These on the lookout for a premium electrical SUV are spoiled for selection. Because of the explosion in recognition of high-riders, producers have sought to capitalise, usually focusing their early EV efforts on such automobiles. It was no shock, then, that Audi’s first mass-produced electrical mannequin – the e-tron, now known as Q8 e-tron – was an SUV. 

Genesis was nonetheless a number of years away from arriving within the UK when the e-tron launched in 2019. It’s making waves now, although, and the fashions which have impressed us most are the battery choices such because the Electrified GV70. However can this newcomer beat one of many institution?

Audi Q8 e-tron

This automotive was as soon as identified merely because the e-tron, however as Audi started to broaden its all-electric vary, the identify has transitioned right into a model, prompting the Q8 prefix to be added to this large SUV. In 55 Sport trim the Q8 e-tron prices £77,085, making it somewhat pricier than the Genesis. Is it value the additional?

Tech highlights 

Regardless of – very similar to the Genesis – being based mostly on a platform used for varied petrol, diesel and hybrid automobiles, the Q8 e-tron manages to cram an enormous 114kWh battery into its body. Of that, 106kWh is usable, representing a capability improve of a fifth over the pre-update mannequin and offering an official vary determine of as much as 330 miles. 

Each the 50 and 55 variations function two motors to offer a quattro-branded all-wheel drive system. The SQ8 e-tron goes a step additional with a triple-motor set-up, though the 55 we’re testing isn’t wanting for energy, placing out 402bhp and 664Nm of torque. 

A giant battery does imply plenty of weight, although; the Q8 e-tron suggestions the scales at practically 2,600kg.This implies it’s much less highly effective and far heavier than the Genesis, making it noticeably slower, with a 0-62mph time of 5.6 seconds. 

The Q8 can be somewhat behind by way of charging know-how; it’s able to accepting as much as 170kW, which is 20kW increased than older fashions, however that’s nonetheless a way off the Electrified GV70’s 240kW functionality. 

Security: When the automotive was assessed by Euro NCAP in pre-update e-tron guise, again in 2019, it scored the utmost five-star ranking. All fashions come as commonplace with cruise management, lane-departure warning and traffic-sign recognition. 

On the street

The Q8 e-tron is noticeably stiffer than the Electrified GV70, which makes it really feel extra composed on B-roads, however compromises consolation.

Round city: The Q8 e-tron’s comparatively agency response means it is advisable be cautious of tackling pace bumps and potholes, though you don’t hear suspension knocks fairly as a lot as while you’re driving the Genesis. When navigating built-up areas, the Audi feels each bit the massive and heavy automotive it’s, and it is advisable take care with the throttle, which responds extra sharply than its rival’s.

A & B-roads: Initially, that tight management over suspension motion makes the Q8 e-tron really feel extra succesful by way of the turns – particularly within the firmer-still Dynamic mode. When driving over undulations within the street floor, the Audi settles down rapidly, making it really feel much less wayward than the Electrified GV70 and producing much less physique roll when cornering. 

Nonetheless, there’s solely a lot the suspension can do in regards to the Q8 e-tron’s sheer mass. You don’t should be cornering notably quick for the entrance finish to push into understeer, with the tyres making a really sad noise within the course of. The steering feels extra pure than within the Genesis, in addition to somewhat faster, but it surely may show a contact too heavy for some in Dynamic mode.

Motorway: Excessive-speed refinement and noise ranges are very good, and each have the beating of the GV70. There’s greater than sufficient thrust for the Q8 e-tron to swiftly rise up to the nationwide pace restrict when heading down a slip street, however owing to its decrease energy output and further weight relative to the Genesis, it feels brisk relatively than quick.

Possession

If there’s one factor Audi persistently delivers on, it’s construct high quality. The end of the Q8 e-tron’s cabin is excellent, and each floor feels costly. In the meantime, the driving place provides a variety of adjustment in each the steering wheel and seat, though the GV70’s entrance seats have a higher vary of adjustment. 

