The 2023 Genesis Electrified GV70 Is More Thrilling Than a Chevrolet C8 Corvette
Ask any die-hard car enthusiast with ethanol running through their veins what they think of electric vehicles, and the term “soulless” may come up in the conversation. I can’t blame them, considering the sound of a V8 working its way up to redline can get almost anyone’s heart racing. Conversely, the quietness of an EV making its way up to the speed limit is a letdown in comparison. But is it?
Case in point, I’m driving the 2023 Genesis Electrified GV70, which is the EV version of the brand’s two-row compact crossover. It’s spacious, luxurious, and quick. In some ways, it’s actually more thrilling than a Chevrolet C8 Corvette. Before you plume exhaust smoke from your ears, hear me out on this one.
The 2023 Genesis Electrified GV70 is comfortable and classy
Sit inside the 2023 Genesis Electrified GV70, and you will surely be surprised at how luxurious it feels. The Nappa leather seats and microfiber headliner make the car feel richer than its price tag implies. The stitched leather surfaces on the dash and door panels show that plenty of care was taken when building this thing. Additionally, the gear shift dial and infotainment knob are well-placed and feel high-quality.
However, it should be noted that all of these niceties are not necessarily up to Mercedes-Benz’s level. But they show that Genesis’ parent company, Hyundai, isn’t playing around. When setting out to drive, the Electrified GV70 is quiet and comfortable. Its suspension is soft, and the cabin is so quiet that a conversation can be carried between the driver and a rear-seat passenger without any auditory issues. You can thank the active noise control feature for that.
The rest of the car’s cabin is well-appointed. There’s a massive 14.5-inch infotainment screen that’s easy to navigate. It’s also connected to a Lexicon premium sound system that sounds sublime and has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. My only gripe is that the phone integration is not wireless – especially considering it’s a $74,000 car. C’mon Genesis.
Is the Genesis Electrified GV70 quicker than a Chevrolet Corvette?
Back to my original point, the Genesis GV70 is not only classy but also damn quick. There’s a 160-kW motor between the front and rear axles, which makes up for the car’s AWD system. That type of traction is needed to put down the 429 hp the EV generates (483 in boost mode). According to Car and Driver’s testing, the EV G70 can lay down 0-60 mph times of 3.8 seconds, which, again, is quick for a five-passenger SUV.
Not to compare apples to oranges, but the Chevy C8 Corvette is powered by a 495-hp V8, which allows it to get to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds. That’s a lot quicker, but it’s not about the numbers.
The Electrified GV70 provides plenty of acceleration thrills
Gear heads can bench race cars and talk about performance figures all day, but I would argue that it’s the way a car makes you feel when you drive that’s important. Mash the throttle in a V8 Corvette, and you’ll be pushed back in the seat as the power hits the pavement. The sonorous V8 makes beautiful sounds as the transmission works its way through the gears. It’s automotive poetry and a fun ride, no doubt.
However, if you put the pedal to the floorboard in the Electrified GV70, I’ll challenge you not to smirk at least a little. The instant torque will push everyone back in their seats as they let out a “woah!” That goes two-fold if you press the “boost” button on the steering wheel.
Doing so unlocks all 483 high-tech horses in a torque-steer-induced acceleration run that will make every passenger in the car feel like they’re going back to the future. It’s fun, and to be honest, it’s even more fun than the C8 Corvette I drove last year.
Those are fighting words, I know. But there’s nothing like speeding up to catch a green light and not having to downshift a gear. The instant power is almost video-game-like. Sure, the Genesis Electrified GV70 may be soulless, but it sure feels quick and can keep up with exotic cars on a rainy day. For some drivers – whether they’re car enthusiasts or not – that’s all that’s needed.
