Extended test: Genesis Electrified GV70 2024 review
Six months with the posh pure-electric SUV
Genesis Electrified GV70 specifications
- Model Electrified GV70 Sport
- OTR Price: £64,300
- Price as tested (with options): £77,825
- Colour: Mauna Red
- Cost options fitted: Exterior colour, Mauna Red (metallic) £750; Innovation Pack £3,620; Comfort Seat Pack £1,660; Lexicon Audio System £1,010; Nappa Leather Seat Pack £2,350; Outdoor Pack £900; Convenience Pack & 2nd Row Comfort Seat Pack £1,800; Alloy wheels 20in £620
- Transmission: Single speed (automatic); dual motor all-wheel drive (160kW front / 160kW rear) with e-Terrain mode included
- Power output: 429bhp or up to 483bhp in boost mode
- Torque: 526 lb ft (770Nm)
- Weight (DIN/EU) 2,310kg / 2,385kg
- Luggage capacity (seats up /down) 503 litres / 1,678 litres
- Battery capacity: 77.4 kWh
- Range: 283 miles (WLTP combined)
- Top speed: 146mph
- 0-62mph: 4.2 seconds
- VED (road tax): Nothing until April 2025, then standard rate
- BIK tax payable (2023/24): 2%
- Insurance Group: 50
Test details
Test period July 2024 — Jan 2025
Starting mileage 1,406 miles
Updates
- September 30, 2024 Introducing the Genesis GV70
September 30, 2024: Introducing the Genesis GV70
As the new government ponders its vision to wean the UK off combustion engines and encourage electric adoption, the arrival outside my house of the Genesis Electrified GV70 Sport came with no small amount of trepidation. I’ve tried out pure-electric cars before, but not had one on test for a full six months. I’ve found that hybrids and plug-in hybrids suit my lifestyle but now I’ll be without that petrol safety net proper.
Rolling on to my drive in its mauna red colouring (a bespoke Genesis pantone) I was immediately drawn to its athletic appearance, with its eye-catching 20in alloy wheels, roof spoiler, quad headlights and sloping roof line. It certainly has the sporty coupe-SUV accoutrements and it draws favourable comparisons in terms of shape and rear styling with the Porsche Macan that belongs to a friend.
The Genesis brand still hasn’t cut through to the mainstream and I’ll be honest, my experience of the brand is limited. So I was curious to discover more and look beyond many people’s description of it as the premium arm of Hyundai — what Lexus is to Toyota, if you like.
But Genesis wants us to think of it as a carmaker all unto its own, as demonstrated by the creation of showrooms in unique locations. There’s one in the new Battersea Power Station retail development in South West London, which I noticed on a recent shopping expedition.
Looking at the GV70 model (of which there are petrol and diesel versions, as well as this EV model) in terms of the competition, I’m torn in two different directions. In terms of size, price and specification, there’s the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes GLC; a trio with extremely loyal customer bases and Genesis has a challenge on its hands to tempt them to potentially switch.
But then if you think about the Electrified GV70, a new list of rivals can be redrawn: the German giants have their Audi Q6 e-trons, BMW iX3s and Mercedes EQCs, but they’re joined by the likes of the Tesla Model Y and Lexus RZ. Plenty to consider and a lot of homework required to trim prospective shortlists if you’re shopping in this space. In terms of price that Tesla looks attractive, starting at under 45 grand versus the Genesis’ circa £65k-plus asking price. But who wants a Tesla these days, while Elon is in charge?
And Genesis has gone all out on quality, and with our test car has been generous with the options, providing a triple set of optional packs, namely Comfort Seat (£1,660), Innovation (£3,620) and Convenience (£1,800). These certainly add to the price tag but clearly signpost that this car sits firmly in the luxury category.
I’ve also been invited along to the Genesis X Dog concept event, which suggests that it’s not just Genesis’s human customers who need to be catered for. More to follow, but Jessie (my 5-year-old Cavapoo) will be excited to assist me on testing duties.
I’ve had the car for a month now and I’m loving the super quiet and smooth electric drive, providing for a very pleasant glide-type experience with evidence that rapid acceleration is there in spades. There is also a tempting boost button located on the steering wheel, which works like a go-faster button and accesses the GV70’s full 483bhp for 10 seconds. That will be one to experiment with in the future.
The handling has been easy to adapt to, making a relatively large and heavy car feel easy to manoeuvre around tight local corners as well as bigger intersections. There is also a ton of technology embedded into both the 14.5in touchscreen and the driver’s dials, with many safety features to the fore. I’ll have a good play with these in future chapters and report back on how this tech performs.
- Mileage this month 597 miles
- Average economy 3.1 miles per kWh
Have a question for Tina? Ask in the comments section below.
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