The Audi’s dashboard degree is somewhat increased than in its rival, which solely encourages you to undertake the sort of lofty seating place that appears acceptable for a big SUV.

As commonplace, the Q8 e-tron comes with a three-year, 60,000-mile guarantee package deal, plus three years’ value of breakdown cowl from new. 

In terms of efficiency, there’s solely a lot that may be accomplished to beat a 2.5-tonne kerbweight, and the identical applies to effectivity. At 2.3 miles per kilowatt hour, the e-tron is without doubt one of the extra energy-hungry EVs in the marketplace, however there’s no specific situation during which it shines. Nonetheless, it’s a notable enchancment on its predecessor relating to motorway effectivity. 

Due to its enormous battery, vary continues to be robust, too. At that 2.3mi/kWh determine, the Audi ought to be capable of cowl 244 miles between costs – and that determine will solely enhance in hotter situations.

Unusually – however usefully – the Q8 has two cost ports, one on every entrance wing. The nearside has a Kind 2 connection, whereas the offside boosts this with a rapid-charging CCS connector. 

Storage: Very giant door bins entrance and rear are helpful for storing a variety of things, together with drinks bottles. The centre console includes a pair of cup-holders, that are lined by a sliding lid, whereas there’s an extra cupboard space beneath the adjustable armrest. 

The Q8 e-tron comes with three Isofix factors. One is mounted on the entrance passenger seat, whereas these within the again compartment are very straightforward to get to behind detachable plastic covers.

Practicality

At practically 5 metres lengthy, the Q8 e-tron was by no means going to be quick on area – and it boasts loads of room for passengers and their stuff alike.

Rear Area: The Audi’s extensive again bench provides beneficiant knee and headroom. Its outer two seats are smooth and fairly sculpted, so that they really feel very comfy to settle into. The centre seat is pretty extensive and flat, and total the rear compartment is a extra accommodating area for 3 than the GV70’s.

Boot: At 569 litres, the Q8’s baggage space is huge. Its usability is aided by tethering hooks, netted aspect partitions and a 40:20:40 rear-seat break up; when folded, quantity stands at 1,637 litres. There’s additionally a roomy area to hold charging cables below the bonnet. The boot lip itself is barely increased than the GV70’s, although, so lifting heavy gadgets inside is more durable.

What to purchase?

Which engine and trim we’d select

• Powertrains: The usual Q8 e-tron comes with a selection of two powertrains: the 335bhp 50, and the 402bhp 55 we’re testing right here. We’d save the very best a part of £10,000 and go for the 50.
• Trim: Sport grade is properly outfitted, with highlights together with air suspension, two-zone local weather management and 20-inch wheels. High-spec Vorsprung will get 22-inch alloys, laser lights and further driver-assist tech.
• Choices: Tech Pack Professional (£5,995) provides an uprated sound system, a 360-degree digital camera, a head-up show, a panoramic sunroof, heated rear seats and extra.
• Our selection: Q8 e-tron Sport 50 quattro.

Genesis Electrified GV70

Whereas we’ve been lukewarm on plenty of Genesis’s petrol and diesel-engined merchandise, the electrical automobiles from the Korean premium model have persistently impressed. The Electrified GV70 is the most recent, and it has a premium value to match the model’s premium pretensions. 

The boundaries throughout the upmarket electrical SUV class are considerably blurred, however regardless of the GV70’s barely extra compact dimension in contrast with the Audi, there may be an overlap in value – particularly with choices added. It begins from £64,405 in Sport kind, and our check automotive was loaded with choices to inflate that determine to £78,895. 

Tech highlights 

The Electrified GV70 shares its M3 platform with Genesis’s sister manufacturers Hyundai and Kia, plus combustion-powered variations of the GV70, together with many different bigger Hyundai Group fashions. Inserted into this multi-use platform is a 77.4kWh battery – the one capability out there – which powers a pair of motors. There’s one for every axle, giving the Electrified GV70 four-wheel drive. 

