Written by Tom Webster Updated: 3 February 2023

Overview

Some observers have questioned why Genesis launched with anything other than electric vehicles, so the Electrified version of the GV70 is arguably what one would have expected to see right from the start from the new entrant.

All Genesis is doing is producing something similar to the rivals, in concept at least, so buyers won’t be taking a total leap of faith. The BMW iX, Mercedes EQC and Audi E-Tron are all rivals in a similar financial ballpark.

Broadly the GV70 Electrified is an all-electric SUV with an official range of 283 miles, a battery that can be recharged from 10-80% in as little as 18 minutes and a hefty amount of performance ticks a lot of on-trend boxes after all. Don’t be fooled by the ‘electrified’ name – this is no plug-in hybrid, it is a pure EV.

There are some compelling reasons to go for the Electrified GV70 beyond just the range and toys on offer. Some of these features are, for example, designed to make you feel good, either while driving it or while talking to your fellow eco-minded electric SUV owners. This includes a Boost Button that gives more power for a limited time and a selection of eco-friendly and recycled materials throughout the cabin.

But are some nice bits of spec, attractive looks and some impressive stats enough to tempt buyers out of a more well-established brand?

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What’s it like inside?

The Electrified GV70 cabin is an impressive and high-quality place that does enough to mark itself out from the norm but not so much as to take risky and divisive steps in the process.

It’s logical, with controls that are well placed and easily worked out. The huge 14.0-inch screen up on the top of the dash, for example, is both a touch screen and one that can be controlled via the rotary dial that sits down on the central console. That there is a simple and separate section halfway down the dash for the climate control is a welcome feature too.

Very little is bespoke to the EV version, though, so plenty of this is standard GV70. The recycled materials that feature around the cabin are a nice touch. Sure, taking away a comparatively small bit of leather isn’t going to make a huge difference in the long run, and it is a shame that those who don’t like the idea of using animal products in a car can’t get a totally recycled cover, but it is a nice step in the right direction. The build quality feels fantastic, as do the materials that you will spend most of your time coming into contact with.

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The boot space is a mite smaller than the non-electric version of the GV70, but it is by a comparative trifle – at 503 litres with the seats in place it is only 37 litres smaller. Oddly it is fractionally larger when the seats are dropped, at 1,678 litres, up from 1,610 litres. In any case, it is an even shaped space with a nice flat entrance lip to allow easy loading of dogs and luggage alike.

The seats don’t go totally flat, but there is no real lip when they are dropped, and lowering them is done by a handily placed pair of levers either side of the boot. When said seats are raised, you can tilt the back slightly more vertically should you wish – this is also handy for getting access to the Isofix points, which are otherwise fairly buried in the firm cushions.

Comfort

Some of the extra touches in the electric GV70 include the easy access seating that moves both driver and passenger seat to a pre-set position to help you get in and out easier. These seats are excellently supportive and really comfortable.

If you hit the ‘Boost’ button on the steering wheel, which gives you a little more power and speed then there is also an entertaining but slightly odd feature that will adjust the driver’s seat as you are moving along. It lowers you down and moves the side bolsters in slightly – giving the impression of hunkering down and holding on. It’s amusing but a bit gimmicky too.

You can make some adjustment to the angles of the seats in the rear too, but you can only make them slightly more upright rather than recline them more.

Safety

The Genesis GV70 range enjoys a five-star safety score from Euro NCAP, with high ratings in the occupant and safety equipment categories. This score applies to the petrol version but should still be just the same for the electric version.

The safety kit is not overly intrusive, though, with the likes of the smart cruise control, lane following assist, driver attention warning and other such interactive features not employing the glaring audible and visual interactions that some systems do. The head-up display is equally clear and unintrusive.

What’s it like to drive?

There is a solitary option when it comes to the Electrified GV70’s powertrain. It is a 490hp dual-motor setup with a 77.4kWh battery that offers a 283 miles range and 0-62mph in as little as 4.2 seconds.

That massive amount of power and swift acceleration could be a burden without careful management in an EV, as the instant nature of the power delivery could result in you being thrown backwards when all you want to do is get onto the roundabout before that lorry makes it around.

Thankfully Genesis has modulated it somewhat, so that the vast majority of the time you don’t have full access to the motor’s potential. The full power output only comes when you hit the boost button on the bottom of the steering wheel. This is when you have the ability to be pinned back to your seat should you wish to – it’s tricky to do so inadvertently in normal driving.

Prod that button and it really will launch you forward at a pace, despite the GV70’s hefty bulk. This weight – it clocks in at 2,310kg – means that it will never feel really nimble, but it controls its size well and doesn’t feel unwieldy through corners.

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One result of this is a slightly firmer ride than is ideal, as the GV70 can feel a bit bumpy over poor road surfaces. Sticking with the standard-fit 19-inch wheels rather than the optional 20-inch alloys might help a tiny bit on this front, but not by enough to make a vast difference. This is all with active adaptive suspension with a system that is able to scan the road ahead and account for potholes and bumps. For the most part it is ok, but it can’t eradicate the impact of physics.

One element that makes the cabin even more refined is an option that comes as part of the Innovation Pack – a noise cancelling system that works in much the same way as a high-end pair of headphones by producing a sound frequency that cuts out ambient noise. It’s a shame it’s buried in one of the many submenus on the infotainment system, but once you have it turned on you’ll leave it activated.

It doesn’t make the cabin totally silent, but it does result in a very calm cruising atmosphere, particularly on the motorway.  

Ownership costs and maintenance

It’s undeniable that the Electrified GV70 is a pricy purchase, but with this you get a fair amount of equipment and other benefits. There is just the one trim, the Sport, so it comes well equipped but the benefits go beyond that. Genesis has partnered with Ionity to offer a free subscription for five years. This membership brings the price per kW down below what even standard Ionity members pay, according to Genesis.

You also get a Genesis wallbox and the other bonuses that the brand offers – the Care Plan that factors in all servicing costs, and the fact that the company will come and collect your car and leave you with a courtesy vehicle while yours is away.

Range and charging

The 283-mile range is about standard for this sort of electric SUV these days, which is impressive in many senses. Again, there are several supplementary elements that make this more impressive, though.

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The ultra-fast charging ability, for example, will take the battery from 10-80% in 18 minutes when charging at 240kW. There is also a vehicle-to-load feature with a socket in the boot for plugging in external devices – laptops or tools for example. Finally, the battery is able to pre-condition itself by raising the temperature in cold weather to optimise charging, or when you input a rapid charger as your destination in the satellite navigation.

What models and trims are available?

While there are three trims in the standard GV70’s range, there is only the Sport trim in the Electrified offering. This comes with the sort of kit you would expect from an SUV this expensive but with some you might hope for on top of that too.

Highlights include the widescreen infotainment display, the electronically controlled suspension with road preview system and a regenerative braking system that adjusts the levels depending on traffic and data from the nav.

Read on for the Parkers verdict.