Genesis

GV70/Electrified GV70

The Genesis GV70 is a premium five-door SUV and is the company’s flagship model across Europe. The Electrified GV70 has been given a major refresh for 2025.

The good

Styling, quality and pricing

The bad

Brand snobbery

Tech Specs

Price from

£48,995

Combined Fuel up to

29.0mpg (EV driving range 298 miles)

0-62 from

4.4 seconds (EV with Boost)

max speed up to

149mph

co2 from

175g/km (0g/km EV)

Test Drive

Genesis Electrified GV70 – First Drive (2025)

Genesis has given its Electrified GV70 a solid refresh for 2025, introducing stylish design enhancements, a more premium interior plus a raft of advanced technology upgrades.

The five-door flagship SUV was launched back in 2022 and it has proven to be the Korean brand’s most popular model across Europe, and it will become an even more attractive proposition with the latest improvements.

With prices starting from £65,915, there is a new trim structure so customers can choose from Pure, Dynamic or Luxury grades. All cars are powered by an 84kWh battery with electric motors on both axles for all-wheel drive.

Driving range is always an important factor for would-be EV buyers and the Electrified GV70 addresses any concerns with up to 298 miles on a single charge, dropping slightly to 278 miles on the Dynamic and Luxury trims.

While there are rivals out there that can offer a superior range, few have a BOOST button that, when pressed, can power their vehicle from 0-62mph in just 4.4 seconds. That is just one of this car’s wow factors.

We took the top-spec Luxury model for a lengthy test run and this car came with all the bells and whistles imaginable … for a fee, of course. Our car started out with a price-tag of £74,915, but a number of options, including a Comfort Pack, Nappa leather seats, a Serenity Pack, Vehicle-to-Load, white brake calipers and a digital rear-view mirror pushed the final price up to £81,185. But remember this is a premium car and it is competitively priced in its sector.

There’s no denying the fact, the Electrified GV70 has a strong road presence with plenty of kerb appeal. The 2025 updates see more profiled bumper designs, a redesigned grille with a flush diamond pattern that hides the charging port. There are striking 18 or 19-inch alloys, an electric panoramic roof, two-line quad headlights featuring superior illumination, along with the latest Genesis badging. It’s an imposing car without being aggressive.

Move inside and its pure class with premium materials at every turn, soft-touch surfaces and those sumptuous Nappa leather seats that are powered, heated, cooled and will even throw in a massage for good measure.

But the real showstopper on the 2025 model is a huge 27-inch curved screen where the infotainment and digital driver displays merge seamlessly together. Additionally, a head-up display offers all the vital driving data directly in the driver’s eyeline. A separate panel controls all the climate control settings with user-friendly dials to access the gear selector and control the audio volume. You even get some toggle switches making it easy to switch between drive modes or terrain settings.

There is a reshaped steering wheel, which can also be heated to fend off the winter blues, and this features touch-sensitive controls. And special mention to the new wraparound ambient lighting function that gives the cabin a relaxed glow.

Creature comforts are plentiful and include a pitch perfect 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system with noise cancellation, full smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, DAB radio, sat nav, plus lots more besides. And when the vehicle is in Park mode, you can even access the latest Netflix, Disney+ or YouTube streaming apps.

So, the new Electrified GV70 certainly looks the part and oozes quality in its generously-equipped cabin, but how does it handle when put through its paces? The answer is very well indeed.

Powering the car is the 84kWh battery working with two electric motors to deliver a combined 440PS (increased to 490PS when the BOOST function is activated), plus a whopping 700Nm of torque. It’s blisteringly quick out the starting blocks and can sprint to 62mph in just 5.0 seconds – the BOOST mode shaves 0.6 of a second off that time.

The car has a maximum speed of 146mph and our model had a combined driving range between charges of 287 miles.

It will cruise with ease at the national speed limit on motorways or dual carriageways and is deceptively confident and balanced when faced with twisting country lanes. Drive modes called Eco, Comfort and Sport alter the dynamics of the vehicle and, when the driving conditions are more challenging, there are Terrain Modes called Snow, Mud and Sand to help overcome any issues.

The all-round driver visibility is excellent and that, along with the ability to adjust the strength of the regenerative braking via the steering wheel paddles, makes city centre driving more enjoyable. In its highest setting, single-pedal driving is an option.

But these paddles have another use thanks to a fun feature that’s new to the latest car. It’s called the Virtual Gear Shift (first seen on stablemate the Hyundai Ioniq 5N) and, when engaged, it allows you to drive the car like it has a traditional manual gearbox with revs, torque and even a matching soundtrack adding to its authenticity. Hopefully, owners will delve into the car’s menus to discover this feature.

