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The Independent
5 days ago
- Automotive
- The Independent
Genesis GV70 Electrified review: Almost perfect, premium electric SUV
We're already big fans of the Genesis GV70 Electrified. More interesting to drive than German rivals like the Mercedes EQE, it's an effortlessly appealing all-electric SUV with a loyal base of satisfied owners. For 2025, Genesis has addressed a few concerns with the GV70, notably by fitting a bigger 84kWh battery (up from 77kWh), giving the styling a nip and tuck, and upping the kit count with some really interesting tech on board. It's almost the perfect, premium electric SUV, but one thing still holds it back. Although the range is improved, 298 miles from the bigger battery just doesn't seem enough these days. The range will be fine for most UK drivers, but the fact that the GV70 hovers below the 300 mile mark while rivals are going farther may well put some buyers off – which would be a shame. For now there's only a four-wheel drive GV70 in the UK. The lack of a rear-drive-only option is a real missed opportunity, and would offer nearly everything the GV70 Electrified does but in a cheaper, more efficient package that would go further. Quite why Genesis thinks GV70 buyers want to do 0-62mph in 4.4 seconds with the boost function is beyond me – they'd be much happier with a range that's 20 miles greater and a 0-62mph time that's a second or so slower. If you can live with the range – and we'd urge you to try – the GV70 is an absolutely brilliant car. It beats rivals on comfort and offers impressive new widescreen tech on board, plus lots of other clever gadgets. Add in a few mild styling tweaks (such as a new grille, different lighting treatment and changes to the bumpers) and the GV70 is more appealing than ever, especially as it still delivers with peerless quality and family-friendly space. How we tested We've spent many hours behind the wheel of the previous Genesis GV70 Electrified, and many more testing the 2025 update. The space and practicality is the same – we checked – but the drive around Surrey towns and countryside, and playing with the tech, showed big improvements. Independent rating: 9/10 Genesis GV70 Electrified specs Price range £65,915 Battery size 84kWh Maximum claimed range 298 miles Miles per kWh 3.2 Maximum charging rate 240kW Battery, range, charging, performance and drive The battery boost from 77kWh to 84kWh has given a welcome increase to the car's range, up from a claimed maximum of 283 miles to 298, but that number is hardly special in 2025. That 298 mile range is only for the entry-level Pure model too. Dynamic and Luxury models see it drop slightly to 287 miles. That said, Genesis models do tend to be more efficient than many rivals, especially when it comes to real-world range. When we took a 148 mile journey on mixed, mostly fast roads in a GV70 Electric, we started with 259 miles of range and ended with 126 left on the readout – 15 miles better than expected. Our average energy usage of 3.7m/kWh on that journey outstripped the official figure too. Fast charging at 240kW is speedy enough, too. Genesis says you can get a 10 to 80 per cent charge in 19 minutes, which is pretty impressive assuming you can find a fast enough charger. The GV70 is no sports car, though a 0-62mph time of just 4.4 seconds when you've hit the boost button on the steering wheel feels mighty quick. The new car also features some clever dynamic torque vectoring tech that improves grip and stability in corners, while there's also AI terrain mode that apparently scans the road surface and selects the right driving mode if it detects mud, snow or sand. However, this is a car that excels when driven gently, with a super-smooth ride, decent visibility and a really quiet interior thanks to active noise cancellation tech that cleverly helps to keep things peaceful. Interior, practicality and boot space The quality of the interior of the GV70 really stands out. Genesis calls it 'son-nim' (the Korean approach to hospitality, luxury and convenience) and it does feel markedly different to German rivals – less technical and more comforting. The latest updates seem to have upped the quality and class even more, especially the new dashboard design which features a spectacular 27in OLED screen, ambient lighting and revised steering wheel. The seats are good, offering excellent visibility and first class materials. There's plenty of space on offer and the same son-nim approach has been applied to the back of the interior as the front – there doesn't seem to be a step back in quality for rear passengers. The boot – although not huge – is a decent size at 503 litres, rising to 1,678 litres with the rear seats folded. There's even 25 litres of extra storage space in the 'frunk' under the bonnet. The new GV70 Electrified range features three grade options starting with Pure and moving up through Dynamic to Luxury. There's more standard equipment on offer, plus a range of option packs that include extras like vehicle-to-load capability to power external devices, full-grain Nappa leather trim, a panoramic sunroof and even the opportunity to get white brake calipers – a bit bizarre given the upcoming sporty Genesis Magma models that focus on orange instead. GV70 buyers in 2025 can choose from a newly expanded range of 12 colours, including matte finishes, plus three interior trim options. Technology, stereo and infotainment The tech overhaul is the biggest difference between