Genesis GV70 vs Volvo Ex90

What's the difference?

The updated Genesis GV70 Electrified Signature Performance is packed with features, effortless on the road, and backed by fantastic ownership value. This isn’t just polished luxury, it’s smart luxury, making it a vehicle worth serious consideration. The only caveat? I’d opt for a different interior colour to white if you have kids or pets.

The new Volvo EX90 Ultra Twin Motor Performance strikes a great balance between sophistication and practicality. It looks sharp, drives beautifully, and delivers a solid range with fast charging to match. Adding to that is a comfortable, family-friendly cabin with space for seven. It’s hard not to be impressed.

There are a couple of technology beats it misses but it's still an easy SUV to live with.

Although slightly smaller than some rivals at 4715mm long and 1630mm tall, the GV70 comfortably fills out its medium SUV stature with a pronounced nose, wide stance, and pillowed, swoopy rear end. The update adds an exclusive reverse G-Matrix pattern in the grille, new 20-inch alloys, and a rear aerodynamic spoiler for a more distinctive presence.

Inside, there are three interior colours to choose from. Our test model’s white leather looks stunning but isn’t the most practical choice for families, pets, or anyone frequently navigating unpaved roads. A rainy day could make you anxious! The quilted leather upholstery shines visually, complemented by the new ‘Milky Way’ ambient lighting panels in the doors.

The electrified platform gives the cabin a flat floor, which improves legroom for middle-seat passengers, though it does mean there’s no space for a spare tyre in the boot.

Other notable updates include intelligent Matrix LED headlights, smart key sensors on all door handles, and new paint options. I particularly like the hidden charging port cover integrated into the grille; a subtle, clever touch. Overall, the GV70 is a handsome SUV.

The EX90 has swathes of smooth body panelling and a closed-off grille, as we've come to expect from a modern EV. The rear roofline tapers gently, giving it a sleek profile, while the black body moulding around the base and frameless mirrors add some visual interest.

It’s a clear departure from the boxier XC90 and you won’t mix them up but it still features those signature 'Hammer of Thor' LED headlights, which I really like.

The Ultra rides on 22-inch alloy wheels which help fill the arches nicely without making the car look oversized or flashy. The soft-close doors are a luxe touch and the overall fit and finish is up there with the best in the segment.

It shares its platform and technology with the Polestar 3, so if you're familiar with that model, the dashboard and centre console layout will feel very familiar.

I’m a fan of the clean, minimalist look and it works well with the panoramic sunroof, which brings in loads of light. A future update will let you switch the roof from clear to opaque, which should be a nice touch come summer.

The ambient lighting is cleverly integrated with the birch wood trim, and there are subtle ambient lights throughout the cabin that give it a business-class vibe.

And since it’s fully electric, there’s no transmission tunnel, so the middle row gets a completely flat floor. That also means extra space, with a handy storage cubby added under the centre console.

The GV70 Electrified Signature Performance feels spacious and comfortable front to back. Up front, the seats are thickly padded and packed with features, making it easy to find a good driving position. The electrically adjustable steering wheel adds to the ease, and the 172mm ground clearance with wide door openings makes getting in and out effortless.

Storage up front is a bit limited. The middle console and glove box handle most of the load, while door drink holders are slim. I do like the dedicated phone tray and sunglasses holder, which add some practicality to everyday use.

The 27-inch multimedia and instrument cluster display is sharp, high-tech and intuitive, while the responsive touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto make connectivity easy. The system includes built-in sat-nav, and you can customise it to fill the full screen while keeping a small speedo widget visible.

Charging is well-covered with two USB-C ports per row, a wireless charging pad, a 12-volt socket and a 250-volt domestic plug in the boot. Small practical touches like extendable sunvisors, manual rear sunblinds, smart key sensors on each door and the ability to move the front passenger seat or operate the boot from the driver’s seat add extra convenience.

