Hyundai Ioniq 5 N – Pulpaddict

Genesis Electrified GV70 review

We get behind the wheel of the Genesis Electrified GV70 – the refreshed flagship SUV from the upmarket South Korean brand…

I first tested the Electrified GV70 in 2022. It was one of the first models from Genesis, which was launched in the UK the year before.

To put Genesis into context – it’s the luxury arm of the Hyundai Motor Group, which also includes Kia and Hyundai. So, think Lexus/Toyota or Infiniti/Nissan.

Starting at £64,405, the Electrified GV70 was on the pricey side at launch and it was up against everything from the Tesla Model Y to the Mercedes-Benz EQC.

That said, I was really impressed with the Electrified GV70, and it’s remained a hidden gem of the Genesis range.

Fast forward to 2025, and the GV70 has been treated to a makeover with tweaked styling, a bigger battery, new trim levels, and a more luxurious interior.

Genesis hasn’t used the facelift as an excuse to whack up the price either. The Electrified GV70 now starts at £65,915, which seems rather more reasonable a few years on.

Let’s start with specs. Previously there was just the Sport option. Now buyers can choose Pure, Dynamic, and Luxury.

Externally, the GV70 looks much the same, which is no bad thing, because it’s an elegant SUV.

Changes include slimmer LED headlights, new wheel designs, tweaked bumpers and rear lights. Some say it’s resulted in a baby Bentley look.

Perhaps the most important change is that the GV70 now has a larger 84kWh battery (up from 77kWh), which increases the claimed range to 298 miles.

And thanks to its powerful 800V architecture, it’s possible to charge at up to 350kW, resulting in a theoretical 10-80% top-up time of just 19 minutes.

All three models in the range are all-wheel drive with the same dual-motor set-up that delivers up to 483bhp when the Boost mode is engaged (the standard output is a still potent 429bhp).

Perfect for overtaking, boost mode gives a 10-second burst of maximum performance, taking you from 0-62mph in just 4.4 seconds.

Inside, a lovely new panoramic 27-inch OLED display steals the show with its mix of essential driving information and infotainment functions. It also has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity for the first time.

The new system now also has the ability to run streaming services such as Netflix and Disney through the screen (ideal during rest stops or whilst charging).

Add the Dolby Atmos sound played through the B&O sound system and active noise cancelling in the cabin, and the effect is truly cinematic.

I’m just pleased that Genesis hasn’t gone totally minimalist. Prodding and swiping a touchscreen on the move is distracting, so keeping physical controls for essentials such as climate control is welcome.

Overall, the quality of the materials used, the mix of metals and leather, plus the superb cabin refinement, give the GV70 a luxury ambience.

There’s even a wireless phone charger next to a UV light-sterilised armrest storage compartment, so you can clean your phone as you drive.

The driving position at its lowest is still a tad high for my liking, but then that is one of my EV bugbears.

There’s plenty of space up front and for rear passengers, and the seats are super comfortable, while the boot expands from 503 litres to 1,678 litres with the rear seats down. Visibility is generally good, though the rear window is on the narrow side.

There are three main drive modes – Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport , plus e-Terrain mode which uses artificial intelligence to “read” the driving surface in real time and deliver the appropriate grip. You can also manually choose from Snow, Mud and Sand modes.

But perhaps the best feature of all is the new virtual gear shift function. While not as impressive as the system found in its sporty cousin, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, it is clever and allows you to use the regenerative braking paddles as gear shifters, complete with exhaust note and simulated engine braking.

On the road, the Electrified GV70 is very fast and surprisingly agile for a 2.3-tonne SUV, but it’s still a lot of car to control and bring to a halt on the twisty bits, which ultimately dents the driving fun.

But then this EV is more about luxury, comfort and refinement, so it’s at its best simply wafting along.

With accurate steering, strong grip and traction levels and a compliant ride, the GV70 is an impressive cruiser.

When driven sensibly, it’s efficient too, and a useful real-world range north of 250 miles is quite possible – more in city driving.

And if you’re looking for peace of mind, every Genesis model comes with a generous five-year warranty with unlimited mileage.

A five-year Care Plan is also available, which includes at-home collection and return for servicing, a courtesy car, road assistance for five years, and free software updates.

Verdict: The Electrified GV70 is better than ever – and still Genesis’s best all-round car. Elegant, fast, luxurious, practical and easy to drive, it’s a leftfield choice if you’re looking for a large electric SUV.

Genesis UK

Kia EV3 crowned UK Car of the Year 2025

Gareth Herincx

53 mins ago
Auto News

Kia has pulled off the double by winning the UK Car of the Year Awards two years in a row.

Following on from the Kia EV9’s triumph in 2024, the EV3 has been named overall victor in 2025. It’s also the fourth year in succession that the top prize has gone to an electric vehicle.

The EV3 won its Small Crossover category and then beat the winners of the six other categories.

As a member of the UKCOTY jury, I played a small part in picking Britain’s best cars of 2025, and I’d like to congratulate all the winners.

