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Hyundai Ioniq 6 Review

by | Sep 6, 2023 | 0 comments

Hyundai Ioniq 6 Review

There is nothing “traditional” about the midsize Ioniq 6, but its features and technologies are familiar, with welcome engagement for driver and occupants.

A side view of the Hyundai Ioniq 6 electric sedan

The 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6 is sold in four trim levels in rear or all-wheel drive with standard and long-range battery options. Starting prices range from $42,715 to $57,215. (Photos courtesy of Hyundai USA or as credited)

Table of Contents

Who Will Buy the Ioniq 6?
Choices of Power and Driving Ranges
Charging the Ioniq 6
2024 Ioniq 6 Pricing
Touchy Feely Design
The Human Experience
Enter the Living Space
Clever Function
Ride and Handling
Driver Assist Technologies
Back Seats and Cargo
Why Buy the Hyundai Ioniq 6?
2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6 Specifications

BY MARK MAYNARD

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is not just a benchmark electric car; it is a well-done passenger car without gimmicks or compromise to comfort or drivability.

For those considering an electric vehicle, the Ioniq 6 treats you right, from its gracious ride quality to its ease of entry and exit and many appreciated details. Its potential as an emergency power source is not the least among its assets.

The midsize “coupe sedan” has been a breakout star for Hyundai. The Ioniq 6 debuted last year and is a “carryover” model with no changes for 2024.

Exterior styling of the Ioniq 6 has stirred controversy. The rear end is very busy with two spoilers, vertical metallic accent bars, and “parametric pixel” cubes liberally applied in the lighting.

Front views are sleek and refined, with a smooth slope to the hood, centered between the curvaceous fenders. The dramatic slope is key to aerodynamics, but at a compromise to space in the front trunk. The frunk’s 0.5 cu.ft. shows good use of space, but the space is long and shallow but lighted. How an owner would use this leftover space? For gloves? A microfiber towel? Christmas gift hiding place?

Trimming the height of the frunk was likely to allow the steep slant of the nose, contributing to low aerodynamic drag. Intended or not, the slope of the hood also allows open sightlines. The slant design treatment has been compared to the 1980s Porsche 911 Turbo S “slantnose.” The Porsche “Flachbau,” or flat front design, had a low front aerodynamic flow for its race cars.

Driver information comes from two side-by-side, 12.3-inch digital screens with white backgrounds.

Driver information comes from two side-by-side, 12.3-inch digital screens.

Who Will Buy the Ioniq 6?

Hyundai’s marketing research has decided that the focus buyer for the Ioniq 6 will be:

  • Millennial professionals who are confident in their choices and looking to transition to electric;
  • Accomplished singles or couples who are typically urban. They are comfortable standing apart and differing from the status quo. They seek to make an informed choice for their next vehicle;
  • They are looking to reward themselves with an EV that makes a statement of confidence and doesn’t compromise on a premium interior, advanced technology (safety and connectivity), or limit (through charging and range) their active lifestyle.
The front seatbacks gently cradle with modest cushion bolstering that does not give a goodbye wedgie when exiting.

The front seatbacks gently cradle with modest cushion bolstering.

Choices of Power and Driving Ranges

The 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6 is sold in four trim levels in rear or all-wheel drive with standard and long-range battery options:

Standard range RWD with a 53-kWh battery pack of 264 cells; 149-hp (111kW); up to 240-mile range; 0-62 mph 9 seconds.

Long range RWD with a 77.4 kWh battery pack of 384 cells; 225 hp (168kW); up to 361-mile range; 0-62 mph 7.4 seconds.

Dual-Motor HTRAC AWD long range, with 77.4 kWh battery; 320 hp (239 kW), up to 316-mile range; 0-62 mph 5.1 seconds.

The single-speed transmission has four driving modes of Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow, and Custom, with a dedicated eAWD torque split for each drive mode.

The power closing charge door on the right rear flank.

The power closing charge door on the right rear flank. (Mark Maynard photo)

Charging the Ioniq 6

According to Hyundai, the Ioniq 6 battery pack will charge from 10 percent to 80 percent in 18 minutes at an ultra-fast 800V charging facility. Connecting to the more common 350-kW Level 3 fast charger can add as much as 65 miles of range in 5 minutes.

Hyundai includes a 10.9-kW onboard charger as standard equipment so owners can plug it into a household outlet or a 240V Level 2 home charger. Charging a depleted battery at home on a Level 2 charger would take around seven hours. I plugged in at home with 150 miles remaining on the charge, and it took about 4 hours to reach 100 percent.

Here are the official charging times, up to 80 percent:

Level II standard 120-volt: 6 hours 55 minutes

50kW: 73 minutes;

Rapid Charging, 350kW: 18 minutes.

Hyundai’s Multi-Charging System

Hyundai has patented its multi-charging system, calling it world-first technology. The system enables the motor and inverter to boost 400V to 800V for stable charging compatibility.

The technology includes “reverse compatibility,” also known as bidirectional. This added level of engineering — Vehicle to Load (V2L) — allows the Ioniq 6 battery to be used as an alternate power source. V2L is handy in the event of a significant power outage. It has enough power to operate small appliances, recharge electronic devices, or boost another EV.

The shift-by-wire gear selector.

The no-confusion shift-by-wire gear selector.

Recharging an EV on vacation travel is still a time-management effort, no matter if the EV has a range of 600 miles. The recharge still requires a break for a meal or shopping.

Hyundai has partnered with Electrify America to provide free fast-charge sessions. The plan is provided to any new all-electric Hyundai model. For the Kona small SUV, owners will receive up to 250kWh or about 1,000 miles of driving. Buyers of the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 get two years of 30-minute DC fast-charging sessions.

2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6 Pricing

Starting prices include the $1,115 freight charge from Asan, Korea; add $3,500 for AWD:

SE RWD standard range: $42,715;

SE RWD long range: $46,615;

SEL: $48,815 (RWD 305-mile range, AWD 270-mile range);

Limited RWD: $53,715, up to 305-mile range;

Limited AWD, $57,215, up to 270-mile range.

The Limited AWD Long Range tester cost $58,425 with Gravity Gold matte paint ($1,000) and carpeted floor mats ($210).

Find current Hyundai pricing here.

Hyundai’s new-vehicle warranties include 10 years or 60,000 miles bumper to bumper and 10 years or 100,000 miles for the powertrain and electric vehicle systems.

The front door panel grip rail with ambient lighting.

The front door panel grip rail with ambient lighting.

Hyundai Ioniq 6 Incentives and Rebates

Leasing a 2023 and 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6 qualifies for up to $7,500 in an IRS credit. The incentive is only available on a lease, and other qualifiers can apply. Learn more here.

There is a California Clean Fuel Reward of $2,000, but participants are eligible based on gross annual income, as stated on their federal tax return. Details are here.

Find federal and state laws or incentives here.

And the Ioniq 6 qualifies for High-Occupancy-Vehicle freeway access, with the green DMV decal

A front trunk of 0.5 cu.ft. shows good use of space, but how would an owner use it? For gloves? A microfiber towel? Christmas gift hiding place?

How would an owner use this shallow but lighted front trunk? (Mark Maynard photo)

Touchy Feely Design

Hyundai went far left coast in planning the Ioniq 6 interior. In the big wall map of features to be considered, Hyundai designers came up with many categories including “Mindful Cocoon,” “Ethical Design,” and “Emotional Efficiency.”

The cabin is referred to as “Living Space” and is defined by a cab-forward exterior design, a stretched cabin, and a low hood for a streamlined silhouette. The cabin as “Living Space” would have “Transparent Accents,” “Light Reflection,” “Parametric Pixel,” and “Eco Materials,” for “Sustainability.”

That’s a touchy-feely marketing focus that doesn’t mean a whole lot to an owner, but Hyundai neatly ties it all together. Perhaps most apparent is the “Parametric Pixel.” In, out, and around the Ioniq 6 are series of cube pixel-like accents, such as in the taillights, the trunk-lid spoiler, and on the steering wheel. There is no badge for Hyundai or Ioniq on the wheel, just a row of four, square pixels that light up when charging; they show the state of charge, whether one, two, or four squares.

The dashboard ‘winglet’ design.

The dashboard’s‘winglet’ design.

The Human Experience

Popular magazine reviews of the Hyundai Ioniq 6 go deep into its powertrain kilowattage, 0-60 acceleration, and charging times. The Ioniq 6 aces those categories, which an owner will quickly accept and appreciate. However, there is a bigger presence of thoughtfulness toward the human experience. That aspect will be a pleasant discovery period for the many surprise-and-delight features throughout the living space.

Achieving max aerodynamic flow can mean lowering the car’s ride height. That’s good for the manufacturer’s fuel-efficiency standards but damning to the driver and occupants who must drop into a seat while peering into the taillights of the vehicle ahead. Ride height is one reason SUVs have become so popular. Hyundai, however, managed to give the Ioniq 6 a comfortable step-in height with a commanding forward view. Most modern sedans are now notorious for chin-scraping on driveways and dips in the road, but the Ioniq 6 has none of those tendencies.

Those attributes alone make the Ioniq 6 a “buy.”

An artsy view from the back seat forward showing the wide sunroof

Enter the Living Space

Modern low-riding sedans lost buyers because of trimmed headroom. Hyundai went upward with Ioniq 6 headroom, providing (tall for a car) 40.2 inches of hair space without the wide sunroof or 38.3 inches with it.

Seat design is another strong selling point, whether in the front or back. Hyundai’s H-Tex leatherette upholstery feels rich to the touch and is more compliant than leather hides. The front seatbacks gently cradle with modest cushion bolstering that does not give a goodbye wedgie when exiting. Thigh support is full-bodied and suitable for those tall enough to need all 45.4 inches of the car’s very long legroom.

The tester’s interior was basic black but refined by meticulously neat stitching, patterns, textures, and translucent plastics in the lower areas of the cabin. I liked the robust driver’s footrest, and the metal-trimmed pedals fit well with the interior design and black microsuede headliner.

And the greenhouse of the living space is a lighthouse of unobstructed views at the side mirrors, over the shoulder, and the somewhat cropped back glass.

A winglet-design dashboard is unique with 90-degree angles at each end by the windows. The dashboard looks like a plug-and-play unit, but it all works — though it will look odd for the first few drives.

Driver information comes from two side-by-side, 12.3-inch digital screens with white backgrounds. The driver’s instrument cluster with EV display is visible in all lighting conditions with text and graphics that are an easy read.

The HD touch-screen navigation screen includes a split screen for the around-view camera system. The screen anchors at least a dozen categories with icons for connecting a phone, media, climate, and charging.

The “bridge” center console with storage shelf below.

The “bridge” console with storage shelf below.

Clever Function

A “bridge” console extends from the base of the instrument panel and divides the front seats, with unique storage. The upper level has cup holders, a wireless charging pad, window lift switches, and door locks. An armrest box has useful storage and conceals two Type C USB ports, and there is an old-style USB-A next to the wireless charging pad.

Below the bridge is a long, open storage space with low sides for a purse or take-out food bags.

Without a space-robbing gearshift lever, the designers rethought what could be. Placing window and lock controls on the console is different, but I adapted quickly. Moving the switches from the traditional door panel allowed the designer to create a long, padded armrest with an integrated grab rail for closing the door. On opening, the grab rail — with a bead of ambient lighting — provides the ideal leverage point to control the door from punching the car next to it.