In the rear, legroom is good and while I’m comfortable behind my driving position at 168cm, taller passengers may need to shuffle seats to optimise comfort. Seat cushioning is excellent, and the outboard seat heaters are a welcome touch. The bench is wide enough for three adults for short trips, and families will appreciate the two ISOFIX child seat mounts and three top-tether anchor points. Amenities include climate control, rear air vents, sunblinds and charging ports, although storage is limited to a couple of cupholders and map pockets. The pull-down armrest sits a little low for me, but my kid has no concerns.

Boot space measures 503L with all seats in place, the smallest compared with nearest rivals. That said, it easily accommodates my family of three’s groceries and school gear. There’s a small underfloor pocket for the tyre repair kit and home cables, plus a 22L frunk for extra storage. The powered boot lid is a practical convenience I always appreciate.

The EX90 nails the balance between luxury and everyday usability. Up front, there’s loads of head, leg and elbow room, and it’s easy to get in and out thanks to the 216mm ground clearance and wide door apertures.

That said, the flush door handles can be a bit temperamental as they don’t always pop out when you approach and the key card only works from the driver’s side, which can be annoying.

Once you’re in, the front seats are superb. They’re seriously comfortable, with heating, ventilation, massage and extendable thigh supports that make long trips a breeze. It’s easy to find a great driving position and just settle in.

Storage up front is clever and generous. There’s a large glove box, a deep centre console with a hidden cubby, a shelf under the floating centre stack, plus cupholders and big door bins. It's well thought out and practical.

The 14.5-inch multimedia screen looks fantastic and is responsive. Now, I’m a button girl, and usually having to rely on a screen for everything would bug me but this set-up works.

You can pin your favourite features like climate and media controls to the bottom of the display for easy access, and the voice assistant is usually really capable, so you can stay hands-free when needed.

Built-in Google Assistant, Google Maps, YouTube, Spotify, plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto make tech integration smooth. Navigation directions show up clearly in both the 9.0-inch digital instrument cluster and the colour head-up display, which is a nice touch.

I experienced a couple of tech gremlins toward the end of my week with the car. The Google Assistant stopped picking up my voice commands and calls wouldn’t route through the sound system once connected.

Thankfully, both issues seemed to resolve themselves without intervention, but it's worth noting in case it’s a software quirk that pops up from time to time.

The second-row seats are ergonomic but a little firm - still comfy enough for long trips, especially with heating for the outboard seats.

Access is easy, and my eight-year old had no trouble climbing in or out. The booster seat integration has moved to the middle seat only (instead of both outboards), which might limit flexibility for some families, but for us it works fine.

There are ISOFIX mounts on the outboard seats and three top-tether points across the second row, and yes, you can fit three child seats side by side. Amenities in the second row are excellent with two USB-C ports, air vents, dual-zone climate, map pockets, cupholders and decent storage bins.

The third row is, as expected, best for kids, as toe room is limited and the access is child-sized. Still, it’s well-appointed with two cupholders, USB-C ports, and air vents built into the C-pillars. Even better, it gets two top-tether anchor points, which is a huge bonus for big families.

Boot space is solid because even with all seats up, you get 324L, including a useful underfloor compartment. Fold the third row and it jumps to 697L.

You can also manually raise or lower the boot height thanks to the active air suspension, and the third row folds electrically. There’s also a 12-volt socket and a powered tailgate you can operate via the Volvo app or the multimedia screen.

Up front, there’s a 34L frunk which is ideal for storing charging cables or a tyre repair kit, keeping everything neat and separate.

There are two grades available for the new Volvo EX90, and for this review, we're testing the flagship Ultra Twin Motor Performance.

While it shares the same motor configuration as the lower Plus variant, the Ultra gets a performance tweak that improves its 0–100km/h sprint time. Naturally, it also comes with a suite of luxurious extras befitting its flagship status.

Starting at $134,990, before on-road costs, the Ultra sits comfortably in the middle of its electric upper-large SUV rivals.

It’s more expensive than the Kia EV9 GT-Line (from $121,000) but undercuts the luxury-laden Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 4Matic (from $222,400). It also only costs $6600 more than the top-spec PHEV XC90, making it a compelling step up if you require electric performance and efficiency.

With a claimed WLTP driving range of 570km, the EX90 Ultra holds its own in the segment, offering solid long-distance capability.

