- Does it represent good value for the price? What features does it come with? 8/10
- Is there anything interesting about its design? 7/10
- How practical is the space inside? 8/10
- What are the key stats for the engine and transmission? 8/10
- How much fuel does it consume? 8/10
- What safety equipment is fitted? What safety rating? 8/10
- What does it cost to own? What warranty is offered? 9/10
- What’s it like to drive? 8/10
The GV60 comes with either 20 or 21-inch alloy wheels. (AWD Performance variant pictured/image credit: Tim Nicholson)
The 12.3-inch multimedia system features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. (AWD variant pictured)
Inside is a 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. (AWD Performance variant pictured)
Boot space is rated at 432 litres. (AWD Performance variant pictured/image credit: Tim Nicholson)
Fold the seats flat and cargo capacity grows to 1406L. (AWD Performance variant pictured/image credit: Tim Nicholson)
What we like
Extensive standard features list Thrilling straight-line performance Decent driving range and efficiency
What we don’t
Busy interior design Some overdone tech features Firm ride in AWD grade
What we like
Extensive standard features list Thrilling straight-line performance Decent driving range and efficiency
What we don’t
Busy interior design Some overdone tech features Firm ride in AWD grade
It might have had a slow start, but new premium brand Genesis has ramped things up in the past year or two. As well as a pair of SUVs and a new flagship sedan, the Hyundai Group-owned marque is this month launching not one, but three electric vehicles.
While the Electrified G80 and Electrified GV70 EVs are based on internal combustion engine platforms, Genesis is making a bigger noise about its first model on a dedicated EV platform – the GV60 SUV.
A cousin of the wildly popular Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5, the GV60 is designed to grab attention, and it is expected to nab sales from a slew of rivals.
But can the GV60 keep up with its fabled family members, or should you save some money and choose a less fancy brand of EV instead?
Does it represent good value for the price? What features does it come with? 8/10
From launch, the GV60 will be sold in two model grades, kicking off with the GV60 AWD (all-wheel drive) from $103,700, before on-road costs, topping out with the more potent Performance AWD for $7000 more at $110,700.
Interestingly, the Electrified GV70, which is also another medium SUV, will be pricier than the GV60, with a price tag of $127,800.
The GV60 does, however, undercut a number of premium electric SUVs of a similar size, like the BMW iX3 ($114,900) and Mercedes-Benz EQC (from $122,724).
The GV60 comes with either 20 or 21-inch alloy wheels. (AWD Performance variant pictured/image credit: Tim Nicholson)
The 12.3-inch multimedia system features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. (AWD variant pictured)
Inside is a 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. (AWD Performance variant pictured)
When compared with its mechanical relatives, the GV60 is about $30,000 more than the base price of the Hyundai Ioniq 5, while the Kia EV6 GT-Line – which shares a powertrain with the GV60 AWD – is about $16,000 cheaper.
Comparing the specs side-by-side, the Genesis has more standard gear than its siblings – as it should. Thanks to a very healthy standard features list, there is no question the GV60 represents excellent value-for-money, even with that six-figure price tag.
Across both models, the GV60 comes with a panoramic sunroof, wireless smartphone charger, soundproof glass, 18-way power adjustable driver’s seat with a massage function, a 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 12.3-inch multimedia system featuring satellite navigation with augmented reality, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
It also has dual-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, heated outboard second-row seats, a hands-free power tailgate, rain-sensing wipers, and digital cameras replacing the exterior rear-view mirrors.
There is so much standard gear that the only option is matt paint ($2000).
Is there anything interesting about its design? 7/10
Genesis rolled out a new design direction a couple of years back and it can now be seen on all of its models. The main features are a massive shield grille, and matching split head and tail-lights that create a unique look for the brand.
I think the Genesis exterior design is striking and looks sensational on models like the G80 sedan and GV70 SUV.
When applied to the somewhat bulbous shape of the GV60, it still works, but perhaps not as successfully as the GV70. However, there is no doubt it’s eye-catching. The GV60 caught a lot of people’s attention on the launch drive.
There’s a familiarity to the interior design, with elements like the upright feel and the twin 12.3-inch screens recognisable from the Ioniq 5.
The GV60 adopts some Genesis interior design traits like the rounded off elements around the climate controls, heavy use of brushed chrome, and the two-spoke steering wheel.
It also has what Genesis calls a ‘Crystal Sphere’ drive selector in the console. When the car is off, it acts as a mood light, but hit the start button and it flips to become the gear selector. It’s a cute trick, if a little gimmicky.
