GENESIS GV70 ELECTRIFIED IS A GROUNDBREAKING RIDE!

By NITISH S. RELE – motoringtampabay@gmail.com
Since Hyundai launched the offshoot Genesis in 2015, there has been no going back. In fact, the hot-selling luxury brand marches forward, solid and steady. The G70, G80 (gas and electric) and G90 sedans in the Genesis stable and the GV60, GV70 and GV80 SUVs have now been joined by the compact luxury GV70 Electrified. It provides more proof that quality, styling, design, and ease of use have been trademarks of Korean car builder’s upmarket offshoot from Day One.
Sharing a platform with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6, the all-electric and AWD GV70 is equipped with a 77.4 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery that assures the driver of going almost 236 miles on a full charge. Dual 160 kW front/rear electric motors crank out 429 horsepower and 516 pounds-feet of torque. Believe it or not, that takes the GV70 just four seconds to reach 0 to 60 mph in boost mode with 483 hp at its disposal. Not bad for a vehicle that weighs nearly 4,890 pounds! On a 240-volt, it will take about seven hours but a fast DC charge (350 kW) can load up 80 percent in just 18 minutes. The good news is that Genesis is offering a three-year courtesy charge at any Electrify America station.
Up front, a clamshell hood meets up with jewel-like, parametric-pixel two-line LED headlights to convey a distinctive presence. The EV charging port is smartly hidden in the crest grille with its inverted G-Matrix pattern. Step inside and you’ll discover a large 14.5-inch split-screen HD display for phone, nav and audio that can be controlled via a knob. Need to shift into park? The rotary dial selector is a handy touch. To be sure, Genesis coddles the occupants with three-zone auto a/c, 16-way power driver and 12-way front-passenger heated/cooled Nappa leather seats, head-up display, aluminum trim, three-zone climate control, heated second-row seat, hands-free liftgate, power/heated tilt/telescopic steering column and tilt-and-slide panoramic sunroof, Lexicon premium audio system and a suede headliner. A 12.3-inch digital cluster helps the driver monitor the speedometer, power, charge level and trip odometer gauges. And with Vehicle-to-Load feature, you can charge electric bikes, scooters and other gadgets via the outside port or another interface.
Standard safety features include dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag, driver knee airbag, blind spot, forward-collision, park-collision and rear-cross traffic collision avoid assists, front avoid, lane keep and follow assists, rearview camera and surround-view monitor, tire pressure monitoring system and daytime running lights.
Its innovative looks, inside and out, plus cutting-edge technology make the GV70 Electrified an enticing choice. And with scarcely a carbon footprint to leave behind. Move over, Tesla, for a sensational and Electrified Genesis, with more promising EVs on the way.
GV70 (PRESTIGE)
Tires: 265/45R20
Wheelbase: 113.2 inches
Length: 185.6 inches
Width: 75.2 inches
Height: 64.2 inches
MPGe: 98/83/91 (city, hwy, comb)
Base price: $65,450
Price as tested: $74,600
Web site: www.genesis.com