2023 Genesis Electrified GV70 Review: Battery-Powered Beauty

Genesis brings the fight to BMW and Cadillac with its own crossover EV, and it does so successfully.

Verdict

9.2 / 10

Design | Comfort | Tech | Performance | Safety | Fuel Economy | Pricing | FAQs

– Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

The Genesis GV70 is a stellar SUV. It’s stylish and comfortable, with a pinch of athleticism thrown in for good measure. But up until this year, it was only available with the choice of two gas engines.

Enter the Electrified GV70, the first fully electric version of Genesis’ compact luxury SUV. Although it uses the same platform as its ICE siblings, as opposed to the GV60’s dedicated EV base, it doesn’t feel like a cut-and-paste job. The Electrified GV70 takes everything great about the gas model and adds battery power.

It’s not perfect, though. The Electrified GV70 only has 236 miles of range, which puts it on the lower side for the segment. And that added heft from the battery pack does have a minor effect on the drive experience and the ride quality, but only slightly.

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Gallery: 2023 Genesis Electrified GV70 Review

Design

9/10

• Exterior Color: Savile Silver 
• Interior Color: Glacier White
• Wheel Size: 20 Inches

The visual differences between Electrified GV70 and the gas model are very minor. The EV has a closed-off grille and unique 20-inch wheels, and that’s about it. But the GV70 didn’t need much of a makeover anyways; it’s already one of the best-looking SUVs in the class.

The same can be said of the interior – it’s just as lovely here as it is on the gas model. Glacier White Nappa leather covers the cabin as standard on this Prestige model, joined by weighty aluminum accents and three high-quality screens. It all looks very premium.

Comfort

8/10

• Seating Capacity: 5 
• Seating Configuration: 2 / 3
• Cargo Capacity: 28.7 / 56.4 Cubic Feet

I won’t go so far as to say the Electrified GV70 is uncomfortable, it isn’t. But the added weight from slapping batteries onto an ICE platform makes it feel less cushy than the gas GV70. It can be unsettled, sometimes bouncing too firmly over pavement or not quite feeling centered on the highway.

But that’s my only complaint. The Electrified GV70 still has a lovely cabin with a perfectly shaped 14-way power-adjustable driver’s seat finished in the finest Nappa leather. The passenger seats are excellent, as well, and rear passengers have access to that same supple leather and heating, as well as above-average space (not considering three-rows like the Rivian R1S and Tesla Model X).

Technology & Connectivity

6/10

• Center Display: 14.5-Inch Touchscreen 
• Instrument Cluster Display: 12.3 Inches
• Wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto: No

The biggest bummer is that Genesis still doesn’t offer wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. You have to plug in. The 14.5-inch touchscreen is lovely otherwise and has crisp graphics with a seamless home layout. It is a touchscreen, but the rotary dial in the center console makes it easier to manage while driving.

The fully digital instrument cluster does require moving up to the Prestige model, but it’s worth it. The 12.3-inch screen looks beautiful, is highly configurable, and has a unique 3D effect that sort of works if you squint hard enough. The base model uses two analog gauge clusters and a smallish 8.0-inch productivity screen instead.

Performance & Handling

5/10

• Motor: Dual Permanent-Magnet Synchronous
• Output: 439 Horsepower / 516 Pound-Feet
• Transmission: Single-Speed Automatic

A performance EV the Electrified GV70 is not; acceleration is its only interesting characteristic. The 429 horsepower and 519 pound-feet are just enough to move the GV70 with decent fervor. Pressing the big “BOOST” button at the base of the steering wheel launches the EV into an all-out sprint, yielding a 60 time of just 4.2 seconds. That makes this the quickest GV70 by a good margin.

Beyond that though, the added weight from the battery – 5,038 pounds at its heaviest – is pretty obvious when you flick this SUV hard into a corner. The GV70 Electrified is happiest in a straight line.

Safety

9/10

• Driver Assistance Level: SAE Level 2 (Hands-On) 
• NHTSA Rating: Not Tested
• IIHS Rating: Top Safety Pick Plus 

The only thing Genesis doesn’t offer (yet) is hands-free driving. Otherwise, its Highway Driving Assist active safety system is one of the best. It combines adaptive cruise control with throttle and braking inputs with automatic lane-centering for a totally seamless highway driving experience. You still have to keep your hands on, but just barely; the Electrified GV70 will cruise comfortably for miles with minimal driver interference.

Fuel Economy

7/10

• Efficiency: 98 / 83 / 91 MPGe
• EV Range: 236 Miles 

Pricing

9/10

• Base Price: $65,850 + $1,125
• Trim Base Price: $73,775
• As-Tested Price: $74,730

The Electrified GV70 is an excellent value for the segment. It starts at $66,975 with the $1,125 destination fee included and doesn’t have many options that might hike the price from there. Only the Cadillac Lyriq is more affordable at $58,590 out of the box.

The Prestige trim has most of the best stuff, like Nappa leather, the 3D instrument cluster, and a heated second row. It’s an extra $6,800 on top of the base model, which brings the as-tested price of this car to $74,350. But the GV70 Electrified feels like a relatively good deal even at that cost.

What the Electrified GV70 lacks in performance it makes up for in price, comfort, and style. It’s a beautiful SUV with a sumptuous cabin and a stellar ride – all for under $70,000. Hard to beat.

Competitor Reviews:

• Audi Q8 E-Tron: 9.6 / 10
• BMW iX: 9.3 / 10
• Cadillac Lyriq: Not Rated
• Jaguar I-Pace: 8.7 / 10
• Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV: Not Raed
• Rivian R1S: Not Rated
• Tesla Model X: Not Rated

FAQs

How Much Does The GV70 Electric Cost?

The Electrified GV70 starts at $66,975 with the $1,125 destination fee included.

What Is The Range Of The GV70 Electric?

The Genesis Electrified GV70 achieves 236 miles of range on a single charge, with a 250-kilowatt DC fast charging rate.

What Are The Cons Of The Genesis GV70 Electric?

The two biggest cons of the Electrified GV70 are range and performance. Its 236 miles of range are below average for the class, and while it is quick, the electric GV70 doesn’t handle corners well, relatively speaking.

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