Let’s be clear, when Genesis says “electrified,” it means electric. And, the 2023 Electrified GV70 is the second all-electric SUV from the brand. Unlike the GV60, which is EV only, but similar to the Electrified G80, it’s built on the gas counterpart’s platform.
Which is a pretty neat trick – especially since it takes a lot of planning and forethought to accomplish it.
During my brief first look at the 2023 Electrified GV70, I was hard pressed to find things I didn’t like because this is a great SUV. And while I did find a few things that could be improved, overall, I like most things about it.
SUV first, EV second
Looking at the 2023 Electrified GV70, you have to do a doubletake to understand it’s an EV. The changes are subtle — from the lack of venting on the grille to the omitted tailpipes. The electrified version looks remarkably like its gas sibling. And that’s on purpose. In fact, there isn’t any EV badging anywhere on the vehicle.
As Genesis pointed out during the press preview, this is a vehicle people buy because they want an SUV that also happens to be an EV – not an EV that also happens to be an SUV.
So, while this is an EV, the focus is first that it’s a Genesis SUV. Thus, from the high-quality paint to the textured details, there is a certain level of high-end luxury baked into the Electrified GV70’s DNA.
I mean, the available stark-white interior should tell you something.
Simple and elegant
One of the best things about the 2023 Electrified GV70 is the sheer simplicity of it. The clean exterior is paired with a minimalist interior. While there is ambient lighting, it’s well placed and not overdone – like some other luxury automakers are wont to do. I feel like I’m in a luxury vehicle when I’m driving it, not a spaceship or video game. It’s more elegant than futuristic, which makes it a tad more conservative, and I’m totally OK with that.
Plus, all the surfaces — from the seating surfaces to the headliner — feel good.
Get boosted with the 2023 Electrified GV70
Another bonus to the 2023 Electrified GV70 is the EVness of it. It’s fleet-footed with a max horsepower of 429 and torque of 516 pound-feet. It has quick accelerations in normal driving conditions, but if you want a little “wee” in your life, you’ve got to use the “boost” button for maximum fun. It may be a bit of a parlor trick, but it’s a fun one. And I could see myself using it over and over again.
One thing to note, however, is that even though the electric version is quick, it doesn’t feel as nimble as its gasoline counterpart. On twisty bits, you can feel the heft of the battery. This certainly makes it feel more grounded, but it also rolls a bit more.
The problem (+ a solution?) with range
The electric GV70 is a very lovable vehicle with comfortable driving positions and a sumptuous interior that bests a BMW or Mercedes-Benz. But the range is going to leave several people saying: “Hey, it’s 2023 here. WTH?”
Yeah, max range is 236 miles. While Genesis execs have said they are “confident” about this number, I’ll need to test it in cold weather before I feel good about it. With the current range loss most EVs get in cold weather, I would not be able to drive it 196 miles to my parents’ house in the winter, which would make it a non-starter for me and a lot of people. However, I could totally see this as a second vehicle that serves as a commuter car or around-town chariot – especially with that white interior.
Genesis has tried to take some of the sting out of the range with making this vehicle ultra-fast-charging capable. That means it can go from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes, and it would add an estimated 64 miles of range in 5 minutes if you were nearing the low end of the battery life scale.
Of course, this assumes ultra-fast chargers are accessible and operable. We’ve found a lot that aren’t.
2023 Electrified GV70 vs RZ 450e
Coincidentally, I drove the Lexus RZ 450e just a few weeks before the Electrified GV70, and a lot of my social media followers asked me for a comparo. While I won’t do a deep dive here (I’ll save that rabbit hole for later), there are a few points I’d like to make.
First, the ranges are similar with 236 vs 220. So, both electric SUVs are likely to be in the second-vehicle category. Next, I like the looks of the GV70 more than the RZ – inside and out – and the GV70 feels a lot faster – especially with Boost. But, finally, the RZ has cooler technology including steer-by-wire mated to a yoke and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
A couple quibbles
And that previous sentence brings me to some pain points, including the fact that CarPlay and Auto aren’t wireless. EVs by the nature of what they are, tend to be more tech forward, and I find it peculiar that this isn’t baked into the infotainment system.
While I like redundant controls – you have both a touch screen and a touch controller – the screen is far enough away that it almost forces you to use the touch controller which is inconveniently located above the similarly sized and circular gearshift. While I’m sure an owner would get used to this, I found the controller and gearshift to be too close together and in size to differentiate between them on the fly, and more than once reached for one when I meant to grab the other. My drive partner did the same thing.
Where can I get one?
Right now, Genesis is rolling out 2023 Electrified GV70 sales to just 15 states, with a focus on dealers that have (or are getting) a stand-alone facility.
So, where exactly can you get one? Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin.
What I find particularly intriguing is that this is the first Genesis assembled in the United States, and it won’t initially be offered in the state it’s built: Alabama.
This electric SUV is on sale now and has a starting price of $66,975, including destination. If you upgrade to the all-in top-tier Prestige trim, you’re looking at $73,775.
The bottom line
I really liked the 2023 Electrified GV70, and Genesis did an excellent job giving this vehicle expected EV qualities, namely: fast acceleration, a quiet interior and one-pedal driving. Now, if the charging infrastructure would catch up with the fast pace of electric-vehicle production … 236 miles of range wouldn’t be an issue.
Editor’s note: Driving impressions in this “First Drive” review are from an invitation-only automaker launch event that allowed special access to the vehicle and executives. Genesis USA covered our accommodations, meals and transportation costs.