Hyundai gives owners a 3-month trial for the Wi-Fi hotspot, followed by a $20 per month Verizon data plan. Or the owner can add the Ioniq 6 to their phone plan.

Mercifully, the digital infotainment touchscreen has various buttons and switches for such oft-used features as volume, tuning, fan speed, and temp control.

All controls were intuitive for me to quickly figure out and use — a degree in IT is not required. Also smartly designed is the steering-column mounted, shift-by-wire gear selector. The sturdy stalk is clearly marked D-N-R, with a Park button at the end. Turning the tab-end of the stalk was never confusing to select D or R.

an image of the Ioniq's 20-inch Pirelli tire and alloy wheel

The Ioniq 6 Limited has 20-inch Pirelli P Zero Elect all-season tires. (Mark Maynard photo)

Ioniq 6 AWD Ride and Handling

Underpinned by a seemingly unsophisticated steel suspension, there is outstanding control from the front MacPherson struts and rear multi-link. The setup provides capable finesse in enthusiastic driving, but the main asset is how the suspension absorbs the jarring roughness of crappy road surfaces and potholes. The ride is luxurious without a complex air ride system or electronic control.

On the Interstate with cruise set and Hyundai Drive Assist engaged, the Ioniq 6 settles in and tracks like a streamliner. The ride quality is consistently unruffled over California’s cantankerous concrete highways, but the ride is carpet smooth on blacktop.

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is among the aerodynamic slipperiest cars on sale today. Models with 18-inch wheels have a drag coefficient of 0.20, while 20-inch models rise to 0.27 (matching the 2023 Toyota Prius). Other aerodynamically sleek cars include the Mercedes-Benz EQS and Mercedes-Benz EQE (0.20), Lucid Air (0.21cd), and Porsche Taycan (0.22 cd).

Ioniq 6 back seat

The Ioniq 6 has a comfortable stretch of back legroom.

Driver Assist Technologies

The Ioniq 6 has all the expected safety features, including six air bags and a full spectrum of advanced technologies, including Hyundai’s Highway Driving Assist 2.

This evolved system is reliably accurate for Level 2 semi-autonomous driving. When engaged, the lane-centering function is spot-on and keeps the car from drifting wide across the white lines or Botts dots. However, some stretches of light-colored Interstate highway can play tricks on the cameras, causing brief slowdowns.

The evolved technologies now allow Lane Change Assistance. It can be activated when the turn signal is held for a left or right move and the driver has hands on the steering wheel. In my experience, the response was too slow, and I intervened to make the lane change. This function is just one more layer of technology toward fully autonomous driving.

More relevant in the evolved HDA is how it now can respond to low-speed cut-ins of other vehicles or motorcyclists. The system also will adjust the car’s position in the lane if another vehicle in the adjacent lane moves too close.

Also evolved is the Smart Cruise Control with Machine Learning. This electronic “intelligence” mimics the driver’s acceleration style and spacing with the vehicle ahead. I’m too much of an actual driver to give up this type of control.

Other advanced driving-assist technologies include:

  • Blind-spot collision-avoidance assist and Blind-Spot View Monitor;
  • Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist;
  • Parking Distance Warning, reverse and forward;
  • Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist (reverse, forward, side);
  • Remote Smart Parking Assist 2;
  • Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Car/Ped/Cyclist Detection and Junction Turning;
  • Lane Keeping and Lane Following Assist;
  • Intelligent Speed Limit Assist.
Fold the 60/40 rear seatback for 6 feet in length. (Mark Maynard photo)

Fold the 60/40 rear seatback for 6 feet in length. (Mark Maynard photo)

Back Seat and Cargo Space

The Ioniq 6 is too nice to use as a ride-share sedan, but what a lovely back seat it has.

A comfortable stretch of back legroom seems longer than its specification of 34.7 inches. Headroom is adult accommodating for all but the very tall, somewhat cropped by the trailing arc of the roofline.

A completely flat floor provides exceptional three-across footroom. The bench seat has good thigh support and a relaxed seatback angle. The door panel has a bottle slot and a uniquely integrated niche as a small catchall for gum wrappers and other bits. The door also has the armrest rail for easy closing.

Other occupant amenities include a fold-down center armrest with dual can holders, two USB-C ports, center air vents with left and right flow, and grab handles above each door with a jacket hook on the driver side.

Trunk space is wide and low, looking more spacious than its 11.2 cubic feet. But fold the 60/40 seatback for up to six feet in ladder or ski length. A power trunk closer is a bonus for the Ioniq 6 Limited.

Charging cable storage under the trunk floor.

Charging cable storage under the trunk floor. (Mark Maynard photo)

Why Buy the Hyundai Ioniq 6?

For those who have said good riddance to a modern midsize sedan, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 could be a mind-changer, not just a game-changer.

The average price of a new midsize sedan is around $32,000, which compares to $48,000 for a midsize SUV, according to MoneyGeek.

Spending a little more upfront for the Ioniq 6 — charging at home is a lot cheaper than buying gasoline — buys a no-compromises family car, with the added incentive of it being a power source for emergency support or pleasurable activities.

A rear view of the Ioniq 6

The Limited AWD Long Range tester cost $58,425 with Gravity Gold matte paint ($1,000) and carpeted floor mats ($210).

2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6 Limited Specifications

Body style: midsize 5-seat, 4-door coupe-sedan in rear- or all-wheel drive

Motor: Permanent magnet synchronous

Power, AWD: 320 hp, 74 kW + 165 kW; 446 lb.-ft. torque

Battery: 77.4 kWh lithium-ion, 697 volts; output 277 kW

Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear

EPA-estimated driving range: 316 miles

Fuel economy equivalent, MPGe: AWD 111/94/103 city/hwy/combined); RWD
129/105/117

Charging, up to 80%:

Level II standard 120-volt: 6 hours 55 minutes

50kW: 73 minutes;

Rapid Charging, 350kW: 18 minutes;

BY THE NUMBERS

Coefficient of drag: 0.22 cd

Trunk space, rear: 11.2 cubic feet; 0.5 cu.ft. front trunk

Front head/leg room: 38.3*/45.4 inches *w/sunroof

Rear head/leg room: 36.9/34.7 inches

Length/wheelbase: 191.1/116.1 inches

Width/height: 74/58.9 inches

Curb weight: 4,616 pounds

Turning circle: 38.8 feet

FEATURES

Standard Limited equipment includes: smart key locking and push-button ignition, 12.3-inch HD touchscreen navigation system, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with EV display, Hyundai digital key (smartphone access), surround-view monitor, wireless device charging, Bose audio system with satellite radio, Android Auto or Apple CarPlay infotainment, Bluetooth phone and audio, H-Tex upholstery, 8-way power front seats with lumbar, heated and ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, 60/40-split folding rear seats with armrest and cup holders;

Exterior features: wide sunroof, solar glass on front doors and windshield, acoustic windshield;

Safety features include: 6 air bags, electronic stability and traction controls, Brake Assist;

Advanced safety technologies, include:

  • Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with Stop & Go + Machine Learning;
  • Remote Smart Parking Assist 2;
  • Blind-spot collision-avoidance assist;
  • Blind-Spot View Monitor;
  • Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist;
  • Parking Distance Warning, reverse and forward;
  • Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist (reverse, forward, side);
  • Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Car/Ped/Cyclist Detection and Junction Turning;
  • Lane Keeping Assist;
  • Lane Following Assist;
  • Intelligent Speed Limit Assist;
  • Highway Driving Assist II;

CHASSIS COMPONENTS

Tires and wheels: 20-inch 245/40 Pirelli P Zero elect all season tires;

Braking: 4-wheel regenerative with brake-level control paddles;

Steering: Motor-driven power-assisted, 38.9-foot turning circle;

Chassis: Monocoque high-strength steel unibody;

Suspension: Front MacPherson struts with coil springs and gas shock absorbers; rear multi-link

PRICING

Base Limited price: $53,715, including $1,115 freight charge; price as tested $58,425

Options on test vehicle: Gravity Gold matte paint $1,000; carpeted floor mats $210

Where assembled: Asan, Korea

Warranties: 10-years/60,000-miles bumper to bumper; 10-years/100,000-miles powertrain and electric vehicle systems; 3-years/36,000-miles free scheduled maintenance; 5-years/unlimited mileage roadside assistance

Toyota RAV4 Prime Review

by | Aug 17, 2023 | 0 comments

Toyota RAV4 Prime Review

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime is a filling serving of meat and potatoes, just not prime rib

A side view of a Blueprint Blue 2023 RAV4 Prime

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime has an electric driving range of 42 to 44 miles and a total driving range up to 600 miles. Today’s tester came to $52,227. (Photos courtesy of Toyota USA)

Table of Contents

Small Plug-In SUV Competitors
RAV4 Pricing
Performance and Powertrain
RAV4 PHEV or Gas-Electric Hybrid?
Ride and Handling
Interior Function
Safety Features and Technologies
Why Buy the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime?
Specifications

BY MARK MAYNARD

What the Toyota RAV4 Prime lacks in refinement, it makes up for it with horsepower and its 42 to 44 miles of battery electric driving range. But such plug-in efficiency comes at a price.

I considered a new plug-in hybrid to replace my 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid with 135,000 miles. I liked the idea of a plug-in because most of the driving for me and the girlfriend-wife is around town. I have a 240-volt Level 2 EV home charger, and there is an appeal to having a full “tank” every morning.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime was a strong contender, and after a test drive, its 302 horsepower was a selling point. But after some research and cost analysis, I decided that I could sacrifice a few battery miles for a more refined interior and more comfortable ride.

Front seats

Sightlines are open at the side mirrors.

Small SUV Plug-In Competitors

Including the Toyota RAV4 Prime, there are currently six mainstream small SUVs that have plug-in hybrid (PHEV) options:

2024 Dodge Hornet R/T, 32 miles of electric range, starting at $42,530;

2023 Ford Escape PHEV, 37 miles of electric range, $42,640 (including a $645 acquisition fee);

2023 Hyundai Tucson PHEV, 33 miles of electric range; $39,000 to $46,000;

2023 Kia Sportage PHEV, 34 miles of electric range; $40,000 to $45,000;

2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, 38 miles electric range; $40,000 to $50,000;

My preference of the lot is the 2023 Hyundai Tucson PHEV. I liked its rational and unexaggerated styling and its interior presence of premium materials and construction.

2023 Toyota RAV4 Pricing

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime has starting prices of $44,425 to $48,310, including AWD. But the top-line XSE AWD tester model topped out at $52,227, including the $1,350 freight charge from Obu, Aichi, Japan.

The 2023 Hyundai Tucson PHEV Limited “as built” came to $46,820, including some cargo area extras and carpeted floor mats, and the $1,335 freight charge from Ulsan, South Korea (Tucson gas versions, however, are built in Alabama.

My thumbnail notes came down to this:

  • $52,000 RAV4 buys 44 miles of battery driving or $1,159.09 per mile of range;
  • $47,000 Tucson buys 33 miles of battery driving or $1,468.75 per mile of range
A vertical design to the LED running lights.

A vertical design to the LED running lights.

For the $5,000 price difference between the two PHEVs, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime has the cost-per-mile advantage of $309.66 for the 11-mile range difference. But the $5,000 difference in starting prices buys a lot of gasoline, and the Hyundai Tucson has a more rewarding presence for the money.

