Long-term review: Genesis Electrified GV70 month 6

March 28, 2025 Matt Allan

We say goodbye to our luxurious long-termer and reflect on its strengths and weaknesses as a rival to BMW, Audi and Mercedes

This month marks the end of my time with the Genesis Electrified GV70 and I am genuinely sad to see it go.

Work and family commitments meant there was no time for a final ‘grand adventure’ in the Big Red Machine. Instead, its last couple of weeks with us have been spent doing what it has done so well over the last six months, acting as trouble-free, stress-free day-to-day transport for school runs, family day trips and regular jaunts to the airport.

And it has continued to excel. It’s not a car that inspires me to take the long way around, but it is one I’m always happy to jump into. On several occasions, with the choice of a weekly test car or the GV70 for a long trip, I’ve reached for the Genesis keys.

Its cabin is a supremely relaxing place thanks to its high-end design and comfort. The combination of ultra-comfortable seats, soothingly quiet cabin (with the help of active noise cancellation) and almost faultless ride mean every drive is serene. There are memory seats for quick adjustment; deactivating the ADAS is a simple press of one button rather than a multi-menu fight; and the car and my phone have communicated flawlessly – not always a given. All small things but things that add up to a car you can simply get into and drive without frustration day after day.

genesis-electrified-gv70-interior — The GV70’s interior has proved incredibly comfortable and user-friendly

In fact, my only real frustration with the Electrified GV70 is its efficiency. Across more than 4,000 miles of driving, the car returned an average of 2.6m/kWh. Admittedly, that was between September and March, when cold temperatures are bound to take a toll. But it’s the car’s biggest weakness and one that makes it expensive to run compared with rivals. On the positive side, while it needs charging more frequently than some cars, with 230kW DC capability, I was never hanging around for long while topping it up. And charging it at home on an overnight tariff cost less than £6 for 200 miles of driving.

Part of the GV70’s efficiency problem is that it’s a big, heavy all-wheel drive car with almost 500bhp, so it’s bound to be the electric equivalent of a ‘thirsty’ petrol car.

I had the car through the worst of the winter months, which meant chances to exploit all 483bhp were thin on the ground. But I did get some time to knock it into Sport mode and unleash all the power. In truth, though, as fun as the instant throttle response and breathtaking acceleration are, it’s not a ‘sporty’ car. Thanks to its adaptive air suspension, it feels controlled enough at higher speeds but twisty roads still highlight its height and weight. It’s far nicer left in Comfort, where there’s still plenty of punch when needed and you can always use the big ‘Boost’ button on the steering wheel for an extra jolt of power. In Comfort the road-scanning suspension system can also work to best effect.

That suspension is just part of a complete high-tech package that provides everything most drivers are ever likely to want. From seats that adjust automatically to help your posture to the ability to remotely drive the car into and out of parking spaces, this car has it all. I’m sure after six months there are still features I’ve never used.

Over my time with it, I lost track of the number of double-takes the GV70 attracted, partly due to its baby-Bentley appearance and partly, no doubt due to its rarity.

Genesis sales in the UK are what you might politely call ‘boutique-level’, which is a shame. It’s always going to be tough to break into a market dominated by BMW, Audi and Mercedes. It’s taken Lexus more than 20 years and its sales are still dwarfed by the Germans. But that doesn’t mean Genesis isn’t a worthy contender.

The GV70 ticks so many of the premium boxes – from a serene driving experience and acres of space to top-level build quality and all the tech you could ask for. It is priced to compete rather than undercut, but brings bonuses such as the five-year care package, as well as an overall excellent ownership experience. I’ve loved my time with this one and I’m sure many drivers would too, if they gave it a chance.