AutoTrader SCORE
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STYLING8/10
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Safety9/10
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PRACTICALITY8/10
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USER-FRIENDLINESS7/10
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FEATURES8/10
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POWER9/10
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COMFORT8/10
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DRIVING FEEL8/10
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FUEL ECONOMY8/10
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VALUE6/10
The 2024 Genesis Electrified GV70 embodies what the Korean brand has become known for: attention to detail, sumptuous interiors, stylish designs, and excellent powertrains and driving dynamics.
While this five-seat fully electric crossover isn’t perfect, it offers a lot of useful features and a serene driving experience. There’s only one major downside, however, and it might be enough to kick this otherwise cohesive electric vehicle (EV) off someone’s shopping list.
Styling: 8/10
The Electrified GV70 looks sharp and almost identical to its gas-powered sibling, except for the more streamlined grille and lack of exhaust pipes, so there’s not much visually to give away its electric powertrain. While there’s something a bit off about the styling of the C-pillar, with the chrome trim dropping down below the quarter glass instead of continuing about it, the look as a whole is chic and I prefer its style over the Audi Q4 E-Tron or Mercedes-Benz EQB SUV, both of which have the blobbiness that seems to afflict a lot of EVs right now.
The interior is the highlight, however. If anyone is still sleeping on Genesis build quality it’s a real shame, because the interior is stunningly put together with luxe-feeling materials, upscale finishes and textures, and not a squeak or rattle to be heard. Every surface from the headliner to the armrest is covered in something nice, and there’s almost no hard plastic nor a misplaced stitch to be found.
I love the customizable ambient lighting, which offers dozens of choices to suit any style. From hot pink to lime green or icy blue, it transforms the interior during nighttime drives to make it feel like you’re floating through the Tron universe.
The interior is only offered in white and black two-tone or full black leather, and it looks fabulous. I would, however, love to see Genesis make its other bolder interior colours and finishes available here.
Fuel Economy: 8/10
The Electrified GV70 is rated to have 383 km of range, but it’s capable of outperforming that estimate. On a nice day, drivers can expect upwards of 400 km of range with a full charge. In terms of overall efficiency, this tester showed an indicated average of 18.7 kWh/100 km over 430 km of mixed driving — better than the 23.1 it’s rated for.
Power: 9/10
The Electrified GV70 has a standard dual-motor setup, meaning it has all-wheel drive. The electric motors on each axle are powered by a 77.3-kWh lithium-ion battery. Total system output is 429 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, with a boost function allowing drivers to unlock an extra 54 hp for 10-second bursts. The Electrified GV70 is quick enough without the boost button on the steering wheel, so it seems like a bit of a gimmick, but it’s a fun trick to show your friends.
The GV70’s 800-volt architecture allows it to charge at speeds as fast as 350 kW, allowing it to go from 10 to 80 per cent in less than 20 minutes in ideal conditions. These ultra fast chargers aren’t as common, however, and a 50-kW station will do the same 10-to-80-per cent jump in 75 minutes or so. The charging port is hidden in the grille.
The Electrified GV70 also offers vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, allowing you to turn your EV into a mobile generator to power almost anything that uses a household outlet, which can come in handy in any number of situations depending on how creative you get.
Driving Feel: 8/10
The Electrified GV70 is smooth and silent for the most part. While drivers can pick between a few propulsion sounds ranging from spaceship noises to something that mimics a combustion engine, the novelty wears off quickly, so the ability to turn it all off and drive in complete silence is appreciated.
It’s capable of one-pedal driving to maximize the energy recuperated while it slows down, and there are four levels of regenerative braking available. My preference during this test was one step below full one-pedal mode, as it’s easier to modulate smoothly. The relationship between the regenerative braking and mechanical brakes doesn’t feel natural, however, and would benefit from being smoother and more predictable.
Another issue is that this SUV rides a bit more harshly than expected, and I wish the suspension did a better job of soaking up imperfections on the road. But beyond those minor issues, the Electrified GV70 is a pleasure to drive, feeling composed and confident. It can handle a corner decently but shines when driven in a relaxed manner. This SUV is easy to park, and its size and steering make it intuitive to manoeuvre, even in tight spaces.