the old and new GV70, and might be enough to persuade some previous owners to trade up. The star of the show is the 27in OLED screen that sits in front of the driver and extends across the centre of the dash to cover driver information and infotainment duties. There's still a physical (and delightful to touch) scroll wheel on the centre console, but the touchscreen is more responsive than ever. At last, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both wireless, and there's wireless phone charging too. If you're worried about your mobile phone – or anything else – needing a clean, there's a lidded cubby between the front seats that floods with ultraviolet light to cleanse whatever is in there. That's part of an optional (and apparently germaphobe focused) serenity pack. There's now a digital centre mirror, updated smart access that allows you to use your phone or watch to access and start the car, and a new remote smart parking assistant to take care of parking duties with you in or out of the car. You can choose from a variety of different mode settings that will play appropriate sounds, activate an aroma diffuser, change the lighting and even give you a massage in cars with massaging seats. There's also been a welcome upgrade to the audio system with a 15 speaker Bang & Olufsen setup featuring Dolby Atmos. It works with the car's active noise cancellation and beefed up soundproofing to provide a better base to work its audio magic from. The standard driver assistance features have also been upgraded, as have the LED headlights with their new welcoming dance. Prices and running costs As you'd expect, prices have gone up slightly and there's now a wider range of GV70s to choose from. All models get the new 84kWh battery with standard heat pump. The Pure model starts at £65,915 and comes nicely equipped. Next up is the Dynamic at £70,715, oddly named as it doesn't add any extra dynamism other than bigger wheels and an increase in luxury kit. The lavishly specced Luxury model will set you back £74,915 and gets every last bit of tech, including the Dolby Atmos B&O Audio with active noise cancelling and a panoramic sunroof. Despite a relatively average battery size and range, efficiency for such a large SUV is good and trustworthy range indicators help you to plan your journey. Genesis promises that its dealers will look after you better than any others – there are a few fancy stores in shopping centres – but the car maker is set to expand its network to selected dealers around the country. Genesis GV70 rivals BMW iX3 Lexus RZ Jaguar I-Pace FAQs How long does it take to charge? Find a 350kW charger and the Genesis GV70 Electric will charge at 240kW to get from 10 to 80 per cent charge in 19 minutes. How much does it cost - is it worth it? It's an expensive car, especially with options, but still worthy of consideration when compared with rivals. Does Genesis replace batteries for free? The batteries are covered by an eight-year, 100,000-mile warranty – if they misbehave they will be repaired or replaced. Why you can trust us Our team of motoring experts have decades of experience driving, reviewing and reporting on the latest EV cars, and our verdicts are reached with every kind of driver in mind. We thoroughly test drive every car we recommend, so you can be sure our verdicts are honest, unbiased and authentic. The verdict: Genesis GV70 In my previous review of the Genesis GV70 Electric, I said I'd be very happy to live with one. That's even more the case in 2025. It's a hugely likeable car, majoring on comfort and quietness and delivering on Genesis' claim of Korean-style hospitality. The quality is superb, the tech is now bang up to date and Genesis' service is impressive. But I'd rather Genesis knocked a second or so off the 0-62mph time and made it go a little further. 298 miles doesn't seem quite enough these days.
The Independent
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
Zeekr 7X review: The best premium electric SUV you can't buy (yet)
If the Zeekr 7X were on sale in the UK right now, it would lay claim to being one of the best premium, mid-size, all-electric SUVs you can buy – assuming the price is right. Sadly, we're going to have to wait until 2026 before we can buy one, by which time this fast-moving market may well have moved on. Regardless, the Zeekr 7X offers a feeling of quality that doesn't exist in the Tesla Model Y and is missing from many other rivals. It does what it needs to do well, if not spectacularly. The look is smart but generic, while the drive needs a bit more work for UK roads. We expect the 7X will get a few tweaks before next year to give it a better balance between feeling slightly floaty over dips, crests and through corners, while having a firm-ish ride at lower speeds. The interior has some clever storage touches, some neat tech features like powered doors that open and close automatically, a lovely 16in touchscreen and plenty of space. The range for the big battery car we drove is good at 382 miles and 400kW fast charging is seriously impressive. Find the right charger and the 7X can go from 10 to 80 per cent in around 16 minutes. How we tested Zeekr and the 7X are expected to come to the UK next year, but until then we grabbed the chance to get behind the wheel of a 7X in Zeekr's hometown of Hangzhou in China. We drove it on Chinese urban roads and considered its performance in all the most important areas of any new SUV. Zeekr 7X: From £45,000 (est), Independent rating: 8/10 Pros