A clever function, especially if you have a narrow garage to keep the vehicle in, is the upgraded Remote Smart Parking Assist 2 set-up controlled remotely via the key fob. It is available on both Dynamic and Luxury versions and the intelligent feature uses an array of sensors and cameras to detect suitable spaces, then manage the speed, steering and transmission to perfectly position the car.

The Electrified GV70 is a family SUV so needs to be able to accommodate lots of people and all their luggage along the way. And it does just that. Stretching just over 4.7 metres in length, the vehicle has room for four adults, or five at a bit of a squeeze. Additionally, the boot which is accessed via a powered tailgate, can hold 503 litres of kit, a capacity that increases to 1,678 litres with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats dropped flat. And you have an extra 25 litres of storage space beneath the bonnet plus the usual selection of compartments scattered throughout the cabin.

Also worth noting with family getaways in mind, the Electrified GV70 can tow a caravan or trailer weighing up to 1.8 tonnes (unbraked).

If you have access to a 350kW rapid charger then a 10 to 80 per cent boost can be achieved in just 19 minutes, or a 10  to 100 per cent charge in 7 hours, 55 minutes if using an 11kW home wallbox which will prove more cost-effective.

All in all, this refreshed Electrified GV70 is quite a catch. Yes, it will be battling it out against some of the established German big hitters, but it has many strengths in its armoury. It looks sharp, drives beautifully, and it comes loaded with clever tech and luxurious features. It’s not cheap and the range could be better, but if you want to stand out from the crowd, it’s definitely a compelling all-round package worth exploring.

Test Drive

Genesis Electrified GV70 – First Drive (2022)

When you take into account the first Genesis model delivered to a UK customer was only back in September 2021,the company is certainly making its presence felt with launch after launch of new cars.

And the latest model to make its mark is the Electrified GV70 – a family SUV with a driving range of 283 miles between charges.

The ICE versions of the GV70 have proved exceptionally popular and, until the launch of the dazzling all-electric GV60, it was the best-selling model in the UK.

Now its larger sibling is on offer with more space and just as much appeal. Unlike the traditionally-powered GV70, the EV version is only available in one trim level called Sport.

It costs £64,405, but the addition of numerous optional extras and packs, including an Innovation Pack (£3,560), Convenience Pack (£1,180), a premium Lexicon audio system (£990) Comfort Seat Pack (£1,630) amongst others, saw the final price-tag creep up to £73,220. Admittedly that is quite steep, but to put it into perspective, it’s on a par with rivals from the German manufacturers.

And the Electrified GV70 is certainly a looker with bags of road presence. Head-turning features include an EV crest grille with hidden charge port, quad headlamps along with rear quad lights, an EV bumper and diffuser (as no exhaust pipes are needed), 20-inch alloys with a turbine design for dynamic styling and the GENESIS name sitting proudly on the tailgate.

The interior is high end with quality fixtures and fittings throughout, along with a number of eco-friendly materials. And customers can select between upholstery created from vegan leather, normal leather or Nappa leather.

The main focal point within the cabin is the sleek 14.5-inch high-definition touchscreen infotainment system along with a click-wheel dial offering access to the many features.

There are truly comfortable massaging seats that can be heated or cooled, a pitch perfect sound system, head-up display, a 3D instrument cluster, full smartphone mirroring, sat nav, over-the-air software updates, backlit trim inserts and slim air vents.

And when it comes to performance, the Electrified GV70 is quite a powerhouse. It has a 77.4kWh battery offering 490PS and 350Nm of torque. This results in impressive performance stats with a 0-62mph sprint time of just 4.8 seconds and a maximum speed of 146mph. But that’s not all – the acceleration time is made even sharper at 4.2 seconds if you press the Boost button which delivers an extra 20kW of power on each motor for 10 seconds.

Out on the open road, the car is composed and confident offering great grip through tight bends. It’s a motorway cruiser, quickly reaching the 70mph mark and sitting there effortlessly.

Drive modes called Eco, Comfort and Sport alter the driving characteristics of the car and there is the reassurance of an E-Terrain mode for driving in more challenging conditions with Snow, Mud and Sand settings.

in addition, there are four regenerative braking levels that are controlled via the steering wheel paddles. In the highest setting, single pedal driving is possible via the i-Pedal system which is practical in stop, start traffic. The car’s brake lights are automatically activated when level two on the regenerative braking scale is reached to warn following drivers.

The cabin is beautifully refined with barely a sound filtering through and comfort levels are sublime thanks to the clever electronically-controlled suspension system that scans the road ahead and reacts accordingly.

The car stretches 4.7 metres in length and is almost two metres across so it does feel fairly wide when driving along narrow lanes. But those dimensions result in good passenger and storage space within the car. Three adults can fit in the back at a bit of a squeeze, but two will be happy enough on longer journeys.

The boot is accessed via a powered tailgate and it will open if you are 50 to 100cms behind the vehicle which is ideal if you are laden down with shopping. And with the battery pack positioned low down, it has minimal impact on storage limits.