Another techy feature is the digital cameras replacing the exterior side mirrors. This sort of set-up has already been seen on the Audi e-tron. The vision is displayed on a screen housed on the doors inside the car, but to say it takes some getting used to is an understatement.
My eyes kept finding the camera housing, rather than the display, which is not surprising given I have been looking at that point to get a rearward view over more than 25 years of driving.
Genesis says it helps improve aerodynamics and therefore could improve the driving range, but does it really have any meaningful impact on the range?
I found it hard to adjust to and a bit distracting, and it feels like tech for tech’s sake.
How practical is the space inside? 8/10
Sharing the all-electric ‘E-GMP’ platform, the GV60, EV6 and Ioniq 5 are roughly the same size (although the Ioniq 5 has 10mm more on the wheelbase than the GV60 and EV6).
Thanks to a lack of elements you’d find in internal combustion engine cars, like the transmission tunnel, there is ample space inside.
In the front, you sit high up in the car and that feeling is amplified by the upright placement of the dash.
The front seats are plush and well bolstered, offering exceptional comfort levels, and the trim is available in a variety of colours, depending on the model grade. Our pick is the stunning ‘Torrent Navy’ blue in the Performance AWD.
The white interior (‘Ash Grey’ with ‘Glacier White’) of our test car might be appealing to some, but I can’t imagine the steering wheel staying white for too long. Similarly, the synthetic suede material of the roofliner, pillars and door inserts in cream will likely age quickly with a few dirty hands.
The driver’s seat is adjustable 14 ways, and it has a massage function that can be set to kick in while you’re driving to make sure you’re refreshed on longer drives.
It’s a cool feature and was welcome on the launch drive. Unlike some other massage seats I have experienced, you genuinely feel like you’re getting a half-decent massage in the GV60.
There are a number of controls on the two-spoke chunky leather steering wheel but all icons are easily identifiable. In fact, most controls in the GV60 are user-friendly.
Also up front, the centre console sits high up and acts as an armrest, but it also houses the crystal sphere/gear selector, a few other controls, the multimedia controller and a pair of cupholders.
Under the lengthy console is a massive storage space with nets to hold items in place. It’s very handy. Another small compartment under the dash will fit a pair of shoes, while the doors in the front will take a medium-sized bottle at most. The glove box drawer is a nice touch.
While some of the GV60’s tech feels like it’s for show, the digital instrument cluster is a winner. The augmented reality sat-nav is clear and doesn’t overwhelm the driver.
In fact, the sat-nav is one of the better in-car systems I’ve used in a while.
The intuitive multimedia set-up is clearly laid out with a logical sliding menu structure. This is another area where Genesis is excelling.
In the rear, the comfortable seats can recline to a point, and the centre backrest folds down for a rear armrest with two cupholders.
There’s no toe room under the front seats, but ample head and legroom for backseaters.
There are ISOFIX points on the outboard seats and top tethers for all three seats.
Having a cupholder in the outboard door-mounted armrest, as well as the bottle storage in the lower part of the door, is a neat addition.
Kudos to Genesis for including abdomen-level air vents in the pillars, as opposed to knee-level console blowers. Rear occupants will also find a pair of USB-C ports, and controls on the side of the front seats to move the front passenger seat forward.
Boot space is rated at 432 litres. (AWD Performance variant pictured/image credit: Tim Nicholson)
Fold the seats flat and cargo capacity grows to 1406L. (AWD Performance variant pictured/image credit: Tim Nicholson)
Open the power hands-free tailgate and you’ll find enough space for 432 litres of cargo – about 80L less than a BMW iX3 and 50L less than the EV6 – but lower the 60/40 split-fold seats and you get 1406L.
There is no spare wheel, instead you get a tyre repair kit. There’s some under-floor storage but it’s mostly used for charging cables. That’s the same under the bonnet where there is a small storage compartment under a plastic lid.
What are the key stats for the engine and transmission? 8/10
The GV60 AWD has a total system output of 234kW/605Nm, while the flagship Performance AWD pumps out 360kW/700Nm in ‘Boost’ mode.
The latter figure is enough to propel it from 0-100km/h in 4.0 seconds, which is a little over a second quicker than the Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD. The GV60 AWD covers the distance in 5.5 seconds.
Both grades come with adjustable regenerative braking, and a 77.4kWh lithium-ion battery, but they differ when it comes to driving range and energy consumption.
How much fuel does it consume? 8/10
The GV60 AWD has an official range of 470km while the Performance AWD only loses a few kilometres of range at 466km.
