By Philip Ruth–
Right now, it’s hard to know if an electric vehicle is for you. It’s obviously the next step in our automotive future, but range anxiety and a still-developing charging network are keeping some buyers on the bench.
Recently in my work, I had a client who wanted to trade her Tesla for a plug-in hybrid. While the electric car has some clear advantages and novel features, she still yearned for the convenience of quick fill-ups.
The two crossovers we’re checking out this week define the kind of choices buyers face. The $74,350 Genesis GV70 Electrified is an electric car with a 238-mile range that distinguishes itself with its smooth performance and sumptuous interiors. Meanwhile, the $46,305 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid AWD combines a nominal electric range, about 33 miles, with a peppy 1.6-liter gas engine. Range anxiety becomes a non-issue.
The plug-in Tucson needs a gentle touch with the accelerator to keep it in electric mode, and the gas engine clicks in more often than not when driving through hilly San Francisco. Still, I got around 28 miles per gallon, which is admirable considering the Tucson’s substance.
The Tucson isn’t overtly sporty, but it borders on being fun to drive. It tackles long sweeping curves with enthusiasm, like the ramp that loops up from 101 toward the Golden Gate Bridge. While other drivers seem to have trouble staying in their lanes, the Tucson digs in and carves exactly the line you’re tracing. My one ask would be for a more natural feel from the regenerative brakes.
The Tucson’s 261 horsepower is enough to keep it feeling nimble, while the GV70 Electrified’s 429 horses make it the stormer you would imagine it being. Acceleration is breathtaking, and the GV70 Electrified handles with confidence. You buy a luxury car partly to feel a step above the rest, and this Genesis is up several rungs from what we could have imagined electric cars being just a few years ago.
Inside, the GV70 Electrified is the anti-Tesla, where the latter’s starkness gives way to the former’s richness. Softness defines both the contours and the touch points, and the white leather of my presser was the upholstery equivalent of whipped cream. Subtle mood lighting around the margins completes the upscale effect.
The Tucson’s innards are simpler, but they are equally impressive at first glance. Thin chrome strips curve around from the instrument panel into the doors for a beautifully integrated look. There’s a lot of glossy black plastic, and most of it looks good, though fingerprints can accumulate.
Rear seats in both are very comfortable, with reclining seat backs and plenty of room. Though their cargo areas are reduced a bit to accommodate batteries, they still deliver the kind of utility crossover buyers want.
From the prices, we can see that Hyundai isn’t exactly giving away its luxury GV70 Electrified or mainstream Tucson Plug-In Hybrid. But as answers to the questions car buyers are asking, they both land exactly where they should.
Philip Ruth is a Castro-based automotive photojournalist and consultant with an automotive staging service.
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Published on October 19, 2023
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