2023 Genesis GV70 Electric Expert Review
Reviewed by Alex Leanse
The name says it all: The Genesis GV70 Electric is an all-electric version of the GV70 luxury compact SUV. Referred to by Genesis as the Electrified GV70, this SUV provides the styling and comforts of the standard GV70 without any of the tailpipe emissions. Following the GV70's introduction for 2022, the Electrified GV70 is a new addition to Genesis' lineup for 2023. Built in Montgomery, Alabama, it will initially be offered at dealerships in California, Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York.
What We Think
We like how electric cars drive. We like how the Genesis GV70 drives. Therefore, it makes sense that we really like how the GV70 Electric drives. Given its close resemblance to our 2022 SUV of the Year winner, the GV70 Electric provides a similarly luxurious experience to its gas equivalent—along with all the attributes we love about EVs.
That means instant-on power that makes the GV70 Electric quicker and more exciting than the already quick and exciting GV70. The GV70 Electric's numerous regenerative braking modes ease daily motoring while making the brake pedal nearly obsolete. All the while, the GV70 Electric wraps its occupants in all the style and luxuries found in the gas model, ensuring excellent comfort and a host of useful technology features. Thankfully, it only gives up less than a cubic foot each of passenger and cargo space.
The cabin is near identical to that of the lovely standard SUV, and none of the gas-powered GV70s outstanding driving dynamics have been lost. The brake pedal feels a bit artificial, but easy to control. This is by far the most engaging driving experience in the compact luxury SUV space. Ride quality is excellent, too. And of course, in addition to quieter operating, the electric powertrain contributes immediate response and more performance than the Genesis twin-turbo V-6.
Our few complaints include the electric GV70's disappointing 236-mile range, though that blow is softened by the EV's fast charge speeds. Also, the Genesis driver assist features aren't as advanced as those available in GM and Tesla vehicles. These are notable flaws, but don't stop us from wholeheartedly recommending the GV70 EV as an exceptional electric luxury car.
Performance, Battery, and Range
The GV70 Electric eschews the standard GV70's turbocharged I-4 and V-6 engines for an all-electric powertrain. It's a dual-motor AWD system that generates 483 hp and 516 hp combined, which enables a 0-60 mph launch of just 3.7 seconds. Electrons are drawn from a 77.4 kWh battery, which can recharge at up to 240 kW. Range on a full charge is estimated at approximately 236 miles. Additionally, it has vehicle-to-load, or V2L, capability, which allows it to generate up to 3.6 kW of output for powering offboard devices.
Safety Features
The GV70 Electric comes equipped with a similar set of safety features as the standard GV70. That means it has adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, side and rear cross traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking. Although crash safety ratings for the GV70 are not yet known, note that the standard GV70 earns a five-star overall score from the NHTSA and 2022 Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS.
Technology
The features found in the standard GV70 make their way into the GV70 Electric. That means a 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen on top of the dashboard, supplemented by a 3D-effect 12.3-inch digital gauge display; a head-up display is also available. In addition to USB ports in both rows, a front-row wireless charger is included. The 16-speaker Lexicon speaker system ports over. A fingerprint scanning system would allow for functionality like different driver profiles to be loaded, or pay for electric recharging at certain stations.
The GV EVs: Genesis GV60 vs. GV70
Genesis now builds two electric SUVs: the GV60 and GV70. Although each has its own unique appearance, the pair is fairly similar in other areas. The GV70 is a few inches longer, taller, and wider, but the GV60 rides on a longer wheelbase. Both are powered by a 77.4-kWh battery, with up to 483 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque available from their dual-motor setups. As of now, only the GV60 is available with a single-motor powertrain, which makes 225 and 258 lb-ft and will likely be quite a bit less expensive than the GV70. The GV60 is built in South Korea, while the GV70 EV is made in Montgomery, Alabama. It's not often that an automaker creates two vehicles with so much overlap, but the GV60 and GV70 are both options worth considering if you're looking for an all-electric Genesis SUV.
