Reviewer Ranks Hyundai and Genesis EVs: Ioniq 5 Tops the List, Electrified GV70 Disappoints

A reviewer who spent the past two years driving every Hyundai and Genesis electric SUV sold in the United States ranked the Ioniq 5 as the company's best EV and called the most expensive model, the Genesis Electrified GV70, the biggest disappointment.

The tester, who borrowed vehicles for weeklong evaluations with tolls and the first charge covered by the manufacturer, placed five models in order based on driving impressions, range, features and value. The assessment highlights a broad evolution in Hyundai's products since the automaker's early cheap-and-cheerful era, but also identifies trade-offs where legacy platforms or premium pricing undercut the EV proposition.

Topping the list was the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5, the company's best-selling electric vehicle. The reviewer praised the Ioniq 5 for combining retro-modern design, high-quality interior materials and versatile packaging. The base model starts at about $44,000 and offers roughly 240 miles of range, while a higher-tier trim priced around $51,000 increases range to about 318 miles and delivers approximately 225 horsepower. The vehicle's hatchback-like crossover shape, abundant storage, plush seats and available performance-focused N and XRT variants drew particular praise as evidence Hyundai can deliver both everyday usability and enthusiast-oriented options.

In second place, the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 earned strong marks for interior space and comfort as Hyundai's first three-row EV. The top-end tester carried a sticker price near $74,300 and featured a battery and dual-motor setup producing about 422 horsepower. The reviewer noted that all seven seats were comfortable with plentiful legroom and storage. Charging performance was also a highlight: the Ioniq 9's high-voltage battery can reportedly charge from 10 to 80 percent in about 15 minutes. The Ioniq 9 is Hyundai's first product confirmed to plug into Tesla's Supercharger network for public charging, but drivers may need to use the Tesla app to locate stations that accept non-Tesla vehicles.

The Ioniq 9 was followed by the 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric in third place, a compact crossover praised for delivering tech and practicality at a lower price. The Kona Electric starts around $33,000, with the top N performance trim examined by the reviewer priced at about $39,880. Despite a compact footprint, the Kona offers 25.5 cubic feet of cargo space in the rear and a small front trunk. Interior touches such as a dual-screen infotainment and gauge cluster, along with manual controls for audio and climate, contributed to a high-tech but user-friendly experience. Its estimated range of approximately 230 miles was cited as a limitation, but the reviewer judged that acceptable given the model's value proposition.

Fourth place went to the 2025 Genesis GV60, a smaller luxury EV that the reviewer described as stylish and playful inside and out. The GV60 carries distinctive exterior detailing and a quirky, upscale interior with features such as a circular drive selector that transforms into a glass orb when the car is turned off. A top-tier Performance edition in the review produced quick acceleration — the car can reach 60 mph in about 3.8 seconds — but the model's older underpinnings resulted in an estimated range near 235 miles. With prices starting roughly in the mid-$50,000s and special-edition testers pushing into the low $70,000s, the GV60 was credited for design and driving engagement but noted for being costly relative to its electric range.

At the bottom of the reviewer's ranking was the 2025 Genesis Electrified GV70. The Electrified GV70 converts the gasoline-powered GV70 to an EV by fitting a battery in place of conventional engines, and it retains many of the GV70's comfort and styling traits. The reviewer praised its quietness, comfortable interior and a power boost that reduced 0-to-60 times by roughly two seconds while adding more than 180 horsepower. However, the Electrified GV70 carries a premium of about $10,000 over the gasoline GV70 lineup, and the tested model carried a sticker price of roughly $75,020. Its estimated electric range of about 236 miles drew criticism as insufficient for the vehicle's price, a shortfall the reviewer called a "big disappointment." The conclusion was that converting a conventionally engineered platform to electric powerbooks retains some benefits but does not always deliver competitive range for luxury pricing.

Across the five vehicles, the reviewer noted recurring themes: Hyundai and Genesis have made notable strides in interior design, storage solutions and charging performance, while range remains a differentiator tied closely to price and platform. Several models offered fast-charging capability and ample in-cabin tech, but only some combined those strengths with long-range batteries. High-performance and luxury trims often add power and features at the expense of range or for a substantial price premium.

The reviewer framed the progression as a broader arc for Hyundai, contrasting the automaker's current products with earlier reputation for low-cost, less-durable vehicles. While some models such as the Ioniq 5 were singled out as near-complete packages that justify their price and lineup breadth, others showed that premium positioning without commensurate electric range may undermine buyer value in the competitive EV market.

The evaluations reflect one reviewer's hands-on impressions across short-term test drives rather than long-term ownership data. The vehicles were tested in standard reviewer conditions over the past two years, with operational support such as first charges provided by the manufacturer. Pricing and range figures cited are approximate and reflect the tester's specific trim levels and configurations.

As automakers continue to expand EV portfolios, the review highlights the importance of matching platform engineering, battery capacity and charging compatibility to consumer expectations for range and value. Hyundai and Genesis remain active across multiple segments, offering models from budget-oriented compact crossovers to three-row family haulers and luxury performance cars. How well each model balances driving range, charging access and feature content will likely remain a key factor for buyers comparing EVs across price tiers and use cases.