Test Car Specifications
Model: 2025 Genesis GV70 Luxury 84kWh
Price: £62,180 as tested
Engine: Two 180kW electric motors
Battery: 84kWh lithium-ion
Transmission: single-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
Power: 490hp
Torque: 700Nm
Emissions: 0g/km
Range: 287 miles
0-62mph: 4.4 seconds
Top speed: 146mph
Boot space: 503 litres (plus 25-litre 'frunk')
Styling
At first, it doesn't look as though the GV70's styling has changed much. You still get the same basic body shape and the same 'can't believe it's not Bentley' grille, but the details are different. The headlights have been tweaked, for example, as have the bumpers, and that grille now has a heated charging door built into the diamond-shaped design, so it won't freeze up on cold nights. There are new paint colours and alloy wheel designs, too, but the differences are not what we might call dramatic.
Interior
In the cabin, though, the updated GV70 has changed a little more noticeably. There's a massive new 27-inch display that spans more than half the dashboard's width and combines instrumentation with the infotainment system, creating a clean and high-tech look. There's a new centre console, too, with an updated climate control panel that (thankfully) still incorporates some physical controls alongside the touch-sensitive ones.
Generally speaking, the GV70's technology is pretty good, with sharp displays and lots of functions, although some menus are more fiddly than we'd like. But we're fans of the rotary control on the centre console, which allows those familiar with the menus to navigate them more easily and take their eyes away from the road less often.
But the best thing about the GV70's cabin remains the class and quality in its construction. First-rate materials are tacked together beautifully, and the whole thing feels solid, upmarket and every bit as luxurious as its rivals. And for those who choose the range-topping model tested here, the noise cancellation technology makes it whisper quiet in there.
Practicality
Space in the GV70 is fairly plentiful, with ample space in the back for two adults to sit very comfortably, and lots of adjustment in the front seats. In short, it's easy for everyone to get comfortable, and there's plenty of storage in the cabin for odds and sods. There's also a pretty sizeable boot, which measures just over 500 litres, and a 25-litre storage area under the bonnet, offering somewhere to stow wet and mucky charge cables. It isn't the most practical car in its class, and petrol-powered, pre-facelift versions of the Genesis have more space, but the electric GV70 is still a pretty roomy thing.
Performance
No matter which GV70 you choose, you’ll get the same 84kWh battery pack and twin-motor motor layout, which makes the car enormously powerful, even in entry level form. With two 180kW motors – one on each axle – the GV70 produces a massive 490hp, which takes it from 0-62mph in 4.4 seconds. That’s faster than a Porsche 911 Carrera T Cabriolet.
The turn of pace is, frankly, unnecessary. There’s no need to go that quickly, but the Boost button on the steering wheel, which unlocks the maximum performance, is a neat party trick for surprising unsuspecting passengers.
Unfortunately, that performance means the range isn’t all that spectacular. Official figures suggest the GV70 tested will do 287 miles on a charge, but we found about 250 miles to be a more reasonable figure. And on the motorway, it’ll do around 220 or 230 miles. But that’s on a par with many of its rivals, and it’s a very useable range for most customers to be getting on with.
And when the battery does run flat, the GV70 can charge quickly. The 800-volt electrics allow it to charge at speeds of up to 240kW, assuming you can find a charger powerful enough. But if you can do that, the battery can fill from 10 to 80 per cent in as little as 19 minutes. And using a domestic ‘wallbox’ home charging point, you should be able to fill the battery completely overnight.
Ride & Handling
The GV70 has the misfortune of being up against some cars that handle brilliantly. The iX3, for example, is a great car to drive, and the EQC is also a lovely thing to drive, but the Genesis is competitive, if not a class-leader. The car handles tidily, with precise steering that lacks feel, but doesn't feel completely disconnected, and suspension that does a grand job of keeping that body from rolling too much in corners. It's stable and sophisticated, without being exceptionally good fun to drive.
All that does mean there's a little firmness to the low-speed ride, but that's common among electric SUVs, and the GV70 is perfectly comfortable on the motorway. It's quite Volvo-ish in that regard. And with a refined cabin that's this plush and luxurious, thanks in part to active noise cancelling technology offered on top-of-the-range examples, it's a very relaxing car in which to cover long distances.
Value
The new, all-electric GV70 range starts at £65,915, which is quite a lot of money, but even the basic Pure version gets plenty of kit. Nineteen-inch alloy wheels, a heated steering wheel and heated seats are all standard, along with three-zone climate control, the widescreen instrument and touchscreen display, and the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration technology.
Step up to the mid-range Dynamic model, and the price rises to £70,715, but that pays for larger alloy wheels, a head-up display and a 360-degree manoeuvring camera. But the range is crowned by the Luxury model tested here, which costs almost £75,000 and gets a panoramic roof, a Bang & Olufsen sound system and ventilated front seats, as well as the active noise cancelling technology. Nevertheless, the Genesis is no cheaper than the BMW iX3, although the BMW is less powerful and does not come with all-wheel-drive propulsion.
Verdict
Just as before, the GV70 is a really appealing alternative to the conventional premium brands' electric SUVs, and while it might not beat them on paper, it's entirely competitive on the road. It's the sort of car that would fly out of showrooms with a Mercedes-Benz badge on the front, but looks destined to remain a niche choice, which is a crying shame for Genesis. The brand's cars deserve much more attention than they're getting.
