Genesis Electrified GV70

Electric motor

Power/range 483bhp/283 miles

SeanCarson

sean _ carson@autovia.co.uk

IN a little over a year since it arrived in the UK, Genesis has launched six models, establishing premium alternatives to the usual German players in pretty much every class that matters. But this Electrified GV70 SUV could be the most important variant it’s launched yet.

The Electrified GV70 combines qualities from many in-demand areas in the market at the moment: an all-electric powertrain in a mid-size SUV body with a premium bent.

Priced from £64,405, the Electrified GV70 only comes in Sport trim, with a 77.4kWh battery and a pair of electric motors packing up to 483bhp in Boost mode and a maximum of 700Nm of torque. While it delivers impressive performance (0-62mph in 4.2 seconds) it’s range that’s more important; a 283-mile claim is competitive and during our time with the car, we saw efficiency that put us within 10 per cent of that official figure.

There’s more to dissect when it comes to the price, which actually makes the Genesis look better value. The brand calls it ‘the Genesis difference’ , which amounts to its five-year care plan, including warranty, roadside assistance and servicing.

Buyers will also get assigned a Genesis Personal Assistant, but with the Electrified GV70 it goes beyond all this, with five years’ access to the Ionity charging network at a

Practicality

Boot (seats up/down) 503/1,678 litres

Genesis Electrified G

FIRSTDRIVE All-electric version of premium SUV is a significant addi

preferential rate of 24p per kWh. Ionity usually charges 69p per kWh; equate this to paying nearly two thirds less at the pump for your petrol or diesel in an ICE car.

The Electrified GV70 can accept charging speeds up to 240kW, with a 10-80 per cent top-up taking 18 minutes. It will sustain its peak charging rate from 15-55 per cent, too.

In Sport with Boost mode selected, the GV70 stomps forward like most other EVs, but the throttle pedal is nicely calibrated for a smooth, rather than a shocking power delivery, retaining the focus on refinement.

This is where the Electrified GV70 excels. Our car was fitted with the £3,560 Innovation Pack, which includes active road noise cancelling. This is combined with an almostcomplete lack of motor whine when cruising, and even the ride on our car’s optional 20-inch wheels was mostly good.

All Electrified GV70s have adaptive suspension with road-scanning tech. On the whole, the system works well and delivers a comfortable ride on motorways and A-roads. Around town sometimes the set-up doesn’t seem the most intelligent, but the Genesis is far from uncomfortable. On crowned and rutted country roads there is some body sway, but that’s no doubt due to the car’s chunky 2,310kg kerbweight – a problem many electric SUVs suffer from.

On bespoke Michelin tyres, there’s plenty of grip, while the steering offers a nice weight and linear response in Comfort mode, albeit with zero feedback. But that’s unlikely to matter to buyers; the GV70’s composure will.

The fact that it’s packed with tech helps take the edge off any dynamic shortfall. Its regenerative braking, for example, is great. The Smart Regeneration System 2.0 will adjust the level depending on traffic conditions and data from the sat-nav. Or you can select Genesis’s i-Pedal set-up, which allows one-pedal driving.

There’s also a max regen feature, activated by pulling the left-hand steering wheel paddle. It means you can cruise along with low regen to maximise rolling efficiency,