Those figures are a bit better than the BMW iX3 (460km) and slightly less than the Kia EV6 GT-Line all-wheel drive (484km).
Energy consumption is rated at 18.8kWh per 100km for the AWD and 19.1kWh for the Performance AWD.
Both variants have charging capacity of 350kW and it will take about 73 minutes to charge from 10-80 per cent battery capacity using a 50kW fast charger, or just 18 minutes to fill to the same level on a 350kW ultra-rapid charger.
Charging from 10-100 per cent via a household plug will take considerably longer – about 34 hours.
The Genesis GV60 matches its Kia and Hyundai siblings with a very neat trick – ‘vehicle-to-load’ charging, which means it acts as a mobile power source.
You can charge electronic devices using the car’s battery thanks to a 3.6kW power supply and an included adapter. You could charge power tools or possibly make yourself a cuppa with an electric kettle which is very handy.
In the GV60’s purchase price, Genesis has included a choice of a five-year subscription to the Chargefox public charging network, or a home A/C charger and installation.
What safety equipment is fitted? What safety rating? 8/10
The GV60 has just been tested by ANCAP and it received a maximum five-star rating covering both model grades. It scored highly in most tests, although it lost points in the ‘vulnerable road user protection’ assessment.
Both GV60 variants come standard with a lengthy list of safety equipment including an extensive forward collision avoidance assist system that has car, pedestrian and cyclist detection, and an advanced turning and crossing function.
It also has rear and side blind-spot collision assist, rear cross-traffic alert, multi-collision braking, safe exit assist, adaptive cruise control with stop and go function and machine learning and a driver attention warning.
Another standard feature is a front centre airbag that helps mitigate against driver and front passenger injury in a side collision.
What does it cost to own? What warranty is offered? 9/10
The Genesis GV60 is covered by five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and the high-voltage battery is covered for eight years/unlimited kilometres.
The servicing intervals are every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first, and servicing is complimentary for the first five years of ownership. That means you won’t pay anything for servicing, until that five years is up.
Once the five years is up, you’ll pay different amounts for each subsequent year (up to 10 years), with prices ranging from $324 in year seven to $1600 in year eight.
Depending on where you live, a Genesis representative will come and collect your GV60 for a service and if it’s your first Genesis model, they’ll give you a free courtesy vehicle while the car is in the shop.
While Japanese rival Lexus also has a very impressive ownership offer, this is next level thanks to the free servicing.
What’s it like to drive? 8/10
The GV60 AWD is plenty quick when you plant your foot.
But the Performance AWD with its 4.0-second 0-100km/h is supercar quick. That instant torque makes for thrilling acceleration from a standing start.
Of course, if that’s not enough, or if you need to overtake in a hurry, there’s always Boost Mode. The Boost button on the steering wheel gives you 10 seconds of extra grunt and it throws you back into your seat in the process.
The dual-motor set-up of the GV60 means on-demand all-wheel drive traction and for the most part, the big SUV sticks to the tarmac. In quite wet conditions, however, it loses some of that grip.
When you’re on a dry road, the GV60 AWD handles well, but there’s no escaping the body roll caused by its height and weight. A hot hatch it is not. But it does an admirable job on the twisty stuff regardless.
In terms of the ride quality, the AWD grade has a firmer suspension set-up, and while you’ll feel some of those potholes and speed bumps, this is still very much a car you can live with day-to-day.
The Performance AWD variant had a more cosseting ride, despite the larger 21-inch wheels (up from 20s in the AWD), and that is likely down to the standard adaptive suspension on that grade.
The GV60 has a hushed ride – as it should, being an EV and all – with all but the harshest road noise penetrating the cabin.
The thick B- and C-pillars create blind spots so you’ll need the cameras and sensors when parking or changing lanes.
Verdict
What a month for Genesis with three EVs launching within weeks of each other. But this GV60 will get the most attention.
There’s no way to avoid comparisons with the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5. In some ways the GV60 takes the best bits of those two, and elevates them in a premium, high-tech, eye-catching package.
Some of the inclusions like the sphere and the exterior cameras feel like tech for tech’s sake, but the useful in-car features and extensive safety kit are what impressed me more.
Yes, it starts north of $100K, but find another EV of a similar size with more standard gear. And there is no doubt it feels more premium, and a little more special, than its Korean relatives.
Performance chops that rival many sports cars helps, of course.
Whether the design is your cup of tea or not, the GV60 is another exciting and welcome addition to the EV segment.
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.
Keyword: Genesis GV60 2023 review