As the UK’s new car market continues to welcome an influx of new brands it could be easy for members of the public to include Genesis in the mix of unknowns.
But in reality Genesis has spent the past few years since its 2021 arrival in the UK putting its brand in front of a select, distinctly middle-class group of car buyers through a series of targetted events, including Goodwood Festival of Speed and regional test-drives, by using focused digital marketing and by experimenting with direct-to-consumer sales before appointing dealers.
2025 is a pivotal year for Genesis, as it will wind down UK sales of its petrol- and diesel-engined cars to focus on EV growth, and to help automotive retailers understand the opportunities ahead I’ll be spending three months with the Genesis Electrified GV70, the South Korean premium brand’s powerful yet practical electric-powered SUV that rivals the Audi Q5 and BMW iX3.
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My first impressions on getting inside this Electrified GV70 are very positive. The cabin is plush, and there’s almost a mini-Bentley perception that’s given off by the double-stitched quilted leather and chrome fixtures.
With this vehicle Genesis, Hyundai’s premium offshoot, demonstrates it’s not content to be the underdog. For UK buyers, the cabin’s serenity and sense of craftsmanship will be a major selling point. Build quality is Lexus-level, which will reassure.
The 14.5-inch infotainment screen is crisp, intuitive, and well-integrated. Genesis has also nailed the minimalist luxury aesthetic that’s eluded some rivals. And as someone who’s become sick of cars that require the touchscreen for everything, I’m delighted to have a central control wheel plus some well-placed buttons to use rather than have to reach for the screen for every adjustment.
On the outside, it’s not shouty, but it stands out. The car is proportioned like a proper SUV, not a jacked-up hatchback, with a solid, commanding presence.
Similarly, it doesn’t scream performance car but it certainly can move, managing 0-62mph in 4.2 seconds with ‘boost’ mode engaged, but it doesn’t brag about it. Acceleration is smooth, predictable, and confidence-inspiring.
Too much of that will affect the car’s efficiency, of course. With an 77.4kWh battery, the GV70 Electrified offers a claimed WLTP range of around 283 miles. In my first few weeks of driving it, during the cold mornings, it was typically showing around 200-2005 miles fully charged. That will improve with the warmed weather.
There’s much more to explore about this EV in forthcoming reviews, but it’s definately off to a strong start. Like the Genesis GV60 SUV I drove last year, it’s a great prospect for buyers.