While some automakers are going all in with dedicated EV platforms, Genesis is hedging its bets with both dedicated EV platforms and platforms that accommodate both gas and EV versions of the same model.

The Genesis Electrified GV70 shares its platform with turbocharged 2.5 liter 4-cylinder and 3.5 liter V6 gas versions.

From a styling standpoint, the Electrified GV70 is typical Genesis, including the big front grille, although unlike its internal combustion brothers, it has a solid diamond pattern, since the radiator air intakes aren’t needed.

Once you get out on the road the amount of thought the engineers and designers put into both gas and EV versions quickly becomes clear. One of my favorite aspects of the Electrified GV70 is its safety systems.

It starts with the side view cameras that activate in the main gauge cluster when a turn signal is used. A side camera temporarily replaces either the speedometer or power meter, depending on whether the left or right turn signal is activated.

The GV70 is even more plush than it’s little sister, the GV60, and its corporate cousins: the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5. Although its bigger and softer, it still has plenty of kick when Sport mode is selected.

A physical switch in the console allows the driver to quickly flip between modes without going hunting in the touch screen. The gauge cluster colors and details change a bit between modes.

When Sport mode is selected the front seat bolsters tighten to better cradle the driver through the curves. Better yet, it features a button on the steering wheel that Genesis calls Boost, which unleashes 100% of the Electrified GV70’s power in short bursts, giving the driver the SUV’s full 483 horsepower, as compared to its normal 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque.

“As far as performance goes, you know it’s a very lively vehicle, and the GV70 has a little trick feature with the Boost mode, which ups the horsepower for 10 seconds. And you can use that as many times as you want, which is kind of neat, but I kind of wish they would have included that as far as being just a drive mode, said AutomotiveAddicts.com Publisher Malcom Hogan. Automotive Addicts graciously loaned EV Rider the GV70 featured in this review.

Hogan said the Electrified GV70 can hit 60 mph in about 4.2 seconds, while using the Boost mode from a stop gets you to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds.

Out on the road the Electrified GV70 is a very comfortable cruiser with a competent driver assist package that includes adaptive cruise control and lane keeping.

For the most part it is a hands free system, although unlike the systems from Ford and GM you do have to put your hand back on the wheel every so often.

The self-steering takes gentle curves just fine and the adaptive cruise control did a good job maintaining distance between the vehicles in front of it.

The GV70’s infotainment system is one of the best I’ve ever used. Its layout is logical and attractive with many of the functions available through either touchscreens or physical controls. Android Auto and Apple Car Play are also on board.

A full suite of driving modes are available starting with Eco mode, which eases up on the throttle and provides the best range. The Electrified GV70 also allows the drive to create a custom mode for the steering feel, braking, active suspension and pedal response.

Another feature that encourages driving involvement is a set of steering paddles that can be used to increase or decrease the amount of regen. The paddles simulate the feel of downshifts while feeding regenerative power back into the battery.

The Electrified GV70 has an 800-volt architecture, allowing it to fast charge from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes when plugged into a 350kW CCS DC charger. At home, it will add just over 20 miles per hour on a 40 amp Level 2 AC charger.

The as tested price of our Genesis Electrified GV70 was $74,350 and included the optional Prestige package.

The EPA rates the Electrified EV70 at 236 miles of range, which is where the AWD SUV falls short. Most EVs in its price category offer more range with some topping well over 300 miles per charge.

For a road test of the Electrified GV70 and a more detailed look at its features, including ones not mentioned in this abbreviated text version of the story, be sure to watch the video at the top of this post.

The post Genesis Electrified GV70 EV Delivers Luxury Vibe appeared first on EV Rider.

From charging up other EVs to a crystal sphere that rotates into a gear selector, the Genesis GV60 is filled with innovation and this week we’re taking it for a spin. 

Better yet, we’ve got the Performance version that features up to 483 horsepower in Boost mode. More on that in a moment, but first let’s look at its battery and charging. 

The GV60 has a 77.4 kWh battery, which is somewhat small given the GV60’s price.  

