: 2024 Electrified G80 qualifies for Top Safety Pick+ with standard equipment.
- Frontal crashworthiness: Good ratings in driver- and passenger-side small overlap front tests and the original moderate-overlap front test.
- Side impact: Good rating in the updated side-impact test, which uses a heavier, taller barrier to better represent modern SUVs.
- Roof strength & head restraints: Good, indicating strong protection in rollovers and rear-end crashes.
- Front crash prevention: Standard system scored superior in daytime vehicle‑to‑pedestrian tests and advanced at night.
- Headlights: Standard LED projectors rated acceptable across all trims, good enough for TSP+, but not class-leading.
Under IIHS’s stricter 2023+ criteria, Top Safety Pick+ is not easy to achieve. You need strong crashworthiness in all the key impact scenarios, decent or better headlights on every trim, and a capable automatic emergency braking (AEB) system that can detect pedestrians day and night. The Electrified G80 checks all of those boxes.
What about the newer “updated moderate overlap” test?
If you’ve seen headlines about the Genesis G80 getting a marginal rating in IIHS’s newer updated moderate-overlap test, it’s important to separate the gasoline G80 story from the Electrified G80. The updated test focuses heavily on rear-seat passenger protection, and some large sedans, including the gas G80, have struggled to adapt quickly. As of early 2026, IIHS data for the Electrified G80 still centers on the original moderate-overlap test, where it performs well. When you’re looking at safety charts or media coverage, double-check whether they’re referring to the gas G80, the Electrified G80, or both.
Don’t mix up trims
What about NHTSA and other crash programs?
In the U.S., the other big name in crash testing is NHTSA, the federal safety agency behind the familiar 5‑star rating labels. As of early 2026, the Electrified G80 has not been individually crash-tested by NHTSA. However, the closely related gasoline G80 sedan has earned a 5‑star overall NHTSA rating, which gives some additional confidence in the basic structure and restraint systems the EV shares.
For used‑EV shoppers, the lack of a dedicated NHTSA rating on the Electrified G80 isn’t necessarily a red flag, many lower‑volume EVs never see NHTSA’s test lab. The IIHS Top Safety Pick+ plus Euro NCAP results carry a lot of weight. Still, if you want redundancy, it’s worth noting that the gas G80’s 5‑star performance effectively backs up what we see from IIHS about the body shell and restraints.
Euro NCAP 5‑star rating explained
In Europe, the independent New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) is the benchmark for safety. The Genesis Electrified G80 earned a 5‑star Euro NCAP rating, putting it in the top tier of large luxury sedans sold there.
- Adult occupant protection: High scores for both driver and passenger in frontal and side impacts, with Euro NCAP highlighting strong structural stability.
- Child occupant protection: Solid scores and ISOFIX/LATCH mounting positions that make child-seat installation easier.
- Vulnerable road users: Good performance in pedestrian and cyclist impact zones, bolstered by AEB that can recognize and brake for people and bikes.
- Safety assist: Strong results for lane-keeping assistance, speed assistance, and autonomous emergency braking performance.
Euro NCAP singled out the Electrified G80’s center airbag between the front seats as an important innovation. In a side impact, occupants often collide with each other; the center airbag helps reduce that risk, which is especially valuable in a wide, limo-like sedan such as the G80.
Why Euro NCAP matters in the U.S.
Active safety & driver-assist tech in the Electrified G80
Crash tests tell you how a car protects you when things go wrong. The Electrified G80 also packs a long list of tech aimed at preventing crashes in the first place. Most of the following systems are standard in North American‑spec cars; regional equipment can vary, so check the window sticker or build sheet on any used example you’re considering.
Core Electrified G80 safety & ADAS features
Most of these are standard and work together to keep you out of trouble.
Forward Collision‑Avoidance Assist (FCA)
Uses radar and cameras to detect vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists ahead. Can warn you and automatically brake to avoid or mitigate a crash, including at intersections in many markets.
Lane Keeping & Lane Following Assist
Helps keep the G80 centered in its lane on highways and marked roads. The steering input is subtle, but enough to prevent unintentional lane departures when you’re distracted or drowsy.
Blind‑Spot Collision‑Avoidance Assist
Monitors your blind spots and can intervene with steering or braking if you try to move into an occupied lane. A Blind‑Spot View Monitor camera image can also appear in the instrument cluster when signaling.
Rear Cross‑Traffic & Parking Aids
Rear Cross‑Traffic Collision‑Avoidance Assist can brake if a vehicle is about to cross behind you while reversing. Parking Collision‑Avoidance Assist adds braking for unseen obstacles in tight spaces.
Smart Cruise Control & Highway Driving Assist
Adaptive cruise maintains distance from the vehicle ahead and can assist with lane centering on compatible highways. It reduces fatigue on long drives but still requires hands on the wheel and driver attention.
Ten standard airbags
Includes dual front, front‑side, rear‑side, curtain airbags, and a front center airbag. Together with a rigid body structure, they’re a big reason the Electrified G80 performs well in side impacts.
Luxury that quietly makes you safer
Recalls & real‑world safety context
No modern EV is completely free of recalls, and the Electrified G80 is no exception. The key is understanding what’s been addressed and how it affects safety so you can make a clear-eyed decision on a used car.
