All-New. Best in Class. Revolutionary. Buzzwords like these can energize our perception of products on the market, especially automobiles. The latest version of the Genesis GV70 has a deceiving simple buzzword directly in its name – one that ratchets up the coolness factor in a way that both describes it and sets it apart. It’s called the Electrified GV70, and it isn’t just the engine that’s electrified, but the style, performance, and overall experience.
As satisfying as it is to say Electrified GV70, a Gen Z coworker of mine granted the GV70 a different moniker when she saw me cruise it into our office parking lot one day. She walked up to the car, and I rolled down my driver’s side window so we could chat. As she approached and got a peek at the interior of the GV70, her eyes lit up, and her jaw slacked. She exclaimed, “Damn, this is gangster!” How’s that for a buzzword? For a Dad Driver who doesn’t consider himself gangster, I took note of this reaction and realized that this level of luxury did more than just impress. It took the driving experience to a wholly surprising level.
What This Dad Digs About the Electrified 2023 Genesis GV70
Luxury Done Right – There are vehicles that are luxury for luxury’s sake, and then there are those that are clearly manufactured with an appreciation for the ingenuity of craftsmanship. The electrified gv70 is the latter and as a car enthusiast, I’m all the better for experiencing it. This level of luxury here is approachable, unpretentious, and just slightly eccentric enough to leave a positive impression.
On the outside, the GV70 is handsome but it has its shortcoming – more on that later. Instead, when it comes to succeeding at luxury Genesis goes beyond appearances and finds subtle ways for make this vehicle accessible. This is most evident in the GV70 interior. The entire cabin design is sexy and futuristic, but still succeeds at enhancing the overall experience for the driver. Oval shapes and voluptuous curves are everywhere you look, creating the impression that the driver is inside of a space pod. Materials are plushy but sturdy and the cream-colored leather our GV70 came with was strikingly beautiful, contrasting nicely against the dark, matte-gray exterior paint. Gangster indeed.
The ultra-wide infotainment screen that’s perched high on the dash is a thing of beautiful. Not only does it act as a crown for the ambitious interior design, it’s a pleasure to view and interact with. This isn’t the first vehicle to feature a wide infotainment screen positioned in this way but the GV70’s infotainment screen looks perfectly aligned and implemented. Both Andriod Auto and Apple Car Play work on this beast.
Powerful Performance – The gas-powered version of the GV70 is a joy to drive so it speaks volumes that the electrified GV70 is an even better driving experience. The impressive electric motors are the key to the exuberance the GV70 elicits but the configuration is what allows for them to work their magic. All-wheel drive is standard and the two motors, one on each axle, creates a combined 483 horesepower. Couple this with the lightweight feeling of the GV70 and this sucker will rocket from a stand still when pressed. On a straight-away, the GV70 hit 0 to 60 in just over 3.9 seconds – a very pleasant and exhilarating surprise.
The GV70 handles tightly and responds quickly, but still maintains a comfy ride. Rounding a corner felt a hair floaty but nothing I was very concerned about. The Electrified GV70 marks the brand’s first implementation of “e-Terrain” mode, enabling safe driving on various road conditions, including snowy and muddy terrains. I found a few mild “off-road” options to test this on and the vehicles tackled them with the same luxurious feel as paved roads.
The Air of Adulthood – There is an air of adulthood to the Electrified GV70. It’s got style, function, and safety covered but it’s also a compact SUV that can easily transition from a night out on the town to a Sunday afternoon grocery run. There is plenty of cargo space for groceries, luggage, or a medium sized stroller. In the cabin, leg and hip room are generous for all passengers. My daughter’s car seats fit comfortably in the back, and they had plenty of leg room. The GV70 also feels like the exact length it should be, easily fitting in compact parking spaces and city garages. You’ll feel like an important, accomplished adult just approaching, entering and exiting the car, something that you won’t find on the vehicles’ feature list. However, you will be paying “adulthood” prices for the GV70. The base Electrified GV70 with no extra frills starts at $67k. The version we tested has a price tag at just over $75k.
What Gets This Dad’s Downvote
Exterior Styling Misfires – I’ll say it again: the GV70 is a handsome compact SUV and still holds its own against other luxury vehicles in this class. However, the contrast between the interior and the exterior left me wishing Genesis had applied the same creativity on outside as they did on the inside. From certain angles, the GV70 too closely resembles other compact SUVs, even with its unique and attractive headlights and taillights. There is a nice aerodynamic flow to the vehicle’s body, but it’s broken up by angular lines in components like door frames, wheel wells, and windows. The rear passenger/cargo area window near the back of the vehicle is particularly ugly and the diamond patterned grill upfront felt too plasticky and really doesn’t do the rest of the vehicle any justice.
Charging in the front – It might seem trivial but charging the GV70 through a port in the front of the vehicle is clunky and counterintuitive. I get that this charging location may be out of technological necessity but many modern EVs, including the Genesis GV60, has charging ports where you would expect a gas tank port. Much like pulling up to a gas pump, having a port on the back side of the vehicle makes the most sense when pulling into a chagrin spot. Plus, charging in the front puts me into direct contact with that cringy grill I mentioned earlier.
“Less Than Electric” Range – Powering a luxurious drive like the GV70 is gonna cost you some wattage and I get that we are still in the infancy of automobile battery innovation, but the range on a full charge of this battery is still somewhat disappointing. The Electrified GV70 comes with a 77.4-kWh battery pack that’s good for up to 236 miles of driving per charge. However, in real world driving, including stop and go traffic with the air conditioning running, I was only able to squeeze about 195 miles out of a full charge. Not much of a concern if you live in an urban area and plan to charge the vehicle nightly. Serious road trips will take some charging station mapping, though. Luckily, the GV70 has a fast onboard charger that can pump in a max 240 kW on a DC charging connection. Each of my charging session at a fast charger averaged 20 minutes to at least 90% full – about average for the EV market.
Modern Gangster
The fact that modern luxury can still be described as “gangster” speaks to the legacy of a term like that. Cadillacs, Lamborghini, and exotic cars like the Maserati were what was considered “gangster” when I was growing up. Those kind of luxury vehicles have either aged or still remain unattainable. The thing about the Genesis GV70 is that it is attainable, approachable, and clearly a status symbol. It might not be for every Dad Driver, but if a compact luxury SUV is what you’re looking for, this might fit the bill.
The Electrified GV70 is the asterix to that statement. It’s still gangster but it’s for gangsters who plan their driving trips and want a vehicle that leaves a better carbon footprint. The thrilling power of the electric motors in the Electrified GV70 have the ability to make you giddy behind the wheel, but this is still a responsible vehicle for responsible gangsters. Of course, gangster can mean lots of things these days, like a Dad Driver who just wants to drive likes he’s money. The E GV70 is just that kind of ride.
Phillip is a filmmaker, an award-winning playwright, screenwriter and craft beer aficionado. He writes about cars, car tech, and various other cool Dad things. He lives, works and plays in Dallas, Texas.