The Ultra is well-equipped as you’d expect with electric front seats that feature heat, ventilation and massage functions. There is a heated steering wheel, fixed panoramic sunroof and a 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system.

Volvo has confirmed the panoramic sunroof will have an adjustment setting between clear and opaque in a future update, as it currently doesn’t have a blind.

Some great practical and family-friendly features include heated rear outboard seats, powered third-row seats, a powered tailgate, a 34L frunk for charging cables and an integrated kid’s booster seat in the middle row for those transitional stages.

The well-rounded suite of technology is based on the EX90's new Polestar 3 cousin and includes four USB-C ports plus a digital key via the Volvo app. The app also allows you to check on the status of the vehicle, open and close the boot lid, remotely unlock/lock the vehicle and pre-set the internal climate.

There is a large 14.5-inch touchscreen multimedia display that features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite navigation (with live traffic updates and directions that are pulled into the colour head-up display) and a 9.0-inch digital instrument cluster. The system also has a suite of built-in apps like Google Assistant, Google Maps, YouTube, Spotify etc. 

The GV70 Electrified Signature Performance is a fully electric SUV with dual motors, one on each axle, producing a combined 320kW of power and 605Nm of torque. Activate Boost Mode, and those numbers climb to 360kW and 700Nm, giving the GV70 a serious edge when you need it.

Despite its name, this grade isn't pitched as a performance EV but it's definitely no slouch with a 0 -100km/h sprint time of just 4.4 seconds with Boost Mode, or 5.0 seconds in standard mode. That’s quick enough to hold its own against rivals in the luxury electric mid-size SUV segment, while still delivering smooth, linear acceleration that’s effortless in everyday driving.

The Ultra is all-wheel drive with twin electric motors, one on each axle. Combined, they deliver a hefty 380kW of power and 910Nm of torque. That translates to a 0–100km/h sprint in just 4.9 seconds, which is seriously impressive for a big SUV.

Do we need it to be this fast? Absolutely not. But do I appreciate the gumption? You bet I do.

The GV70 Signature Performance runs on a new 84kWh lithium-ion battery, giving a WLTP driving range of up to 462km which is a solid figure for both city commuters and regional drivers, provided you charge regularly. Genesis includes a couple of charging cables, and the SUV also offers V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) capability, ideal for powering larger devices while stopped.

Charging options are strong. The Type 2 CCS port accepts up to 11kW on AC chargers and up to 350kW on DC fast chargers, allowing a 10 - 80 per cent charge in as little as 19 minutes on a 350kW unit or seven hours and 35 minutes on an 11kW AC charger. Realistically, most DC chargers on the road operate closer to 170kW or below, which still delivers a very usable recharge.

The GV70 also features four levels of regenerative braking, including a one-pedal mode. Staying mostly in this mode over the week, I achieved an energy consumption of 21.0kWh/100km, which is very close to the claimed 20.0kWh/100km and again, is a solid result for a car of this size and outputs.

The official WLTP energy consumption figure for the EX90 Ultra is 16.9kWh/100km, and after a good mix of open-road and urban driving, I averaged around 20kWh/100km which isn't bad at all for a vehicle of this size.

The strong regenerative braking helps here, and if you time your deceleration right, you can enjoy a proper one-pedal driving experience, which makes city driving feel effortless.

The EX90 uses a Type 2 CCS charging port and packs a massive 111kWh lithium-ion battery, good for a driving range of up to 570km (WLTP).

Charging speeds are impressive as it supports up to 11kW on AC and a hefty 250kW on DC fast chargers. That means you can go from 10–80 per cent in as little as 35 minutes on a 250kW charger, or in around 10 hours on an 11kW home set-up.

My kid called the GV70 the 'Marshmallow Limo' this week, and it’s an apt description for the ride comfort. The SUV probably delivers the one of the most comfortable rides I’ve experienced, thanks to soft suspension and new hydro bushings in the rear, which smooth out most vibrations. The trade-off is that it feels dampened when cornering and you glide over the road rather than feel it, which I find a little soft, but my husband loves.

