2026 Genesis Electrified GV70 Review: Silent Stunner

“What’s a Genesis?”

It’s an honest question from a friend who doesn’t nerd out about cars. Genesis as a brand is just about ready to celebrate its tenth birthday; while sales continue to pick up, there are still folks who just haven’t been exposed to it. I’m picking this friend up in the 2026 Genesis Electrified GV70 to head to the movies and needless to say she is impressed with the swanky and silent cabin.

While the question is simple, I’m taking it at a deeper level. The Electrified GV70 might be the best distillation of what exactly the Genesis brand can offer: a refined SUV that punches far above its weight in style and comfort.

Genesis updated the entire GV70 lineup for this model year; we already drove the gas-powered model earlier this year. The Electrified model picks up similarly modest styling tweaks outside and in, as well as the requisite tech upgrades. It’s the only model to see spec improvements to its powertrain, too: the battery pack is now a larger 84.0-kilowatt-hours (gross), an improvement of a little under 10-percent. Charging that floor-mounted pack still happens via a port hidden within the faux-grille (clever), but it’s now a North American Charging Standard (NACS) setup.

This tester comes in the new-for-2026 Ceres Blue, named after the first asteroid (now dwarf planet). The soft hue can change from cool gray through to a very distinct purple—it’s not quite out of this world, but it is a unique look in this end of the market. This being the top-shelf Prestige trim, it includes larger but less visually interesting 20-inch alloy wheels. Trim bits are all chrome, as opposed to the aggressive blacked-out look found on the gas Sport trim. Beyond the dialed-back lower air intakes and lack of exhaust tips, there aren’t many tells that this is an electric model—that’s good or bad, depending on your perspective.

To these eyes, the GV70 remains distinctive and handsome. It’s maybe not as cohesive as the larger G80—the intentional overlap of bodywork at the hoodline, the unusual C-pillar treatment—but there’s nothing else on the road like it.

Every Electrified GV70 has the same powertrain underneath its stylish skin. The 84.0-kWh battery feeds dual electric motors, one at each axle, for a combined output of 429 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. Those figures make this comfortably the most powerful GV70 buyers can pick, though at 5,311 pounds (2,409 kilograms), it’s also 573 lb (260 kg) chunkier than the heaviest 3.5-liter V6 model. Nonetheless, the GV70 is rapid in all situations, even during highway passing. A Boost button on the steering wheel temporarily unlocks 483 horses in 10-second bursts, but it also turns the otherwise excellently progressive go-pedal into an on-off switch. You’ve been warned.

Like other electric vehicles in the Hyundai group stable, the E-GV70 allows drivers to tailor the amount of regenerative braking via wheel-mounted paddles, right up to full one-pedal. I appreciate the latter, as it’s easy to gauge even in stop-and-go city traffic. One-pedal still deactivates when engaging reverse or selecting park, however, so the driver needs to pull the right paddle each time.

The added battery capacity has improved range, though that remains the GV70’s one weak point. Rolling on the 20s here, the E-GV70 caps out at 243 miles; the smaller 19s are rated at 263 miles. The Canadian NRCan rating is just one, right in the middle at 402 km (250 miles). I did see efficiency figures that would suggest the official ratings are all slightly conservative, but nonetheless, most competitors are closer to 300 miles (483 km) these days. At least the E-GV70 will charge quickly, its 800-volt architecture allowing for a speedy 10-to-80 percent top-up in as little as 19 minutes on a DC fast charger. I juiced up at a Supercharger and while it wasn’t that speedy, it was super simple to do.

One important distinction for those who may ever plan on towing with their luxury SUV: the gas models are rated up to 3,500 lb but the Electrified’s official rating is zero.

