After we drove the 2022 Genesis GV70 with the two.2-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder 18 months in the past, we have been left critically impressed with what the agency had cooked up. We have been blown away by its options, the construct high quality, and the spectacular worth for cash.
Quick ahead to the beginning of 2023 and Australia’s GV70 vary expanded with the launch of the Electrified GV70. Because the title implies, that is the all-electric model of the posh SUV and in April, we lived with it for per week. Given how good the ICE-powered GV70 is and the truth that the electrical GV60 is among the finest EVs presently on sale, we had excessive hopes for this new mannequin because it brings collectively the very best of the GV60 into the extra luxurious and conventional GV70.
The essential particulars
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Only a single variant of the Electrified GV70 is on the market in Australia, referred to as the Efficiency AWD. It has the identical powertrain because the flagship GV60 Efficiency, which means there’s an electrical motor with 180 kW (241 hp) on the entrance axle and a 180 kW (241 hp) motor on the rear axle. The SUV is sweet for 360 kW (483 hp) and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of torque in Increase Mode however that is decreased to 320 kW (429 hp) and 446 lb-ft (605 Nm) throughout regular driving. It additionally has the identical 77.4 kWh battery pack because the GV60. Native pricing begins at AU$138,119 ($94,163) driveaway.
Visually, there’s little or no to distinguish the Electrified GV70 from the ICE fashions, however that’s actually no unhealthy factor. Relatively than fully ditch a entrance grille as some EV makers have carried out, Genesis’s designers have determined to retain the identical proportions because the grille on the ICE mannequin however have made it stable. Fastidiously hidden throughout the fake grille is the charging port. The Electrified GV70 additionally ditches the ICE mannequin’s pronounced entrance air intakes and as an alternative adopts a pair of slim air curtains.
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The rear finish of the electrical mannequin can be somewhat less complicated with much less mesh, extra body-colored elements, and the apparent lack of an exhaust. The remainder of the bodywork has gone unchanged. Heck, our check automobile was even completed in the identical shade of Brunswick Inexperienced because the diesel mannequin we drove in 2021.
A cabin match for a prince
The inside of the Electrified GV70 has at all times been one in every of its robust fits and the cabin of the electrical mannequin is just about an identical. This implies it sports activities the identical 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch infotainment display sitting atop the dashboard.
Genesis clearly spent a number of time making certain the supplies used all through the cabin really feel costly and becoming of the value tag. Elements just like the indicator and wiper stalks have a knurled steel end whereas the remainder of the cabin is clad in plush leather-based. A fancy ambient lighting system additionally comes commonplace and is somewhat completely different from that of the ICE mannequin as a brand new design has been included into the areas of the door panels that illuminate.
Whereas the infotainment software program utilized by Genesis within the Electrified GV70 (and all its different fashions) appears somewhat simplistic in comparison with a few of its German rivals, it is extremely straightforward to know and use. Those that have skilled present Hyundai and Kia methods will instantly discover it acquainted. A pleasant factor about this technique is that it may be operated via a rotary controller on the transmission tunnel or through the touchscreen. Except you’re parked, really reaching the touchscreen is sort of a problem, and utilizing the controller is way simpler. The one challenge is that the controller is positioned just some centimeters forward of the gear selector and as we discovered with the ICE mannequin, it’s straightforward to confuse the 2, notably when parking or reversing.
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An abundance of options come commonplace with the Electrified GV70 Efficiency AWD. For instance, each the entrance seats provide 18 ranges of adjustment in addition to three completely different therapeutic massage settings. There may be additionally a wonderful 14-speaker Harman premium audio system with a 1,050-watt amplifier, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto assist, an lively noise canceling operate, and a fingerprint scanner.
Just like the GV60, the Electrified GV70 is fast. Very fast. The truth is, it could actually hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in simply 4.2 seconds which could be very spectacular, notably for a car that weighs 2,310 kg (5,092 lbs). It lurches off the road with ferocity with Increase Mode enabled and the pull solely begins to wane after 130 km/h (~80 mph) or so. It would additionally gentle up the tires and depart black strains on the tarmac should you flip off the traction management.
Vary and charging
What’s not so spectacular is the vary. Genesis says the SUV is sweet for 445 km (276 miles) on a cost, however we expect that will be very tough to attain. We weren’t even in a position to eke out greater than 400 km (248 miles) from the battery however with that being stated, we additionally weren’t driving it in essentially the most environment friendly means doable.
The fast charging of the Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP platform helps to considerably offset the restricted vary. As with different Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis fashions, the Electrified GV70 helps 350 kW charging that in concept, ought to see the battery prime up from 10 to 80% in simply 18 minutes. I discovered a 350 kW charger close to me and plugged it in with a contact beneath 20% charger remaining. Charging speeds by no means exceeded 180 kW and for some odd purpose, charging would cease the second I sat again within the driver’s seat, forcing me to face exterior.
It’s laborious to fault the driving expertise as a complete. Genesis has carried out a unbelievable job at tuning the Electrified GV70 for native roads and it stays terribly comfy whatever the highway floor. We additionally discovered it to be near-silent when behind the wheel, little question helped by the lively noise cancellation system.
A wonderful brake regeneration system additionally comes commonplace. This technique might be enabled with the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters and provides 5 ranges of adjustment all the way in which from a coasting operate to full one-pedal driving. The system is ideal and we spent most of our time within the one-pedal mode.
The dealing with is commendable for a car that weighs this a lot. A set of Michelin Pilot Sport EV tires measuring 265/45 R20 come commonplace and provide mountains of grip. Unsurprisingly, you possibly can solely accomplish that a lot to try to masks the burden of an SUV like this and as you begin to hustle the GV70 via corners, it begins to bounce and wallow. The trade-off for that is the consolation you get throughout common driving.
Handsome and well-equipped
Those that decide up the keys to the brand new Electrified GV70 can be greater than glad with the security options and driver-assistance methods that it has. Among the many carmaker’s lively security options are Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance-Help, Blind-Spot View Monitor, Driver Consideration Warning, and Ahead-Collision Avoidance-Help with automobile, pedestrian, and biking detection.
We have been notably impressed with how successfully the clever excessive beam operate labored. Whereas not distinctive to the GV70, nor to the Genesis model for that matter, the system detects whether or not a car is in entrance of you and if there’s, it’s going to redirect the excessive beam round that automobile. Different methods just like the Lane Protecting Help, Lane Following Help, Sensible Cruise Management, and Encompass View Monitor additionally work beautifully.
All informed, the Genesis Electrified GV70 is a superb SUV. Nevertheless, it’s laborious to suggest it over the twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 mannequin that provides related efficiency, is simply as luxurious, and prices AU$38,000 (~$26,000) much less. However, should you will need to have an electrical SUV, it’s laborious to look previous it.