I drove a $71,000 Genesis GV60 electric SUV. It's a luxurious delight that I wished had more range
The Genesis GV60 Performance is a compact luxury electric SUV that debuted in 2023.
I enjoyed the 2024 GV60's acceleration, luxurious cabin, eye-catching design, and advanced tech.
I was disappointed by its poor rear visibility and lackluster range.
Given the popularity of compact luxury SUVs, it was inevitable that the segment would also blossom in the EV space.
These days, the segment is littered with capable new premium offerings like the Tesla Model Y, Polestar 2, and Mercedes-Benz EQB.
One of the latest entrants to the segment is the GV60, Hyundai's growing Genesis luxury brand.
The Genesis GV60 debuted in 2023 and carries over unchanged for 2024.
I recently spent a week with a 2024 Genesis GV60 Performance around the streets of suburban Atlanta.
I was blown away by the GV60's potent acceleration, whisper-quiet cabin, eye-catching design, and elite tech content.
The Genesis didn't give me a whole lot to complain about, but the GV60's rear visibility is lackluster, and it could use more than 235 miles of range.
My Genesis GV60 Performance test car costs $71,320.
The base Genesis GV60 Standard starts at $52,000, while my top-of-the-line GV60 Performance is $69,550.
Freight fees and the optional Hanauma Mint paint job pushed the as-tested price over the $71,000 mark.
The GV60 is the first Genesis model built on a dedicated EV platform.
The GV60 is built on Hyundai's Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), which is shared with a host of EVs ranging from the Hyundai Ioniq 5 to the three-row Kia EV9 SUV.
Under the floor of the GV60's passenger cabin is a 77.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
The GV60 performance is equipped with an electric motor on each axle.
The base GV60 Standard is equipped with a single 225-horsepower electric motor on the rear axle. The mid-grade Advanced trim adds a smaller front axle drive motor to create a virtual all-wheel-drive system and pushes output up to 314 hp.
My top-spec GV60 Performance AWD gets a larger front drive motor, which bumps output to 429 horsepower.
The Performance trim features a Boost Mode that gives the GV60 an extra dose of power.
Boost Mode is available exclusively on Performance trim and gives the GV60 483 horsepower instead of 429 ponies in 10-second bursts.
The GV60 can charge to 80% in just 18 minutes.
According to Genesis, using a DC fast charger, the GV60 can charge from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes. With a 240V level-two charger, the Genesis can charge from 10% to 100% in about 7 hours.
The GV60 also has bi-directional charging capability, which means it can power small appliances outside the vehicle.
The EPA rates the base Genesis GV60 Standard for up to 294 miles of range, while the Advanced trim is rated for 248 miles.
My test car was rated for 239 miles of range. However, during my time with the vehicle, I achieved closer to 250 miles of range.
Here rests my biggest gripe about this Genesis. For $70,000, I'd like more than 235 miles of range, especially considering there are plenty of EVs on the market that can easily surpass 300 miles.
The GV60 was terrific to drive.
The Genesis GV60 Performance certainly delivered what its name promised.
Boost Mode, coupled with instant torque from its dual electric motors, made blasting up highways on-ramps a speedy and thoroughly enjoyable affair.
The GV60 delivered linear and effortless power expected of a luxury high-performance EV.
According to Motor Trend, the GV60 Performance sprints from 0-60 mph in just 3.6 seconds with Boost Mode activated.
At speed, the GV60 is smooth and library quiet. One need not raise their voice above a whisper to be heard.
One thing I cannot complain about is the GV60's style.
The Genesis EV oozes style and sophistication in an unconventional manner. Its rounded, masculine styling stands out from the crowd without seeming odd or out of place.
From the side, the GV60 is more coupe than crossover SUV.
The sloping roofline contributes to the GV60's style but compromises rear-seat headroom and cargo capacity.
Hidden in the GV60's stylish sheet metal is its facial recognition system.
The GV60's is equipped with a facial recognition sensor on the b-pillar behind the driver door, allowing the driver keyless access through facial scans.
I was a fan of the GV60 Performance's 21-inch wheels.
The GV60 Standard comes with 19-inch wheels, while the Advanced trim gets 20-inch units.
Inside, the GV60 is pure class.
Genesis went all out with the design of the GV60's cabin, with a delightful blend of materials and textures from aluminum trim pieces to the microfiber suede headliner and quilted Nappa Leather seats.
The GV60's dash is dominated by a 12.3 inch infotainment display.
The screen is home to the GV60's infotainment system, which looks great and is a breeze to navigate. The system is equipped with a host of interesting features, such as quiet mode, which mutes rear cabin speakers to allow passengers to relax in peace, and a built-in diagnostic system that allows owners to check the operating condition of the vehicle's various functions.
The screen is also home to the GV60's surround view camera.
This feature stitches together images from the handful of cameras around the car to create a 360-degree views of its surroundings.
Under the infotainment screen is a smaller climate-control screen.
The small touchscreen and accompanying physical buttons made controlling the GV60's HVAC functions an easy task.
In front of the driver are a heated steering wheel and digital gauge cluster.
The steering wheel is equipped with a drive mode selector and paddles that allow the driver to adjust the level of energy regeneration by the brakes.
The digital gauge cluster is home to the blind spot view monitor.
The system uses cameras under the rearview mirrors to give the driver a live shot of the vehicle's blind spots.
In front of the driver is also a head-up display.
The GV60's HUD is configurable and can show everything from the location of surrounding cars to the status of its adaptive cruise control.
The most eye-catching feature in the interior is the GV60's rotary shifter.
When the vehicle is in operation, the driver puts the GV60 into gear by turning a rotary-style shifter on the center console. However, once the car is powered down, the shifter flips into the console revealing an ornate crystal ball.
A glass roof bathes the cabin in sunlight.
The GV60's "Vision Roof" is standard across all trim levels. It is equipped with a power shade apparatus, but the glass roof itself doesn't open.
The 14-way power driver seat was comfortable and supportive.
The seat has an ergo-motion function that gently massages you on long drives.
But the rear cabin of the GV60 is a mixed bag.
Its low floor offered a great legroom.
The sloping roofline made the headroom a bit tight.
The roofline also severely limited rearward visibility.
The GV60 is equipped with a hands-free tailgate.
The vehicle's liftgate triggers if you stand within 3 feet of the rear bumper for more than three seconds while possessing the key fob.
Open it up, and you'll find a solid 24 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats.
Fold down the rear seats, and the cargo room goes up to 54.7 cubic feet.
Pop open the hood, and you'll find a small front trunk or frunk.
The GV60's frunk is only 0.71 cubic feet in size. So you won't be able to put much in it besides some emergency supplies or light shopping.
The Genesis is equipped with a whole suite of advanced safety features.
Some of the GV60's safety tech includes forward collision avoidance assist, lane keep assist, lane following assist, driver attention warning, blind spot collision avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, parking collision avoidance assist, safe exit assist, and advanced rear occupant alert.
My Verdict: Genesis built one heck of a stylish, fast and luxurious EV.
Genesis is a brand that's really beginning to make a name for itself in the luxury space. With the growing importance of premium EVs in the marketplace, it is key for every luxury brand to have one.
With the GV60, Genesis certainly does.
Despite a higher price tag than I would like for the range it delivers, Genesis has a winner on its hands.
I found the Genesis GV60 to be an absolute delight. It looks cool, delivers an incredibly comfortable driving experience, and is packed with amazing tech.
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