Genesis Electrified GV70 Reviewed: Why It May Struggle Against German Rivals

The luxury market remains enticing, and many brands are eager to enter the fray. Hyundai embarked on this journey in 2015 by establishing Genesis and, a decade and 1.5 million vehicles later, it has finally reached France.

Accompanying its debut are three electric vehicles – with the promise of hybrid models to follow by 2027. We used the launch event as an opportunity to get acquainted with the Genesis Electrified GV70, a large electric SUV that competes with the BMW iX3, Audi Q6 e-tron, Mercedes-Benz GLC, and Volvo EX60.

Technical Specifications

Exterior: A Distinctive Style

Introduced in late 2020 and launched in 2021, the Genesis GV70 isn’t exactly new – though a facelift in 2025 refreshed its appearance.

Despite its age, this SUV, measuring 4.72 m long, 1.91 m wide, and 1.63 m tall, offers a unique and well-aged look.

Opting against sharp-edged bodywork, the GV70 favors smooth lines and curves, striking a balance that’s both distinctive and refined without being excessive.

The lighting, both front and rear, maintains the signature two-tier design seen across all Genesis models, while the front headlights feature small square projectors equipped with microlens technology to enhance lighting quality.

The “Electrified” in the SUV’s name hints at the GV70’s transition from its initial combustion engine versions. It retains its large diamond-shaped grille, now fully covered and cleverly incorporating the nearly invisible charging port: pressing one of the diamonds on the left side of the grille electrically opens the port.

Interior: High Tech but Not Spacious

A Massive OLED Screen

The interior of the Genesis GV70 electric continues the unique style seen on the exterior, preferring ellipses and physical buttons over the impersonal coldness of a Tesla or a Chinese SUV.

That doesn’t mean it lacks technology: like the rest of the Genesis lineup, the GV70 features a massive 27-inch OLED panel that combines digital gauges and all the entertainment functionalities.

This display is touch-responsive but can also be controlled via a dial on the central console, similar to BMW’s, offering a far superior feel than Cadillac Lyriq’s—allowing for easy menu navigation with a flick of the wrist.

The infotainment system, while featuring a unique visual overlay, builds upon Hyundai/Kia’s ccIC system: the main menu is presented in tiles, and the menus are intuitive enough to quickly become familiar. Climate controls are adjusted via a dedicated screen and dials.

The quality of the materials and craftsmanship seems on par with the luxury sector, even more impressive than the somewhat disappointing interior of the Audi Q6 e-tron. It’s just a matter of whether you prefer its uniqueness.

Moderate Spacing

Here’s where the Genesis Electrified GV70 may suffer due to its multi-energy platform: some compromises in spaciousness are noticeable.

The trunk is reasonably sized, offering 503 liters (compared to 526 liters in a Q6 e-tron, 520 liters in an iX3, and 523 liters in an EX60), but the front trunk (frunk) is merely symbolic at 25 liters, while the GLC can reach 128 liters.

Rear seating follows a similar pattern: nothing tragic, but legroom doesn’t match that of many competitors of similar size. The Genesis attempts to compensate with features like generously padded door panels with illuminated inserts and separate climate control adjustments.

Promising Technical Data

Unlike the GV60, which is dedicated to electric, the Electrified GV70 does not utilize Hyundai’s acclaimed E-GMP platform.

That doesn’t mean the GV70 electric falls behind: engineers have made the platform compatible with the so-called “800 volts” architecture (actually 697 volts), enhancing efficiency and charging speed.

A single 84 kWh battery is available, supporting a maximum charging power of 240 kW, enabling it to charge from 10 to 80% in just 19 minutes.

Genesis claims a range of 479 km per WLTP cycle, with an official consumption rate of 19.4 kWh/100 km including charging losses—here, competitors often perform much better, not hesitating to exceed 800 km on a single charge with larger batteries; the Mercedes-Benz GLB, with a comparable battery, achieves 632 km of WLTP range.

A single powertrain is offered: two electric motors (one per axle for all-wheel drive) producing a combined 490 HP, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds.

French pricing details are yet to be announced, but the electric GV70 will be available in three well-equipped trims, all featuring standard amenities like a heat pump, 19-inch wheels, camera-controlled suspension, a connected 27-inch screen, and a level 2 semi-autonomous driving system.

We only know that prices start at €69,050 in Germany (French prices should be similar), and it will be offered in France with a 5-year, unlimited mileage warranty. The official launch is scheduled for spring.