(The Toyota RAV4 Prime does not qualify for the federal tax credit in 2023 because its final assembly is not in North America. Some state incentives for PHEVs range from $1,000 to $6,500, but with many qualifiers. Check here for details.)

Find current Toyota RAV4 pricing and offers here.

RAV4 Prime engine bay

The 302-hp gasoline-electric powertrain in the RAV4 Prime.

RAV4 Prime Powertrain

The gasoline-electric powertrain combines a 2.5-liter Dynamic Force four-cylinder engine, electric motors front and rear (for all-wheel drive), and a lithium-ion battery pack.

Only the new-for-2023 RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition still has a nickel-metal hydride battery pack, 244.8 volts. The 2023 RAV4 Hybrid Limited and Hybrid XSE have 259-volt lithium-ion cells.

The 18.1-kWh battery pack in the RAV4 Prime has an official battery-electric driving range of 42 to 44 miles. However, expect the battery-driving range to be less with more highway driving and closer to the 42-44 miles around town. A 6.6 kWh onboard charger is standard with Prime.

After a full charge at home, the onboard computer indicated 47 miles of potential EV range and 413 miles of combined gas and electric range. A full charge the second night brought 44 miles of EV range.

Toyota says it will take 2.5 hours to fully recharge on a 240-volt outlet. Charging times on a 120-volt household outlet would take about 12 hours (overnight).

The continuously variable transmission has performance modes of Sport, Eco, Normal, EV, HV, Auto EV/HV, Charge, and Trail. (The RAV4 Prime can be partially charged when the engine is running.)

The 2023 RAV4 Prime earns an EPA combined rating of 94 MPGe, or 38 mpg gasoline only, combined city/highway.

A view of the steering wheel and center stack of cabin controls

Driver controls are mostly just a finger’s reach away, with knobs for audio and climate control.

PHEV or Gas-Electric Hybrid?

The Toyota RAV4 Prime is an efficient tool for family duty, but it becomes less efficient for vacation trips when taking the time to charge is inconvenient. A standard gasoline-electric hybrid makes a better all-around choice. For example, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid has peak mileage ratings of 41 mpg city, 38 highway, and 40 mpg combined; it has a full range of 580 miles on the recommended unleaded fuel. That mileage compares to 27/35/30 mpg for the gasoline RAV4.

Warranty coverage for the RAV4 Prime’s hybrid battery  is for 10 years or 150,000 miles, and EV drive components are covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles.

Ride and Handling

Black wheel and all-season, 19 inch tires

The RAV4 Prime XSE has 19-inch all-season tires and alloy wheels.

The ride quality of the RAV4 Prime feels somewhat coarse, tall, and almost tippy, not in cornering but in how the suspension must manage the curb weight of 4,300 pounds. Though heavy, the RAV4 Prime does not communicate the impression of being solidly built.

Acceleration uptake is smooth and measured. And brake pedal feel is smooth and reassuring. The steering force, too, is smooth but without any feedback. And there is noticeable wind noise at speed on the highway.

RAV4 Interior Function

Sightlines are open at the side mirrors. And driver controls are mostly just a finger’s reach away, with knobs for audio volume, tuning, and adjusting climate control. The access switch for the heated steering wheel is out of the way, below and left of the steering wheel.

There is reasonably tall front headroom of 37.7 inches with the sunroof. An asset for shorter drivers is the long reach of seat adjustment to the steering wheel. I have never been able to move a driver’s seat as far forward as in this RAV4.

Toyota loads up the RAV4 Prime XSE with a gratuitous list of standard features. The complete list is in the specs box below, but among the notable examples are:

  • Smart key locking with push-button ignition;
  • Rearview camera system with overhead 360 view;
  • 10-inch color head-up (windshield) display;
  • Heated and ventilated front seats;
  • Power adjustable driver seat;
  • Wireless charging pad;
  • 4 charging USBs;
  • Locking glovebox big enough to hold all the owner’s manuals;
  • Softex upholstery (which I prefer to Toyota leather) with red accents.

Back-seat passengers might comment about the odd hump in the second-row floor at the base of the front console. If the doors could open just a few degrees wider, it would benefit elbow room when loading toddlers into child seats, but there is adult head and leg room of 39.5 and 37.8 inches.

Cargo space is multifunctional with a 60/40 split reclining fold-flat rear seat and 33.5 cubic feet behind the second row, stacked to the headliner. The cargo opening is wide at 44 inches and tall at 33 inches; fold the second-row seatback for 6 feet in length.

The cargo area also has a height-adjustable deck board, side net, and tonneau cover.

An LED headlight

The Prime XSE has LED projector low- and high-beam headlights.

RAV4 Safety Technologies

The RAV4 might be compact, but it has a full complement of safety features and driver-assist technologies. Its basic safety features include eight air bags, a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, hill-start and downhill-assist controls, and active cornering assist.

Toyota’s Star Safety System adds enhanced stability and traction controls, brake-force distribution, brake assist, and Smart Stop technology;

Tying together those features is Toyota Safety Sense 2.5. This suite of systems integrates a precollision system with pedestrian detection, full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, lane tracing assist, automatic high beams, and road sign assist.

The open cargo area

Cargo space is multifunctional with a fold-flat rear seat.

Why Buy the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime?

The Toyota RAV4 is an enduring model, debuting in North America in 1995 for the 1996 model year. The compact ute was born as a utility vehicle and continues with a utility foundation. After 28 years, The RAV4 is now in its fifth generation. Toyota is working to upgrade its dutiful RAV with more refined interior elements, just not all at once.

To date, the only plug-in hybrid vehicles with technology to charge the hybrid battery while driving are the 2024 Mazda CX-90 and two models of Volvo Recharge SUVs.

Until more manufacturers enhance the plug-ins with on-road charging ability, a plug-in is at its most efficient around town.

The Toyota RAV4 isn’t expected to have its next complete redesign until 2027, so the current generation is still full of life. If maximum range on battery power is your goal, then the Toyota RAV4 Prime is the obvious choice.

A rear view of the RAV

The Toyota RAV4 has a full complement of safety features and driver-assist technologies. Standard safety features include eight air bags, Toyota’s Star Safety System, and Toyota Safety Sense 2.5.

2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime Specifications

Body style: compact, 5-seat, 5-door SUV with electronic on-demand all-wheel drive

Engine: 2.5-Liter Dynamic Force 4-cylinder with dual direct- and port-injection

Power: 302 combined net horsepower; 177 hp at 6,000 rpm; 165 lb.-ft. 3,600 rpm

Electric motor: power output (front/rear) 179/53 hp front, 134/40 kW rear; torque 199/89 lb.-ft. (front/rear)

Transmission: Continuously variable-speed automatic with sequential shift mode simulating 8 speeds; performance modes of Sport, Eco, Normal, EV, HV, Auto EV/HV, Charge, and Trail

Emission rating: Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle

Battery: 355.2-volt lithium-ion

Charging: 2.5 hours with 6.6kw onboard charger on a 240-volt Level 2 charger

EPA-estimated driving range: 42-44 miles

Fuel economy: 38 mpg combined

Fuel economy equivalent: 94 mpg-e; 38 mpg combined, gas engine only

0-60 mph acceleration: 5.7 seconds (per Toyota)

BY THE NUMBERS

Max towing capacity: 2,500 pounds, with standard trailer-sway control

Fuel tank: 14.5 gallons

Cargo space: 33.5 cubic feet

Front head/leg room: 37.7/41 inches

Rear head/leg room: 39.5/37.8 inches

Length/wheelbase: 180.9/105.9 inches

Curb weight: 4,300 pounds

Turning circle: 37.4 feet

FEATURES

Standard Prime equipment includes: power tilt-slide moonroof with one-touch open-close, electric parking brake with brake hold, lockable glove compartment, center armrest console with covered storage compartment, two front cup holders, sun visors with sliding extensions and illuminated vanity mirrors, 5 USB ports (one for media, two front and rear USB charging ports; 60/40 split reclining fold-flat rear seat with center armrest and cup holders, height-adjustable power liftgate with jam protection, height-adjustable rear cargo area deck board, cargo area side net, side and rear privacy glass, cargo area tonneau cover;

Exterior highlights: vertical LED front accent lights, dual chrome-tipped exhaust, low-profile black roof rails, black-painted (folded) heated power outside mirrors with turn signal and blind-spot warning indicators, LED projector low- and beams and auto on/off, color-keyed outside door handles with touch-sensor lock-unlock feature on front doors; one 12-volt 120-watt auxiliary power outlet in front instrument panel storage tray and one 12-volt, 120-watt auxiliary power outlet in cargo area;

Prime XSE Interior Features

Smart key locking and push-button start; backup camera with gridlines; leather-trimmed tilt-telescopic 3-spoke steering wheel with silver accents and redundant controls for audio, hands-free phone, voice-command, Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging; Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert, and Lane Trace Assist; power liftgate and remote illuminated entry; 6-speaker 10.5-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible, satellite radio with 3-month trial subscription; sunglass console with map lights, and Safety Connect button; dual zone automatic climate control system with dust and pollen filter and rear-seat vents; black fabric-trimmed headliner; red-accented interior, including stitching on dash, doors and seat, and black anti-slip in-dash storage trays with blue ambient lighting; SofTex-trimmed seats with red stitching and fabric seat inserts; heated front seats; 8-way power-adjustable front driver’s seat with lumbar support; 4-way adjustable front passenger seat with seatback pocket; heated front seats; soft-touch dash, door and armrests with stitched dash, door and center console accents, and anti-slip interior door grip; LED front-seat reading lights, dome light and cargo area light; rear liftgate window defogger, auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink universal transceiver;

Hybrid-Specific Features: black diamond-patterned bar front grille; active grille shutters; silver-painted front lower spoiler; aerodynamic underbody panels with vortex generators; front and rear wheel spats; integrated rear spoiler; red-painted shock absorbers; blue ambient lighting for in-dash shelves, center console cup holders and in front footwells; acoustic noise-reducing front side windows;

RAV4 Safety Features

Standard 8 air bags; blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert; hill start assist and downhill assist control; active cornering assist;

Star Safety System includes: Enhanced stability and traction controls, brake-force distribution, brake assist, and Smart Stop Technology;

Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, includes: precollision system with pedestrian detection, full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, lane tracing assist, automatic high beams, road sign assist.

