Genesis Electrified GV70 2023 review: family test

The GV70 looks like it deserves the SUV tag. It’s a large car but there’s a refined subtlety in the design that makes it elegant. The curves are sleek, the LED lights slim and the windows dark, which all create a luxe mystery to the all-ready sexy looking packaging.

The criss-cross chrome panelling in the grille makes it look futuristic while also hiding the charging port door (it’s nearly impossible to see).

The rear is minimalistic and the roof slopes off nicely but that design may cost you in practicality because it does make the boot feel smaller.

The GV70's curves are sleek, the LED lights slim and the windows dark. (Image: Tom White)

The rear indicator and reversing lights are also a tad too slim and too far down for my liking. They don’t stand out, which negates their purpose.

The cabin gets a proper look in too. It’s downright plush. You can choose the colours in the ambient lighting and there are special inserts in the doors that feature an etched ‘mountain-scape’ design that are backlit by the lights.

It gives it an almost dreamy atmosphere at night-time. The panoramic sunroof and black suede headliner ups the wow factor, too, but I really love the colour choices for the trim and paint work. You can really customise the car to make it feel like your own.

The cabin offers decent headroom and legroom for all occupants but front seat passengers will notice how the sunroof cuts into their space the most.

The storage is actually very good for this size SUV but there aren’t as many ‘cubbies’ as you can find on other competitors.

Still, it has a large glovebox and centre console, two cupholders and a drink bottle holder in each door.

The phone cubby in front of the gear shifter is deep enough that you can plug your phone in and tuck everything away to close the lid, keeping it tidy up front.

Backseat passengers enjoy map pockets, storage bins and cupholders in the armrest but no additional storage.

The GV70’s boot isn’t as large as it could be with that sloping roof but it still has 503L (VDA) of capacity when all seats are in use.

Pop the back row down and that jumps up to a healthy 1678L (VDA) but that only helps with gear and not people stowage. There’s a tiny ‘frunk’ storage but you’ll only use it for the odd charging cable.

You don’t have to think about how to use the car, and that's not in a ‘this is too basic’ sort of way. It’s just simple to operate despite looking futuristic and having high-tech equipment installed.

The lower profile height made it easy for my six-year old to scramble in and out on the school run. Plus, he had a great view out of his window and enjoyed the using the retractable sunblind (always a good family feature).

The amenities in each row are fantastic – three-zone climate control, reading lights, map pockets, directional air vents and a multitude of USB-A and 12-volt ports to choose from.

The GV70 is simple to operate despite looking futuristic and having high-tech equipment installed. (Image: Tom White)

You even have a 240-volt plug port in the boot, if you ever need to charge something while on the road/camping.

The front seats have so many electrical adjustments available that if you can’t get comfortable, it’s a case of ‘you’ being the problem, not the seats!

I love the way the front seats automatically slide backwards to allow you easy access in and out of the car. Kind of feels like you have an in-built butler with you.

The safety features are pretty good in this and some of the top features include: autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with car, pedestrian, cyclist, junction turning, lane-changing and evasive steering assist functions (phew, that’s a longy).

There’s also blind-spot monitoring that has a camera view pop-up on the instrument panel, lane keeping and departure aids, rear cross-traffic alert and rear occupant alert, which is always a good feature for families.

A highlight though is the ‘safe exit assist’ alert which blared a warning at me when a car pulled in and then out of the space behind me. I can see this being a good feature in the city with the tight streets and bike lanes.

The Electrified GV70 it yet to receive an ANCAP rating. (Image: Tom White)

The GV70 has eight airbags, including a front centre airbag, and at the time of this review, it hasn’t been rated with ANCAP but it’s fuel-based siblings achieved five-star ratings in 2021.

There are ISOFIX mounts on the rear outboard seats plus three top tether child seat mounts, but two seats will fit best.

There’s enough room for front passengers when a 0-4 rearward facing child seat is installed, which offers flexibility for growing families.  

This is the only electric GV70 model to choose from and it will cost you $127,800, before on-road costs.

Considering the market, this is on par for the course while not being the most expensive option out there.

It has some great features like heated and ventilated Nappa leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, and twin-motors that deliver some serious oomph.

The Electrified GV70 will cost you $127,800, before on-road costs. (Image: Tom White)

The GV70 comes with Genesis’s standard five-year/unlimited km warranty. Impressively, this comes with the 'Genesis Concierge' service, meaning the first five years of servicing are complimentary.

Amazing, if unusual, but new owners also don’t have to step foot in a service centre as Genesis will collect and return your car for you (within 70km range of a major city CBD).

Genesis is also offering either a five-year complimentary subscription to Chargefox or an 'At Home Charger' to make the transition to an EV life, that much easier.