A lot of splendor and horsepower for the money

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Genesis got off to a fast start in Switzerland. And still in fast motion: Go gone 2021 with petrol and diesel-powered luxury sedans and SUVs, but followed by a futuristic-looking crossover in 2022 GV60 the first pure Stromer. Meanwhile, Hyundai’s luxury brand is also putting its 800-volt electric platform on these cars. Models previously only available as an internal combustion engine. We’ve come a long way with the electric GV70 touring SUV.

Bulky name, elegant looks: Of course, the GV60 has been making its Genesis sister models look like it was yesterday, but the GV70 is still convincing. It’s more of a station wagon than a silhouette of an SUV, with double dash-like headlights, a shiny grille and. Nothing looks aggressive – Korean car, but British understatement in design. Inside, it goes like this: the bright interior provides an understated nobility, hard plastic can only be found deep in the footwell. The cockpit strikes a perfect balance between analog and digital, thanks to virtual gauges and real climate controls and buttons. The infotainment system’s unobtrusive touchscreen also scores points. While there are single sofas instead of sports seats at the front, the legroom of 4.72 meters at the rear is shorter than expected.

Departure to Bavaria. Instead of sitting in the bus cabin like some SUVs do, you’re actually sitting in the car and feeling directly connected to the steering wheel and chassis. And that’s a good thing, because with an electric motor per axle and 490 hp (360 kW) all-wheel drive allows the 2.3-tonne vehicle to accelerate to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds – this is done by pressing the power button. steering is six-tenths faster. However, with adaptive cruise control, we prefer to travel on the German highway instead of staying at 130 km/h. It is better to roll comfortably and save on loading stops. A software update will first be required for automatic route and toll planning, especially since we still have to plan these ourselves. After a good 325 kilometers we have to get to the fast charger shortly before Munich (D) – consumption on most motorways is significantly higher than the theoretical value of 19.6 kWh/km in the North. standard loop WLTP.

The chassis absorbs heavy weight effortlessly, the body hardly sways, and the Electric GV70 looks more agile than expected. Except for the wind rustling around the mirrors, the interior remains very quiet even at high speeds, because the driving noise is actively suppressed by a counterfrequency. Quick charge breaks with a maximum charge capacity of 233 kilowatts (kW) are downright fun when the electric BMW driver next door looks in disbelief because after about 20 minutes we have 80 percent of the battery back. And in the noble interior, the outside world feels so far away.

The country roads narrow considerably in the GV70, which has a width of 1.91 meters. And you realize that the five-seater is also designed for internal combustion engines: the relatively high weight increases consumption, you expect more interior space, and if you give the driver the spurs, the seats lack lateral support. Instead of using the rotary push button for infotainment, you usually reach for the round drive direction button next to it. And sorry Genesis: The rickety cover in front of the charging socket on the front works not in this price range .

With its high charging capacity, superior ride and clean interior, the Genesis Electrified GV70 scores well as a sightseeing glider, especially on long journeys. Especially since the price still leaves room for the holidays in the budget: yes, at least 72,100 francs, an announcement for a brand just starting out. But there are plenty of electric SUVs. And even if options such as the full-featured test car exceed 90,000 francs, the Genesis remains below tariffs for comparable models from German suppliers, for example. Even if the Genesis still lacks a comparable image: Audi, BMW and Co. should dress warmly.

Source: Blick