Audi Q8 e-tron vs. Genesis Electrified GV70: Duplicate Test Report 2023 | automatic express (2023)

Those looking for a premiumelectric jeepYou have many options. Due to the explosion in popularity of high riders, manufacturers have attempted to capitalize on it, often targeting it early onVEefforts in such cars. So that was no surpriseAudithe first mass productionelectricModel: the e-tron, now calledQ8 e-tron- was aany terrain.

GenesisWhen the e-tron was launched in 2019, it was still a few years from arriving in the UK. However, it's now making waves, and the models that have impressed us the most are the battery-powered offerings like the oneelectrified GV70. But can this newcomer beat any of the established ones?

Audi Q8 etron

This car was once known simply as the e-tron, but as Audi began to expand its all-electric offerings, the name became a brand name, resulting inP8Prefix to addbig jeep. On the 55 Sport it is equipped withQ8 e-tronIt costs £77,085, making it slightly more expensive than the Genesis. Is the extra cost worth it?

Technologie-Highlights

Although like the Genesis it is based on a platform used for different petrols,DieseljHybridvehicles, the Q8 e-tron manages to cram a whopping 114 kWh battery into its frame. Of that, 106 kWh is usable, which is a one-fifth capacity increase over the pre-refresh model and gives an official range of up to 330 miles.

Both the 50 and 55 versions feature two engines to create a quattro brandall-wheel drive system. IsSQ8 e-tronA three-engine setup takes it a step further, although the 55 we're testing isn't lacking in power, producing 402bhp and 664Nm of torque.

However, a large battery also means a lot of weight; The Q8 e-tron tips the scales at almost 2600 kg. This means it's less powerful and much heavier than the Genesis, making it significantly slower with a 0-100km/h time of 5.6 seconds.

The Q8 also lags behind a bit when it comes to charging technology; It can take up to 170kW, which is 20kW more than previous models but still a far cry from the 240kW capacity of the Electrified GV70.

Security:When the car was valuedEuroNCAPIn the e-tron version before the update, it received the highest rating of five stars in 2019. All models come standard with cruise control, lane departure warning and traffic sign recognition.

Traveling

The Q8 e-tron is significantly stiffer than the Electrified GV70, making it feel smoother on back roads, but comfort is sacrificed.

Around the city:The relatively firm response of the Q8 e-tron means you have to be careful when navigating bumps and potholes, although you won't hear the suspension jolts nearly as loudly as when driving the Genesis. Driving through built-up areas, the Audi feels like a big, heavy car and you have to be careful with the accelerator, which is more responsive than the competition.

Motorways A and B:Tightly controlling suspension movement initially makes the Q8 e-tron feel more capable in corners, especially in the even firmer Dynamic mode. When traversing bumps in the road, the Audi finds itself quickly, making it feel less unruly than the Electrified GV70 and causing less body roll when cornering.

However, the chassis cannot do much against the sheer mass of the Q8 e-tron. You don't have to turn in particularly quickly for the front axle to understeer and the tires to make very unpleasant noises. The steering feels more natural than the Genesis and a little quicker, but in dynamic mode it might be too heavy for some.

Autobahn:The high-speed refinement and noise level are excellent, both surpassing the GV70. There's more than enough momentum to quickly get the Q8 e-tron up to the national speed limit when cruising down an exit ramp, but its lower power and added weight compared to the Genesis makes it feel snappier than snappy. .

Property

If there's one thing Audi always delivers, it's build quality. The interior of the Q8 e-tron is excellent and every surface feels valuable. The driver's position, in turn, offers a wide range of adjustment of both the steering wheel and seat, although the GV70's front seats have a wider range of adjustment.

The Audi's dashboard is slightly higher than its competitor's, which only encourages it to adopt the kind of elevated seating position that seems appropriate for a large SUV.

The Q8 e-tron comes standard with a three-year 60,000-mile warranty package, as well as three-year roadside assistance coverage.

In terms of performance, there is not much that can be done against an unladen weight of 2.5 tons, but the same applies to efficiency. At 2.3 miles per kilowatt-hour, the e-tron is one of the most energy-hungry electric vehicles on the market, but there's no particular scenario where it shines. However, it represents a significant improvement over its predecessor when it comes to efficiency on the highway.

Thanks to its huge battery, the range is strong too. At that figure of 2.3 miles/kWh, the Audi should be able to cover 244 miles between charges, and that figure will only improve in warmer conditions.

Unusual but useful: the Q8 has two charging ports, one on each front wing. The front features a Type 2 connector, while the outside complements it with a fast charge CCS connector.

Storage:Very large shelves in the front and rear doors are suitable for storing various items, including beverage bottles. The center console features two cup holders covered by a sliding lid, while additional storage space is available under the adjustable armrest.

