Is the Genesis Electrified GV70 a Good Electric SUV? 6 Pros, 3 Cons

With the Electrified GV70 SUV, South Korean luxury brand Genesis has taken a slightly different approach to electric vehicles than some of its competitors. Rather than having the funky controls and wild styling some manufacturers use to set their EVs apart, the Electrified GV70 is remarkable due to how much it looks and feels like a regular vehicle — and a really good one at that.

Related: 2023 Genesis Electrified GV70 Review: EV Luxury From Mild to Wild

Genesis’ strategy may help the Electrified GV70 appeal to buyers looking for their first all-electric SUV. But the brand has also created what happens to be one of the nicest EVs you can buy, with a luxurious and well-appointed interior, lively performance and impressive efficiency. Designed to compete against the likes of the Audi Q8 e-Tron, BMW iX and Tesla Model Y, the Electrified GV70 holds its own and checks a lot of the boxes buyers are looking for in the class without the quirkiness of some competitors.

Cars.com News Editor Jennifer Geiger recently spent some time getting to know Genesis’ newest electric SUV, and she came away largely impressed — but all is not perfect. Click the link above to read Geiger’s expert review of the 2023 model, which bears little changes for 2024, in full; for a quicker look, read on for six things we like about the Genesis Electrified GV70 and three things we don’t.

Things We Like

1. Engaging Driver

The Electrified GV70 is a kick to drive, delivering surprisingly nimble handling for its size and a sporty feel similar to that of its gas-powered counterpart. At highway speeds, the Genesis feels sedate and smooth, with plenty of power and a firm but comfortable ride. Its regenerative braking system is better than some and has a smooth and natural feel, plus a choice of settings ranging from mild to one-pedal operation.

2. Punchy Powertrain

The all-wheel-drive powertrain uses two 160-kilowatt electric motors (one up front and one in the rear) that are paired with a 77.4-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The result is a total of 429 horsepower, enough to propel the SUV in fine fashion. If that’s not enough, a Boost Mode button on the steering wheel unleashes another 54 hp for brief periods, turning this sedate cruiser into a potent performer with a claimed 0-62 mph acceleration time of just 4.5 seconds.

3. Quick Charger

The Electrified GV70 can go from a 10% charge to 80% in just 18 minutes, according to Genesis, as long as you have access to a DC fast charger capable of delivering at least 250 kW of power. When connected to a Level 2 home charger, Genesis says the GV70 will charge from 10% to 100% in about seven hours.

4. Commendable Controls

A 14.5-inch multimedia touchscreen is standard, and highlights include vivid graphics, a quick response time and an easy-to-decipher menu structure. The system includes handy volume and tuning knobs mounted in the console, along with the choice of either physical or touchscreen controls for climate functions. Everything is logically arranged and easy to use, making the redundant and awkward console-mounted rotary controller all the more pointless.

5. Upscale Cabin

High-quality materials and a modern, elegant design make for a luxurious and comfortable cabin, and the Electrified GV70’s interior also offers good visibility and adequate room for adults front and rear. Equipped with the available Prestige Package, our test vehicle took things a step further with Nappa leather seats and Glacier White-colored upholstery that leant an open and airy feel. The cabin is not quite as roomy as those of some competitors, however, and the rear seat isn’t roomy enough to install rear-facing child seats.

6. Packed With Tech

A raft of safety tech and convenience features include things you might expect, such as automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic assist, blind spot collision avoidance assist and adaptive cruise control. There are also some less common extras, such as standard automatic parallel parking, cameras to help keep an eye on the SUV when parked, and the ability to start the vehicle and access personal control preferences using your fingerprint.

More From Cars.com:

• Hushed Luxury: 2024 Genesis Electrified GV70 Starts at $67,645
• Genesis Electric Vehicles Are Now Available in 33 States
• How Do Car Seats Fit in a 2023 Genesis Electrified GV70?
• Trio of Electric Vehicles Awarded IIHS Top Safety Pick+
• Research the Genesis Electrified GV70

Things We Don’t Like

1. Limited Range

A full charge gives the Electrified GV70 a cruising range of 236 miles, which is less than the 2024 Q8 e-Tron, 2023 iX and 2023 Model Y. That said, we found the estimated range to be conservative: One 72-mile trip required only 67 miles of range, aided by an Eco mode that helps stretch driving range. At least the Genesis’ quick charging time helps minimize downtime.

2. No Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are becoming commonplace even on less expensive models, which makes their omission here seem all the more out of place. With all of the cutting-edge tech features Genesis has baked into the Electrified GV70, it seems especially odd smartphone users are required to use a wired connection.

3. Control Knob

Even with a responsive touchscreen and physical controls for frequently used climate and audio functions, Genesis still includes a console-mounted rotary controller as a redundant alternative. Mounted low and close to the similarly shaped shifter, the rotary knob is awkward to use at best. The good news? There’s no reason you have to use it.

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