CHASSIS COMPONENTS

Brakes: Power-assisted ventilated 4-wheel disc brakes; 12.9-inch front rotors; 12.4-inch rear rotors;

Steering: Electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion; 37.4-foot turning circle;

Suspension: Independent MacPherson front struts with stabilizer bar; multi-link rear with stabilizer bar;

Tires-Wheels (XSE): All-season 235/55 19-inch; 5-spoke alloy wheels

2023 RAV4 PRIME XSE PRICING

Base price: $48,310, including $1,350 freight charge; price as tested $52,227

Options on test vehicle: Premium audio package $1,620; Weather package $375; Premium package $2,960; Roof rack cross bars $315; carpet floor mags and cargo mat $269; Door sill protector $199; Rear bumper applique $69; Mudguards $69; Wheel locks $65

Where assembled: Obu, Aichi, Japan

Warranties: 3-years/36,000-miles; roadside assistance 2-years/unlimited mileage; free scheduled maintenance 2-years/25,000-miles; Hybrid battery 10-years/150,000-miles; EV drive components 8-years/100,000-miles

2024 Mazda CX-90 PHEV Review

by | Aug 11, 2023 | 0 comments

2024 Mazda CX-90 PHEV Review

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 plug-in hybrid SUV crossover is a trailblazer for its on-road charging capability

A side view of the white CX-90 along Mission Bay

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 debuts the new nameplate and a completely re-engineered and redesigned large SUV crossover. (Photos by Mark Maynard)

Table of Contents

Charging While Driving
CX-90 Overview
Pricing
3 CX-90 Powertrains
Ride and Handling
Safety Technologies
Interior Function
Back Seats and Cargo Space
Why Buy the 2024 Mazda CX-90 PHEV?
Specifications

BY MARK MAYNARD

The girlfriend-wife and I just returned from a 1,109-mile round-trip road trip from San Diego to Sacramento in the 2024 Mazda CX-90 plug-in hybrid. The three-row SUV crossover performed without a hiccup, returning on average 27.8 to 29.8 mpg; I tried but couldn’t get it to 30 mpg. However, the consistent 28-plus mpg at 70 mph-plus was acceptable to me for the CX-90’s all-wheel drive and curb weight of 5,243 pounds. And our return trip was laden with weighty vintage items.

Along Interstate 5 South, the nine-hour return trip traversed toasty temperatures of 104 degrees through the expansive agricultural fields and row after row of fruit and nut orchards. In the heat of the day, two 18-wheel semis adjacent to our lane had blowouts on trailers, and there was evidence of many more blowouts from the frequent scatterings of tire chunks.

From the onboard vehicle data pages, I kept an eye on the engine temperature, which never budged past a couple of hash marks below normal. And that was with the AC at a constant 66 degrees and continual use of the seat ventilators.

The 21-inch Falken ZIEX CT60 all-season tires (275/45R21) have a substantial footprint and uttered no complaints about speed or load.

I tested a top-line 2024 CX-90 PHEV Premium Plus that was $58,920, with one option for Rhodium White metallic paint, $595. The PHEV has three trims, which start at $48,820, including the $1,395 freight charge from Japan.

The driver area and steering wheel in the CX-90

The interior has a hand-crafted appearance and refined materials.

Charging While Driving

An MSRP near $60,000 is a lot for a mainstream, family-class, three-row SUV crossover, but this plug-in hybrid goes where few competitors can. The 2024 Mazda plug-in hybrid system has a unique feature that allows the hybrid battery to recharge while driving. That technological advancement converts a dutiful PHEV for mainly around-town use to a prime road-trip cruiser.

The CX-90’s EV range of 26 miles seems insignificant, but it has the considerable time benefit of not having to be “refilled” — for 90 minutes — at a public charging station while on a trip.

Creeping along in clogged commuter traffic in EV mode is rewarding. And if I were to run out of fuel, 26 miles would surely get me to a filling station.

All hybrids and electric vehicles have regenerative capabilities to capture lost energy while braking and during engine deceleration or coasting. But the captured energy is incremental and does not “refill” the battery.

There are more than a dozen choices of plug-in hybrids in many price ranges. From my research, only Volvo offers a charging mode while driving its XC60 T8 Recharge and XC40 Recharge SUVs. Volvo’s “Hold and Charge” function can charge and bank electric power for later use or charge the battery while driving.

The panoramic power moonroof in the Mazda CX-90.

The panoramic power moonroof.

2024 Mazda CX-90 Overview

Mazda went boldly with its redesigned and larger 2024 CX-90 three-row SUV. It is Mazda’s largest vehicle, and it replaces the previous-generation CX-9.

The CX-90 has an ambitious lineup of 11 trim levels with seating configurations for eight, seven, or six. There are three choices of electrified powertrains, two of which feature a new mild-hybrid 3.3-liter inline six-cylinder engine.

Compared to the outgoing Mazda CX-9, the 2024 CX-90 is 2.2 inches longer, about an inch narrower, on a wheelbase that is longer by 7.5 inches.

Mazda has been surprised by the early sales of the 2024 CX-90 PHEV. Initially, the product planners expected the gasoline versions to outsell the plug-in two to one. “What we are seeing is a huge demand for the plug-in, and we are ramping up production,” the spokesman said.

And there will be more plug-in innovators to come. Europe and Japan have hybrid versions of the smaller CX-60 and CX-80 SUVs. But a CX-70 is on the way for the U.S., and a CX-50 hybrid.

A schematic of the 2024 Mazda CX-90 chassis showing battery placement

The CX-90 hybrid battery is positioned in the center of the floor structure.

2024 Mazda CX-90 Pricing

Gasoline models:

  • CX-90 3.3 Turbo Select $40,970;
  • 3.3 Turbo Preferred $44,820;
  • 3.3 Turbo Preferred Plus $47,275;
  • 3.3 Turbo Premium $50,275;
  • 3.3 Turbo Premium Plus $54,325;
  • 3.3 Turbo S $53,125;
  • 3.3 Turbo S Premium $57,825;
  • 3.3 Turbo S Premium Plus $61,325.

All retail pricing includes the $1,375 freight charge from Japan.

Mazda CX-90 PHEV

  • PHEV Preferred $48,820;
  • PHEV Premium $54,275;
  • PHEV Premium Plus $58,325.

Hybrid components, including the battery, have a warranty of 8 years or 100,000 miles.

Check here for current Mazda USA pricing and offers.

CX-90 Gas and Hybrid Powertrains

All Turbo models feature M-Hybrid Boost, a 48-volt mild-hybrid system with stop-start at idle.

The uplevel e-SKYACTIV G 3.3-liter turbocharged Turbo S engine has 340 horsepower and 369 foot-pounds of torque at 2,000 rpm on the recommended premium fuel, or 319 hp on 87 octane. It has fuel economy ratings of 23 mpg city, 28 highway, and 25 mpg combined.

The entry Turbo engine has 280 hp and 332 lb.-ft. torque at 2,000 rpm using the recommended 87 octane. Its mileage ratings are nearly identical, with 24 mpg city, 28 highway, and 25 mpg combined.

There is a myriad of reasons why Mazda moved away from a V-6 engine to an inline 6. (The six-cylinder is used in non-hybrid models).

Among the reasons, an inline-6 keeps the engine nice and narrow, a spokesman said. And the design creates a slight efficiency of the powertrain. Also, with the CX-90’s double-wishbone front suspension, the inline engine benefits steering feel and stability, he said. But it is also a wider suspension compared to more economical suspensions. And that also benefits the tighter turning circle because the turn angle was increased. That bit of engineering trimmed about a half foot from the turning circle, now a manageable 38.1 feet.

A view of the plug-in hybrid engine bay.

The CX-90 PHEV powertrain is comprised of an inline four-cylinder engine, an electric motor, and a 17.8-kWh battery pack.

The Plug-In Choice

Mazda has a unique tuning technology to allow the CX-90 PHEV to recharge the battery while driving.

The CX-90’s hybrid powertrain is comprised of an inline four-cylinder engine, an electric motor, and a 17.8-kWh battery pack. The direct-injected e-Skyactiv 2.5-liter engine makes 189 hp with premium fuel or 185 hp with regular unleaded. The engine is paired with a 68-kW electric motor, which adds 173 hp and 199 lb.-ft. of torque at a very low 400 rpm.

Combined system power adds up to 323 hp when using premium fuel or 319 hp with regular unleaded. Peak torque of 369 foot-pounds at 4,000 rpm is the same with regular or unleaded fuel.

The CX-90 PHEV has an estimated driving range of 26 miles battery electric and a combined driving range of 490 miles. That peak range, however, depends on the use of air conditioning, seat heaters, and other electronic features. According to the onboard computer, I could charge while driving to 30 and 32 miles of range while on the road.

Mazda CX-90 PHEV Charging

Electric vehicle charging times, from 20 percent to 80 percent:

  • Level 1 (household 120-volt AC): 6 hours and 40 minutes
  • Level 2 (240V AC): 1 hour and 30 minutes
Underfloor storage of the charging cable for the CX-90 PHEV

Charging cable storage below the cargo floor.

e-Skyactiv PHEV

In Normal mode, when there is sufficient battery charge, the hybrid system will prioritize EV propulsion depending on the situation and conditions.

When the battery’s state of charge is below 20 percent, the system will keep the gas engine fired to charge the battery to make EV assist available.

EV mode is engaged through the Mi-Drive controller on the shift console.

The gas engine can turn on in EV mode when the accelerator pedal reaches the kick-down switch; this puts CX-90 back into Normal mode for quicker acceleration.

The back seat electronic climate controls in the 2024 Mazda CX-90

Electronic climate controls for the second row.

8-Speed Automatic Transmission

Power flow to the axles is rear-biased and channeled through an eight-speed automatic transmission with manual shift. There are driving modes of Normal, Sport, EV, and Off-Road.

I experienced several rough transmission shifts, sometimes on deceleration or electric mode as I rolled on power. Could that be a problem down the road?

Mazda says its plug-in hybrid has a comparable level of performance to the inline-6 models.

I sampled Sport mode in several situations but was satisfied with the performance in Normal. Get on the gas hard, and acceleration can be swift. However, passing power takes a heavy foot at speed on the Interstate.

The Mazda CX-90 PHEV has 21-inch Falken ZIEX CT60 all season tires.

The CX-90 PHEV has 21-inch Falken ZIEX CT60 all season tires.

CX-90 PHEV Ride and Handling

I wouldn’t say the CX-90 PHEV is sporty to drive, but it is engineered for confident handling under pressure and in evasive maneuvers.

For handling control, Mazda’s so-called Kinematic Posture Control applies a bit of brake force to the inside rear wheel during cornering. Because the CX-90 is a rear-drive-based platform, KPC minimizes the tippy feel for more natural poise through corners.

Mazda does not use adaptive dampers to help smooth the ride. The steel spring suspension underpinning the CX-90 lays down a luxuriously compliant — almost carpeted — ride on smooth surfaces. But the attitude swiftly changes over rough road with jarring impacts. There is much trucky head toss over speed bumps and driveway entrances.

The variable assist steering force feels overly firm at low speeds, at least too stiff for two-finger tooling through mall-garage parking.

At speed on the interstate, I had to make minor but continual steering adjustments. I wanted the CX-90 to settle down and track, but the effect was a slow ping-pong between the white lines. However, the steering control was more straight-line direct on smooth blacktop.

In constant, hands-on control situations, I have grown to appreciate (and somewhat trust) Level 2 semi-autonomous driving assist. These systems keep watch on the lanes and will work with navigation to speed up and slow the vehicle, usually to a stop in heavy traffic. But Mazda does not believe in semi-autonomous driving aids. The brand of zoom-zoom wants the driver to maintain control all the time.

While I appreciate the philosophy, navigating five lanes of constricted downtown freeway under construction at 65 mph can be nerve-racking.

The CX-90 shift console is broad but with limited storage space.

The shift console is broad but with limited storage space.

CX-90 Safety Technologies

Mazda might not prioritize semi-autonomous driving, but it has armed the CX-90 with layers of safety features and advanced technologies.

Among the features are eight air bags, hill start and hill descent assist, off-road traction assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and front and rear parking sensors.

Driver-assist technologies are thorough, including:

  • Radar cruise control with stop-and-go and automatic speed limit adjustment;
  • Blind-spot assist;
  • Emergency lane keeping;
  • Traffic sign recognition (which does not require a data plan);
  • Secondary collision-reduction system;
  • Smart brake support reverse;
  • Front cross-traffic alert with front cross traffic braking.

