The Genesis GV70 Electrified is a premium mid-size SUV with good range, impressive performance, a quality ride and luxury a-plenty, but it also comes with a prestige price tag.

At $127,800 before on-road costs, the GV70 Electrified will be out of the range of many buyers.

This electric version is an eye-watering $43,200 more expensive than the most expensive internal combustion engine (ICE) variant, the GV70 3.5-litre turbo petrol AWD Sport.

You do get an awful lot for your money, though, especially compared with the rival BMW iX (from $135,900) or Mercedes EQC (from $128,000).

Equipment-wise, over ICE versions, the GV70 Electrified adds 20-inch wheels with eco-designed EV-specific 265/45R20 Michelin Pilot Sport tyres.

You also get a concealed charging flap in the corner of the grille, active noise control for not only outside but inside as well, acoustic laminated rear door privacy glass, a driver-only option on the climate control, vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability via an adapter for the charging port, as well as a standard 240V three-pin outlet in the boot, unique front and rear bumpers and a boost button on the steering wheel to give 10 seconds of face-warping acceleration.

Another interesting tech feature is the GV70 Electrified’s disc brake cleaning technology which applies the brakes lightly while driving to remove rust and debris or wipe away water from the disc rotors.

The interior of the GV70 is as lush as you might expect at this price.

The attention to detail is right up there with the luxury European brands with which it competes.

There’s oodles of lush Nappa leather with diamond pattern stitching on the seats plus white detail stitching on the dash, seats and trims.

Backlit frosted inserts in the door trims add a fresh, modern look, their hue changing according to the ambient lighting colour selected.

Additional features include stainless door scuff plates, central locking switches on all doors and passenger front seat adjustment buttons on the seatback to allow the driver to easily adjust the seat for an entering or exiting passenger.

Elsewhere, the cream seatbelt webbing and suede-look roof liner and pillar trims are undeniably attractive but may soil easily.

Both driver and the front passenger seats feature 18-way electric adjustment, including adjustable bolsters that change automatically depending on the drive mode selected, and massage functions for both the seatback and cushion.

The seat heating and cooling functions are also very effective, combining with a two-level heater for the steering wheel. There’ no heating for the outer rear seats but the seatback angle is adjustable.

The chassis of the GV70 Electrified is based on an ICE vehicle and not a dedicated EV platform, which limits the amount of interior space. As a result, both rear seat leg room and luggage space are on the tight side.

There’s also not a huge amount of interior storage, except for a small console bin, glovebox and door pockets, but there are at least ample cup and bottle holders.  

Front-seat occupants can access a powered USB A and data point, wireless phone charging and a 12V outlet in the console, while rear occupants get a pair of powered USB A outlets.

There’s also another 12V outlet in the boot in addition to a 240V standard household plug for vehicle-to-load applications.

Tech and safety features are numerous, starting with an intuitive and easy-to-navigate 14.5-inch high-definition infotainment touchscreen.

The navigation system features an augmented reality view, while the instrument cluster is displayed on a 12.3-inch screen with 3D view.

A fingerprint sensor located next to the touchscreen climate control applies up to two personalised settings for the front seats, steering wheel, exterior mirrors, audio, phone, vehicle start and more.

The GV70 Electrified is also very well-appointed on the safety front with eight airbags (including a centre-side airbag), and active bonnet technology for pedestrian protection.

Electronic driver aids include blind-spot monitoring with collision avoidance, autonomous emergency braking with junction turning and crossing detection, automatic high-beam assist, intelligent speed-limit assist, lane-keeping assist, reverse parking collision avoidance, rear occupant warning, safe exit assist and more.

Out on the road, the GV70’s twin electric motors deliver combined outputs (in boost mode) of 360kW and 700Nm, for a blistering 0–100km/h sprint of just 4.2 seconds, which is high-end sports car quick.

The driver can choose from four drive modes: Eco, Comfort, Sport and a customizable My mode.

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When Sport mode is selected the car instantly feels more eager, the steering weight increases, the suspension firms up and the front seat cushions and bolsters squeeze tighter to hold you in place.

The battery on the GV70 Electrified is a 77.4kWh unit utilising an 800V architecture that enables a 445km (WLTP) range and can be charged from 10–80% in 18 minutes on a 350kW DC fast charger.

Ride and handling proved variable on the mix of roads we drove.

The standard road preview suspension system did a good job of recognising road surface conditions and adjusting the suspension accordingly to help iron out the bumps.

It uses cameras to scan the road ahead and micro-adjusts the suspension when potholes or speed bumps are detected in your path.

However, when running in Eco or Comfort modes on higher-speed twisty and undulating roads, the vehicle felt unsettled at times.

Switching to the more firmly damped Sport mode did make a difference, but the rear end would still quiver as if due to a lack of damping when encountering large mid-corner bumps.

A handy feature of the GV70 Electrified is the ability to individually select steering and suspension settings through the touchscreen menus, enabling selection of the firmer damper rate and meatier steering while driving in Eco or Comfort modes, for instance.

The active noise cancelling system works well, ensuring near-total silence in the cabin on smooth bitumen.

However, the available noise simulation options are a bit odd, especially the futuristic setting.

The simulated engine noise is better, but not as good as a genuine V8 sound.

If you’re in the market for a premium electric SUV and have the coin to spend, the Genesis GV70 deserves serious consideration as a strong contender against its mostly European luxury competitors.

Key stats

• RETAIL PRICE: $127,800 (MRLP)
• BATTERY: 77.4kWh
• MOTORS: Dual 180kW/350Nm
• POWER CONSUMPTION (WLTP): 19.9kWh/100km
• RANGE: 445km (WLTP)
• SAFETY: Not rated but ICE versions achieved a 5-star rating (2021)
• PROS: Quiet and refined, high quality finish, blistering performance, good range.
• CONS: Price, limited supply, not a dedicated EV chassis.

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