Test Car Specifications
Model: 2023 Genesis Electrified GV70 Sport
Price: From £64,405 (£78,090 as tested)
Motor: two 180kW electric motors
Battery: 77.4kWh lithium-ion
Transmission: single-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
Power: 490hp
Torque: 700Nm
Emissions: 0g/km
Range: 283 miles
0-62mph: 4.2 seconds
Top speed: 146mph
Boot space: 503 litres (plus 25-litre frunk)
Styling
From the outside, the Electrified GV70 looks much the same as the standard car. The big difference is the crest grille, which has been blanked off and adapted to hide the front-mounted charge socket. Only if you look closely will you spot the diamond-shaped flap, which not only allows the battery to take on charge at up to 240kW, but also has a vehicle-to-load (V2L) function that allows customers to plug in conventional appliances such as laptops and even coffee machines.
Interior
As with the exterior, the Electrified GV70's cabin is much the same as that of the petrol- and diesel-powered versions, and that's no bad thing at all. It has the same strong touchscreen infotainment system and crystal clear digital instrument display, as well as the same high-tech heater control panel that neatly merges physical and touch-sensitive controls. More to the point, it has the same sense of immense quality and style that makes this such a convincing alternative to SUVs from Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. The materials are fantastic, and the way in which they have been fastened together is superb.
Practicality
Because so little has changed, the Electrified GV70 is every bit as practical as its more conventionally powered siblings, with ample space for four. Those in the back will have plenty of leg- and headroom, even if they're over six feet tall, while those in the front have an even more opulent experience. But the electric GV70 does have a slightly smaller boot than its siblings. That's down to the motor and battery tech, but as the system only impinges below the false floor, most customers won't notice the difference. And anyway, a space of more than 500 litres is perfectly competitive for cars in this class and more than spacious enough for buyers' needs.
Performance
Under the skin, the Electrified GV70 has two electric motors producing a total of 490hp, so it doesn't half shift. With 'Boost' mode engaged, full power is accessible for 10 seconds at a time, but it needs less than half that time to get from a standstill to 62mph. Drive more calmly and official figures show the electric GV70 will manage more than 280 miles on a single charge, but we'd only expect to cover around 200 miles in one motorway slog. Compared with other cars in the class, that isn't massively impressive, but nor is it especially underwhelming. It's more or less par for the course, and it may even improve as Genesis' technology improves and the car's systems are updated.
Ride & Handling
The petrol- and diesel-powered versions of the GV70 have already shown their mettle in this regard, leaving them second only to the Porsche Macan and BMW X3 in terms of dynamic capability. The electric version carries on in much the same vein, despite the extra weight of the battery pack. Low-speed ride suffers slightly, but it manages to round off most of the bumps in quite a mature way, striking a pleasant balance between comfort and agility, particularly on the motorway.
And it's certainly agile. The weight shows slightly in corners and the steering is a bit numb, but the Electrified GV70 doesn't lean too much in bends and grip is enormous, so it's quite good fun on a winding back road. More impressive than any of that, however, is the refinement. Admittedly, our test car came with the premium sound system that has noise-cancelling tech to reduce road and motor noise, but the quietness is uncanny. There's a bit of wind noise, and you can still hear lots of external noises (that's a safety feature, apparently) but noise from the car itself is almost non-existent.
Value
Just one version of the Electrified GV70 is available, and it costs almost £65,000. That's about £4,000 more than the BMW iX3, but around £8,000 cheaper than the Mercedes-Benz EQC. And you get plenty of equipment as standard, including touchscreen navigation, leather upholstery and 19-inch alloy wheels, as well as a reversing camera, two-zone climate control and LED headlights. Optional extras allow customers to add goodies including more upmarket upholstery and a head-up display, as well as a massive panoramic sunroof.
Verdict
The Electrified GV70 is a solid alternative to more established brands' offerings, but it needn't be seen as a standalone model. The range might not be all that impressive, but when you can have an internal combustion-powered example instead, that isn't such an issue. And whether you choose a fossil-fuelled or electric GV70, you're still getting a hugely competent car. It will undoubtedly remain left-field compared with a BMW X3, but it's a deserving rival and alternative.