The lack of a Sport trim for the E-GV70 is a cue: this is not the GV70 to pick to chase the X3 M50s and AMG GLC 43s of the world. While it is quick in a straight line, the Electrified is more laidback in its lateral movements. That’s not to call it lazy, as the body motions are kept in check and the suspension damping is perfectly on-target for a luxury model. The E-GV70 just doesn’t dig in and hang on around corners like its aggressive siblings. The steering is a similar story: nicely linear, it’s lighter in feedback and resistance than the tiller in a 3.5T. Every interaction with the Electrified is about calming down and going with the flow. Don’t use Sport mode, it’d be uncouth.

Comfort is the Electrified’s main objective, and it consistently delivers. City speed bumps? Sails over ‘em. The highway? A hushed bit of wind from the side mirrors and not much else. This is a remarkably quiet cabin, and there are zero creaks or rattles during our week together.

The front seats look and feel great, all Nappa leather and featuring a wide range of adjustments. The mounting position isn’t too high either, so most folks will find a natural, lateral movement into the GV70 instead of a climb or dip. Genesis’ seats include a helpful quasi-massage function that alleviates tension at regular intervals, useful on longer trips. It’s been years now, but I still smile every time the bolsters hug just a bit tighter in Sport mode. Or when hitting 80 mph (130 km/h) or above… uh, so I’ve been told.

A large panoramic roof stretches from ahead of the driver’s seat to above the rear passengers’ heads, so everyone gets to enjoy some natural light.

Genesis’ commitment to the bit is admirable. Exterior design is all about the twin lines; inside the GV70, it’s all ovals, all the time. The dashboard features one gloss-black one stretching out from behind the steering wheel, housing a handful of frequent-use controls. The door panels are peppered with them, the largest of which includes some subtle ambient lighting in the style of constellations, which looks incredible at night. Even the glovebox pull is an oval. With the Icy Blue and Glacier White color scheme, the cabin has an inviting and fresh feel, worlds away from the dour all-black approach favored so often by the Germans. The twin-color contrast stitching is another smart touch, rare at this end of the market. Bright work is kept to a minimum, save the big swath on the center console. I still wish Genesis had stuck with the iPod-like click wheel for its infotainment system controls, however; the current setup is still too similar to the rotary shifter for mytastes.

With thick carpeting, a suede headliner, and sound-insulated glass, the E-GV70 gives off seriously high-end vibes for what amounts to a brand’s entry-level SUV.

The 27-inch curved display in the E-GV70 has been quickly proliferating across the Genesis brand. It’s a good system: quick and easy to learn, though there can be a little too much menu diving for certain functions. Like other luxury brands, it has redundant controls (either touch or the aforementioned rotary dial), so folks can choose what works best for them. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both finally here, and the former worked without issue. The 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system is powerful.

Convenience features include three-zone climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, memory seating, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. A head-up display is also standard, as is a very high-definition 360-degree camera setup. Blind Spot View Monitor is just as handy as ever, as well. Genesis’ highway drive assist is generally good, but goes for long periods of time without reminding drivers to keep their hands on the wheel.

Other techier bits include a digital key and even a fingerprint pad for when you don’t want to keep the fob on you.

In America, buyers have the choice of three Electrified GV70 trims: AWD ($65,875 including destination), Advanced AWD ($70,745), and Prestige AWD ($76,845). For reference, the GV70 3.5T Advanced AWD rings in at $65,910 and the 3.5T Sport Prestige AWD at $72,590.

Canadian buyers have two Electrified trims, the $78,500 CAD Advanced and the Prestige seen here for a cool $10,000 CAD more. There is just the one top 3.5T trim in the Great White North these days, listing for $84,000 CAD.

This is where I must point out that the Cadillac Lyriq remains the toughest competitor to the GV70. It’s a little bit bigger but offers more range for similar pricing. When we got it together with the (pre-facelift) E-GV70 last summer, the Caddy squeaked ahead.

Since the E-GV70 launched three years ago, I’ve called it the best GV70 available. The 2026 improvements to the powertrain only solidify that. While it’s a little pricier than the top gas-powered model, the 2026 Genesis Electrified GV70 offers another level of smoothness that is still a rarity in the small luxury SUV scene, with a high-style interior that feels special. This, it turns out, is what a Genesis is.

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