*New Year, New Car? The urge to purchase a fully electric car (like the 2024 Genesis GV70 AWD) is high but with hesitation. According to a New York Times article, sales for hybrid vehicles are rising much faster than fully electric vehicles for a few reasons, including the desire for the same experience as “combustion engine cars.”
The reality is countrywide infrastructure hasn’t quite caught up with the demand for electric vehicles and companies are pumping them out faster than consumers are willing to buy. Further, the inconvenience of charging a car tends to deter drivers in ways that aren’t surprising.
When testing out this super lux fully electric Genesis, observers, friends, and family gawked at the ride, but when it came down to it, there tended to be hesitation all around, especially for folk who hadn’t yet transitioned from gas to electric. Some reservations included the mileage per charge, the lack of space for families (though more electric vehicles are making changes in this department), and the inconvenience of charging while on a road trip. An electric vehicle owner I know keeps his gas vehicle for emergencies or uses it for longer trips. So then this begs the question of whether or not fully electric vehicles are indeed improving the environment when single drivers are holding onto more than one vehicle and continuing the use of combustion engine cars.
The international bestseller “Slow Down: The Degrowth Manifesto” by Kōhei Saitō argues the only way to end our environmental crisis is through the elimination of capitalism. The more I listen (audiobooks) the more I am convinced he is right. There is a section in the book where he discusses electric vehicles, which are produced for the Western world primarily, at the detrimental expense of the Global South, both in environmental devastation and inhumane labor. Is the cost of electric vehicles, new vehicles, worth the impact on humanity? This question lingers.
Lux Electric, Fun to Drive and Super Cute
MSRP: $66,450
MPGe: 91
In the meantime, if you are considering an electric vehicle, the GV70 is an attractive buy for its luxurious interior and smooth ride. Like the 2023 GV60, it offers all of the features a driver might want and love, including the best safety features, a panoramic sunroof (which doesn’t open), and a great look. Check out these videos.
While the look is great, more sophisticated and the body is bigger than the GV60, this vehicle lacked the kind of back seat space one might want in an SUV. Adults weren’t very comfortable in the back seats as far as legroom is concerned. Stretching out or simply sitting without knees to the back of seats was challenging. But passengers loved the climate control and heated seats.
One thing I love is the discrete placement of the charging port on the vehicle, which is located in the grill in the front. I love that this design feature gives the car a smooth, uninterrupted look all around. Plus, I think the location of the charging port is smart. People part vertically to charge, not horizontally.
One of my gripes remains with the GV series. The infotainment control knob and the gear shift are similarly shaped and are quite close to each other. After some time, surely one gets comfortable with each knob with its small variations (the infotainment knob has a smooth textured circumference while the gear shift has a rough textured circumference). Despite this effort to create a distinguishing difference, I did find myself attempting to change the radio station but choosing the wrong knob. I think this is a design flaw that could be difficult in urgent moments.
Finally, the range of this vehicle I think is a bit low. With an MPGe of 91 and a range of 236 miles on a full charge, I found myself charging up frequently. It’s a big-bodied vehicle and takes a lot of power.
Overall, I enjoyed the GV70. It’s a beautiful vehicle inside and out. Genesis doesn’t miss on looks. It’s a comfortable ride and offers all the great tech, including a wireless charger, plenty of charging outlets and great passenger features. It’s a little pricey, but most electric vehicles are, and will likely remain so for a while. It is a luxury vehicle and for those of us who like a little extra love in their ride, the GV70 delivers.
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