• Neither National Highway Traffic Administration nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) https://www.iihs.org/ have rated the 2024 Mazda CX-90. Check their websites for the latest ratings: NHTSA  and IIHS.

Interior Function

There is full-bodied cabin space in the first and second rows. The CX-90 PHEV’s battery pack is situated in the center of the floor structure, where it does not compromise interior space.

Front headroom of 39.2 inches with the panoramic sunroof should suit most adults 6-foot-plus. With shoulder room of 59.2 inches (door to door), there is room to spread out while resting elbows on nicely padded armrests at the doors and center console.

Sightlines are unobstructed across the hood and out the back glass. Side mirrors are on the doors, not the windshield pillars, eliminating sightline issues while cornering.

Cabin soundproofing is traffic-calmed around town, but there is modest wind or tire noise on the highway.

Check the list of CX-90 PHEV features and advanced safety technologies in the specifications box below.

Door panel storage.

Door panel storage.

Crafted Appearance

Contemporary materials and harmonious colors and textures are nicely crafted throughout the cabin. The perforated Nappa leather seating is supportive and comfortable for the hours between fuel stops. The driver gets eight-way power adjustments with a strong lumbar inflator. And in the Premium Plus package, the front passenger also gets eight-way power adjustment, up from the standard four-way power.

Most controls and readouts are ergonomically placed. The 12.3-inch digital gauge array changes configurations according to the drive mode, and some categories are confusing to page through and open for greater detail.

The 12.3-inch full-color center infotainment display is simple to access with the shift-console controller. It contains the usual lineup of phone connections, apps, navigation, connected services, audio, and other elements. The screen peeks above the center stack of AC and climate controls, but the display’s placement is not prone to glare.

The rearview camera is split for a broad view and the overhead. Mazda added a unique “See Through View” for a wide-angle rear or front view.

The shift console is large and broad but with constrained space. And there are too few areas for small-item storage. Especially annoying and insistent is the seatbelt reminder alert.

There are six charging USBs throughout the cabin, but all are Type C. Those of us still with the common iPhone Lightning cable are out of luck. And the wireless charging pad in a nook at the base of the instrument panel is narrow and won’t fit some of the larger phones. There is, however, a 12-volt plug at the charging e-bin that is still functional for some radar speed detectors, I suppose.

 

The CX-90 back seat viewed through open back doors

Back doors open wide to almost 90 degrees, an asset when buckling toddlers in child seats.

Back Seats and Cargo Space

The second row has tall headroom of 38.6 inches and max legroom of 39.4 inches, with fore-aft slide and recline. The captain’s chairs in the Premium Plus tester allowed step-through space to the third row. And there’s also a small flip-up cupholder on the seat side.

Back doors open wide to almost 90 degrees, an asset when buckling toddlers in child seats. The second-row seats tip and slide for third-row access, but the three-seat bench is strictly kid class (as are most in this midsize three-row crossovers).

The open CX-90 cargo area with seats folded.

Fold the second row for 4 feet in length or 7 feet with both rows folded.

Despite the longer wheelbase and slightly longer body length, the cargo space is comparable to the CX-9. Almost 15 cubic feet of space is behind the third row, ideal for slinging plastic grocery bags. Fold the second and third rows for 74.2 cu. ft., stacked floor to headliner.

The liftgate entry is 42 inches wide and 30 inches tall. Fold the second row for 4 feet in length or 7 feet with both rows folded.

It’s also convenient to have two 150-watt, 120-volt household plugs plus a 12-volt plug to power an air compressor, chargers, or other gadgets.

Third-row legroom is short at 30.4 inches.

Third-row legroom is short at 30.4 inches.

Why Buy the 2024 Mazda CX-90 PHEV?

Mazda’s advanced-tech tuning to provide on-road battery recharging is trailblazing. It is easy enough to plug in at a public charging facility, but the state of those chargers is often dirty or non-functioning. And nobody wants to take the time from vacation travel to charge up.

I have a Level 2 home charger in my garage, but I didn’t need it for this test. While driving in town, the battery added charge incrementally to shift the load from the engine. And to me, the performance while on gasoline power felt the same as with the electric boost.

You do not have to buy the top-line CX-90 PHEV Premium Plus model, but the tester shows how Mazda is moving its design and interiors upscale.

Good things are en route for this still-independent carmaker.

A rear three quarter view of a white CX-90 along Mission Bay

The recharge function elevates the CX-90 PHEV from an efficient, electrified short-range family SUV to an all-around road-trip hero.

2024 Mazda CX-90 PHEV Premium Plus Specifications

Body style: midsize, 7-passenger plug-in hybrid SUV Crossover with standard AWD

Hybrid powertrain: 2.5-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine and 68 kW electric motor;

Engine power: 189 hp at 6,000 rpm (185 hp with regular unleaded);

Engine torque: 192 lb.-ft. at 4,000 rpm with premium fuel, 184 lb.-ft. on regular unleaded;

Combined system power: 323 hp, using premium fuel; 319 hp with regular unleaded

Peak torque: 369 lb.-ft. at 4,000 rpm, with regular or unleaded fuel;

Electric motor: 68 kW e-Skyactiv PHEV; 173 hp at 5,500 rpm; 199 lb.-ft. torque at 400 rpm;

Battery: 17.8 kWh lithium-ion;

Estimated driving range: 26 miles battery electric; 490 miles combined power range;

Transmission: PHEV e-Skyactiv Drive 8-speed automatic transmission with manual shift; Drive modes of Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and EV

Fuel economy: 25 mpg combined city/highway; premium fuel recommended for max power

0-60 mph acceleration: 6.2 seconds, per Edmunds.com

Towing capacity: 3,500 pounds

BY THE NUMBERS

Fuel tank: 18.5 gallons

Cargo space: 14.9 to 40 cubic feet; 2nd and 3rd-row seats folded 74.2 cu. ft.

Front head/leg room: 39.2/41.7 inches

2nd-row head/leg room: 38.6/39.4 inches

3rd-row head/leg room: 36.9/30.4 inches

Length/wheelbase: 201.6/122.8 inches

Curb weight: 5,243 pounds

Turning circle: 38.1 feet

CX-90 PHEV CHASSIS HARDWARE

Braking: 4-wheel discs with brakeforce distribution and brake assist; 13.7-inch vented rotors front, 13.8-inch solid rotors rear;

Steering: Power rack-and-pinion with variable assist; 38.1 feet turning circle;

Suspension: 4-wheel independent with front double wishbone and rear multilink with stabilizer bar.

Tires and Wheels: 21-inch alloy wheels with machine-cut finish; 275/45 tires.

FEATURES

Standard equipment includes: Keyless entry with push-button start, Nappa leather-trimmed upholstery, rearview camera, power panoramic sunroof, 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar, 8-way power adjustable passenger seat, heated and ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, heated 2nd-row seats, hands-free power rear liftgate, electric parking brake, windshield wiper deicer, power-folding and dimming side mirrors (heated) with turn-signal indicators, LED exterior lighting, 12.3-inch full-color center display;

Safety features include: 8 air bags, hill start and hill descent assist, offroad traction assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keep assist, front and rear parking sensors;

Driver-Assist Technologies: radar cruise control with stop and go and automatic speed limit adjustment; blind spot assist; emergency lane keeping; traffic sign recognition; secondary collision reduction system; smart brake support reverse; front cross-traffic alert with front cross-traffic braking; 360-degree monitor with see-through view;

PRICING

Base price: $58,325, including $1,375 freight charge; price as tested $58,920

Options on test vehicle: Rhodium White metallic paint $595

Where assembled: Hofu, Japan

Warranty: 3-years/36,000-miles bumper to bumper with 24-hour roadside service; 5-years/60,000-miles powertrain; hybrid components including battery 8-years/100,000-miles.

2023 Genesis Electrified GV70 Review

by | Jun 28, 2023 | 0 comments

2023 Genesis Electrified GV70 Review

Stand back and give the Electrified GV70 a good look. Its fashion-forward styling has the look of wealth and richness. And it is.

The Genesis Electrified GV70 plugged in at a charging station

Electrified Genesis models are now sold in 23 states, and the brand says all new Genesis models will be electric starting in 2025, and the entire lineup will be all-electric by 2030. (Photos courtesy GenesisUSA or as credited)

Table of Contents

What is Genesis?
EV Competitors to GV70
Genesis GV70 Pricing
Genesis Warranties
Interior Features
Function with Finesse
Electrified GV70 Performance
Charging and Driving Range
A Mobile Power Source
Advanced Safety Technologies
Why Buy the 2023 Genesis Electrified GV70?
Specifications

BY MARK MAYNARD

The 2023 Genesis Electrified GV70 epitomizes the trendsetting “quiet luxury” movement in the automotive segment.

According to a recent money report by MSN.com, the so-called quiet luxury is defined by expensive materials in muted tones. Also known as “stealth wealth,” the trend is for “the complete lack of logos and anything too conspicuous,” said Thomaï Serdari, professor of marketing and director of the fashion and luxury program at NYU’s Stern School of Business.

The understated Genesis Electrified GV70 is one such example. This midsize, five-seat battery-electric SUV crossover has no green or blue “EV” badging. It does not have the snub-nose grille-less face or an awkwardly raised body intended to disguise the down-low, flat skateboard electric powertrain.

Look around the interior, and the appearance is of a “normal” car. The GV70 has no gimmicky displays and wide screens for a faux panorama. There is a wide screen atop the instrument panel, but it simply navigates the menus for phone, performance, electric performance, and charging needs.

Among the interior materials in the Electrified G70 are woven wool, tricot mesh (manufactured) fabric, and suede. A two-tone Glacier White interior option has copper-tone piping and quilted Nappa leather upholstery.

Stand back and give the GV70 a good look. Its fashion-forward styling has the look of wealth and richness. And it is.

A fashionable interior with smart placement of controls.

A fashionable interior with smart placement of controls.

What is Genesis?

Genesis Motors is the luxury division of South Korea-based Hyundai and Kia Motors. Genesis launched in the United States in late 2016 with the G80 and G90 midsize and large sedans. The brand has since brought out the Genesis G70 sport sedan, followed by the brand’s first SUV, the GV80. An Electrified G80 sedan and the battery-electric GV60 compact SUV came online in 2021. And the Electrified GV70 went on sale in 2022, making it the brand’s third electric model.

Electrified Genesis models are now sold in 23 states, and the brand says all new Genesis models will be electric starting in 2025. By 2030, Genesis plans to have an all-electric lineup.

The tally of states selling Genesis EVs to date is Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

Many Genesis dealerships are paired with Hyundai dealerships. However, the brand has opened five standalone dealerships in the U.S. Genesis Santa Monica is the latest addition and the first in California.

The Genesis Electrified GV70 is the first Genesis built outside South Korea. In 2022, Hyundai Motors announced plans to begin EV production in Montgomery, Ala. Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama assembles the Hyundai Elantra compact sedan, Santa Fe midsize SUV, Tucson compact SUV, the Santa Cruz pickup and now the Genesis Electrified GV70. The $300 million project is expected to add 200 jobs.

In a related project, supplier Hyundai Mobis is building a $205 million 400-job EV battery module plant in Montgomery, expected to be complete in 2025. It will provide batteries to the Hyundai auto assembly plant and the Kia auto plant in Georgia.

