Founded in 2015, Genesis is a premium brand owned by Hyundai (who also owns KIA). When it comes to EVs, and in this case, the Genesis GV70 Electrified, that’s a good thing, as cars such as the IONIQ 5 and EV6 have some of the best EV tech currently on the market. The Genesis GV70 Electrified shares similar tech to the KIA EV6, but it can actually tow more at 1,800kg. However, being a ‘premium’ electric car, its more expensive, and its also quite a bit heavier, which isn’t great when it comes to efficiency and range.
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Key Genesis GV70 Electrified Specs
- Official Towing Capacity – 1,800 kg
- Availability – Late 2022
- Price – Starting £64,405
- Range (EV Database) – 215 miles
- Estimated Towing Range (50%) – 107 miles
- Maximum DC Charge Rate – 233kW
- Rapid Charge 10% to 80% – 17 min
- Check Genesis GV70 Electrified Specs
Genesis GV70 Electrified HP & Torque
- AWD with 483 HP and 516 lb-ft of torque
Genesis GV70 Electrified Towing Capabilties
As I stated in the intro above, Genesis has only been around since 2015 and is Hyundai’s attempt to try and take some of the premium car market away from the likes of BMW, Audi and Mercedes.
The Genesis GV70 Electrified is the first electric tow car from the Hyundai group (including KIA) to hit a towing capability of 1,800kg. The Hyundai IONIQ 5 and the KIA 6 have maximum towing capacities of 1,600kg.
The GV70 Electrified shares similar electrical underpinnings to the EV6, as it features a 77kWh battery (74kWh usable), and it benefits from some of the best rapid charging speeds in the business currently at 233kW.
As towing uses up typically double the amount of energy per mile compared to not towing, getting energy back into to the battery as quickly as possible is obviously important. Provided you have access to a rapid charger that can provide those high charging speeds obviously.
Where the GV70 Electrified does improve on the EV6 more than just a greater towing capacity is the improved power figures. An EV6 AWD Long Range has a maximum of 321 HP. However, the GV70 Electrified can produce up to 483 HP, but there is the issue of weight/efficiency…
The Genesis GV70 Electrified Is A Heavy One
In several of the articles, as part of my electric tow car guides, I discuss the benefits of the increased weight of electric tow cars when it comes to stable towing. However, more weight also obviously reduces the efficiency of an electric car.
If we take the KIA EV6 Long Range, that has an unladen weight of 2,090kg, the Genesis GV70 Electrified, on the other hand, has an unladen weight of 2,310kg. While the GV70 Electrified is indeed a larger vehicle is not significantly larger to explain the additional 220kg.
Remember, the KIA EV6 Long Range and Genesis GV70 Electrified feature the same 77kWh battery. The additional weight is for two reasons, the GV70 is a more premium vehicle which means heavier/premium materials. However, its also due to another reason.
The KIA EV6 was designed as an EV from the ground up, the Genesis GV70 Electrified is a conversion of the existing GV70 with an internal combustion engine. Hence, there is additional weight from the design we can incorporate an ICE and the associated paraphernalia.
Genesis GV70 Electrified VS The Competition
So how does the Genesis GV70 Electrified compare against other electric tow cars that have a towing capacity of 1,800kg plus and are also a ‘premium’ option?
Well, there is the well-established Audi E-Tron 55 which can also tow 1,800kg. It has a real-world range slightly higher at 225 miles (112 miles towing), but a slower maximum rapid charging speed of 150kW. The E-Tron 55 also has a higher starting price of just under £73,000.
Then there is the Mercedes EQC, again, it can also tow 1,800kg and has a better real-world range of 230 miles (115 miles towing). While the EQC has a similar starting price of £64,000 to the GV70, the EQC charges significantly slower at a maximum of 112kW.
From BMW, there is the iX xDrive 40, with a real-world range of 215 miles (108 miles towing) starting at £69,000. The iX cannot compete with the GV70 on charging speed at 150kW, however, the iX can actually tow quite a bit more at 2,500kg.
If you’re willing to go for a new brand you could consider the Fisker Ocean, as it will also be rated to tow 1,800kg. It will offer a similar DC rapid charging speed up to 250kW and a much better real-world range of 315 miles (160 miles towing) and cost less at just under £60,000.
Genesis GV70 Electrified Review
As of yet, there are no UK-based reviews for the Genesis GV70 Electrified. The best I can currently provide is a review by CarExpert in Australia.
My Thoughts On The Genesis GV70 Electrified…
As I’ve stated above, the Hyundai group, which the Genesis brand is part of have access to some of the best EV tech currently, and this is shown in the GV70 Electrified with its 233kW DC rapid charging rate.
The 1,800 kg towing capacity is also good to see. However, I think the car is held back from being a great EV towing option due to its 77kWh battery. As stated, that’s the same sized battery as that found in the KIA EV6, which I rate as one of the best electric tow cars currently on sale.
The problem is the GV70 Electrified is significantly heavier than the EV6, and that has really impacted the range. I’m sure Genesis would have wanted to put a later battery pack in the vehicle. However, as its a conversion and not a ground-up EV, a 77kWh pack is the best they could probably do.