The Q8 e-tron has three Isofix points. One is mounted on the front passenger seat, while those in the back are easily accessible behind removable plastic covers.

practical sense

At almost five meters long, the Q8 e-tron will never be short of space and offers plenty of room for passengers and equipment.

back seat:The Audi's wide rear seat offers generous knee and headroom. The two outer seats are soft and well shaped, making it very comfortable to sit on. The center seat is fairly wide and flat, and overall the rear compartment has more room for three than the GV70.

Litter:At 569 liters, the boot of the Q8 is huge. Ease of use is enhanced with tie-down hooks, side net partitions and a 40:20:40 split rear seat. When folded, the volume is 1,637 liters. There is also enough space under the hood to lay charging cables. However, the trunk lip is slightly higher than the GV70, making it difficult to lift heavy objects inside.

Buy something?

Which engine and equipment would we choose?

• Drivetrains:The standard Q8 e-tron comes with a choice of two powertrains: the 50 with 335 hp and the 55 with 402 hp, which we're testing here. We'd save most of the £10,000 and go for the 50.
• Cut:The sports version is well equipped and has highlights such as air suspension, dual-zone climate control and 20-inch wheels. The top-of-the-line Vorsprung features 22-inch alloy wheels, laser lights and additional driver assistance technology.
• Options:The Tech Pack Pro (£5,995) offers an upgraded sound system, 360-degree camera, heads-up display, panoramic sunroof, heated rear seats and more.
• Our choice:Q8 e-tron Sport 50 quattro.

Electrified Genesis GV70

While we've been cautious about many of Genesis' petrol- and diesel-powered products, the Korean premium brand's electric vehicles have always impressed. Heelectrified GV70It's the ultimate and comes at a premium price point to live up to the brand's premium claims.

The boundaries within the class of high-end electric SUVs are a bit blurred, but stillGV70Due to the somewhat more compact size of the Audi compared to the Audi, there are price overlaps, especially with the additional options. Price starts at £64,405 in the Sport version and our test car came fitted with options to increase that price to £78,895.

Technologie-Highlights

The Electrified GV70 shares its M3 platform with sister brands from GenesisHyundaijlet's goas well as combustion versions of the GV70 as well as many other larger Hyundai Group models. Embedded in this multipurpose platform is a 77.4kWh battery, the only capacity available, powering two motors. There is one for each axle, resulting in the electrified GV70Traction on all four wheels.

Once Boost mode is activated, this powertrain delivers an impressive 483 hp and 700 Nm, enabling 0 to 100 km/h acceleration in just 4.2 seconds (4.8 seconds without boost). Matching this performance is an intelligent suspension system with road-sensing technology that primes the adaptive dampers as needed based on the condition of the road ahead.

Lots of tech, two motors and a big battery make an SUV a pretty heavy car, with the Electrified GV70 tipping the scales at 2.3 tons.

Security:Euro NCAP tested the GV70 as a 2.5-litre petrol engine in 2021, but did not rate the electrified version. The first achieved the maximum rating of five stars.

Traveling

Despite its impressive straight-line performance, the Electrified GV70's emphasis is clearly on comfort rather than handling, but it's a tough one to achieve.

Around the city:Multiple regenerative braking modes (accessible via steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters) that slow the car by varying degrees when you take your foot off the accelerator, plus a full one-pedal mode make driving the Electrified GV70 easy. in built-up areas. The smooth and quiet character of its electric powertrain further helps make the Genesis a relaxed SUV in such environments.

On the other hand, the journey is not composed as we would like it to be. Damping is soft but also uncontrollable, making the car feel unstable when going over speed bumps.

Motorways A and B:The GV70's suspension problems are compounded on winding roads. Surface imperfections like bumps and ripples cause the body to rock up and down, and rather than firmer suspension modes giving more control and tipping the car down, they just increase the frequency of movement. . Regardless of the setup, there's a lot of body roll and a tendency to understeer, while the steering is lacking in feedback.

Autobahn:The GV70 feels more comfortable at high speeds. The smooth running of the suspension ensures relaxed long-distance journeys with little wind and driving noise, even if not quite as quietly as in the Audi.

It's definitely fun to exchange ideas. The Genesis rolls forward with panache, even more powerful in Boost mode, which also improves throttle response. However, the GV70 feels odd when pulling away, as deceleration increases slowly rather than more aggressively like other EVs do.

Property

Genesis wants to differentiate itself from its competitors by offering a strong after-sales service. A key part of this is a five-year full service plan, which comes standard alongside a five-year warranty and five-year roadside assistance. The company also offers free pickup and delivery and a replacement vehicle for any service or warranty work that needs to be done within the first five years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first.

The electrified GV70 offers a stylish and luxurious space that stands in sharp contrast to the more aggressive character of the Audi interior. The quality of the materials is largely sufficient for a premium product and we have nothing to complain about the build quality. We care less about the silver-effect plastic trim, which looks and feels a bit cheap and dated.