The dual motors provide strong, prompt acceleration, and Boost Mode adds an extra kick when you need it. The cluster pulses red while active, which is a fun touch.

Visibility is excellent. The wide windows give a clear view around the car, and none of the pillars obstruct from my driving position. The digital rear-view mirror is particularly handy when carrying passengers or cargo.

Regenerative braking is easy to control via the steering wheel paddles. Mode 3 and the one-pedal function deliver strong regen without being harsh, but you need to adapt your braking technique, otherwise passengers might feel a little queasy.

Despite looking larger than it is, the GV70 is simple to park, thanks to an 11.5m turning circle and a 360-degree camera system, though the multiple view modes can feel overwhelming at first. I also love the remote parking via keyfob, which comes in handy in tight carparks or garages.

Smooth and effortlessly powerful - that’s the best way to sum up the EX90 on the road. Despite its size, you don’t feel the bulk from behind the wheel. It’s nimble when it needs to be and wickedly quick off the line. Even under hard acceleration, I always feel in control, which is a huge plus for something this punchy.

You can customise the steering feel, and I preferred it on the firmer setting as it gave the best feedback without feeling heavy. The active air suspension does a great job of absorbing rough surfaces without softening the handling, so there’s no floatiness, just a composed, comfortable ride.

Inside the cabin, it’s beautifully quiet. That signature EV silence makes the space feel refined, with just the occasional tyre rumble at higher speeds, depending on the road surface but it’s never intrusive.

Visibility is mostly great from the front and sides, but the rear window feels miles away in the mirror, and the B-pillars are a little thick, so there’s a minor blind spot to be aware of.

Parking is easier than you’d expect for something of its size. The 360-degree camera is super clear, and there are plenty of parking sensors. The 12m turning circle is pretty standard, but it still felt totally manageable in tight shopping centre car parks.

The EX90 hasn’t been ANCAP-tested yet, so it’s currently unrated but being a Volvo, you can bet it’s packed with safety smarts.

It features a comprehensive suite of advanced safety tech, including side exit assist, emergency call functionality and a child detection system using radar sensors to monitor for movement in the cabin after the car is locked, designed to prevent children being accidentally left inside.

The second- and third-row seats all feature top-tether points, with ISOFIX anchors on the two outer second-row positions.

There are seven airbags, including a front-centre airbag and curtain airbags that cover all three rows, which is a win for families.

On top of that, it’s equipped with Volvo’s 'Pilot Assist' suite, which includes adaptive cruise control with lane centring, lane departure alert, lane keeping aid, blind-spot monitoring with steering assist, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, 360-degree camera system, front/rear parking sensors and autonomous emergency braking with forward collision warning.

Volvo is also working toward occupant sensing and driver monitoring systems that go beyond the usual alerts. The EX90 includes an interior radar system sensitive enough to detect the micro-movements of breathing, aimed at preventing hot car deaths.

It’s being pitched by Volvo as one of the more safety-forward SUVs on the market, even before it earns its official crash score.

The GV70 Electrified Signature Performance comes with a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and an eight-year/160,000km battery warranty, putting it in line with its rivals. What sets it apart are the extras included at no additional cost.

Genesis provides free scheduled servicing for five years or up to 75,000km, along with five years of roadside assistance through Assist Australia, and if you service through Genesis, that cover extends to ten years.

Owners also receive a complimentary five-year subscription to Genesis Connected Services and can choose either a five-year Chargefox subscription or an at-home wall-box charger.

Another practical bonus for regional drivers is that you aren’t limited to Genesis dealerships for servicing. You can use any of the hundreds of Hyundai service centres for scheduled maintenance, which makes ownership far more convenient. Overall, Genesis makes it easy and appealing to own a GV70.

The EX90 is covered by a five-year/unlimited km warranty, which is on par with most rivals, though Kia still has the edge with its longer coverage. Servicing intervals are every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.

As for costs? For the first five years, servicing is included in the purchase price, so while it’s technically not ‘free,’ it does mean no extra out-of-pocket expenses for scheduled maintenance during that time and that’s pretty solid value in this segment.