We're still in an era when most automakers are working on getting just one decent electric vehicle into their lineup. But the Hyundai Motor Group has several great EVs to choose from, all with different sizes and personalities but first-rate specs for range and charging. Many even include Tesla-style North American Charging Standard (NACS) plugs from the factory.
Yet as popular as options like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 are these days, the EVs from luxury division Genesis fly a bit more under the radar. That is, in part, because Genesis is still building out its U.S. and global dealer networks. But if you can get access to Genesis where you live, and you're looking for a more upscale EV option, the brand actually has two models that are worth looking at.
And here's the wildest part: While both are electric crossovers, they could not look and feel more different.
Last year, I had a chance to drive both the Genesis GV60 and the Genesis Electrified GV70, both of which are due to receive significant updates soon. Which one is right for you? Let's dig in and find out.
Genesis GV60
The GV60 is actually one of my favorite EVs on the market right now, even though it's one you don't see all that often. That makes it all the more special.
It's a bit like an Ioniq 5 in a colorful, bespoke suit that's worn with a black sweater and all-white sneakers. That look isn't for everyone, sure. But it's incredibly striking. The GV60 has a sleek, rounded body that stands in stark contrast to the Ioniq 5's Giugiaro-inspired angles and the Kia EV6's low-slung wagon-like vibes. Add in a minimalist grille, a unique double-stacked headlight setup and back doors that curve into the tapered rear end and you have a recipe for a car that looks like nothing else on the road.
However, the inside is the real treat. My GV60 Performance tester had Bentley-like cream white diamond-stitch leather seats, brushed aluminum and Alcantara accents, and a panoramic screen sweeping across the dash with a Genesis-specific software skin. Other goodies include Genesis' face-recognition system for door unlocking, carpeted floor mats and an overall much quieter cabin experience than a comparable Kia or Hyundai.
I also simply must mention the Genesis' GV60's crystal sphere, one of my favorite features on any car, period. When the GV60 is parked, the gear selector knob rotates away and reveals a crystalline orb full of glowing lights in customizable colors. Is it necessary? Not at all. Is it cool to look at? Absolutely. Genesis describes it as an additional safety measure, a way to know that the car is in fact not ready to drive yet. But I just think it looks neat and adds a unique touch to the car.
The GV60 also benefits from using the same platform as those aforementioned Hyundai and Kia models. That means it boasts an 800-volt electrical architecture which enables 235-kW fast-charging speeds. It can charge from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes using a 350 kW fast charger. That makes the GV60 one of the quickest-charging EVs you can buy.
The base GV60 starts at $53,700. As of this writing, the 2025 GV60 keeps the 77.4 kWh battery seen on slightly older model Hyundai and Kia cars. It comes in Standard RWD form good for 294 miles of range; Standard AWD at 264 miles of range; Advanced AWD with 248 miles of range; and the top Performance model with 235 miles of range. Hyundai's new 84 kWh battery is expected to join the lineup at some point, as will a NACS plug, though that has not been revealed yet.
As it is built in South Korea, the GV60 does not qualify for EV tax credits unless it is leased.
My 2024 model-year GV60 Performance came in at $71,320, with the only option being the Atacama Copper paint upgrade (a kind of rose gold) for $575 extra. With 429 horsepower on tap—up to 483 horsepower in temporary Boost Mode—this GV60 was an absolute hoot to drive. It's as cushy and comfortable as any top-tier luxury car out there, but can easily smoke most gas-powered cars it might run into. It emphasizes comfort and straight-line speed more than handling, but the upcoming GV60 Magma may have something to say about that.
Gallery: 2024 Genesis GV60
Genesis Electrified GV70
If the GV60's vibe is avant-garde luxury for EV fans who have a mental shortlist of their all-time Citroën designs, then the Electrified GV70 is its far more conservative and conventional cousin. This one's a standard gray or black suit with a tie; leave the sneakers for the gym.