Fast charging tech, nicely made, lots of advanced kit Cons You can say the same about a host of other EV SUVs Zeekr 7X specs Price range £45,000 to £60,000 (est) Battery size 75 & 100kWh Maximum claimed range 382 miles Miles per kWh 3.5 Maximum charging rate 400kW Battery, range, charging, performance and drive We drove the top-spec 100kWh Zeekr 7X, which claims an impressive range of 382 miles, almost matching the Tesla Model Y. However, it outpunches the Tesla when it comes to charging speeds of up to 400kW, meaning even that big battery can get a 10 to 80 per cent charge in just 16 minutes – if there's a suitable fast charger to hand. In addition to the 100kWh battery, Zeekr is likely to also offer a 75kWh battery with a range just shy of 298 miles. The 10 to 80 per cent charge time drops to 13 minutes for this version. On our test drive in China we found the Zeekr had a slightly odd ride. The car is firm at low speeds, but the body control was a little slack, meaning you're likely to find your head bobbing as you go around corners or over longer undulations – that's a rare combination. Zeekr tells us that it will tweak the car's suspension before the car goes on sale in the UK and we didn't find it uncomfortable anyway. The air suspension does make it easy to adjust the car's height, which Zeekr claims gives the car some mild off-roading ability as well as tackling speed humps. There's no doubting the 7X's performance either – it's mighty quick with a best 0-62mph time of 3.8 seconds. The inside of the Zeekr 7X is beautifully made, spacious and clever. It's also easy to get in and out. The front doors are powered so you just press a button on the door pillar to open them, get in and put your foot on the brake to both start the car and shut the door. The rear doors open to nearly 90 degrees for easy access, so you pretty much just step in and sit down. There's loads of space in the back too, with a lovely full-length panoramic sunroof and clever drawers under the rear seats. The front seats are comfortable with heating, ventilation and massaging functions. But it's the tasteful blend of quality materials that give the 7X a real premium feel inside. Like the rest of the car, the interior has been designed in Europe in Zeekr's design studio in Gothenburg, and it shows – the quality on display is a league above the rival Tesla Model Y. There's good storage space inside the car, a decent-sized frunk under the bonnet and a huge 539l boot with fold-down rear seats too. Technology, stereo and infotainment As you'd expect from a Chinese car maker, the Zeekr 7X is packed with tech. There's every conceivable safety system on board, plus driver assistance features that will all be updated over the air via the car's 5G data connection. The 16in touchscreen looks good and features the latest Snapdragon chip, so it works quickly and smoothly. There are a few hard keys beneath the display, but lots of the controls will still need to go through the screen, or via voice control – which worked well on our test drive in China. There's a digital display in front of the driver plus, on our car, the best head-up display we've ever used. It measures 36in diagonally, features speed and navigation information, and will even show you live video footage of your blind spots when you indicate to change lanes. Our car had a Dolby Atmos audio system on board, which included speakers in the headrests. Those speakers are also used for some of the instructions coming from the infotainment system. Prices and running costs We're unlikely to see Zeekr cars in the UK until early 2026 – discussions with potential dealers are ongoing – but prices are set to be competitive with the big-selling Tesla Model Y. Zeekr Europe lists three models on its website: a Core rear-wheel drive model with a 75kWh battery that we'd expect to cost around £45,000, a Long Range rear-wheel drive car with a 100kWh battery that we think would cost just over £50,000, and then the range-topping Privilege all-wheel drive car with the biggest battery that will likely get a price just over £55,000. Zeekr already has a European base, which should help with the supply of parts and lead to lower insurance costs. And the impressive ranges that Zeekr claims puts the 7X on a par with the Tesla and ahead of some other rivals. Zeekr 7X rivals Tesla Model Y Xpeng G6 Kia EV6 FAQs How long does it take to charge? The Zeekr 7X gets 800V technology with super-fast charging at up to 400kW. Zeekr says the small battery will get a 10 to 80 per cent charge in 13 minutes, with the 100kWh battery taking just three minutes longer. How much does it cost - is it worth it? When the Zeekr 7X eventually arrives in the UK, we'd expect it to be competitive against the Tesla Model Y – our guess would be a price range from around £45,000 to just over £55,000. As with all EVs, Zeekr will guarantee the battery for eight years. Why trust us Our team of motoring experts have decades of experience driving, reviewing and reporting on the latest EV cars, and our verdicts are reached with every kind of driver in mind. We thoroughly test drive every car we recommend, so you can be sure our verdicts are honest, unbiased and authentic. The verdict: Zeekr 7X The Zeekr 7X is designed and engineered in Gothenburg and built in China for a Chinese brand, and it has the might of Geely behind it. It's very impressive too, but finding a real point of difference in an increasingly crowded market is the biggest challenge facing this lesser known brand.