A line of blue ambient lighting sets off the dash and center console.

A line of ambient lighting sets off the dash and center console.

EV Competitors to the GV70

Comparably equipped, all-wheel drive, luxury-class all-electric SUVs that compete with the Genesis Electrified GV70:

Audi Q8 e-tron, 285-mile range: $85,995;

BMW iX xDrive50, 307-mile range: $89,300;

Cadillac LYRIQ, 314-mile range: $79,985;

Mercedes-Benz EQB, 245-mile range: $69,550;

Tesla Model Y, 279-mile range: $51,380, including a $250 order fee.

Note: Retail pricing includes the vehicle freight charge but no EV incentives or rebates.

The dash-top 14.5-inch multimedia screen.

The dash-top 14.5-inch multimedia screen.

2023 Genesis GV70 Pricing

The Genesis GV70 is available in gasoline and battery-electric (Electrified) models. The styling is near identical for each, with a few subtle separators. The electrified GV70 can be recognized by its solid G-Matrix grille pattern, with the concealed EV charging port on the right corner and no exhaust pipes. The electric GV70 also has a stiffer structure and more soundproofing than the gasoline version, which also is quiet on the road.

The gasoline GV70 has two all-wheel-drive trim levels, a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine or a 3.5-liter V-6. The GV70 2.5T starts at $44,275 and can range to $54,425 with special paint and the Advanced package ($8,600). The GV70 3.5T ranges in price from $56,375 to $67,775.

Neither model includes a cargo cover or net for such a luxury price. Those accessories would add $250. A reversible cargo area mat is $160, which might be helpful for a bit more soundproofing.

Alta White is the only no-cost paint color. The other 12 color choices range in cost from $575 to $1,500.

2023 Electrified GV70 Pricing

The Genesis Electrified GV70 has trim levels of Advanced and Prestige. Pricing starts at $66,975, including the $1,125 freight charge from Montgomery, Ala. The Prestige test vehicle was $75,525 with the Prestige package ($6,800), Makalu Gray Matte paint ($1,500), and a two-tone Glacier White interior with copper piping and quilted Nappa leather upholstery.

The Boost button at the base of he steering wheel for a jolt of passing power.

The Boost button for a jolt of passing power.

Among the Prestige features are a leatherette-wrapped upper instrument panel, microfiber suede headliner, head-up display, a 3D instrument cluster, premium audio system, active noise control-road, heated second-row seats and steering wheel, and rear side-window sunshades.

Despite being built in America, the Electrified GV70 still sources battery materials from outside the U.S., which makes it ineligible for a federal tax rebate. However, it does receive the tax credit when leased, and Genesis passes that on to consumers with more attractive lease pricing. And owners can still benefit from HOV access.

Check current GV70 pricing and offers here.

Precise fitment and lines throughout the interior. (Mark Maynard photo)

Precise fitment and lines throughout the interior. (Mark Maynard photo)

Electrify America & Genesis

Working with the public charging company Electrify America, owners of the Electrified GV70 receive three years of free 30-minute charging sessions from the vehicle purchase date. EA has a range of nationwide fast-charging stations, which can be located via the Genesis Connected Services and Electrify America mobile apps.

Genesis Warranties

Genesis takes care of its customers with a wealth of warranty coverages.

The “chauffeur” power seat switch on the side of the front passenger seat can move and change the seatback angle of an unoccupied front passenger seat. (Mark Maynard photo)

The “chauffeur” seat switch.

The basic new-vehicle warranty includes:

  • 5 years or 60,000 miles bumper to bumper;
  • 3 years or 36,000 miles of free scheduled maintenance;
  • 3 years or 36,000 miles free service valet;
  • 3 years of free map updates;
  • 10 years or 100,000 miles powertrain;
  • 10 years or 100,000 miles electric vehicle system (or in California, 10 years or 150,000 miles).

For on-road assistance, called Connected Care, uses a cellular network connection for Automatic Collision Notification, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, and SOS Emergency Assistance. The system also includes a monthly vehicle health report, maintenance, and diagnostic alerts.

Concierge and Service Valet

Service Valet and Concierge Services are among the warranty coverages, and both are money to an owner. For service, Genesis will handle vehicle pickup, deliver a replacement Genesis, and return your vehicle when service is required. The pickup and return can be anywhere the owner chooses, within reason. Learn more about the Service Valet at https://owners.genesis.com/us/en/resources/vehicle-health/genesis-service-valet-simplifies-maintenance.html

The free three-year subscription also provides online or app scheduling of service appointments. The Electrified GV70 will also give owners a screen alert when it is time for service and then connect to schedule an appointment with the preferred dealership.

The split screen camera shows overhead views.

The all-around view of the camera system. (Mark Maynard photo)

Concierge Services

Many new vehicle owners develop relationships with the dealership service manager, but Genesis encourages owner involvement through its concierge services. For example, if the nearest Genesis dealer is out of your way, the concierge can arrange an at-home or multiple test drives. And if you loved the Genesis you tested, the concierge will help plan a visit to the nearest dealership to finalize the sale. Here is how to get started.

Interior Features

I quickly felt comfortable in the driver’s seat. Sightlines are open across the hood and out the rear window, wide and somewhat deep. The front side mirrors are on the body, not at the windshield pillars, which opens cornering views.

A split-screen camera view gives an overhead view, forward and reverse. Animated graphics show the GV70 moving and how close it is to other vehicles or objects.

The 12-way adjustable driver’s seat should be considered a safety feature for how it conforms to the driver. Driver’s seat height is an asset for short drivers such as me. However, I did not need the full height, while in most other cars, I instinctively raise the seat to its highest position. The front passenger seat has eight-way power.

Another choice to dial in what should be your ideal position is Smart Posture Care. The system analyzes the driver’s posture. Once seated, the driver enters their height and weight on the posture screen. The system then adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel, mirrors, and head-up display to the optimal position.

Small-item storage areas range from large door panels, with a bottle slot, to a locking glove box and a fuzzy-lined armrest storage box with a 12-volt socket.

I especially liked the charging module that looks like a repurposed smoker’s package. The flip-top slot is wide enough for most smartphones and has a charging USB and media port.

The open engine-motor bay

Genesis engineers provide easy checkpoints for fluids. (Mark Maynard photos)

The top box in the engine bay holds a small kit for the spare tire inflator and other items.

The engine-top storage box — with a light.

Crafting Interior Calm

The Electrified GV70 is one of the better soundproofed vehicles I have tested, yet there is noticeable wind noise at highway speeds. And that is with the body’s low 0.29 coefficient of drag.

Otherwise, ride noise is subdued. Some of the work toward creating interior calm is from the Active Noise Control-Road system. It electronically measures and analyzes road noises and simultaneously creates sound waves at opposite frequencies.

Navigation is standard with a 14.5-inch HD screen. It is a cloud-based system for optimized routing, voice recognition, and over-the-air updates.

The shift console is driver-oriented, with a shifter dial in the rearward position near the armrest. Just ahead is a stylized dial with a knurled surround. It is nicely differentiated from the shift dial and gives access to the infotainment systems. It is handy to check such elements as the EV range, the navigation map, audio and media selections, and Genesis Connected Services for vehicle diagnostics and maintenance requirements.

GV70 Function with Finesse

The quality of interior construction is Tier 1 luxury. Panel alignment is intensely accurate. And even the double-stitched seam on the upper dash and doors matches perfectly with a dual bead of chrome trim just below.

Genesis provides a handy negative post to jump the charging battery.

Genesis provides a handy negative post to jump the charging battery. (Mark Maynard photo)

A charcoal microsuede headliner adds intrigue. And at night, a striking blue line of ambient lighting along the dash and center console has a dramatic effect.

Interior controls of the Electrified G70 are fully electronic, but Genesis engineering makes all those controls easy to figure out and use. Because there are many alternate controls, you can use as much or as little of the technologies as you wish.

For example, the ellipse of electronic controls for heat and AC has large dials to adjust the temperature. And the touch-sensitive controls, such as for seat heat or ventilation, have large displays that activate with a light touch, helping to keep eyes on the road.

Owners can also use a fingerprint reader to unlock and start the GV70. While using the start-stop button will suffice, the fingerprint reader’s benefit is that it is tied to the driver’s profile; it automatically loads the driver’s preferences when authenticated. This is particularly helpful for folks who share their vehicle with someone else.

An owner’s smartphone can also function as a digital key to lock and unlock the front doors and then use the fingerprint reader to start the car.

Back seat space has Reclining seatbacks and back-seat legroom of 36.6 inches.

Reclining seatbacks and back-seat legroom of 36.6 inches. (Mark Maynard photo)

Back Seat and Cargo Space

Adults in the back seat of the Electrified GV70 should be reasonably comfortable with 36.6 inches of legroom and a slightly short seat cushion. The doors open to near right angles, and the transmission tunnel is low for more center-seat foot space.

There are numerous Genesis perks, such as reclining seatbacks, electronic climate controls, lights, jacket and drycleaning hooks, and a broad armrest. Somewhat unusual is a front passenger seat “chauffeur” power switch to move the seat forward for more back seat legroom.

Cargo space of 28.7 to 56.5 cubic feet is unchanged from the gasoline G70. But because of the battery platform, the interior height of 27 1/2 inches might be short for tall cargo. Fold the 60/40 seatbacks for 6 feet in length.

There are many conveniences in the cargo area, including large side lights, robust seatback release levers, and a household 120-volt outlet.

The open cargo space of the GV70

Fold the rear seatbacks for 6 feet in length. (Mark Maynard photo)

Electrified GV70 Performance

Two motors of equal 160 kilowatt power produce 429 horsepower. But a Boost Mode gives a 10-second overboost to 483-hp. That boost feature is in addition to Sport mode, giving a thrilling jolt to acceleration.

A one-speed transmission simulates eight shift points. Acceleration can feel quite swift, launching to 62 mph in 4.2 seconds, per Genesis. Factor that force with a hefty curb weight of 5,038 pounds, which includes the battery weight of 1,063 pounds

I especially value the Intelligent Pedal (i-Pedal), which allows the driver to accelerate, decelerate, and slow to a stop using just the accelerator pedal. Not all EV makers use this type of system, believing the driver should be responsible for acceleration and stopping.

A low center of gravity from the battery placement lets the Electrified GV70 feel planted. Though there is confident handling, there is little driver feedback through the steering wheel.

Max towing of 3,500 pounds is the same for gas or electric GV70s.

The concealed charge door in the G-Matrix grille of the Genesis GV70

The concealed charge door in the G-Matrix grille.

Charging and Driving Range

The estimated range for a fully charged Electrified GV70 is up to 236 miles. Charging at home, I saw fully charged ranges of 248 to 256 miles.

Helping to stretch the driving range, a Disconnector Actuator System automatically connects or disconnects the motor and drive shaft depending on driving conditions. The system switches between two-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. In daily driving, the power is rear-wheel drive. The system runs in all-wheel drive during stronger acceleration and in Sport mode.

Smart Regenerative Braking factors driving habits, real-time navigation, and road conditions to send kinetic energy back to the battery pack more effectively.

Adding 350kW rapid charging capability enables the 77.4 kWh battery to charge from 10 percent to 80 percent in about 18 minutes. Under optimal conditions, rapid charging can add more than 60 miles in 5 minutes.

