With the electric version of the GV70, Genesis is bringing the third electric vehicle onto the market within a year. It will be an enrichment in the hard-fought premium segment, apart from a small shortcoming.
The electric version of the 490 hp Genesis E-GV70 can be recognized by the closed grille.
The pace is impressive. No sooner has Genesis, the luxury brand of the Hyundai Group, launched in Switzerland in 2021 than it is launching one new vehicle model after the other. In the current year alone, the manufacturer has now brought three electric cars onto the market, the GV60, which was only designed as an electric vehicle, the G80 sedan as a battery car and now also the GV70 SUV in an electric version. This rapid introduction of battery electric vehicles is currently only comparable with Volkswagen.
The Electrified GV70 – or E-GV70 for short – looks like a car built from the start as an electric car, but the SUV has been available in a version with a petrol engine since 2021. However, Genesis should say goodbye to this soon. As Piergiorgio Cecco, Regional Operations Manager at Genesis Switzerland, reveals, around 90 percent of all sales in this country relate to electric models. Vehicles with a thermal engine should therefore soon have had their day. “From 2025 we will only have electric models on offer,” says Cecco.
Only subtle design differences to the combustion engine
Externally, the E-GV70 has hardly changed compared to the model with a combustion engine. Only the closed radiator grille with hidden charging flap and the rims in the aerodynamically optimized Electrify design point to the battery car.
Well hidden: The charging flap is integrated in the grill.
Inside, there are no changes compared to the base model. Only the displays have electro-specific displays for battery charge level and range. When you take a seat, the high level of comfort in the front seats is confirmed. In the rear, however, legroom is tight. The same applies to the trunk. The luggage volume is only 503 liters. The VW ID.5 has around 50 liters more.
It’s a shame, because the E-GV70 would otherwise be ideal as a touring vehicle. Thanks to the integrated heat pump and smart control of energy recovery (recuperation) when decelerating, the Genesis has good efficiency and a range of a decent 455 kilometers. In addition, there is currently a particularly unique selling point: thanks to 800-volt technology, the battery can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in just 18 minutes.
High level of comfort, great workmanship: there is a lot on offer in the E-GV70 interior.
A little more luggage space would be desirable.
The first test drives prove that the E-GV70 is also very comfortable while driving. An adaptive chassis with a predictive function enables very smooth travel without large vibrations. It’s also very quiet inside. Not only does the quiet electric drive ensure this, there is also an active noise-cancelling system on board, which balances out all sound waves with counter-noise.
Brand-typical high processing standard
When gliding along, the view falls on the good workmanship. All stitching is accurate to the millimeter, all covers are wrinkle-free, all transitions are clean. That alone ensures a good feeling when traveling and a high level of trust in the vehicle.
However, the E-GV70 is not intended as a pure glider. The 490 hp Stromer is only available with the Sport equipment. There is an E-Terrain mode, which is designed to optimize the traction of the four-wheel drive vehicle, as well as a small boost button in the steering wheel, which calls on additional power for 10 seconds when driving. So if you want to overtake, it’s best to use the boost to pull past quickly.
Despite a weight of 2.3 tons, the E-GV70 is very sporty.
The boost button lets the E-GV70 get even more power out of itself for 10 seconds.
However, the test drive also showed that the e-SUV, which is quite heavy at a good 2.3 tons, also looks good in curves. It stays on track and shows neither oversteer nor understeer. However, the lateral forces are clearly noticeable, and when stopping, the brakes give their all. However, the fact that the brake system corresponds to the lighter petrol model indicates that in extreme cases it could reach its limits in the electric GV70. Bigger brake discs would be a good idea.
All in all, the Genesis Electrified GV70 is a successful vehicle that could boast in the competitive premium segment. The low price for the offer should also help: the basic electric SUV costs a good 72,000 francs.
Added to this is the full service, which is included in the price. A personal concierge enables the customer to save a great deal of time – tire changes, service and replacement vehicles are organized by Genesis. In addition to the fast loading times, the manufacturer also ensures that customers lose as little time as possible.
The E-GV70 has been available on the Swiss market since the beginning of October. But the price-performance ratio will not remain so advantageous for long. The Genesis Switzerland boss Cecco says: “2022 was the year of our market entry, from 2023 the prices at Genesis will rise.”
