Behind the wheel
Getting behind the wheel of any new EV I always have a few initial questions:
- Where is the charge point on the car?
- Has it got the right cable in the boot or frunck (front trunk)?
- How does the sat nav work?
After that of course there are the essential things like positioning the seat and mirrors, checking how it starts, drives and stops. Also, worth checking out steering wheel controls and regen braking paddles. Then, there are non-essential things like climate control and radio. It is always best to set these up when stationery on a new car as it can be very distracting on the move.
The interior looks and feels premium.
On the Genesis GV70 all the setup is simple and intuitive although the charge point in the front grill is well disguised. The central screen is very clear and easy to switch between media, sat nav etc. The one switch that took me a little while to fathom was where the driving mode switch was located. I was looking for a circular switch, but the drive mode selector switch is a pull/push switch below the infotainment system. You can choose between eco, comfort and sport. Most of my driving was in eco but the other modes are worth checking out and give a totally different drive.
The leather-wrapped steering wheel also adds that touch of quality. The head-up display works well with speed limit, navigation instructions and close vehicle warnings.
There is also a really helpful ‘Blind-Spot View Monitor’ that brings up an image of your blind spot in place of either the speedo or rev counter when indicating.
This is an unusual EV as it is based on the petrol /diesel model rather than being manufactured from scratch as an EV but it works although there is about an inch less ground clearance and of course there are no exhaust pipes and the grill is different.
In the back
There is plenty of room for two six-foot adults to sit in the back. It is easy to get in and out. The interior is plush with neat stitching lines that add a touch of class. The seats are comfortable and well made. The rear seats also recline which is a neat touch. It has a flat floor.
The boot can easily be extended with the rear seats folded down flat.
The frunk is very small and has a separate lid which seems superfluous.
It also has a moon roof which does open which is not the case in many EVs.
On the road
Despite being a big car or SUV, this vehicle is easy to drive.
One unusual feature is the boost mode button on the steering wheel. Giving it a push before you take off gives you extra power. It can also be used on the move, but I forgot to try it and it didn’t really seem to need it.
The visibility is good. The side mirrors lower when you reverse.
Even in eco mode on very wet roads and motorways the drive was smooth and very comfortable.
Some of this is down to the amazing seats which have some brilliant features.
The driving position is good with huge levels of adjustment, and the seats are amazingly soft but still hard and supportive. This came with a Comfort Seat pack that has the best massage functions to the driver’s seat and enhanced side support at speed.
The side walls of the seat tighten in boost mode or above a certain speed. This makes the seat so comfortable you miss it when it switches off. The only thing that caught me out slightly was the surprise an hour into my journey on a wet M3 when the seat suddenly kicked me in the back. Unbeknown to me the massage was programmed to come on after an hour. Following the initial shock, I looked forward to it and wished I had this feature on every car I drive.
Specifications
Prices start at £64,405 for the Genesis Electrified GV70.
Using a twin-motor arrangement, the all-wheel-drive SUV has a maximum power output of 435PS and 700Nm. It gives the car a 0-62mph acceleration time of 4.2 seconds.
The Electrified GV70 is equipped with a 77.4kWh battery, enabling an estimated range of 283 miles (WLTP).
I reckon I got about 250 miles of range on a wet, rainy day from Herts to Norwich and back driving at sensible speeds and without full air conditioning which I guess isn’t bad.
I didn’t try it but rapid charging capability of 350kW enables the battery to charge from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes.
You can also plug in a mini oven to the car as the electric GV70 is also equipped with vehicle-to-load functionality, allowing you to power an external appliance from the car’s battery.
The electric GV70 is the first Genesis model to feature the SUV-specific e-Terrain Mode, which enables a stable driving experience in various road or off-road conditions, but I didn’t try it.
Conclusions
I fell in love with the massaging soft, yet firm, multi-positioning driver’s seat. On long rides this was more than a gimmick and really felt great. I also appreciated the tightening of the sides of the seats under boost conditions and wished I could engage this under any conditions. The head-up display also made a real difference to driving safety.
Would I buy this car just for the seats and head-up display? Probably not. But if I was in the market for a luxury mid-size SUV that exudes luxury and drives well, then the Genesis Electrified G70 sport is certainly up there in the running. Comfort and control.