The 400V/800V multi-rapid charging system raises the voltage supplied by typical chargers from 400V to 800V, Genesis says. And owners can use both 400V and 800V charging infrastructure without needing an additional converter. The 800V charging can be an asset when traveling, but most carmakers say to minimize the use of DC fast charging.

A Mobile Power Source

As a high-capacity electric source, the Electrified GV70 is part survival tool and charger on wheels. Vehicle to Load Charging, known as V2L, gives a 3.6kW charge. That charge is higher than the power supply in the average home when tapped through a household 120-volt outlet. V2L will not power an entire house but can power necessities during a power outage, tailgate parties, or outdoor projects.

V2L also can be used to charge a stranded EV. It will charge slowly, Genesis says, but it is helpful when the battery charge is very low or in an emergency.

The GV70 has ventilated disc brakes all around, with 14.2-inch front discs and four-piston calipers.

Ventilated disc brakes all around, with 14.2-inch front discs and four-piston calipers.

GV70 Advanced Safety Technologies

The Electrified GV70 has all the advanced driver-assist technologies for hands-on-the-wheel semi-autonomous driving.

Driver-assist technologies include: parking distance warning, front and rear; parking collision avoidance assist rear; blind-spot collision-avoidance assist and rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist; lane keeping assist and lane following assist; forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian-cyclist detection and junction turning.

Full safety features are in the specs box below.

Highway Drive Assist

Keep your hands on the wheel for Highway Driving Assist. It’s the same system found in Hyundai and Kia models.

The sophisticated array of advanced technologies allows Level 2 assisted driving. In my testing, the system kept the GV70 accurately centered in the lane without crossing the lines or the highway Botts dots.

These driver-assist systems take time for the uninitiated to find their comfort level. The support is an all-seeing set of eyes that is of value in the crammed daily commuting traffic, especially in narrow construction areas. I now activate steering assist in HDA as a distraction-avoidance safeguard.

Why Buy the 2023 Genesis Electrified GV70?

As a standard bearer of stealth wealth, the 2023 Genesis Electrified GV70 tester is a defining statement of luxury for less. Genesis represents conscionable wealth.

I recommend leasing, not owning, a battery-electric vehicle. With so many electronics and digital displays, I do not trust they will remain trouble-free over 10 years. After a 3-year lease, the owner will get a fresh and fully updated new vehicle.

It is the brand’s comprehensive warranty coverage that sweetens the deal. The Genesis Service Valet saves the owner time and takes the stress from getting a vehicle to the dealership and back home.

With 250 miles of electric driving range, an owner should feel confident for about 90 percent of daily driving. A home Level 2 charger is essential for convenience and well worth the installation costs. For vacation travel, the Electrified GV70 owner and owners of EVs with even higher ranges will still meet at the fast charger while on the road.

A rear three quarter view of the electrified GV70

The electrified GV70 is so far sold only in 23 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

2023 Genesis Electrified GV70 Specifications

Body style: midsize 5-seat AWD electric SUV crossover

Motors: 160 kW front and rear

Total system power: 429 hp with 10-second “Boost Mode” to 483 hp; 516 lb.-ft torque

Battery: 77.4 kWh lithium-ion polymer; 697 volts; with battery heating system

Battery weight: 1,063.3 pounds

Transmission: 8-speed automatic 1-speed reduction gear

EPA-estimated driving range: 236 miles

Fuel economy equivalent: 98/83/91 MPGe city/highway/combined

Top speed: 146 mph

0-62 mph acceleration: 4.2 seconds

Max towing capacity: 3,500 pounds with braked trailer

CHARGE TIMES

Onboard ultra-fast charging capacity up to 800 volts, 350 kW

120-volt household outlet: About 68 hours;

AC Level II, 240-volt: About 7 hours from 10 percent to 100 percent

50kW Rapid Charging: 73 minutes from 10 to 80 percent

250kW Rapid Charging: 18 minutes from 10 to 80 percent

BY THE NUMBERS

Coefficient of drag: 0.29 cd

Cargo space: 28.7 to 56.5 cubic feet

Front head/leg room: 38.6*/41.3 inches *without sunroof

Rear head/leg room: 38.6/36.6 inches

Front shoulder/hip room: 59.1/56.1 inches

Length/wheelbase: 185.6/ 113.2 inches

Width/height: 75.2*/64.2 inches *excluding side mirrors

Curb weight: 5,038 pounds

Turning circle: 37.8 feet

FEATURES

Prestige package equipment includes: Nappa leather-trimmed upholstery, 14-way power driver seat with Ergo Motion and 4-way power lumbar and cushion extension, 12-way power passenger seat with 4-way power lumbar and cushion extension, integrated memory system with Smart Posture Care, heated and ventilated front seats, 15-speaker Lexicon premium audio system with Quantum Logic Surround sound, second-row sunshades;

Standard GV70 features include: Proximity key with push-button start, remote start, panoramic sunroof, power-folding side mirrors with Genesis logo, smart cruise control with stop & go, front wireless charging pad, a rearview camera with parking guidelines, surround-view monitor with blind-spot view, remote smart parking assist, head-up display, power hands-free liftgate, 60/40 split-folding back seat, cargo cover, carpeted floor mats, 20-inch wheels, electric suspension with road preview;

Safety features include: 8 air bags, brake assist, hill-start assist;

Driver-assist technologies include: parking distance warning, front and rear; rear parking collision avoidance assist; blind-spot collision-avoidance assist and rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist; lane keeping assist and lane following assist; forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian-cyclist detection and junction turning.

PRICING

Electrified GV70 Prestige base price: $66,975, including $1,125 freight charge; price as tested $75,525

Options on test vehicle: Makalu Gray matte paint $1,500

Where assembled: Montgomery, Ala.

Warranties: 5-years/60,000-miles bumper to bumper; 10-years/100,000-miles powertrain; 10-years/100,000-miles electric vehicle system (10-years/150,000-miles in California)

Genesis Experience: 3-years/36,000-miles free scheduled maintenance and service valet; 3 years map updates, and free connected services

2023 Toyota GR Corolla Core Review

by | Jun 12, 2023 | 0 comments

2023 Toyota GR Corolla Core Review

The 300-hp, 3-cylinder all-wheel-drive 2023 Toyota GR Corolla is a $40K teacup supercar that speaks loudly and rolls on wide Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires

An exterior three quarter view of a supersonic red 300-horsepower, three-cylinder 2023 Toyota GR Corolla

The 300-horsepower, three-cylinder 2023 Toyota GR Corolla is a skunkworks project with Toyota GAZOO Racing team. (Photos courtesy of Toyota)

Table of Contents

Toyota Racing
Engineering by GAZOO
My Favorite Sport Compacts
Pricing for the 3 GR Corolla Editions
Safety Features and Technologies
Corolla GR Core Ride and Handling
Why Buy the 2023 Toyota GR Corolla?
Specifications

BY MARK MAYNARD

I heard the growl of the GR Corolla before the Toyota driver rounded the corner to my house to deliver the week’s test car. The gutty exhaust tone was not the usual pitter-patter of little Corolla feet. The 300-horsepower, all-wheel-drive 2023 Toyota GR Corolla speaks loudly and rolls on wide Michelin Pilot Sport tires.

What is remarkable about this 300-hp is that it comes from a three-cylinder engine. The teacup powerplant is Toyota’s G16E-GTS engine with direct and port injection. The 1.6-liter turbocharged engine is tuned “for snappy acceleration out of the corners,” Toyota says. Peak torque runs steadily from 3,000 to 5,500 rpm. The max 300 horsepower comes on at 6,500 rpm. The only transmission offered is a six-speed manual. And the all-wheel-drive system has driver-manipulated torque split front to rear.

Triple exhaust tips reduce back pressure for maximum power and are a subtle show of weaponry.

If it even matters, the fuel economy is 21 mpg city, 28 highway, and 24 mpg combined using the required premium fuel. The 13.2-gallon fuel tank is the same size as in all Toyota Corollas.

GR Corolla interior features include metal-trimmed pedals, 6-way adjustable driver’s seat, and an 8-inch multimedia display with 6-speaker audio system.

GR Corolla interior features include metal-trimmed pedals, a 6-way adjustable driver’s seat, and an 8-inch multimedia display with 6-speaker audio system.

Toyota Racing Background

The GR Corolla is a wicked little dart of marketing. It promotes another side of this juggernaut automaker, the second-largest automaker in the world (just behind VW Group).

Toyota has been racing professionally for more than 41 years in American events. It has teams in the Baja 1000, NASCAR, NHRA, Formula Drift, World Rally, and even Midget racing. But the transfer of racing technology hasn’t bled so visibly onto Toyota’s retail vehicle development.

The GR Corolla is a special project granted corporate approval from Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio “Morizo” Toyoda, now 67. He is the founder’s grandson, but he has become better known as Toyota’s chief test driver. He is a skilled racetrack veteran and an advocate for corporate-backed racing.

Because Toyoda was so hands-on in race-testing Toyotas, he took the pseudonym of “Morizo” to disguise his activities from the corporate naysayers. It’s a fun story, found here.

The open hood shows the 300 hp turbocharged three cylinder engine

The GR Corolla’s 300-hp, G16E-GTS 3-cylinder turbocharged engine, tuned “for snappy acceleration out of the corners.”

Engineering by GAZOO Racing

Toyoda worked with its Toyota GAZOO Racing team to get this project right. It is this skunkworks group that develops technologies for Toyota’s GR sub-brand.

The mild-mannered Corolla is built on Toyota’s GA-C platform, accommodating front- and all-wheel-drive powertrains. But before the power goes in, the Corolla gets a workover at the GR factory at Toyota’s Motomachi plant. The accommodating five-door hatch is transformed with frame reinforcements, functional air vents for the engine and brakes, and other aerodynamic tweaks for stability at speed.

The GR Corolla is Toyota GAZOO Racing’s first wholly developed and manufactured model for the North American market. Their work is also available in the Toyota GR86 ($29,000) and the GR Supra ($45,000). Enthusiasts in Japan, Europe, and other countries also have access to the subcompact Toyota GR Yaris. It scoops up 261 hp from the same GR Corolla engine, but the GR Yaris is 430 pounds lighter.

The six-speed shifter with rev-matching downshifts.

The six-speed shifter with rev-matching downshifts.

The team’s detail-obsessed engineering created a race-pedigreed and street-legal track car sold at Toyota dealerships with the standard new-vehicle warranty of 3 years or 36,000 miles bumper to bumper and 5 years or 60,000 miles for the powertrain.

Coverage includes “responsible driving on track days,” Toyota says, but it also stresses induvial responsibility. To help protect the car, Toyota offers GR Corolla buyers a one-year membership to the National Auto Sport Association, with a free, coached track day session.

Comparable cars include the 315-hp Honda Civic Type R, 276-hp Hyundai Elantra N, 271-hp Subaru WRX, and 315-hp VW Golf R.

The 12.3-inch driver information screen has digital gauges for power settings and turbo pressure, a center tach, and gear position indicator lights.

The 12.3-inch driver information screen has digital gauges for power settings and turbo pressure, a center tach, and gear position indicator lights.

