Genesis GV70

FIRST DRIVE 'Virtual gear shift' steals the show as luxury electric SUV gets big range of tech and interior updates

- Jordan Katsianis

FOR the first time in more than two years, there's a new Genesis on sale in the UK, after the luxury brand gave its Electrified GV70 a significant overhaul. It's designed to rival mid-sized all-electric SUVs such as the Porsche Macan and Audi Q6 E-Tron, plus impressive newcomers like the Polestar 3, but its competitors show the GV70 a clean pair of heels when it comes to claimed range.

Despite having a new, larger 84kWh (net) battery pack, the GV70 will cover no more than 298 miles on a charge - a figure many rivals will comfortably reach, even with entry-level battery packs.

To help combat its relatively limited range, the GV70 offers some very impressive charging stats, thanks to its 800V electrical system. This will see a 10-80 per cent top-up take just 19 minutes, which is up there with rivals from Audi and Porsche, and quicker than more expensive BMWs or Mercedes. The Genesis's potent dual-motor layout produces 483bhp, for a 0-62mph time of a mere 4.4 seconds.

More important, though, are the changes the Korean brand has made elsewhere, such as a fundamentally upgraded interior and its new tech package. The cabin is dominated by the huge OLED display that stretches across the dash. The single-screen display is impressively clear and bright. Being one unit, users can more comprehensively personalise its layout, such as having the main map view bleed seamlessly into the driver's eyeline.