Genesis GV70 EV 2023 Review

Jan 25, 2024

The 2023 Genesis GV70 EV sits alongside the battery-electric G80 large sedan and GV60 small SUV in the Korean prestige brand's three-tiered electric vehicle line-up in Australia. The lesser-known mid-size luxury SUV offers buyers an alternative to EVs from go-to German brands such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz, carrying a price tag to match the Euro benchmark they set. While traditionalists may question its worth, a comprehensive equipment list suggests otherwise.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 EV is priced from $127,800 plus on-road costs, or close to $140,000 drive-away once you add delivery charges and other expenses including relevant state/territory taxes.

On the list price alone, that's a $43,200 premium over the flagship V6 turbo-powered GV70 3.5T Sport with which the EV shares its platform architecture.

The price point sees the GV70 EV – or Electrified GV70, as it's also known – go head-to-head with prestige rivals in the form of the BMW iX3 (from $114,900 plus ORCs) and Mercedes-Benz EQC (from $128,000).

The all-new Lexus RZ 450e has also just arrived (from $123,000), while other luxury brands offer slightly larger battery-electric SUVs – the Audi e-tron and Jaguar I-PACE among them.

If you’re not familiar with the Genesis badge and packaging, the pricing may be hard to swallow. But if you’re looking to break the badge bias and love a long list of equipment as standard, it won't.

This is the good part. The 2023 Genesis GV70 EV is packed with equipment – as standard!

You will not be teased with expensive options that you simply must have. You will not be left wanting for key safety technology found only as part of an options package.

The standard equipment makes the GV70 EV's price tag far more palatable and is a key point of difference from its major rivals.

It features a smart key with push-button start, remote start capability, fingerprint authentication system for user profiles, 18-way electric-adjust quilted Nappa leather front seats with massage function, and a leather-appointed dash, door and centre console.

There's also 64 choices of interior ambient lighting, acoustic laminated front and side windows for sound reduction, privacy glass, panoramic tilt and slide glass sunroof, rear door sun shades, tri-zone climate control, wireless phone charging, two 12-volt power outlets, three USB-A chargers and an electric tailgate.

EV-specific kit includes i-Pedal driving mode, scheduled charging function, a 3.6kW vehicle-to-load connection (interior and exterior) and regenerative braking control.

The electric GV70 rolls on 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport EV rubber as standard.

Whether or not to option the $2000 matte metallic paint is your only pressing decision.

The Genesis GV70 EV is backed by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty as well as an eight-year/160,000km battery warranty.

Ten years of roadside assistance and five-year/75,000km complimentary servicing is also standard.

GV70 EV buyers also have the choice of either a complimentary five-year Chargefox charging subscription or the installation of an 11kW home-charging wallbox – the same type of incentive that an increasing number of premium brands are providing these days.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 EV has safety equipment well covered.

Advanced driver assist systems include blind spot warning, blind spot view monitor, driver attention warning system, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane keep assist and departure warning, high beam assist, rear cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go function, 360-degree camera with 3D surround view, a speed limiter, smart parking assist, tyre pressure monitoring and active bonnet lift system.

It also has eight airbags across the front and rear compartments.

Petrol and diesel variants of the Genesis GV70 received a five-star ANCAP rating in 2021, and although the EV is based on the same platform, the maximum rating does not automatically apply. It will need to be tested separately.

The tech suite on the 2023 Genesis GV70 EV is extensive – better still, it works well and it's all standard kit.

On top of the dash is a 14.5-inch multimedia display which is home to AM/FM/DAB radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, six pre-set ‘sounds of nature’, voice memo function, USB-A audio/video input, satellite navigation with five map views and live traffic updates.

Brilliant sound quality is delivered via a Lexicon by Harman premium audio system which includes 14 speakers and 1050W digital amplifier with surround sound.

Conversely, ‘quiet mode’ (limited in the first row and muted in the rear), active noise control and noise-cancelling functions are also standard.

Instrumentation panel is via a 12.3-inch colour digital screen with 3D display and three visual themes to suit driving modes of Eco, Comfort and Sport.

A 12-inch colour head-up display can show speed, cruise control settings, safety information, radio/media information as well as turn-by-turn navigation instructions.

Tri-zone climate control is located below the multimedia screen and is simple to navigate.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 EV is powered by twin electric motors (front and rear, providing all-wheel drive) that deliver 320kW of power and 605Nm of torque combined.

They draw energy from a 77.4kWh lithium-ion battery.

Nudge the Boost button located on the steering wheel and for around 10 seconds that performance jumps to 360kW and 700Nm!

But you can guarantee that kind of behaviour will significantly impact your claimed potential driving of 445km.

