Genesis Electrified GV70 review: left-field luxury

April 5, 2024 Matt Allan

Does this young Korean brand’s electric SUV have what it takes to challenge the might of Audi, BMW and Mercedes?

arrived in the UK with great fanfare in 2021, promising to take the fight to premium brands like Audi, BMW and Mercedes.

It launched seven models in quick succession and made all the right sounds about looking to steal customers.

Since then, it appears to have scaled back its ambition somewhat but it’s not through lack of decent products. And with the Electrified GV70 it’s still looking to challenge the likes of the BMW iX3, Jaguar I-Pace and Mercedes-Benz EQC, plus the inbound Audi Q6 e-tron.

Design, interior and technology

The GV70 exists in a market where big and bold front ends are an absolute must. And Genesis hasn’t shied away from that with the massive ‘crest’ grille and distinctive split headlights. It’s a striking look and one that won’t leave you mistaking the GV70 for an Audi or BMW. But it’s not so over-the-top that it’ll scare buyers or other road users. Cleverly, for the electric version, Genesis has integrated the charge port almost imperceptibly into the pattern of the grille.

Behind the massive grille and slimline lights, the GV70 is a fairly traditional SUV shape with soft simple lines and none of the coupe-SUV pretensions of some premium models. The two lines of the headlights are traced in creases that run the length of the car to the split-level tail lights and the GV70 looks distinctive but not fussy in the way of some rivals.

The interior echoes the lines of the exterior, with soft curves in place of the sharp lines of Audi or BMW, and a look and feel unlike any rivals. The dashboard and doors flow into each other to cocoon passengers in swathes of soft-touch plastics and leather, and instruments and control panels follow a similar theme. Every touchpoint is finished in high-quality materials and the build quality is impeccable. Thankfully, Genesis has kept physical controls for climate and drive mode functions and there’s an i-Drive-style rotary controller for the 14.5-inch central touchscreen.

That screen houses a wealth of connected services, including smart EV routing and calendar integration, as well as accepting Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connections. It also features an augmented-reality overlay for navigation instructions and there’s a clever blind spot warning system that projects the image from rear-facing cameras onto the instrument panel when the indicators are activated. Among other smart technological features are active noise cancellation, a fingerprint reader for personalised driver profiles and a phone-based digital key system.

Genesis says the GV70 prioritises space and comfort for all passengers. While it’s a bit of a squeeze for five, there’s more than enough room for four adults to travel long distances in supreme comfort, with the option of reclining heated rear seats and 18-way adjustable ventilated pews in the front.

Battery, motor and performance

There are no complicated battery and motor combinations to worry about with the Electrified GV70, just a single offering that’s shared with the GV60.

It’s a twin-motor arrangement offering all-wheel-drive and a total output of 483bhp and 516lb ft. That means this sensible looking 2.3-tonne SUV will crack 62mph in just 4.2 seconds.

To achieve that you’ll need to be in sport mode, which delivers a surprisingly different driving experience to the more relaxed comfort and eco settings. It doesn’t turn the GV70 into a wild tail-happy monster like the Ford Mustang Mach-e GT. But it does add a more purposeful feeling to things, from the added thrust of acceleration to a far sharper steering feel. This, paired with a stiffening of the camera-assisted adaptive air suspension, allows the GV70 to switch from a soft motorway cruiser to a surprisingly rapid and capable cross-country performer.

Dialled back to the comfort mode and the GV70 delivers a smooth, near-silent driving experience entirely in keeping with its premium positioning. Switching to this calmer mode or the even less aggressive eco setting will help you get the most out of the battery.

The GV70 uses a 77kWh battery that is common across the Hyundai/Kia/Genesis family and which Genesis says will offer up to 283 miles of range. I was lucky enough to spend close to 1,000 miles at the wheel of the Electrified GV70 and while it didn’t reach the claimed maximum range, I did see close to 240 miles between charges, with efficiency of 3.2m/kWh. My travels took me on plenty of motorways, where the GV70’s 800V architecture meant I could take advantage of 350kW charging on the Ionity network, adding 40 miles of range in just six minutes.

Price and specification

The Electrified GV70 is priced from £65,105 and comes pretty well equipped as standard. Every car comes with 19-inch alloys, double-glazing, auto-dipping LED lights, a powered tailgate and high-end suite of driver assistance features. Inside there’s leather upholstery, heating for the electrically adjustable front seats and dual-zone air conditioning, plus the 14.5-inch main screen and eight-inch digital instruments.

However, there are options packs which step up the luxury with touches such as cooling and massaging seats, quilted Nappa leather, semi-automated driving assistance that will change lanes for you, a head-up display, three-zone climate control and panoramic sunroof. Add them all on and you will want for virtually nothing but you will pay close to £80,000.

It’s a lot of cash but this is a truly premium option and alternatives from the more established brands will set you back just as much. The Genesis also comes with a comprehensive five-year care package that includes warranty, annual service, roadside assistance and a courtesy car, as well as arranging to collect and deliver the car at a time and location that suits you.

Verdict

While the smaller GV60 is Genesis’s first pure-EV model, the Electrified GV70 makes a solid case for being the brand’s best all-round model. All versions of the GV70 are beautifully designed and built but the electrified model brings new levels of performance and refinement along with decent range and impressive charging ability.