My Thoughts Exactly: 2023 Genesis Electrified GV70

Back in Late 2021, we confessed to enjoy the then-new 2022 Genesis GV70. It was such a compelling vehicle that it injected style and luxury that the segment needed at the time. 

It should have come as a surprise that Genesis has taken the GV70 and made it into the battery-electric SUV. On the same platform!

How did they do it? A few tweaks to the architecture enabled Genesis to take the electric driveline from a GV60, along with its battery pack, and placed it where an internal combustion engine and drive system used to reside. It was not a heavy re-engineering, since the GV70’s platform was designed to take both an ICE and EV infrastructure. 

It is worth noting that Genesis have executed the same modifications onto the Electrified G80 sedan. 

There is a twist to this story. Until now, every Genesis model was produced in the Republic of Korea. A recent expansion of Hyundai Motor Group’s assembly facility near Montgomery, Alabama will be the production spot for all GV70’s going forward – both ICE and EV versions. 

In all, we have a beautiful luxury compact SUV with a battery-electric drive system made in the gool ol’ U.S.A. 

Did I mention that the GV70 was already a beautiful vehicle? We did back in 2021. It continues to do so in 2023. The Electrified GV70 is even more beautiful by replacing its open mesh shield-shaped grille with a closed chromed version that also houses the plug-in receptacle door. This is the first of HMG’s EVs with a frontal charging portal. 

The rest of the Electrified GV70 retains a lot of what makes this SUV a beautiful machine to look at. The split horizontal headlamps and taillamps, are a couple of marks that make it distinctive. The sloping roofline and a curvaceous trim piece connecting the glass silhouette in a “s” shape. The doors open wide, as does the liftgate in the back. In addition, this Prestige tester came with a set of 20-inch five-spoke alloy wheels. All of this provide design continuity that makes a GV70 worth looking at.

Continuity is also the theme while stepping into the Electrified GV70. It retains a lot of the gorgeousness that I found in my last GV70 – especially in Glacier White motif.  Various curvy shapes dictate the design of the instrument panel. The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster itself has a three-dimensional effect that replaced the tachometer with an energy monitor. You still get the blind spot views from each side of the GV70 through the large “dials.” 

Also retained is the 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen that dominates the center stack. Lexicon provided clean sound throughout the cabin. A knob control on the center console is one of various ways to use the infotainment system, however you still have to tether your smartphone device to a USB-A connection for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

There’s so much that went into the Electrified GV70’s cabin. Just like its ICE sibling, the materials are top notch, and the details are impeccable. This is what one should expect in a luxury branded vehicle. 

This theme continues inside the cabin. The Nappa leather seating surfaces are in the same Glacier White motif as the rest of the cabin. The front seats are very supportive and very comfortable with ample bolstering and lovely surfaces. Rear seat room is more for average-sized adults although there is plenty of headroom even with the panoramic roof above. There is also 28.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row of seats, which is expandable to 58.5 cubic feet when they are folded down. The rollator fits perfectly with the rear seats up. 

What powers the Electrified GV70 are the same two electric motors found on the GV60. Combined, they put out 429 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. “Fueling” these motors is a 77.4 kilowatt-hour battery pack – the same one as in the GV60 – that had to be tweaked to fit underneath the Electrified GV70’s cabin.

You can get a little boost for your ego in the Electrified GV70. That is, if you press the Boost button on the steering wheel. With that, you get a burst of horsepower for about 10 seconds. However, sustained performance can be found on the drive mode switch on the center console by putting the Electrified GV70 into Sport mode. If you simply like to chill and help retain some battery in your drive, set the switch to Eco. 

The Electrified GV70 also benefits from a lot of the infrastructure developed in the GV60 and other EVs produced by HMG. It turns a quick DC Fast Charging cycle, recharging as low as 18 minutes to get from 10% to 80% state of charge at the rate of 350 kilowatts using the J1772 CCS plug. 

At 100% state of charge, Genesis states that it will yield a driving range of 236 miles. I did recoup 228 miles of range at 98% state of charge. It has been keeping its range even on extended drives, mainly because of a very good regen system from the brakes. You can also adjust the regen rate through the paddles at the back of the steering wheel. 

The emphasis on luxury is evident in the driving manners of the Electrified GV70. In Eco and Normal mode, you are treated to a solid and smooth ride that absorbs rougher sections of road. Handling is controlled, but it does tend towards the soft side at the limit. 

Steering the Electrified GV70 is quite easy, but with a degree of weight to the system. On-center feel is very good, keeping the vehicle on course with good tracking. The turning radius is pretty good, as well. The brake pedal feel was also very good. The response from the pedal translated into good stops in normal and panic situations. 

As far as pricing of the 2023 Genesis Electrified GV70 is concerned, you have two packages to choose from. The Advanced model is priced from $65,850. This tester in the Prestige trim arrived with a sticker price of $74,350.

Let me get this off my chest: I love the GV70 in both the ICE and EV versions. They are both beautiful to look at, to sit in, to drive, and to experience. There is nothing out of place here when you’re considering some other vehicle in its segment – electric or not. 

Which one would I prefer? I do like the pulse of the ICE model – especially the twin-turbocharged V6 version. Yet, the Electrified GV70 is quieter, more luxurious, and a lovely place to get from point A to B. The EV drive system is now a benchmark for legacy manufacturers. The range may be the tipping point. In a perfect world, spending the extra money for more space in the GV70 could be worth it.

Let me turn this question over to you: Would you rather have the Genesis Electrified GV70 or some other luxury branded EV in the same size class? That’s a tough question, but let me make it simple for you – if you love your luxury with a beautifully crafted stand out design and would rather plug in electrons than fill ‘er up with Premium…

The Genesis Electrified GV70 is your answer. 

DISCLAIMER: Vehicle provided by Genesis Motor USA

All photos by Randy Stern