Paul Philpott of Kia UK (left) with UKCOTY's John Challen — *Paul Philpott of Kia UK (left) with UKCOTY’s John Challen*

“Securing back-to-back successes in this competition has only been achieved once before, which shows the outstanding attributes and appeal of the Kia EV3,” said John Challen, co-chairman, UK Car of the Year Awards.

“Kia has successfully grown its EV portfolio and the specification, driving range, and distinctive styling are all EV3 elements that impressed our panel of experts.”

Receiving the winner’s trophy, Paul Philpott, president and CEO, Kia UK, said: “We’re delighted to once again be victorious winning the outright UK Car of the Year Award with EV3. This follows our success in 2024 with EV9.

“These consecutive awards clearly demonstrate Kia’s strong leadership in electrification, the genuine demand from UK customers, and the quality of our product line up.”

UK Car of the Year Awards 2025 category winners:

Small Car – Suzuki Swift
Family Car – Skoda Superb
Small Crossover – Kia EV3
Medium Crossover – MINI Countryman
Large Crossover – Hyundai Santa Fe
Executive Car – Polestar 4
Performance Car – Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

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Hyundai Ioniq 5 N review

We get behind the wheel of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N – the first proper hot hatch of the EV age

Once in a while a car comes along that doesn’t just stand out from the crowd, it sets a new benchmark. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is one of those cars.

A genuine game–changer, Hyundai has transformed the Ioniq 5 electric family hatchback into something very special.

Starting at £65,000, it’s pricey, but it’s also extremely clever, and there really is no other EV like it.

You could say it’s the first reasonably priced electric performance car this side of the £100,000-plus exotics from the luxury brands.

So, let’s get back to basics. The Ioniq 5 N is based on the award-winning Ioniq 5 family EV – a curiosity in itself.

With its retro cool design, the regular Ioniq 5 looks like it should be about the size of a VW Golf, yet its actually closer to a Skoda Enyaq iV.

This latest fruit from Hyundai’s ‘N’ performance sub-brand is even bigger (80 mm longer, 50 mm wider), thanks to larger wheels and tyres, and awesome body kit.

The all-wheel drive Ioniq 5 N also gets a larger battery pack than its sibling (84kWh compared to 78kWh), though range is down from 298 to 278 miles.

Courtesy of two electric motors, it produces an impressive 609bhp, while one press of the (NGB) boost button on the steering wheel unlocks the full 641bhp for a 10-second burst.

This means that a 0-60mph sprint can be dispensed with in 3.5 seconds (3.4s with the NGB button engaged) while the N’s top speed stands at 162mph.

And just like the regular Ioniq 5, the 5N gets state-of-the-art 800V battery technology allowing ultra-fast charging (10-80% in 18 minutes).

As if all that isn’t impressive enough, there are various driving modes for road and track, a launch control function, all-new suspension, bigger brakes, a revised steering system and styling tweaks to help cool the battery.

Most of all, technical wizardry has resulted in an EV that drives and sounds much like a conventional performance car with a convincing simulated engine noise and paddle-shift gearbox, recreating the sound and feel of a petrol-powered hot hatch.

Take one for a test drive yourself before you write it off as a gimmick, it doesn’t just put a smile on your face, it’s far more involving than a regular single-speed EV.

The Ioniq 5 N looks the part too. Not just the flared wheel arches and big wheels, but the aggressive stance. It’s the same story inside where there’s a far more sporty feel.

The figure-hugging bucket-style seats up front deliver a lower seating position, so you don’t feel perched like the regular Ioniq 5, plus aluminium pedals, an N-exclusive centre console and sustainable products are used throughout the cabin.

So, the Ioniq 5 N feels special, even before you hit the Start button. On the road, it’s clear that it doesn’t just look stunning, it handles superbly too.

For a big car weighing in at 2.2 tonnes, it’s nothing short of phenomenal. Blisteringly fast, there’s almost no body lean in more challenging corners.

You really can hustle the 5 N too, firm in the knowledge that its powerful brakes will do their job and its mighty 21-inch Pirelli P-Zero tyres will provide the necessary grip.

For the full-on experience, switch to Sport mode, activate the N e-Shift and chose the ‘Ignition’ engine sound, complete with blips and pops on the down–changes. Yes, it’s largely pointless, but fantastic fun.

Of course, the Ioniq 5 N can be driven sensibly too, and it may well be that the fake engine noise and manual gear selection novelty will wear off for many owners after a while, leaving the 100% N experience for special treats.

Ultimately, like every EV, it’s a balancing act between performance and efficiency, and there’s no doubt that the latter takes a big hit if you overdose on the former.

Behave and you can expect 3.5 miles per kwh or more, indulge too much and it will dip down closer to 2.0.

Finally, it’s worth remembering that the Ioniq 5 N is also highly practical. There’s loads of legroom and headroom for three in the back, while the boot offers 480 litres of cargo volume with the rear seats in place, expanding to 1,362 litres with them folded.

Oh, and unlike its cheaper sibling, it gets a rear wiper. Hurrah!

Verdict: The game-changing Hyundai Ioniq 5 N doesn’t just look awesome – it’s a technical tour de force, delivering a remarkable combination of speed, engagement, driver involvement and practicality.

Hyundai UK