2023 Genesis Electrified GV70 Generates Giggles with out Gasoline

05/18/23 UPDATE: This evaluation has been up to date with instrumented check outcomes.

Stomping on an EV’s go pedal by no means will get previous. We’re hooked on the fun of prompt thrust, which will get even more durable to withstand when it may be amplified at any time. That is why the 2023 Genesis Electrified GV70 wants a warning label that reads: Enhance mode could be habit-forming and should trigger bouts of spontaneous acceleration.

Hit the Enhance button on the backside of the electrical GV70’s steering wheel and the twin motors’ peak output jumps from 429 to 483 horsepower for as much as 10 seconds. That window is huge sufficient to dart previous different drivers dilly-dallying on the freeway. It is also nice for producing giggles however dangerous for preserving the 77.4-kWh battery’s state of cost, as we lately discovered on the freeways and roads round Atlanta.

The Electrified GV70 is the third electrical mannequin Genesis has launched within the final yr, becoming a member of the smaller GV60 SUV and the Electrified G80 sedan. The trio is at present offered in 23 states, and availability continues to develop.

Overdosing on Overboost

The Electrified GV70 is not a performance-oriented mannequin, but it surely’s arguably extra enjoyable to drive than the gas-powered GV70 3.5T Sport Status. Whereas they appear virtually an identical, you may establish the brand new electrical model by its closed-off grille (with a hidden opening to entry the cost port), in addition to particular 20-inch wheels and restyled bumpers. It additionally lacks tailpipes, as a substitute emitting unusual buzzing sounds to alert pedestrians of its presence.

Whereas this GV70 is an electrified copy of its gas-fed siblings, from behind the wheel, we found meaning it is extra athletic. The EV shares Michelin Primacy Tour A/S all-season tires with the three.5T, and its floor-mounted battery pack lowers the middle of gravity, including an additional sprint of stability. The electrical mannequin posted 0.85 g of cornering grip on our 300-foot skidpad, barely lower than the three.5T mannequin managed in topping out at 0.86 g. Whereas the EV’s brake pedal is not all the time reassuring—a byproduct of poor mixing between friction and regenerative brakes—it stopped from 70 mph in 183 ft. That is a bit longer than the three.5T’s 167-foot cease, showcasing the truth that the electrical model, at 5060 kilos, is 477 kilos heavier.

What actually makes the Electrified GV70 time is its 483-hp punch, with Enhance mode serving to to rocket the SUV to 60 mph in 3.8 ticks. The 375-hp GV70 3.5T was almost a second slower at 4.6 seconds. The EV’s thrust did not fizzle out at larger speeds both, because it clipped the 100- and 130-mph marks 2.7 and three.2 seconds faster, respectively, than the three.5T. With Enhance mode activated, our tester famous a roughly 0.3- to 0.4-second enchancment within the EV GV70’s acceleration occasions to 60 mph and thru the quarter-mile, which took 12.3 seconds at 111 mph.

Genesis says there isn’t any restrict to what number of occasions the overboost operate could be triggered; the enjoyable is just accomplished when the battery runs out. Drive like we did (for some time) down south and plan on calling a tow truck earlier than reaching the Genesis’s estimated vary of 236 miles. That determine is notably decrease than the Tesla Mannequin Y (as much as 330 miles) however larger than the Lexus RZ (196 or 220 miles, relying on wheel measurement). It is also one mile higher than the EPA-estimated vary for the 2023 Genesis GV60 Efficiency, with which it shares its all-wheel-drive powertrain. On our 75-mph highway-range check, the EV GV70 traveled 190 miles on a full cost; the GV60 Efficiency went 200 miles.

Intoxicated by the thrilling takeoffs the Enhance operate permits, we had been gratuitous with it initially of the drive however sobered up as we watched the Electrified GV70’s indicated vary dive at an alarming charge. Hooking as much as an 800-volt DC fast-charger can restore roughly 60 miles in 5 minutes or take the battery from 10 to 80 p.c in 18 minutes, a feat we have already verified ourselves with a GV60. In our 10 to 90 p.c DC fast-charge check, the Electrified GV70 want simply 24 minutes to cost.