- ICCU / 12‑volt power issue: Hyundai and Genesis recalled several EVs, including the G80, because an Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) fault could stop the 12‑volt system from charging, eventually leading to a loss of drive power. Software updates and hardware repairs are the remedy.
- Infotainment & instrument cluster screen reboot: More recently, Genesis recalled a wide spread of 2025–2026 models, including G80 and Electrified G80, for a software bug that can cause the infotainment and instrument cluster displays to reboot. Losing the digital gauges (speed, range, warning lights) temporarily is a visibility and distraction concern, even if it’s not a structural safety defect.
- Routine software updates: Like most new EVs, the Electrified G80 relies heavily on software. Over‑the‑air and dealer updates can refine driver‑assist behavior, add features, and address bugs over time.
Used‑buyer must‑do: recall check
How Electrified G80 safety compares to rival EV sedans
The Electrified G80 competes most directly with large luxury EVs like the Mercedes‑Benz EQE sedan, BMW i5/i7, and to some extent the Lucid Air and Tesla Model S. Each of these has its own safety story, but a few themes stand out when you put them side by side.
Electrified G80 vs other luxury EV sedans: safety highlights
High-level view based on public crash tests and equipment availability as of early 2026. Always double-check specific model-year data.
| Model | Key crash rating highlights | Notable strengths | Potential watch‑outs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genesis Electrified G80 | IIHS Top Safety Pick+ (2024); Euro NCAP 5‑star | Ten airbags incl. front center; strong structure; rich standard ADAS suite | Limited NHTSA data; software-related recalls to verify |
| BMW i5 / i7 | IIHS and Euro NCAP generally strong; some models TSP+ | Excellent driver monitoring; robust ADAS tuning | Complex options structure, some safety tech optional |
| Mercedes‑Benz EQE sedan | Euro NCAP 5‑star (Euro models); strong active safety | High active safety scores; good rear-seat protection | Equipment differences by trim and market; repair costs |
| Tesla Model S | No recent IIHS crash testing; older NHTSA 5‑star data | Active safety improves via frequent OTA updates | Mixed third‑party crash data and repair variability |
| Lucid Air | Limited independent crash data; Euro NCAP testing still sparse | Very strong braking and chassis performance | Smaller installed base; less long-term data and service history |
Safety-focused comparison rather than a full spec sheet.
If you prioritize independent lab data, the Electrified G80 is actually one of the clearer bets in this class thanks to the combination of IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and Euro NCAP 5‑star results. The bigger question becomes long‑term support and software maintenance, especially now that the model has been discontinued for the U.S. market.
Discontinued doesn’t mean unsafe
Shopping used: what Electrified G80 buyers should check
On the used market, your job is to make sure the specific Electrified G80 you’re considering still lives up to the crash-test data. That means verifying repairs, software, and condition, not just reading spec sheets.
Used Electrified G80 safety checklist
1. Confirm recall and software campaign status
Ask the seller for a printout or screenshot showing all recalls and service campaigns completed, especially ICCU/12‑volt and infotainment screen fixes. Cross‑check the VIN on the NHTSA site.
2. Inspect airbags, restraints & crash history
Run a vehicle history report to check for prior crashes. During inspection, look for deployed‑then‑repaired airbags, missing airbag covers, or warning lights on startup. Improperly repaired crash damage can undermine the original safety engineering.
3. Test ADAS functions on a real drive
On a test drive, gently verify that Forward Collision‑Avoidance Assist alerts appropriately, lane-keeping works as expected on marked roads, and blind‑spot warnings appear in both mirrors and the cluster. Overly intrusive or non‑functional behavior can indicate sensor, camera or calibration issues.
4. Check tires, brakes and alignment
High curb weight and strong torque mean the Electrified G80 leans heavily on its tires and brakes. Uneven wear, budget replacement tires, or pull under braking can compromise stopping distances and stability, both critical to real‑world safety.
5. Verify child-seat friendliness
If you’ll carry kids, physically test-fit your child seats. Check that ISOFIX/LATCH anchors are accessible and that rear head restraints and belt geometry work with your hardware. Lab scores are helpful, but your exact seat matters too.
6. Ask about charging behavior history
The ICCU/12‑volt issue manifests as repeated no‑start or power‑loss incidents. Ask the owner directly if they’ve experienced anything like that, and make sure repairs were documented and completed under recall where applicable.
How Recharged can help
FAQ: Genesis Electrified G80 safety & crash tests
Frequently asked questions
Bottom line: is the Genesis Electrified G80 a safe EV?
Taken as a whole, the Genesis Electrified G80’s safety story is very strong. Independent labs on both sides of the Atlantic have crash-tested it and come away impressed with its structural integrity, restraint design, and active safety performance. The combination of IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and Euro NCAP 5‑star ratings puts it among the safest large luxury EV sedans you can buy, new or used.
That said, ratings are just the starting point. On a used Electrified G80, you’ll want to verify recall completion, check for any past crash damage, make sure its ADAS sensors and software are up to date, and confirm that basic wear items like tires and brakes are in good shape. If the car passes those checks, you’re looking at a luxury EV whose real-world safety potential lives up to the lab data.
If you’d like a guided path through that process, Recharged is built for exactly this kind of decision. With battery health diagnostics, transparent pricing, trade‑in options, and EV‑savvy specialists, we aim to make it easier to find an Electrified G80, or any used EV, that’s not just comfortable and efficient, but genuinely safe for you and your passengers.
