If I have one big complaint about electric cars and their growing popularity, it’s that America’s charging infrastructure could be much better and more reliable. If I have two complaints, it’s that plus the fact that most EVs are too ordinary. I want more weirdness in my life, but I don’t want that weirdness to affect functionality. Genesis must be reading my dream diary because GV60 is completely electric and strangely enjoyable.
If you’re not familiar with the GV60, it’s The first EV from the platform from Genesis, and it shares its courage with Hyundai ioniq 5 and KIA EV6. Like those cars, the GV60 is a compact crossover with a range of about 250 miles. Unlike those cars, the GV60 feels luxurious and has a crystal ball for the gear lever.
The Genesis GV60 2023 has two versions, both with standard four-wheel drive. The base Advanced AWD version offers 314 hp with a range of 248 miles; Performance AWD produces a very powerful 429 horsepower with a range of 235 miles. My test car was the second one, which also means it’s fully loaded, which, along with the extra power, results in a slightly lower range. Both versions come with a 77.4 kWh battery capable of using a 350 kW DC fast charger.
That 429 hp figure doesn’t sound like much in a world where electric cars like it clean air or Tesla Plaid there are over 1,000, but in a car the size of the GV60, that feels like more than enough. The driving dynamics of the tiny Genesis EV are excellent, down to the steering wheel-mounted acceleration button that feels both completely complementary and incredibly fun to use as you traverse a clear stretch of road ahead. It’s like driving in a video game.
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The GV60’s suspension offers a light yet comfortable ride, even on the horrid roads of LA, and while it’s not a sports car, it’s surprisingly capable on a canyon road. This exciting driving characteristic is enhanced by variable regenerative braking, which allows you to slow down without overloading your car’s normal braking system. The maximum regen mode allows for single-pedal driving, which I love, especially in traffic.
Genesis’s first dedicated electric vehicle that can be shared e-GMP . platform with Hyundai and Kia, but it takes styling from the higher end of the Genesis line. This means narrow dual-slit front lights and a large shield grille. It also gets dual-slot rear light treatment, which works well here. Of course, given the GV60’s relatively short proportions, it looks less impressive G80 or GV80but anyway I like it.
The inside of the GV60 is one of my favorite interiors in any car on sale today. It uses the relatively open layout of the Hyundai and Kia EV, while adding enough Genesis weirdness to make it interesting. For example, the gear lever is a rotating crystal ball with LED backlighting. The materials used are largely sustainable, with recycled plastic and plant-based leather prominent throughout, but the Performance version’s seating surfaces are genuine Nappa leather, which should last longer. It feels luxurious enough without going too far, which Genesis usually does well.
Interior comfort is generally high, with plenty of room even for larger passengers. I’m 6 feet 4, and I have plenty of head and legroom as a driver and even plenty of room in the back seats without minimal adjustment in the front. Cargo space is reasonable, with 24 cubic feet available behind the rear seats. It’s not big, but the GV60 isn’t big.
As a modern Korean car, the safety and infotainment systems are carefully invested and beautifully finished. The 12.3-inch LCD panel looks very user-friendly and provides all the information you need as a driver without feeling cluttered or cumbersome. Same goes for the high-resolution, widescreen infotainment display, which comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard and is paired (once again as standard) with a complete Bang & Olufsen stereo system. perfect. From a safety point of view, you get all the great hits, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, rear collision avoidance with cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams , Surround View Camera and Genesis Highway Driving Assistance System.
There are also other party tricks up the sleeve of the GV60, most notably in the form of its biometric access system. For example, you can set up a car lock and unlock via facial recognition. This is done using an infrared camera, much like how the iPhone reads your face for FaceID. Once in the car, you can use your fingerprint to start the car, so no keys are required. Furthermore, both systems work very well.
Genesis is one of the very few car companies today that doesn’t make a bad car. Sure, styling may not be your cup of tea, but its combination of features, performance, build quality, and price has historically made the brand easy to recommend to someone buying a car. somewhat luxurious – be it their first premium vehicle or simply an alternative. to one of the European brands.
The GV60 continues this tradition and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a luxury EV with everyday range. With a starting price of $60,385, including a $1,095 destination fee but not including any federal, state, or local incentives, it’s not super cheap, but it’s also nowhere near is the most expensive car in its class.
The biggest downside to the GV60 is that it’s only offered by select Genesis dealers in California, Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York. This means that if you live outside of those regions, you’re out of luck, at least until 2023. I expect Genesis to extend the GV60 to the rest of the country, because it really is. a rad tram and we need more than that.
