Genesis Electrified GV70 2023 review

At $127,800, before on-road costs, the Electrified GV70 is offered in a single ‘Luxury Package’ grade, and competes with a broad range of premium SUVs. But when your talking zero tailpipe emissions the field narrows to include the Audi e-Tron 55 quattro $147,400, BMW iX xDrive40 DSport $149,900, Jaguar I-Pace EV400 SE $142,580, Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 $122,724, plus the upcoming Volvo EX90 (circa $120K).

Part of the Genesis proposition is aggressive pricing in like-for-like model comparisons, and the Electrified GV70 is loaded with the kind of standard features you’d expect in models at the top of the segment.

The equipment list is… extensive, but the highlight reel includes, 14-speaker ‘Lexicon by HARMAN’ audio (with 1050W, 14 channel digital amp) with digital radio as well as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Bluetooth connectivity, 18-way power-adjustable front seats (with two-position memory for the driver), three-zone climate control (managed by a 6.0-inch colour display screen with haptic feedback), unique 20-inch alloy rims, a 14.5-inch multimedia display (with augmented reality navigation function), a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster (with 3D view), and a configurable, multi-function head-up display.

There’s also Nappa leather-appointed seats, dash and doors (with contrast piping and stitching), a ‘Panorama’ glass sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats (rears are heated in the outer positions and centre cushion), the leather-trimmed steering wheel is also heated, and there’s interior ambient lighting.

All the exterior lighting is LED (including the headlights with ‘High-beam assist’ and ‘Intelligent Front Lighting System’), there’s also keyless entry and start (including remote start and ‘Remote Smart Parking Assist’), rain-sensing wipers, and wireless device charging.

For goodness sake, there’s even fingerprint authentication for personalised settings and the rotary media controller features a handwriting recognition pad.

There’s a lot more, but you get the idea. This car is easily equipped to the level of a $130K SUV, and some way beyond.

Passengers in the Electrified GV70 will be able to enjoy the ‘Panorama’ glass sunroof. (Image: James Cleary)

At just over 4.7m long, 1.9m wide, and a bit more than 1.6m high, the Electrified GV70 is a substantial machine and interior space is generous.

Plenty of head and shoulder room up front and a close to 2.9m wheelbase means there’s lots of space for those in the back, as well.

Sitting behind the driver’s seat, set for my 183cm position, I enjoyed ample head and legroom, and the car is broad enough that three full-size adults will be okay on short journeys, but would be best for two grown-ups or three (cooperative) kids on longer road trips.

Storage in the front includes a decent glove box (although a phone book-sized owner’s manual folder takes up much of it), two big cupholders and a lidded device charging bay in the centre console, a large storage box between the seats (that doubles as a centre armrest), and big bins in the doors, with plenty of room for large bottles.

Move to the rear and standard three-zone climate control means there adjustable vents and temperature adjust for back seaters, as well as netted map pockets on the front seat backs, door bins, again with enough room for bottles, and two cupholders in the fold-down centre armrest.

Thoughtful touches include electric slide and recline controls on the centre side of the front passenger seat backrest so those in the rear can give themselves more space as required, as well as a two-way (manual) backrest recline function for the rear seat itself.

Parents of younger kids will also appreciate the ‘Quiet Mode’ function that mutes audio volume in the second row only.

With all seats in use, the boot space measures at a decent 503 litres (VDA). (Image: James Cleary)

Power and connectivity options include two USB-A jacks in the front (one for media connection, one for charging only) the Qi wireless device charging pad, and a 12V socket in the centre storage box. There are another two USB-A outlets in the back seat and a second 12V socket in the boot.

Speaking of which, boot space is a more than decent 503 litres (VDA) with all seats upright. Lower the 60/40 split folding rear seat and that number grows to 1678L, and there are six anchor points for securing loose loads. There’s also a handy 22-litre front cargo area under the bonnet.

The power tailgate works hands-free and features adjustable height and speed, and those keen on towing will be pleased to see a 1.8-tonne braked trailer capacity (750kg unbraked) with trailer stability assist included.

Don’t bother looking for a spare of any description, though. A repair/inflator kit is your only option.

The electrified GV70 is powered by two permanent magnet synchronous motors; one on each axle.

They each produce 160kW/350Nm in ‘normal’ operation, their combined output quoted as 320kW/605Nm. But press the steering-wheel mounted ‘Boost’ button and those numbers tick up to 360kW/700Nm for a 10-second burst of extra performance.

Transmission is via a single-speed reduction gear front and rear, while the drivetrain is tuned for rear-wheel drive bias, and features a ‘Disconnector Actuator System’ that can decouple and reconnect the front motor and drive shaft in line with driving conditions. The switch between RWD and AWD is designed to maximise efficiency through reduction of transmission losses.

The Electrified GV70's two permanent magnet synchronous motors have a combined output of 320kW/605Nm. (Image: James Cleary)

Power is provided by a 77.4kWh Lithium-ion battery, configured as a flat pack sitting under the floor and putting out a solid 394kW. Claimed driving range is 445km.  

The official Genesis energy consumption number is 19.9kWh/100km, and over a mix of city, freeway, and some B-road diving on the roughly 300km launch drive program we saw a dash-indicated figure of 18.1kWh/100km. Not bad for a 2.3-tonne, five-seat SUV, and regen braking, including single ‘i-Pedal’ operation, makes a useful contribution along the way.

A 400V/800V ‘multi-rapid’ charging system allows use of various charging set ups without the need for an additional converter, and the plugs are Type 2 for AC and CCS Combo2 for DC.

Claimed driving range of the Electrified GV70 is 445km. (Image: James Cleary)

Genesis says charging from 10 to 80 per cent battery capacity takes around 18 minutes when plugged into an ultra-rapid 350kW DC charger. 

Drop the input power to a more typical 50kW fast charger and that time grows to 73min, while a 10.5kW AC charge blows out to just under 12 hours. Use the ‘Emergency’ charging cable connected to house power and you’re staring down the barrel of more than 34 hours.

In terms of charging costs, for the first five years of ownership that’s potentially academic because Genesis EV buyers are given the choice of a five-year subscription to the Chargefox network (currently Australia’s largest) or an AC charger and installation.

Also worth noting, ‘Vehicle To Load’ (V2L) capability means you can plug in things like a laptop inside the car as well as camping or work equipment from the outside.

Several decades ago, Lexus repositioned the local luxury car market with an unprecedented focus on the ownership experience. It woke the established players from their post-purchase slumber and things have never been better for luxury car owners. More recently, Genesis has entered the customer benefits arms race with its heavy artillery blazing.

Purchase an Electrified GV70 and it will be covered by a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty (now the norm in the luxury segment), with eight-year/160,000km cover for the battery.

Then, under the umbrella of ‘Genesis Service Concierge’ you’ll also receive five years complimentary servicing with the choice of a valet pick-up and return, or a courtesy vehicle.

The Electrified GV70 is covered by a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty. (Image: James Cleary)

You can also factor in 10-year 24/7 roadside assistance and complimentary nav map updates for the same period.

Throw in a choice of a five-year Chargefox subscription or home A/C charger and installation and things are looking pretty much pain-free for at least the first five years.

It must be said the Lexus ‘Encore’ program adds extra layers in the form of rewards and access to exclusive events. But the benefits similar to the Genesis perks listed above are limited to three years and only owners of top-tier Platinum-eligible models pick up the full package.