Now, that doesn't mean it isn't handsome, or comfortable. It's certainly both. The GV70's crossover shape is defined by that rear window folding into the C-pillar, and on the Electrified model, the all-silver grille that also includes the charging port. (On the GV60, it's in the rear, as with most other EVs.)
The Electrified GV70 is also notable because it does not ride on the E-GMP platform like the GV60 and the other Hyundai Motor Group EVs. Rather, its platform is heavily adapted from the platform of the gas-powered GV70. It is built on the same assembly line. Yet Genesis still snuck in an 800-volt electric architecture, so it can fast-charge at speeds of up to about 240 kW and also juice from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes using a 350 kW fast charger. Not bad at all.
Inside, it's toned down only slightly from the GV60, but equally as nice. There's no Crystal Sphere here but there is a lot of leather, plenty of soft-touch materials and the big "Boost Mode" button on the steering wheel. The one I drove had an elevated 14-inch (356 mm) touchscreen above the dash, while a digital gauge cluster above the steering wheel evokes a more gas-car-like experience. But for 2026, both displays have been combined into one massive, 27-inch (686 mm) OLED display.
Don't think it's all about interior tech. The Electrified GV70 is no slouch when it comes to speed, either. You also get 429 hp here, with up to 483 hp in Boost Mode, putting its 0-60 mph time in the three-second range. Of the two, it seems slightly the better handler, and perhaps even capable of taking on lower- and mid-tier Porsche Macan trims directly. (We'll see how the electric version of that car stacks up, of course.)
For its new 2026 model year, the electric GV70 does in fact add the larger 84 kWh battery; range was previously estimated at 236 miles on the old battery. Genesis has not offered range estimates for the new one yet. The GV70 does have the GV60 beat on cargo space, however. It offers 28.7 cubic feet to its brother's 24.7 cubic feet, and its overall trunk size and shape make it more practical for family gear-hauling.
Families will have to settle for a bit less choice. The Electrified GV70 offers fewer trim levels than the GV60 does. Its sole AWD trim starts at $66,950 and only offers the Prestige package. That brings Nappa leather surfaces, a panoramic sunroof, head-up display and other upgrades to the GV70 for $6,800 extra. The Electrified GV70 now also officially offers a Tesla-style NACS port, and it remains upfront as before.
The new Electrified GV70 is built in Alabama, and thus should qualify for a $7,500 EV tax credit when purchased. It will arrive at North American retailers in the first half of 2025.
Both are quick, fun, great at fast charging and plenty fancy inside. But which one is right for you?
Gallery: 2025 Genesis Electrified GV70
Why Buy The Genesis GV60?
You should go with the GV60 if...
- Style is a big factor for you and you want your EV to stand out on the road.
- You want more pricing flexibility, or can live with RWD and not just AWD.
- You're more apt to lease, as the GV60 does not qualify for EV tax credits.
- You can live without a native NACS plug, at least for now. That is likely coming soon but we have not seen it yet.
- You're a fan of orbs and need more orbs in your automotive life.
Overall, the GV60 is a unique, underrated choice that offers speed and comfort in equal measure, and won't disappoint you when you want to go fast. You also get more options on range with this model.
Why Buy The Genesis Electrified GV70?
You should go with the Electrified GV70 if...
- You want a luxury EV with a Tesla-style NACS plug from the factory.
- You can live with a front-mounted EV charging port.
- You want more conventional styling inside and out, and need more cargo space.
- You plan on buying and want to take advantage of the EV tax credits.
- You were going to buy an AWD model anyway.
The Electrified GV70 may fly under the radar, but it's quietly one of the more enjoyable EVs on the road right now. The main catch is that its 236-mile range may not be for everyone's tastes. We'll see if the 2026 battery bump fixes that.
After driving both, my money would go to the GV60, but I also realize it's not to everyone's tastes. Which would you pick? Let us know in the comments.
Contact the author: patrick.george@insideevs.com
