► Our final report on life with a GV70
► Has Genesis pulled off a premium SUV?
► Read month 6 here
The GV70 Electrified slipped out of our lives as seamlessly as it slipped in. We didn’t actually get to say goodbye, the car having been retrieved by Genesis to investigate and fix some niggles, and not returning before our six months with it was up.
Not the typical customer experience, sure, but the lack of mourning was instructive. The GV70 is a variation on a predictable theme that added exceptional ride comfort and a striking if not entirely practical front cabin. But what it failed to add was much reason to want one over any of the rival crossovers, especially given its £64,405 price, and the £78,895 asked for this car with options. I was glad to have something so comfortable and competent to drive, but couldn’t see myself choosing to spend my own money on one.
Genesis doesn’t yet have the brand image or execution to rival the German premium brands. And although this car shares its battery, motors and control systems with the brilliant Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniqs, it isn’t built on the same all-electric E-GMP platform. Instead those excellent components are shoe-horned into the bodyshell of the conventional combustion-powered GV70, giving none of the design or packaging advantages of a bespoke EV.
A porky kerbweight of 2.3 tonnes meant average efficiency of 2.7 miles per kWh and a real-world range of around 200 miles. At least the 800-volt architecture enabled fast charging at up to 240kW.
Our car’s series of minor niggles, while not necessarily representative of Genesis build quality as a whole, compared poorly with the Swiss-watch construction of a Lexus, the most obvious rival.
The SIM card failed, disabling the sat-nav and app, the latter particularly important for keeping an eye on public charging. There was a noticeable knock from something loose in the rear cabin, and the console between the front seats wobbled on contact.
I remain hugely enthusiastic for almost everything else the Hyundai-Kia empire does. It just isn’t as appealing or successful when you add the price and expectations of a luxury marque, and slip slightly on the execution.
Logbook: Genesis GV70 Electrified
Price £64,405 (£78,895 as tested)
Performance 77.4kWh battery, twin e-motors, 4.2sec 0-62mph, 146mph
Efficiency 3.6 miles per kWh (claimed), 2.7 miles (tested), 0g/km CO2
Range 283 miles (claimed), 200 (tested)
Energy cost 10.6p per mile
Miles this month 0 (courtesy car)
Total miles 9776
Count the cost
Price new £78,895
Part-exchange £49,175
Cost per mile 10.6p
Cost per mile including depreciation £3.15