The boot can hold of kit 503 litres of kit, increasing to 1,678 litres with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats dropped flat, which is slightly less than the 542 litres on the ICE models, but you do get an extra 25 litres of storage room beneath the bonnet on the Electrified GV70.

Another clever feature of the car is its Vehicle-to-Load system which can be used to power items such as coffee machines or airbeds from the battery.

Factor in the maximum five-star Euro NCAP safety rating and this model is the complete package for any active family looking to make the step to electrified motoring.

And it’s always worth remembering the Genesis difference and the company’s unique way of operating. Each potential customer is assigned a personal assistant that will guide them through the entire process. If test drives are requested, then Genesis deliver the car– it is all about the owner experience and saving people time.

Then there is the five-year care plan supplied as standard across the range, providing five years of warranty, roadside assistance, servicing, courtesy cars, plus maps and over-the-air software updates.

Test drive

Genesis GV70 – first drive (2021)

A new player has arrived on the UK motoring scene and it’s hit the ground running. Genesis is the premium arm to Hyundai and its high-end cars are on sale now.

And with the German marques in its sights, Genesis recently unveiled its large G80 saloon and GV80 SUV to great acclaim. Now, following closely on their wheels is the GV70 model and we had an opportunity to drive it on an extended road route.

The GV70 is a spacious, feature-rich, five-door SUV model that is packed with luxurious design specifications and easily holds its own if challenged by the established names.

However, the Genesis car has a very unique selling point and that is the price. Like its Korean sibling, it comes with an excellent five-year warranty and also in keeping with the Hyundai ethos, the pricing structure is exceptionally competitive.

With the likes of Audi, BMW and Mercedes seen as key rivals, Genesis has its strategy just right with the GV70 starting from £39,450 and rising to £43,350. And instead of massive price hikes due to optional extras, Genesis models are offered with additional packs so any increases to the final outlay are clearly highlighted.

The GV70 is available in three trim levels called Premium Line, Luxury Line and Sport Line with a 2.2-litre diesel RWD version matched to an eight-speed auto gearbox or a 2.5-litre turbo petrol AWD model also mated to the same transmission.

We took to the road in the petrol model in top-of-the-range Sport Line specification and it certainly lived up to the big build up.

Boasting a distinctive design with a large grille, split head and tail lights, large round exhaust pipes and tinted windows, the GV70 looks the business and certainly turned heads as it passed by. Our car boasted stunning Mauna Red paintwork that conveyed its sporty characteristics perfectly.

Move inside and it’s impossible not to be wowed by the elegantly designed interior which oozes quality and class with the finest leather upholstery, powered seats, a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with click-wheel dial that can be used for access (very BMW-esque), plus a head-up display. Everything is finished to an exceptionally high standard and a special mention to the striking 3D instrument cluster behind the wheel that looks futuristic and stylish.

The test car was priced at £43,350 although it also included a few packs which bumped the cost up to £50,810.

With 304PS and 421Nm of torque on tap, the GV70 could complete the 0-62mph dash in 6.1 seconds and topped out at 149mph. According to official WLTP testing, it can achieve a combined 29.7mpg with CO2 emissions of 218g/km.

The acceleration through the gearbox is smooth and responsive with steering wheel-mounted paddles for added driver engagement. There are also drive modes called Eco, Comfort, Sport and Sport+ that alter the characteristics of the car.

It feels quite weighty on the road, but is also nicely planted through fast bends with good levels of grip and minimal body sway. The steering is well weighted with plenty of feedback and the GV70 cruises effortlessly on motorways as well as fizzing through the lanes.

The all-round visibility is good thanks to the elevated driving position and all the controls, dials and readouts are easy to operate and digest on the fly.

There is bags of room within the car with space for a trio of rear seat passengers to sit comfortably. And storage options are good too with a boot that can swallow 542 litres of luggage, increasing to 1,678 litres with the rear seats dropped flat.

Yes, there are more dynamically driven rivals out there, but for all-round appeal and outstanding value for money, the GV70 will certainly make its mark.

Safety features are comprehensive and include the likes of highway driving assistance, a blind spot view monitor that shows a camera view of the blind spot in the tft display as soon as you indicate, rear cross traffic collision avoidance, intelligent front lighting, Brembo premium brakes and lots more besides.

Genesis has also adopted a somewhat unusual approach to its sales and servicing procedure. There will be no physical showrooms as such, but anyone interested will have their very own Genesis Personal Assistant to see them through the entire process from test driving, selecting the right model and even delivering it. And when a service is needed, the car will be collected and a courtesy vehicle will be left in its place. This will be a five-year plan and will be transferable if the car is sold on.

It’s always good to welcome a new marque onto the motoring scene and hopefully Genesis will prove to be a success. There are lots of plans in the pipeline including electrified models on the horizon, but only time will tell.