2023 Genesis Electrified GV70
This is proof that you do not need to produce a completely separate vehicle in order to create an electric one apart from one with an internal combustion engine.
The Genesis GV70 is already one of the most beautiful luxury compact SUVs in the market. The distinctive design inside and out has already captured the hearts and minds of consumers. When it came time to create a larger battery-electric vehicle from the GV60, they did not have far to look to find one.
The Electrified GV70 shares the same except platform as its gasoline-fueled sibling. Instead of an engine and driveline components, Genesis replace them with two electric motors and a battery pack – the same ones as found on the GV60. Some adaptation was required to make it all fit and work. The result is a vehicle with only a few differences from its GV70 sibling.
With a chromed flat shield grille replacing the mesh one, the Electrified GV70 wears a lot of the marks of Genesis design – including the split horizontal headlamps and taillamps. The sloping roofline and a curvaceous trim piece connecting the glass silhouette in a “s” shape. Is also retained for the EV version. The doors open wide, as does the liftgate in the back.
Our Prestige tester came with a set of 20-inch five-spoke alloy wheels. The charging door is in the grille, which is a neat application. In all, it is a very eye-catching SUV.
Inside, your eyes will continue to be entertained. Various curvy shapes are found on the instrument panel, along with a low cowl for better vision. The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster itself has a three-dimensional effect that can be changed depending on the drive mode you are in. You also have a lot of information available to you on this screen, along with the blind spot views from each side of the GV70. Worth mentioning is the head-up display with its superb graphics, especially when you are making lane changes.
A wide 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen dominates the center stack, which also includes a nice touchscreen for the climate control below. Two knobs dominate the center console – one for the infotainment screen above and the other is the shifter. There is a lot of high-quality materials and details found throughout the cabin.
The only distinction between the internal combustion GV70 and the Electrified model is the power meter that gives you the mix between charging and battery use. In all, you can’t tell which GV70 you are in.
That also includes the seating surfaces, which our tester was slathered with swaths of Nappa Leather. The front seats are very supportive and very comfortable with ample bolstering and lovely surfaces. Rear seat room is more for average-sized adults although there is plenty of headroom even with the panoramic roof above. There is also 28.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row of seats, which is expandable to 58.5 cubic feet when they are folded down.
As we mentioned before, the GV70 platform was flexible enough to have the two electric motors from the GV60, along with its 77.4 kilowatt-hour battery pack cleanly fitted underneath the exterior. This all-wheel drive system is rated at 429 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque in total. DC Fast Charging will take as low as 18 minutes for get from 10% to 80% state of charge at its highest rate of 350 kilowatts. Genesis states that a full battery will yield a driving range of 236 miles.
The Electrified GV70 rides very smoothly. Perhaps a bit floaty on some surfaces. This is more of a luxurious application of the suspension, even with the increased weight. Cornering and handling are on the soft side, but very controlled.
The steering system is spot on in terms of on-center feel. It turned in some turning radius and response at the wheel is pretty good. is fine in other drive modes. The brake pedal feel was very good. The response from the pedal translated into good stops in normal and panic situations. You can also adjust the rate of regeneration through the paddles on the back of the steering wheel.
Pricing for the 2023 Genesis Electrified GV70 starts at $65,850. You have a choice of two packages – Advanced and Prestige. Our Prestige tester came with a sticker price of $74,350. And, now, the GV70 – including this EV version – is built in the U.S.A. at their Montgomery, Alabama plant. The first Genesis model to be produced in this country.
The Electrified GV70 arrives to compete in a very strong segement of luxury small-ish electric SUVs. It is often compared to the BMW iX, Mercedes-Benz EQB, Audi Q4 e-tron, Jaguar I-Pace, Cadillac Lyriq, Lexus RZ, and Tesla Model Y.
The Electrified GV70 is proof that you can have it all – high style, sustainability, and luxury. This is one compelling EV to consider.
Credits: CarSoup Editors