My Favorite Sport Compact Cars

The GR Corolla reminded me of the most fun sport-compact cars I have tested. It’s not just about power; it’s the delivery, and the connectedness of the car to the driver.:

1997 Acura Integra Type R;

1998 Ford Contour SVT;

2017-2019 Ford Fiesta ST;

2009 Fiat 500 Abarth;

2018 Hyundai Elantra GT;

2019 Hyundai Veloster N;

2003-2005 Dodge Neon SRT-4;

2004 Mazdaspeed Miata;

2010 Mazdaspeed3 5-door;

2004 Subaru Impreza WRX sedan;

VW GTI or Golf R any year;

And now the 2023 Toyota GR Corolla.

GR Corolla Editions Pricing

There are three performance levels for the 2023 GR Corolla. And buyers of each receive a 1-year membership to the National Auto Sport Association. Included is a free High Performance Driving Experience .

I tested the entry GR Corolla Core. Core pricing starts at $36,995, including the $1,095 freight charge from Japan. There is a choice of three paint colors: black, white, and Supersonic red, a $425 option.

My Core tester had two of the three available factory options:

Performance package, $1,180, includes front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials, 4-piston aluminum fixed-caliper disc brakes with red-painted calipers and GR logo (front), 2-piston aluminum fixed-caliper disc brakes with red-painted calipers and GR logo (rear)

Technology package, $770, includes 8-speaker JBL audio system with dynamic navigation (with 3-year trial), including 8-inch touchscreen, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatible, one USB media port, wireless smartphone charging pad.

Supersonic Red paint added $425.

Also available is a Cold Weather package, $500, which adds heated front seats and steering wheel.

The GR Corolla Circuit Edition has Brin-Naub synthetic leather-trimmed sport seats with red stitching.

The GR Corolla Circuit Edition has Brin-Naub synthetic leather-trimmed seats with red stitching.

GR Corolla Circuit Edition, $43,995

There is no shame in owning the entry GR Corolla Core. It is a showcase of performance engineering, but it might not compare well to a friend who stepped up to the Circuit Edition. This rascal gets serious about higher performance.

Circuit Edition standard features include a forged carbon fiber roof and an aluminum hood with a bulge and gloss-black air vents. Its disc brakes are the same size as the Core but with red-painted calipers and GR logo.

Rather than the Core’s open differential, the Circuit Edition has Torsen limited slip differentials front are rear.

And there are more gloss black body trim elements, rather than the Core’s matte black.

Circuit Edition interior features include Brin-Naub and synthetic leather-trimmed sport seats with red stitching, red mesh inserts, and GR-badged headrests. It also includes the cold weather package of heated front seats and heated leather steering wheel.

The optional carbon fiber roof saves a few ounces of weight

A carbon-fiber roof is standard on the Circuit and Morizo Editions.

GR Corolla Morizo Edition, $50,995

Finding a track-ready GR Corolla Morizo Edition won’t be easy: only 200 were built for 2023.

The two-seat Morizo Edition is the lightest and most powerful of the three trim levels. Its engine gets a 22 lb.-ft. torque boost to 295 foot-pounds from 3,250-4,600 rpm.

Lightweighting comes from several areas. GR engineers removed nearly 100 pounds of weight versus the Circuit Edition, now estimated to be 3,186 pounds. Most weight savings came from removing the back seat, rear speakers, and window lifts. Even the rear wiper and motor were pulled.

The hood and front door panels are aluminum, which saves weight and slightly lowers the center of gravity.

To further stiffen the hatchback body, the engineers added two more floor braces and one more rear strut brace. The frame has an additional 349 spot welds, with more than 19 ½ feet (6 meters) of structural adhesive applied.

Other Morizo modifications range from a close-ratio transmission and shorter differential gears to front brake ducts and mono-tube shock absorbers. Unique forged wheels have wider Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires.

Check here for current pricing and offers

To lighten the GR Corolla Morizo Edition, engineers pulled over 100 pounds of content for a curb estimated to be 3,186 pounds.

To lighten the GR Corolla Morizo Edition, engineers pulled over 100 pounds of content for a curb estimated to be 3,186 pounds.

GR Corolla Safety Technologies

The GR Corolla is a legitimate, five-door sport-compact car with an expansive tech safety package that gives it Level 2 semi-autonomous driving capability. Toyota’s semi-autonomous driving is among the most accurate I’ve tested. Lane guidance is precise and did not let the car drift wide through highway cornering or cross the white lines.

Among the safety features are 10 air bags, a blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, and Toyota’s Star Safety System, which includes enhanced stability and traction controls.

Advanced safety technologies include Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which includes:

  • Pre-collision system with pedestrian detection;
  • Lane departure alert with steering assist;
  • Lane tracing assist;
  • Automatic high beams;
  • Dynamic radar cruise control;
  • Road Sign Assist.
All GR Corollas have 14-inch ventilated front discs with four-piston calipers and rear 11.7-inch rear ventilated discs with two-piston calipers.

All GR Corollas have 14-inch ventilated front discs with four-piston calipers and rear 11.7-inch rear ventilated discs with two-piston calipers.

GR Corolla Core Ride and Handling

Choose the Core for its pure fun of rev, shift, and terrorize friends and the school carpool. As with any elite performance model today, the GR Corolla Core has a split personality. Toss the key to anybody who can work a stick shift, and they will have an easy time getting started. Make them aware that there is plenty of sporty fun within legal speed limits. It is on the upper end of engine revs that requires more focus from the driver.

Driving is friendly and unintimidating, but be ready when you engage Sport mode and roll on the power. The engine has bullish torque and acceleration to 60 mph scoots by un 4.99 seconds (same for the Circuit Edition). The lightened and more heavily braced Morizo Edition shaves a couple of tenths at 4.92 seconds.

The clutch has a medium-weight engagement, though never tiring. The shifter has refined gear engagement with a steely machined response. The gearbox is so NOT Corolla.

For all trim levels of GR Corolla, the GR-FOUR AWD has three driver-selectable torque-split settings, front-to-rear: Street 60/40, Touring 30:70), Track 50/50

The suspension is protective of occupants in daily driving but hit a surprise pothole and feel the painful jolt. I’d check the gauges for the flat tire icon on some hits, but I never had a blowout. And those remarkably responsive Michelins will cost around $250 each to replace. The tire has a sticky treadwear rating (UTQG) of 300, which pencils out to a warranty of 30,000 miles. The owner, however, will have waaay too much fun for the rubber to last that long.

The open cargo door shows plenty of space for groceries and track gear

Plenty of space for groceries or track gear.

Why Buy the 2023 Toyota GR Corolla?

The GR Corolla is a pocket-class supercar. It would not be my choice as a road-trip car, but it makes for a helluva fun everything else. It is a performance bargain at less than $40,000. But with a first-year build of around 6,600 cars, pricing competition is rampant.

Many dealership markups are ridiculous. Reports by GR Corolla shoppers have quoted “Limited Market Value” markups of $10,000 to $20,000 for a Core model. And the greed rises exponentially for the Circuit Edition and Morizo editions.

However, according to threads on the GR Corolla forum, there are dealers doing MSRP. “You just have to do the research and find them.”

Toyota does what it can to police those exorbitant dealer addendums, a spokesman said.

“We do our best to have a conversation with the dealer and try to get them to look long-term,” he said. “The GR Corolla will always be somewhat limited in volume, but over time enough supply will help alleviate the current dealer markup situation. “

Toyota has not announced its 2024 lineup yet, but it has said the GR Corolla Circuit Edition will continue for model year 2024. And my source said there would be future GR Corollas.

You’ll just have to do the research to find them.

A rear three quarter view of a SuperSonic red GR Corolla hatchback

The GR Corolla is a wicked little dart of marketing that promotes a more daring side of juggernaut automaker Toyota, known more for its mass-produced dependability.

2023 Toyota GR Corolla Core Specifications

Body style: compact, 5-door, 5-seat AWD hatchback

Engine: 300-hp, turbocharged direct and port injection, 1.6-liter 3-cylinder with rev-matching downshifts; 273 lb.-ft. from 3,000-5,500 rpm

Compression ratio: 10.5:1

Max boost pressure: 25.2 PSI (Core Grade and Circuit Edition); 26.3 PSI (Morizo Edition)

Transmission: 6-speed manual with rev-matching downshifts

GR-FOUR AWD: 3 driver-selectable torque-split settings, front-to-rear: Street 60/40, Touring 30:70), Track 50/50

Differential type: Open (Core Grade); front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials Circuit Edition and Morizo

0-60 mph acceleration, manufacturer estimated: 4.99 seconds (Core and Circuit Edition); 4.92-sec. (Morizo Edition)

Top speed: 142.9 mph

Fuel economy: 21/28/24 mpg city/hwy/combined; premium fuel required

CHASSIS HARDWARE

Suspension: MacPherson-type struts front, rear double wishbone-type multilink with stabilizer bars front and rear, 26.5mm front, 24mm rear.

Brakes, all models: 14-inch ventilated front discs with 4-piston calipers; 11.7-inch rear ventilated discs with 2-piston calipers.

Wheels: 18-inch cast alloy gloss black 15 spoke, Core Grade and
Circuit Edition; 18-inch, 10-spoke forged alloy wheels in a matte black finish, Morizo Edition.

Tires: 18-inch 235/40R Michelin Pilot Sport 4, Core Grade and Circuit Edition; 245/40R Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2, Morizo Edition.

Track width, front/rear: 62.6 inches, Core and Circuit Edition; 62.6/63.7 inches, Morizo Edition.

Curb weights: 3,252 pounds Core; 3,262 lbs. with dual limited-slip diffs

Coefficient of drag: 0.35

BY THE NUMBERS

Fuel tank: 13.2 gallons

Cargo space: 17.8 cubic feet

Front head/leg room: 38.4/42 inches

Rear head/leg room: 37.6/29.9 inches

Length/wheelbase: 173.6/103.9 inches

Turning circle: 36.1 feet

FEATURES

GR upgrades include:

  • Wide body front and rear fender flares
  • Fabric sport seats with GR logo
  • Matte black front grille with GR badge
  • Rear bumper with air vents and gloss black front fender vents
  • Stainless steel triple exhaust tips
  • GR leather-trimmed steering wheel.

Standard GR Corolla features include: smart-key locking with GR push-button ignition, a rearview camera with parking aid lines, a 12.3-inch driver info display, an 8-inch multimedia display with six-speaker audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, 60/40 split folding back seat, gloss black 15-spoke 18-inch wheels with 235/40 Michelin Pilot Sport4 tires; 14-inch 4-piston vented front disc brakes and 11.7-inch 2-piston vented rear discs.

Safety features include: 10 air bags, blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, Star Safety System of enhanced vehicle stability control, traction
control, 4-wheel ABS, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and Smart Stop Technology;

Advanced safety technologies: Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 includes:

  • Pre-collision system with pedestrian detection;
  • Lane departure alert with steering assist;
  • Lane tracing assist;
  • Automatic high beams;
  • Dynamic radar cruise control;
  • Road Sign Assist.

PRICING

GR Corolla Core base price: $35,900, including $1,095 freight charge; price as tested $39,659

Options on test vehicle: SuperSonic paint $425; carpet cargo mat $110; carpet floor mats $179;

Performance package, $1,180, adds front and rear limited-slip differentials with red-painted brake calipers and GR logo

Technology package, $770, adds premium 8-speaker JBL audio with a wireless phone charging pad

Where assembled: Aichi, Japan

Warranties: 3-years/36,000-miles bumper to bumper with roadside assistance; 2-years/25,000-miles free scheduled maintenance; 5-years/60,000-miles powertrain