A 0-100km/h time of just 4.8sec (4.2sec in Boost mode) is impressive given 2310kg vehicle heft at hand.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 EV is good for a claimed 445km range based on the WLTP cycle from a full charge (remembering the perils of your predisposition for the Boost button).

Claimed average energy consumption is 19.9kWh/100km.

My time behind the wheel returned an average battery use that hovered around 20.6kWh/100km. The real-world range based on my driving was closer to the 375km mark.

And how long and fast is the charging process? Well, there's more positive news here, too.

Using a 350kW DC rapid charger, the GV70 EV will go from 10-80 per cent in just 18 minutes, according to Genesis. A 7kW charger will take you from 10-100 per cent in 12 hours or the 11kW charger (home installation of which is an optional perk for GV70 buyers) will do that in just seven hours.

Your slowest domestic AC charger will take around 34 hours to fully replenish a depleted battery.

The GV70 EV has a Type 2 charging port and comes standard with a portable emergency charging cable with three-pin plug that can handle a maximum 230V/10A.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 EV is a joy to drive – the peace and performance are a good match.

The balance between sporty (within reason) and practical SUV is a very good one, particularly given the additional weight this EV variant brings – it's got more than 300kg over the combustion-engine GV70.

The drivetrain is effortless, with the pace immediate from standstill and highly responsive on rolling acceleration.

From take-off you get that rush of torque that typifies EV driving, but at freeway speeds the GV70 EV feels beautifully measured in its power delivery. Less sporty and more grand tourer – family-friendly.

It does, however, always feel its weight and the steering would benefit from some added feedback.

So, it's not the pick of the pack when it comes to tight winding roads or overall dynamism, but it does a commendable job, nonetheless.

Ergonomics and the driving position were a slight challenge for this driver. You sit perched quite high behind the wheel with little scope to lower yourself.

On the flipside, it means you have a commanding view of the road, helped by good visibility all round, which a lot of drivers prefer.

Select Sport mode and your seat base lowers and the sides hug your hips – it immediately feels better.

The suspension does a good job of tempering the heavy GV70 EV, with limited intrusion felt over excessively bumpy or undulating roads.

Well, the all-wheel drive motion and 175mm ground clearance suggests the 2023 Genesis GV70 EV could possibly cope with an off-road dalliance.

But 22-inch wheels suggest otherwise. Same goes for the lack of a spare wheel. And the matte paintwork – not to be messed with.

Much like the exterior, the interior of the 2023 Genesis GV70 EV is also unique.

The modern design sees it stand out from the pack in terms of aesthetics, but it's not as clever as many of its rivals which carve a cavernous interior and crafty storage solutions. A downside of sharing its siblings’ internal combustion engine (ICE) platform.

The large multimedia screen dominates the dash and sets a very modern tone inside. The Nappa leather smells expensive and feels good.

The central console is a large divide and cramps the front of the cabin somewhat – keeping in mind that's a hangover from using the combustion-engine platform.

The two rotary dials (one for drive modes and the other technology) in close proximity proved a challenge for this tester, regularly using the wrong one. They do look good and feel nice in hand.

Attention to detail is exceptionally good with tactile touchpoints and sweeping lines throughout. There's a softness and flow to the design which is at odds with the angular lines of the likes of BMW and Audi.

All in all, the GV70 EV feels luxurious and sophisticated.

Engineers have made some positive tweaks in a flat floor for the second row, which makes it spacious and amply good for two or three occupants.

There's good amenity too, with climate control, overhead lights, heated outboard seats, a USB charge point, arm rest with cup holders, window blinds and back-of-seat pockets.

There are two ISOFIX positions and three top tether child seat anchor points.

The 542-litre boot (down 39 litres on its ICE sibling) is aided by 60/40-split folding rear seats that allow for loading larger items. There's a retractable cargo cover and anchor points.

With a sharpened pencil in hand, savvy buyers will recognise the value proposition and strong packaging with the 2023 Genesis GV70 EV compared to its rivals.

The electric model is the most luxurious and well-appointed GV70 in the stable. Considered against its own siblings, however, the asking price is still a big leap – particularly when the competition offers an arguably better bet in the short-term.

Having said that, by the time you choose to offload your Genesis GV70 EV I suspect the Korean brand will have grown exponentially in its awareness and appeal. It's only a matter of time.

Right now, your badge status will continue to be overshadowed by those previously mentioned Germans. If you can live with that, get your deposit ready.

2023 Genesis GV70 Performance EV at a glance: Price: $127,800 (plus on-road costs)Available: NowPowertrain: Two asynchronous electric motorsOutput: 320kW/605Nm (360kW/700Nm in boost mode)Transmission: Single-speed reduction gearBattery: 77.4kWh lithium-ionRange: 445km (WLTP)Energy consumption: 19.9kWh/100km (WLTP)Safety rating: Not tested

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