A extra relaxed proper foot additionally ended our wrestling match with the electrical GV70’s steering wheel, which was riddled with torque steer throughout Enhance mode’s laborious launches. Our give attention to conserving electrons as a substitute had us toggling by way of 4 brake-regen settings whereas utilizing the steering-wheel-mounted paddles. The strongest possibility supplied snug one-pedal driving, however we may barely differentiate between the center two.

Value It to Go on Gasoline?

In contrast with its gasoline counterparts, the Electrified GV70 has a stiffer construction and extra sound deadening, each of which enhance on what was an already serene cabin atmosphere. Nevertheless, it could be too quiet as a result of there was nothing to drown out the wind noise we seen coming from the A-pillars at freeway speeds.

Inside, there’s virtually nothing that differentiates this Genesis as an EV, except for the menus in its digital gauge cluster and huge infotainment show. We additionally want Genesis would add wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto—the truth that they nonetheless require a twine is a bummer.

Fortunately, choosing the EV would not require too many sacrifices. Inside and cargo house are just about an identical between ICE and electrical, with each offering an an identical 29 cubic ft behind the rear seats. The 2 GV70 variants even have the identical 3500-pound tow ranking, however any trailering will considerably diminish vary. The EV additionally has vehicle-to-load functionality, so it may double as a small generator and provide as much as 1.9 kilowatts to energy ancillary gadgets.

The Electrified GV70 is the primary Genesis mannequin to be in-built America and never in South Korea. Whereas it is an SUV that begins underneath $80K and is assembled at Hyundai’s manufacturing facility in Montgomery, Alabama, it would not qualify for the federal tax credit score underneath the Inflation Discount Act. The identical goes for the extraordinarily related GV60 Efficiency, which is all however an identical to the GV70 in value, measurement, and powertrain. Genesis tells us that the funkier-looking GV60 is supposed to attraction to these already inquisitive about an EV, whereas the GV70 will do a greater job convincing the ICE crowd.

With out incentives, the Electrified GV70 begins at $67,550 for the Superior trim degree. We drove the fancier $74,350 Status mannequin, which provides a 3-D digital gauge cluster with a head-up show, nappa leather-based, heated rear seats, and an upgraded Lexicon stereo. As a result of manufacturing limitations, Genesis will solely provide 4 grayscale paint colours to start out (we dig the lone matte end).

Neither Electrified GV70 is a superb worth, particularly in contrast with the sub-$45K four-cylinder mannequin. Issues look completely different when the 375-hp twin-turbo V-6 will get concerned. The V-6 model begins at round $56K, and choosing the flamboyant Sport Status trim provides almost $10K to the underside line, thrusting it into the EV’s value bracket.

The fuel-sipping GV70 is already considered one of our favorites, evidenced by its spot on our listing of the 10Best Vans and SUVs for 2023. We’ll must spend extra time with the brand new electrical model earlier than bestowing equal reward. Nonetheless, its unexpectedly enjoyable persona helps its odds, and something that makes us giggle with out gasoline will get additional kudos.

Senior Editor

Eric Stafford’s car habit started earlier than he may stroll, and it has fueled his ardour to put in writing information, critiques, and extra for Automobile and Driver since 2016. His aspiration rising up was to change into a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like automotive assortment. Apparently, getting wealthy is more durable than social-media influencers make it appear, so he averted monetary success solely to change into an automotive journalist and drive new automobiles for a dwelling. After incomes a level at Central Michigan College and dealing at a every day newspaper, the years of mainly burning cash on failed undertaking automobiles and lemon-flavored jalopies lastly paid off when Automobile and Driver employed him. His storage at present features a 2010 Acura RDX, a guide ’97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a ’90 Honda CRX Si.