This powertrain is sweet for a powerful 483bhp and 700Nm as soon as the Enhance mode is activated, offering a 0-62mph time of simply 4.2 seconds (4.8 seconds with out Enhance). To go together with all that energy, there’s a intelligent suspension system that includes road-scanning know-how that prepares the adaptive dampers as crucial, relying on the state of the asphalt forward. 

Quite a lot of tech, two motors and an enormous battery in an SUV do end in fairly a weighty automotive, with the Electrified GV70 tipping the scales at 2.3 tonnes.

Security: Euro NCAP examined the GV70 in 2.5-litre petrol kind in 2021, however hasn’t assessed the Electrified model. The previous achieved a most five-star ranking.

On the street

Regardless of its spectacular straight-line efficiency, the Electrified GV70 has a transparent deal with consolation relatively than dealing with, but it surely struggles to nail both.

Round city: A number of regenerative braking modes (accessible through steering wheel-mounted paddles) that gradual the automotive to various levels while you carry off the throttle, plus a full one-pedal mode, make the Electrified GV70 straightforward to drive in built-up areas. The sleek and quiet nature of its electrical powertrain additional helps make sure the Genesis is a soothing SUV in such environments. 

Then again, the trip isn’t fairly as composed as we’d like. The damping is smooth but additionally missing in management, making the automotive really feel unsettled when travelling over pace bumps.

A & B-roads: The GV70’s suspension points are magnified on twisty roads. Imperfections within the floor, similar to potholes and undulations, outcome within the physique arising and down, and relatively than the firmer suspension modes including management and settling the automotive down, they as a substitute merely improve the frequency of actions. No matter setting, there’s loads of roll and a bent to understeer, whereas the steering provides little suggestions.

Motorway: The GV70 feels most comfy at excessive speeds. Right here, the suspension’s softness makes lengthy journeys enjoyable, with wind and street noise stored low, if not fairly as hushed as within the Audi. 

Getting up to the mark is definitely enjoyable. The Genesis surges ahead enthusiastically – and with much more vigour in Enhance mode, which additionally sharpens the throttle response. Nonetheless, the GV70 feels odd when lifting off, with the retardation ramping up slowly relatively than extra aggressively, as with another EVs.

Possession

Genesis is in search of to set itself other than rivals with a robust aftersales providing. A key a part of it is a five-year care plan to cowl all servicing, which is included as commonplace together with a five-year guarantee and 5 years of roadside help. The corporate additionally offers free assortment and supply, and a courtesy automotive for any servicing or guarantee work that must be accomplished within the first 5 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. 

The Electrified GV70 offers a plush-feeling, stylish area that contrasts considerably with the Audi cabin’s extra aggressive nature. Its materials high quality is usually befitting for a premium product, and we’ve no complaints in regards to the construct high quality. We’re much less eager on the silver-effect plastic trim, which appears and feels somewhat low cost and dated.

It’s an excellent job the reversing digital camera is obvious, as a result of rear visibility is poor, with the weird design of the GV70’s rear quarters that includes further pillars with slender items of glass between.

On check, the Genesis achieved 2.5mi/kWh. Whereas the cold-weather check situations weren’t notably flattering for both automotive, the truth that the GV70 was extra environment friendly, recording 0.2mi/kWh greater than the Audi, is spectacular – particularly due to its potential for stronger straight-line efficiency. Nonetheless, this benefit isn’t sufficient to beat its smaller battery, so its 194-mile real-world vary is 50 miles wanting the Audi’s.

Storage: Whilst you gained’t discover any comically giant cubbies within the Electrified GV70 in the way in which you usually do with ground-up-built EVs, inside storage is sweet sufficient. The entrance door bins are fairly extensive and deep, whereas a reasonably sized stowage space below the central armrest is complemented by a lidded compartment with a cellphone charging pad. The glovebox is an effective dimension, and there are two cup-holders built-in into the armrest.

Practicality

Using a traditional combustion-car platform means the Electrified GV70 doesn’t really feel a lot roomier than its GV60 little brother, but it surely runs the bigger Audi shut for passenger and cupboard space.

