Luxurious, stylish, and outrageous speed make a compelling argument.
2023 Genesis GV70 Electrified review with The Road Beat
Words and pictures by Mitchell Weitzman
Genesis has come out swinging again, this time tossing their potent electric drivetrain into the knockout-punch that is the GV70 crossover. Of course, as the flagship of the model range and costing a whopping $74,350, the GV70 delivers luxury in spades, hearts, clubs, diamonds - you name it. Building on the impressive repertoire the South Korean automaker has built in such a short time should come as no surprise, as brilliance is the only thing I've come to expect from Genesis recently. For those wanting to get into the luxury electric vehicle game, the GV70 might be a compelling choice.
If you had not already heard, the GV70 has been nothing short of a masterpiece in any iteration thus far, with the entry-level four-cylinder model being a standout at just $50,000, while the full-loaded twin-turbo V6 editions provide thoroughbred thrills among the the crowded luxury crossover space that the Germans just didn't see coming. Is there even a place for an electrified GV70 and can it improve upon the already superb combustion GV70s? Well yes and no, and I know that might seem to be a bit of a cop out, but it largely is dependent on what you're looking for in a vehicle today.
How does it improve?
This is a rocket ship, especially when you press the cringey 'BOOST' button on the steering for a short-term, er, boost in power. With 479 total mustangs providing shove, the GV70 Electrified easily gets to 60 MPH in under four seconds and throws you firmly in your seat while doing so. Set the drive mode to sport in conjuction with the limited boost function, and throttle response is insane in the membrane, allowing you to drop your passengers' stomachs like the Tower of Terror. So rapid is the accelration that's available to the casual consumer that it nearly makes me quesiton whether it's safe for the unassuming, casual driver. Tesla has had even faster products out for years and I guess most have survived so far, but it's definitely quicker than it has any right to be. But, it's rather fun when you nail it , even if for those fleeting moments.
Because it's electric, if anything that makes it more luxurious and serene as there's no extra noise from a combustion engine to be heard; It's just smooth gliding and sailing at all times with zero vibrations to be had under the hood.
Where does it fall behind?
Yeah, it's the range. I was only able to muster a real-world 210 miles out of the GV70 Electrified, which will be very limiting to a multitude of drivers. If you have decent charging at home or at your employment, that could greatly ease any worries of anxiety, but it would be genuinely appreciated to have 300 miles to enjoy. Genesis does have 350kw ultra-fast charging capabilities, so you can juice up from 10-80% in as little as 15 minutes potentially, if you can find a working charger (I've heard lots of reports from drivers in Southern California who complain about many, many offline or broken chargers.
Compared to the equivalent V6 twin-turbo that I last tested, this Electrified model has a sticker price with about a $10,000 premium.
Where it's even
While the EV has a limited range and anxiety concerns, the GV70 with the twin-turbo engine also gets, quite plainly, terrible gas mileage. Looking back, I averaged a dismal 19 MPG when I previously tested one, so you can choose between lack of range, and then just bad gas mileage. The four-cylinder unit still provides plenty of everyday performance, but that still only returned 22 MPG. So, these Genesis luxury crossovers are just not well regarded for outright efficiency.
Differences aside, the GV70 Electrified steers and corners like its petroleum cousins, which is to say incredibly well. Underneath the svelte shape and lounge-inspired interior is an athlete waiting to step out of the on-deck circle. BMWs used to drive this good; That's about as high of praise as praise gets in these parts. With confident steering and rapid responses from the chassis to each and every input, the GV70 Electrified is a joy to drive just like its gasoline-powered stablemates. The AWD configuration means all that power is never wasted either, with great traction to be had from a standstill.
And yes, the interior is a masterclass in refinement and luxury, boasting class-leading materials consisting of sultry leather and tasteful metal. The infotainment screen is beautiful, and the overall shapes inside are cossetting and intimate, but that center display is needlessly complicated with too many icons on the home screen homes. You can get used to it, but it could so easily have been simplified. It's similar to the average iPhone user who doesn't delete their old apps and then trying to find anything. Annoyingly, if you're an Apple CarPlay user, you have to connect your phone via a USB cable, with no option to sync wirelessly.
A great GV70, but the best for only some
Electrifying the GV70 has added some stupendous performance enhancements and to my surprise, it really isn't any more expensive than the 3.5L Twin-Turbo model. Those who drive 80+ miles in a single day on a regular basis might be turned off by the range, and understandably. Though, if one has easy access to charging, like at their work or cheap electricity at home (you can also have 6kW level 2 charger installed at your house, but be prepared to see your electricity bill go up unless you have solar) might find a place for this GV70 EV in their lives. Bonus points for those that have short commutes and then maybe another car for long distance drives where you don't want to worry about stopping for a half hour each couple hours at a time. The best part of this? The choice is yours while both are offered.
2023 Genesis GV70 Electrified AWD Prestige
As-tested price: $74,350
Pros: Shimmering luxury; Power; Dynamics
Cons: Expensive; Limited range
