Reviewer ranks Hyundai and Genesis EVs; Ioniq 5 tops list, Electrified GV70 called biggest disappointment

A reviewer who test-drove every Hyundai and Genesis all-electric SUV sold in the United States over the past two years placed the Hyundai Ioniq 5 at the top of the list and identified the 2025 Genesis Electrified GV70 as the lineup's biggest disappointment.

The reviewer, who borrowed vehicles for about a week at a time and said the automaker covered tolls and the initial charge, credited Hyundai and Genesis with a marked improvement from their early low-cost models and singled out the Ioniq 5 for combining pricing, materials, driving range and fast charging into the most compelling package. The Electrified GV70 received praise for comfort and performance but drew criticism for its high price and relatively limited electric range.

The reviewer ranked five models, explaining strengths and weaknesses for each. At the bottom of the list, the 2025 Genesis Electrified GV70 was noted for retaining the GV70's quiet, comfortable cabin and for improved acceleration thanks to its battery power, which boosted horsepower and shaved nearly two seconds off 0-to-60 times compared with gas versions. The criticism focused on cost and range: Genesis buyers face roughly a $10,000 premium for the all-electric powertrain on a vehicle whose starting gas versions run from about $50,000 to $70,000, while the tested Electrified GV70 was priced at $75,020 and delivered an EPA-like range of about 236 miles.

The 2025 Genesis GV60 placed fourth. The reviewer praised the GV60's distinctive exterior and high-end, playful interior touches such as a center-console dial that becomes a glass orb when the car is turned off, and a flat pass-through floor that increases storage practicality. But the GV60's age was noted: originally launched in 2021, some underpinnings are showing their years. The top-tier Performance model in the review delivered about 235 miles of range and a zero-to-60 mph time near 3.8 seconds, with the tester's price coming in at about $71,930.

Third-ranked was the 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric. The reviewer highlighted the Kona Electric as a value-oriented package, with a base price around $33,000 and a top N performance trim at about $39,880. Reviewers commended its curved dual-screen infotainment and accessible physical controls, along with surprising cargo capacity: a 25.5-cubic-foot rear cargo area and a small front trunk. Range was a drawback compared with larger, more expensive models; the Kona Electric was reported to provide about 230 miles between charges, a figure the reviewer described as reasonable given the vehicle's lower price point.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 earned the reviewer's second-place slot. As Hyundai's three-row electric SUV, the Ioniq 9 was praised for spaciousness, interior storage innovations and ambient lighting. The tested top-end model, with a sticker price near $74,300, featured a dual-motor setup producing about 422 horsepower and a high-voltage battery that the reviewer said charged rapidly from 10 to 80 percent in roughly 15 minutes. The Ioniq 9 was also described as Hyundai's first product built to plug into Tesla's Supercharger network for non-Tesla vehicles, requiring drivers to use the Tesla app to locate and access compatible stations. Reviewers reported a range in excess of 300 miles for the model regardless of trim.

Topping the list was the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5, which the reviewer called the brand's best-selling electric vehicle and the most well-rounded in the lineup. The Ioniq 5 combines a hatchback-shaped crossover form, retro-modern styling and a practical interior with multiple storage solutions, comfortable seating and generous legroom. The base Ioniq 5 starts near $44,000 and offers around 240 miles of range, while a higher trim reviewed at roughly $51,000 extended range to about 318 miles and produced approximately 225 horsepower. The reviewer also noted Hyundai's expansion of high-performance and off-road-oriented trims, including N and XRT versions, which offer additional hardware and more aggressive performance tuning.

Across the reviews, range and pricing emerged as recurring themes. Several of the tested models, particularly those adapted from gasoline platforms, delivered ranges in the low-to-mid 200s of miles, which the reviewer said undercut the value proposition when those vehicles carried premium pricing. Hyundai's purpose-built EVs, such as the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 9, were highlighted for better alignment of range, charging speed and interior packaging.

The reviewer prefaced the ranking with a personal anecdote about a family experience with an inexpensive 1996 Hyundai Accent to illustrate the distance the brands have traveled in quality and technology. The tests, conducted over many short-term loan periods, emphasized real-world usability, charging convenience and cost relative to features when assessing each model.

Hyundai and Genesis have continued to expand electrified offerings and performance variants, and the reviewer concluded that the Ioniq 5 most successfully synthesizes the automaker's strengths for mainstream buyers, while some of the pricier, derivative electric versions of legacy gas models may fail to deliver enough additional value to justify their premiums.