Sneak Preview: 2023 Genesis Electrified GV70 AWD

An All-Electric GV70 Joins the Genesis Line-up

The all-new 2023 Genesis Electrified GV70 small SUV joins the 2023 GV60 EV and the G80 Electrified sedan as the first of a new line-up of electric vehicles coming to Genesis by 2030.

The 2023 Electrified GV70 AWD will play an important role over the next few years for Genesis. The gasoline-powered GV70 is the best-selling Genesis model, so the addition of an all-electric version of this popular SUV will find a place in many garages as GV70 owners make the transition to electric propulsion.

Both GV70s share the same platform that was specifically designed for a gasoline engine and electric motors. Many electric vehicles, such as the GV60, are built on a skateboard platform that is flexible to be stretched or reduced in size to accommodate different size vehicles. But the Genesis engineers were able to use the same platform for both power plants without sacrificing any interior space for people or cargo.

Genesis showed a pre-production 2023 Electrified GV70 to a few members of the automotive media a week before the 2022 Los Angeles Auto Show. What we saw was a near copy of the GV70 gasoline version save for the front grille (which an EV doesn’t need) and the bespoke wheels. The grille, now closed-off as air flow to a radiator is not needed, has an attractive grid pattern with a hidden door on the right front where the charge cord is plugged-in.

The Genesis wing emblem boldly sits proudly above the grille, flanked by two-line horizontal LED head and daytime running lights that wrap the fenders and sit above functioning corner vents. The lightly raked roof has a power panoramic sunroof, rack rails, a body-color shark fin antenna, and a rear window visor that incorporates the high brake light in a great design. The dual horizontal LED tail lights wrap from the fenders to the hands-free power lift gate, sitting above the sculpted lower fascia.

Power and Powering-Up

Genesis did not release any technical specifications for the 2023 Electrified GV70, but did say it will share much of the performance of the GV60 EV and the G80 Electrified sedan. This would mean it would have one pedal and i-Pedal driving, 0-60 mph times around five seconds, and 400- and 800-volt fast charging that will take the battery from 10% to 80% charge in 18 minutes on a 350 kilowatt DC Fast Charger.

Welcoming Interior

We had limited time in the Electrified Genesis GV70 AWD and we did not have the opportunity to do any driving, but merely sitting inside the cabin the interior showed it reeks of class and style. The leather front seats were soft and supple to the touch plus were comfortable and supportive. The door pockets can hold up to medium size bottles, and the large, deep padded center console has cup holders. The adjustable multi-color ambient LED lighting was soothing.

Rear leg, head and shoulder room was generous, even for six-footers. Useful up-market touches for the back seat passengers include side window shades, HVAC vents and USB ports. Storage space behind the 60/40 split-folding rear seat was good but improves significantly when the seat’s in full down position. There is a hidden storage tray for the charge cord, side storage pockets, a 120V AC outlet and a V2L adaptor. V2L is where power can flow out of the battery and charge camping and outdoor equipment, e-bikes, run your office while traveling, and even be an electricity source during a power outage. This video of the 2023 Genesis GV60 shows how V2L will be a welcome feature on the Electrified GV70.

Pricing and Availability

Pricing has not been announced and availability will be sometime in early 2023.

Observations: 2023 Genesis Electrified GV70 AWD

The 2023 Electrified GV70 will be the first all-electric vehicle produced by Genesis at its Montgomery, Alabama, factory that has produced the Hyundai Santa Cruz, Elantra and Sonata. The retooling of this plant has it just about ready for the Electrified GV70 to start production in early December 2022. It’s part of a $10 billion investment the Hyundai Motor Group (Genesis, Hyundai and Kia) is making to build electric vehicles to be sold in North America.

Senior Manager PR and Communications at Genesis, Jarrad Pellat, said “not initially, but the Electrified GV70 will be the core of the U.S. line-up and will be a very important vehicle for Genesis.” Pellat went on to say “the U.S. market is really important to us, and we are making massive investments in this country. This is a huge milestone as a brand, that we are going to start producing an EV version of our most popular model for this country.”

There is a real excitement at Genesis for what they have planned and what they see as a growing relationship with a luxury car buyer. Pellat said: “A lot of people are getting into EVs for the very first time and are curious, but also hesitant. People are starting to think they want to take that plunge and are intrigued as they begin to understand the benefits of owning an EV. (Whether it’s) the instant torque, or that they are better for the environment, they want to explore that area.”

**Not the Model Y when it comes to frunk**

Genesis is counting on its current owners wanting to make the transition to an electric vehicle and not “compromise driving performance and vehicle comfort, while also staying with a known model of the GV70. They will not need to sacrifice any of that.”

When Clean Fleet Report gets some serious seat time in the all-new Electrified GV70, sometime in early 2023, we will report in detail on all aspects of the interior, entertainment system, driver safety systems and the performance.

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Story and photos by John Faulkner.