Rear Area: Kneeroom is a match for the Audi’s, and headroom is simply marginally behind. The transmission tunnel is a hangover from the combustion variations, though it’s not too troublesome for anybody within the rear-middle seat. The again bench reclines – nice for lengthy journeys. 

Boot: At 503 litres, the Electrified GV70’s boot is 66 litres smaller than the Q8 e-tron’s. That’s nonetheless an inexpensive dimension, although, and a flat flooring makes loading giant gadgets straightforward. With the rear bench utterly folded, the whole storage expands to 1,678 litres, and there’s additionally a 25-litre storage space below the bonnet that’s helpful for stowing cost cables in.

What to purchase?

Which engine and trim we’d select

• Powertrains: In the event you’re set on an Electrified GV70, it is a easy determination; it comes with just one dual-motor, 77.4kWh powertrain.
• Trim: The Electrified GV70 can be at present out there solely in Sport trim.
• Choices: The Sport’s commonplace spec is affordable sufficient, however there are nonetheless loads of choice packs to think about. For tech lovers, there’s the Innovation Pack. This comes with a 12.3-inch 3D-effect digital instrument cluster and a head-up show, amongst different issues – but it surely’s a dear package deal, costing £3,560.
• Our selection: Electrified GV70 Sport.

Outcomes

Which automotive comes out on prime? 

Winner: Genesis Electrified GV70

The Genesis takes the win right here, however not convincingly so. In some areas it’s very robust; it’s greater than fast sufficient to see off the Audi, the fashionable cabin is a match for the Q8 e-tron’s, whereas Genesis’ complete aftersales providers are reassuring. 

Nonetheless, it does include just a few flaws. As a result of the Electrified GV70 isn’t constructed from the bottom up as an EV, it’s tighter inside than some rivals, though the identical could be mentioned for the Audi. The driving dynamics might be extra polished, too.

Runner up: Audi Q8 e-tron

Audo was pretty early to get into the premium EV SUV recreation, however with extra competitors than ever, the Q8 e-tron is trying like extra of an also-ran. It’s higher to drive than the Genesis, however has its personal dealing with issues, owing to its hefty kerbweight that, extra considerably,
additionally hampers effectivity. 

Working prices basically are a difficulty for the Q8 e-tron, and whereas it regains some floor due to its extra sensible inside, this could’t swing the stability again its method.

Rivals and different choices

The good debate

What the Auto Categorical check group would do…

Sean Carson, affiliate editor: “One of many largest rivals for the GV70 comes from throughout the Genesis steady itself. The GV60 is smaller on the surface, has more room inside and is equally properly outfitted, but it surely prices much less to purchase. The dual-motor Sport mannequin has comparable pace however is extra environment friendly, too.”

John Mcllroy, deputy editor: “For some individuals, the considered a 483bhp household SUV will, maybe rightly, appear somewhat daft. We’d like to see Genesis launch a single-motor model of the GV70. Even with half the facility, its efficiency can be okay, and it’d be cheaper each to purchase and to run.”

Daybreak Grant, image editor: “The BMW iX is pricier than these contenders, however it’s nonetheless such a robust automotive in so some ways. Not a lot else on sale at the moment matches its consolation or refinement, but it’s nonetheless nice by way of the turns. And whereas the appears are somewhat questionable on the surface, the cabin is attractive.”

Steve Fowler, editor-in-chief: “Each of those automobiles have their strengths and weaknesses, and it looks as if when you combine the pair collectively, there’s an ideal EV lurking in there someplace. Think about what a automotive with the GV70’s dimension and magnificence, and with the Audi’s very good refinement and in-car tech, can be like!”

Dean Gibson, senior check editor: “Audi was one of many first to the market with its posh all-electric e-tron SUV. Regardless of enhancements to the rebranded Q8 model, that age reveals. It’s too heavy and inefficient, and it’s been proven up by a much less dear automotive from an rising premium model.”

What would you do? Tell us within the feedback part beneath…

Specs and costs