Driven: 2023 Genesis GV70 Electrified
crossovers | electric | evs | genesis | reviews
Like its gas-powered brother, the Genesis GV70 Electrified is a fantastic-looking crossover that drives like a dream. The battery-electric version is even quicker, zooming from 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and handling just as well. In its top-of-the-line Prestige grade, its plush and quiet interior keeps pace with the finest luxury vehicles.
From all angles, the GV70 Electrified is sleek, sophisticated, and substantial. It has smooth, aerodynamic curves, a large shield-shaped grille with a hidden charging door, and dual-blade LED headlights, which are mirrored by the taillights. It rolls on eye-catching gunmetal 20" alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Primacy Tour all-season tires. Measuring 185.2" long and 64.2" high, it's got a long and lean look that's taller than a car but shorter than an SUV.
Its all-wheel drivetrain is powered by a pair of 160kW electric motors, which put down power with the instantaneous feedback we've come to appreciate from modern EVs. In total, they produce 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft. of torque. Push the "Boost" button on the steering wheel for extra passing power, and you'll enjoy a burst of maximum torque for up to 10 seconds. Eco, Comfort, Sport, Snow, and personal drive modes adjust the steering weight, acceleration, and suspension to your liking. Paddle shifters let you control the amount of regenerative braking.
Overall, ride quality is exceptional. The GV70 Electrified's long wheelbase and low center of gravity help keep it sure-footed and predictable in a straight line or curves. The electric power steering feels direct and connected to the road, while the adaptive suspension deftly adjusts between comfort and ride dynamics. It works with a front-facing camera to detect road conditions ahead and adjust ride stiffness in milliseconds.
A 77.4 kWh battery pack provides an EPA-estimated 238 miles of driving range. Outdoor temperatures during the week of our test ranged from 25ºF to 40ºF, which cut into that range by about 20 miles. Fortunately, this crossover rides on Hyundai's 800-volt E-GMP architecture, which supports DC fast charging at up to 350 kW. That means in ideal conditions, it can charge from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes. Since it was quite cold, our charging topped out at about 96 kW at an Electrify America DC charger. In warmer conditions, you can expect better performance. Using a level-2 AC charger in your garage, the battery takes just over 7 hours to go from 10% to full capacity.
Inside, you're enveloped in quiet, comfort, and splendor. The cabin is extremely well insulated from road noise and vibrations, thanks partly to active noise cancelation technology. Beyond the excellent Lexicon audio system, the only sounds you'll hear are the EV's personalized acceleration sounds, which include a futuristic whirr, an engine-like rumble, and the natural sound of its motors. It's fun to play with the different sounds but we preferred to drive with no sound enhancement.
Every GV70 Electrified has body-hugging front seats with heat, ventilation, and Ergo Motion massage for the driver's seat. The Prestige trim trades regular leather for elegant Nappa leather seats with quilted backs. There's real aluminum trim on the doors, dashboard, center console, and even under the headrests. Hard plastics have been all but banished from the dashboard, with only the smallest amount necessary to protect screens. Overhead surfaces are covered with microsuede, and there's also a panoramic sunroof.
The available 12.3" digital instrument panel is crisp and easy to read and has a 3D depth effect that needs to be seen in person to truly appreciate it. A 14.5" widescreen multimedia display sits high up on the dashboard, keeping your eyes on the road, as well as a head-up display that can show things like current speed, speed limit, driving assistance, and navigation information. The Highway Driving Assist II system does a great job of keeping your vehicle centered in the lane and maintaining speed and distance on road trips. It's not a hands-free system but requires little input to stay active. The cruise control can also detect upcoming curves and adjust speeds automatically so you're not going too fast when cornering. Safety tech includes a driver attention warning system, blind-spot cameras, a surround-view parking camera with sensors, and various collision avoidance features.
At night, you'll be treated to ambient lighting with customizable colors. This lighting can be seen across the dashboard, on the doors, and around the center console. It's a great way to show off the details on the crystal patterned gearshift knob too. The center console also has a convenient wireless charger hidden under a door. Unfortunately, the standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto features require a USB connection.
The rear seating area has the same luxurious materials as the front, with independent climate controls, heated outboard seats, rear door shades, and dual USB charging ports. Headroom is good back here, but kneeroom is a little tight for taller passengers if you have tall front-seat passengers. There's plenty of room for kids or shorter adults, and the lack of a transmission tunnel means more foot space for a center-seat passenger. The rear seats can also recline for extra comfort, and there's a rear occupant alert feature so you don't accidentally lock your kid in the car.
Cargo space is quite good, with 56.5 cubic feet behind the front seats and 28.7 cubic feet behind the second row. The bump-outs behind the wheel wells provide ample space for golf bags, and there's a hidden storage compartment under the cargo floor for storing tools, manuals, and a cargo net. The power liftgate has a nifty feature that automatically opens after a few seconds if you stand behind it with the keyfob in your pocket. This really comes in handy if your hands are full of packages.
While some EVs have a large front storage area (aka "frunk"), the GV70 Electrified has many system components under the hood. Its frunk is limited to a few shallow trays, best used for toting a 110-volt charging cable, a tire inflator, and first aid gear. It's not a lot of space, but it does help keep your rear cargo area and glovebox decluttered.
Genesis continues to spoil us with its entire lineup. The GV70 Electrified is another outstanding vehicle with appealing aesthetics, excellent driving dynamics, tons of technology, and great performance. If we've got any quibble, it's the driving range. With 238 miles of range in ideal conditions, it's not ideal for long trips. But if you're staying relatively close to home, it's phenomenal. For more driving range, we'd recommend looking at the conventionally fueled GV70, which we also love. The base price for the GV70 Electrified is $65,850. The Prestige grade tested here had a sticker price of $74,350, including freight and handling fees. Like other Genesis vehicles, it comes with an industry-leading 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile vehicle limited warranty, and 3-year/36,000-mile complimentary maintenance and service valet.
