We like
Super-sports performance, quick recharge function, tech rich, mostly rear wheel drive, luxury accoutrements, silent operation, controlled ride, imposing looks, colour palette

Room for improvement
Difficult (impossible) to achieve range claim, intrusive ADAS functions, expensive (nearly twice as much as base GV70), usual EV recharge paranoia

Overview

IT HAS been a while since we drove the medium-size Genesis GV70 Electrified SUV; but the qualities it affords an owner has seen a few sales of the now five-star ANCAP rated, $127,800 plus on-road costs, electric range-topper materialise… even if it remains something of a rarity on our roads.

 

Chinese-sourced competition comes from the likes of Tesla’s Model Y AWD starting from $82,300 and the Polestar3 from $132,900 along with the desirable Japan-made Lexus RZ450e from $123,000, all plus on roads. Mercedes-Benz has EQB and EQC electric offerings from $88,579 and $128,000 respectively both plus ORC.

 

The powerful GV70 Electrified features a tonne of high-tech kit including clever stuff like the power saving, automatically decoupling front axle for cruising, an e-Terrain mode to optimise off-road driving capabilities and Road Preview Adaptive Electronic Control Suspension that pre-emptively adjusts according to information collected about the road ahead by a camera in the windscreen.

 

A tempting Boost button on the steering wheel delivers an instantaneous 40kW injection (for 10 seconds), but the essence of the GV70 Electrified is the luxury inside – and more importantly, how it looks and goes. In that regard, it’s no wimp thanks to the imposing Bentley-esque styling and the twin 180kW electric traction motors on the front and rear axles.

 

Not built on the Hyundai Group E-GMP dedicated EV platform, the GV70 Electrified is instead on an adapted ICE chassis with the only downside a slight reduction of interior space for the battery underneath.

 

The GV70 Electrified is a porker at 2300kg, though Genesis has been able to engineer around that to deliver capable dynamics and a light, tactile overall drive feel with super brakes.

 

With 360kW and 700Nm on tap providing a 0-100km/h sprint as quick as 4.2 seconds, the model is up there in the performance department with vehicles sporting RS, M and AMG badges; but is not as hard edged as those models, erring more on the side of rapid refined comfort rather than a raw track focus.

 

Having said that, the chunky-looking Genesis does have responsive variable gearing to the steering along with huge brakes behind alloys with soft compound 20-inch Michelin tyres. Multiple drive modes are available as is one-pedal driving via the regenerative braking system that is capable of bringing the vehicle to a complete stop simply by lifting off the throttle.

 

The model has an adaptive 400- to 800-volt charging system allowing the 77.4kWh battery to be recharged from 10 to 80 per cent in as little as 18 minutes using a 350kW appliance. A V2L external power function is provided. Thankfully the charge port is on the front nearly in the middle that simplifies recharging and is way better than a right or left rear charge port.

 

And the grille looks similar to other GV models despite being closed-in giving the GV70 Electrified a handsome face unlike some kooky looking fronts on other EV brands.

 

As you would expect, the top of the range GV70 Electrified is chockers with luxury kit including quilted Nappa leather upholstery in various hues on the seats and touch surfaces, interspersed with brushed stainless steel fascia and large digital displays that span the dash in front of the driver and across almost to the front passenger’s space.

 

Satisfying tones are delivered from a 14-speaker, 1050W Lexicon by Harman premium audio system while three-zone climate control with an efficiency optimised heat pump conditions the air.

 

Electric adjustment is provided for both front seats that also feature massage and ventilation functions while the steering wheel and both seat rows are heated, as are the exterior mirrors.

 

Standard kit includes a panoramic sunroof, electrically adjustable steering wheel, roof rails, full LED lighting and acoustic laminated glass to accentuate the interior’s quiet ambience. A large 14.5-inch touch screen controls comprehensive infotainment functions including hard wired sat-nav and the vehicle has a full suite of safety features from the Hyundai/Genesis inventory.

 

Driving Impressions

 

With this much poke under your right foot the GV70 Electrified delivers stunning acceleration straight off the mark and despite its luxury focus would put a smile on the face of any enthusiastic driver.

 

The light cream leather upholstery, attractive metal fascia with selectable back lighting, mega audio, electric assistance to nearly everything, finely adjustable triple climate control and even the smell of it scream ‘cossetted luxury’ but the GV70 Electrified absolutely rips when you want it to.

 

Activating the Boost button at the bottom of the steering wheel takes an already potent beast to another tyre squirming level as the full 360kW and 700Nm is unleashed on those big, fat Michelins. The vehicle senses this and squeezes you in the seat through active seat side bolsters and the dynamics tighten in response to the position of the right foot or predetermined drive mode.

 

The sensation is intoxicating as it all happens with only a muted turbine whirr from the electric motors and not much else apart from slight wind around the mirrors.

 

Lift off and the one pedal driving function wipes off speed like brake application. However, if you are really going in hot, the large steel brakes are up to the job of slowing this heavy, powerful projectile.

 

All this is aided by the sharp steering that provides a surprisingly tight turning circle.

 

But the limits of physics cannot be exceeded and they are clearly defined in the GV70 Electrified which is reigned in electronically if the driver oversteps the mark.

 

Used as an everyday transport box, the luxurious and silent GV70 Electrified is difficult to fault especially with all that technology taking away mundane driving tasks like looking in your mirrors when reversing, monitoring your speed, or concentrating on staying in your lane.

 

The interior is roomy and comfortable providing seating for all five occupants with a large load space down the back. Electric assistance to numerous systems is appreciated while a neat touch is side windows that automatically close upon entering a tunnel or if you forget to close them when parking.

 

In terms of actual driving range we could not elicit any more than the high 300km as opposed to Genesis’ claim of 445km and who’s going to test it… The one pedal driving function is useful and actually changes driving styles allowing you to simply modulate the throttle for all but heavy braking situations.

 

The Glacier White Nappa leather interior of the test car was stunning but impractical and the matte pink metallic duco created a sensation in many circles. It is a calm drive wafting along in near silence with supple suspension absorbing rough roads and sufficient power under the right foot to stay out of harm’s way and in front of most other road users.

 

Easy to park, quick and easy to recharge, good to look at, the GV70 Electrified provides a worthy alternative to Euro-sourced alternatives and is sweetened by the included five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, eight-year/160,000km high-voltage battery warranty, five years of complimentary servicing with valet service, 10 years of 24/7 roadside assistance and navigation map updates, plus a choice of five-year Chargefox subscription or supply and installation of a home AC charger. Phwoah.

 

Hopefully recharge infrastructure will improve soon making a vehicle such as this a more attractive proposition.