Features: 8/10
Offered in a single trim in Canada, the Electrified GV70 comes standard with all the expected features, with the exception of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which are included but require a wired connection.
Some standard feature highlights include a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a head-up display, wireless phone charging, a panoramic sunroof, three-zone climate control, online and app-based telematics, enough USB charging ports for every passenger, quilted leather upholstery, and more.
Safety: 9/10
Standard safety and driver assistance features include automatic high-beam control, driver attention warning, rear-seat occupant alert, parking sensors front and rear, automatic emergency braking, safe exit assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear-cross traffic alert, lead vehicle departure alert (handy when the lights turns green and you aren’t paying attention), lane keeping and following assistance, adaptive cruise control that works in stop-and-go traffic, surround-view cameras, self-parking, and more.
The blind-spot monitoring includes indicators in the door mirrors and head-up display, and through a live camera feed in the instrument display that activates whenever the signal is activated. All the systems work effectively, with few to no false warnings during this test.
Practicality: 8/10
The GV70’s trunk holds 813 L, which expands to 1,601 L with the 60/40 split-folding second row stowed. Small item storage inside is decent, though the door pockets are not big enough to hold a water bottle.
Comfort: 8/10
The seats are comfortable and supportive, but the passengers in the back don’t get a ton of head- or legroom. The driver’s seat has 14-way adjustability with memory settings, lumbar support, and extendable thigh cushions, while the front passenger seat adjusts 12 ways.
User-Friendliness: 7/10
Except for the easy-to-confuse placement of the gear selector dial and the infotainment dial, the Electrified GV70 is logically laid out. I found myself constantly mixing up the two dials, especially during parking. There’s both a touchscreen and a dial to operate the system; the touchscreen is easier to use while parked, while the dial is better while in motion, but the placement should really be rethought.
I appreciate the row of physical shortcut buttons below the touch-capacitive panel that’s used for climate control, but the panel requires taking your eyes off the road to operate. Most functions are where you expect them to be, and it’s easy to navigate through the system’s menus and functions.
I wish information from Google Maps could be shown in the head-up display or instrument screen, because it would mean less distracting flipping back and forth on the main screen. The voice recognition is almost useless — it didn’t even understand the most simple of my commands. The native navigation system can help with trip planning and finding chargers, but it’s lacking in functionality and isn’t as robust or easy to use as Google Maps.
Value: 6/10
The 2024 Genesis Electrified GV70 is only available as one fully loaded trim, the Prestige AWD. Genesis’s all-inclusive pricing means the $84,500 pre-tax price includes freight, as well as some interesting benefits unique to the Genesis brand, like an at-home valet service for scheduled maintenance appointments if you live within a range of a service centre. This EV isn’t eligible for any government incentives.
A comparable Audi Q4 E-Tron or Mercedes EQB are about $15,000 cheaper, and are both eligible for government rebates, which makes their prices even more compelling. The higher pricing of the Electrified GV70 makes it a tougher sell value-wise, especially for its size and the range offered compared to its German counterparts, even with all the Genesis perks considered.
The Verdict
The 2024 Genesis Electrified GV70’s price is really the only red flag here, and it might be enough for drivers shopping for an electric SUV in this segment to jump ship for a more established brand that offers comparable vehicles and features but for much less money.
That’s a shame, because the Electrified GV70 is an excellent overall package that has a lot on its side, but in a market where the competition is heating up, Genesis either has to lower its price or truly go above and beyond to justify the premium.
| Engine Displacement | 396 kW |
|---|---|
| Engine Cylinders | Dual electric motors |
| Peak Horsepower | 429 hp |
| Peak Torque | 516 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | 2.4 / 2.8 / 2.6 Le/100 km cty, hwy, cmb, 21.4 / 25.2 / 23.1 kWh/100 km; 383 km est. range |
| Cargo Space | 813 /1,601 L seats up/down |
| Model Tested | 2024 Genesis Electrified GV70 Prestige AWD |
| Base Price | $84,500 |
| A/C Tax | $100 |
| Destination Fee | Included |
| Price as Tested | $84,600 |
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