Genesis says the GV60 will go from 10 to 80% of charge in just 18 minutes and is able to add up to 60 miles of range in 5 minutes. While charging at a local EVgo station we saw a peak charging rate of 214 kW. 

While the GV60 is certainly one of the fastest charging EV’s available, once you hit 80% you’ll want unplug unless you just have to have that last 20% of charge, because at that point the speed falls off a cliff.  

Once our GV60 hit 80% the charging speed slowed down to 20 kW. While driving at 79% of charge the GV60 predicted I had 159 miles of range.  

The GV 60’s base price is $58,890 and the pricing climbs to $69,560 – as tested – with the Performance package and optional uyuni white paint. Yes, the color white is a $575 option.  

Despite the extra cost, that Performance is something that I would want because it helps set the car apart with its Boost mode and AWD. If you get the GV60 base model you’ll get a vehicle that’s rated to 248 miles per charge. The Performance model knocks that range down to 235 miles, largely because of the wider tires and the gobs of available torque. 

Our Performance model is rated at the equivalent of 97 miles per gallon in the city. That drops to 82 MPGe on the highway. 

Based on a one day driving evaluation of the GV60, the build quality appeared to be rock solid. 

The handling was nice and tight, but compliant and plush. It does a nice job of splitting the difference between what I would call a luxury car and a performance car. 

It’s not a sports car, although when it comes to 0-60 acceleration it will certainly beat quite a few lower end ICE sports cars. 

As with many new EVs, the GV60 features artificial sound being pumped into the cabin. When punching the accelerator it sounds like something out of a sci-fi series and if you hit the Boost mode button along with mashing the pedal both speed and sound are amplified.  

Car and Driver recorded a 3.7 second 0-60 mph run in the GV60. The Boost mode will only last 10 seconds, which is a similar limitation we found when driving the equivalent drive mode set ups in Ford’s Mustang Mach-E GT-Performance and BMW’s i4 M50. 

The GV60 takes corners nicely as long as you’re not pushing it hard, although it isn’t going to keep pace at the limit in tight turns with the BMW i4 M50 that we had recently on EV Rider, according to Automotive Addicts editor Malcolm Hogan, who has reviewed both cars for a full week. 

While the GV60 might not be quite the canyon carver the i4 M50 is, that’s not its mission. The GV60 is tuned as more of a luxury automobile than perhaps the BMW. 

While the BMW has a sportier interior, the GV60 has a bit of a more gee-whiz feel to it, thanks in large part to the crystal sapphire gear shifter I mentioned earlier. 

While it doesn’t add any extra functional value it does make for some great eye candy and it’s a conversation starter. 

When I showed the GV60 to some neighbors, they got a kick out of the shifter, which I’m sure is exactly why Genesis put the extra effort into it. It’s one more thing to set the EV apart from the pack, and, it’s an increasingly crowded pack as more sport/crossover utility EVs come to market. 

Hogan has spent a good bit of time in both the GV60 and its corporate brother, the Hyundai Ionic 5. 

“In my in my time with the Genesis GV60 I’ve noticed it’s a much softer vehicle than the platform it’s based on, which is the Hyundai Ionic 5 and I’m pretty impressed with the vehicle. It’s very responsive, pretty powerful. It’s probably one of the better EVs I’ve driven thus far, and I’ve driven quite a few EVs,” Hogan said. 

The GV 60 has a number of innovations. Among them is what’s known as a vehicle to load adapter, which turns the car’s battery into a big electric outlet to power things like 220v appliances or even charge another EV. Think of it as the modern-day equivalent of being able to bring a stranded friend a gallon of gas. 

The GV60’s infotainment system is one of the best I’ve yet to experience, with big targets on the touchscreen, reinforced with traditional buttons and a jog wheel for many controls. 

Unlike some cars with just touchscreens, doing things like tuning stations on the HD Radio is a breeze with redundant physical controls in addition to touch controls. 

For a look at the GV60’s other features, such as the frunk, fingerprint reader and more, along with a full road test, watch the video at the top of this post and if you’ve enjoyed this edition of EV Rider, please give the video a like and subscribe to the EV Rider YouTube channel. 

The post Genesis GV60 EV Sparkles With Tech appeared first on EV Rider.