It's a good thing the rear camera is clear, because rear vision is poor, given the GV70's unusual rear design that features additional pillars with narrow pieces of glass in between.

In the test, the Genesis managed 2.5 mi/kWh. While the cold-weather test conditions weren't particularly favorable for either car, the fact that the GV70 was more efficient, scoring 0.2 mi/kWh more than the Audi is impressive, especially given its potential for better straight-line performance Line. That benefit isn't enough to offset the smaller battery, however, so the real-world range of 194 miles is 50 miles less than Audi's.

Storage:While you won't find particularly large compartments in the Electrified GV70, as is often the case with completely new build electric vehicles, the interior storage space is sufficient. Storage in the front doors is quite wide and deep, while a medium-sized storage space under the center armrest is complemented by a lidded compartment and a charging pad for your phone. The glove box is a good size and there are two cup holders built into the armrest.

practical sense

Using a conventional nitro car platform, the Electrified GV70 doesn't feel much more spacious than its little brother, the GV60, but puts it closer to the larger Audi in terms of passenger and storage space.

back seat:The kneeroom is on the level of the Audi, the headroom is just behind. The transmission tunnel is a holdover from the combustion versions, although it's not too intrusive for anyone in the center rear seat. The back seat can be tilted, ideal for long journeys.

Litter:At 503 liters, the trunk of the Electrified GV70 is 66 liters smaller than that of the Q8 e-tron. However, the size is still reasonable and the flat bottom makes it easy to load large items. With the rear seat fully folded down, the total storage space expands to 1,678 litres, and there is also a 25-litre storage space under the bonnet, which is suitable for stowing charging cables.

Buy something?

Which engine and equipment would we choose?

• Drivetrains:Choosing an electrified GV70 is an easy decision; It is equipped with a single 77.4 kWh dual-motor powertrain.
• Cut:The Electrified GV70 is currently only available in a sports version.
• Options:The Sport's standard equipment is reasonable, but there are still numerous option packages to consider. For technology lovers there is the Innovation Pack. It has a 12.3-inch digital instrument with 3D effects and a heads-up display, among other things, but it's an expensive package at £3,560.
• Our choice:GV70 Sport electrified.

Results

Which car is on top?

Gewinner: Electrified Genesis GV70

The Genesis takes the win here, but not convincingly. In some areas it is very strong; It's fast enough to fire the Audi, the sleek cabin matches that of the Q8 e-tron and the Genesis' comprehensive customer service is reassuring.

However, it has some shortcomings. Because the Electrified GV70 isn't built from the ground up like an electric vehicle, it's more compact inside than some rivals, although the same is true of the Audi. The driving dynamics could also be more sophisticated.

Second: Audi Q8 e-tron

Audo was fairly early in entering the premium SUV EV business, but with more competition than ever, the Q8 e-tron looks more like a race car. It's a better powertrain than the Genesis, but has its own handling issues due to its high curb weight, which also affects efficiency in particular.

Running costs in general are an issue for the Q8 e-tron, and while it gains some ground thanks to its more practical interior, that can't be the deciding factor.

Rivals and other options

• Same class: Mercedes Gl
• Same money:Lexus RZ
• Needed:BMW X5 xDrive 45e
• Needed:Tesla Model X
• Soon:North Star 3

the great debate

What the Auto Express test team would do...

Sean Carson, Associate Editor:“One of the biggest competitors of the GV70 comes from Genesis. The GV60 is smaller on the outside, offers more space on the inside and is just as well equipped, but costs less to buy. The twin-engine sports model is similarly fast, but also more efficient.”

John Mcllroy, Co-Editor: “For some people, the idea of ​​a 483 hp engine was viableSUV knownIt might seem a bit silly, and rightly so. We'd love to see Genesis release a single engine version of the GV70. Even with half the power, the performance would be okay and the purchase and operation would be cheaper.”

Dawn Grant, Image Editor:"IsBMW iXIt's more expensive than those rivals, but still just as powerful a car in many ways. There's not much else on offer these days that compares in terms of comfort or sophistication, but still it's great in turns. And while the external appearance is a little questionable, the cabin is beautiful.”

Steve Fowler, Editor-in-Chief:“Both cars have their strengths and weaknesses, and when you combine them, a perfect electric vehicle seems to be lurking somewhere. Imagine what a car with the size and style of the GV70 would look like, and with Audi's outstanding refinement and vehicle technology!”

Dean Gibson, Senior Test Editor:“Audi was one of the first to launch its elegant all-electric e-tron SUV. Despite the improvements to the rebranded Q8 version, the age is showing. It's too heavy and inefficient, and a cheaper car from an up-and-coming premium brand proves that.”

What would you do? Let us know in the comments section...

specifications and prices