Initially, there was the Hyundai Genesis, the first attempt of the Korean automaker to create a high-quality sedan. Today, Genesis is an independent luxury brand with a rapidly growing portfolio of sedans and SUVs.
Latest addition: GV60, an all-electric SUV It could make Tesla buyers think twice about buying a Model Y. To get a good feel for the 2023 Genesis GV60, GearJunkie headed to Hollywood for the first drive.
This is turning out to be a big year for electric car buyers, as the number of battery electric vehicles in US showrooms is expected to triple. Suddenly, those who saw Tesla Because the only option they have reason to reconsider. Few of the new models we tested are a better alternative than the 2023 Genesis GV60.
While it’s not the fastest or longest-range model in the compact SUV segment, it has a lot to offer, including good performance, handling, and handling, as well as a distinctive exterior and a truly luxurious and elegant interior.
It’s worth a closer look by those who may have been considering the Model Y – or one of the other new luxury crossovers, like the Polestar 2, Volvo C40 recharge, Or a Cadillac Lyriq.
The GV60 also offers a variety of high-tech features, from facial and fingerprint recognition systems that let you drive without a key. The South Korean automaker’s biggest challenge, the GV60, is the lack of brand awareness that deserves more attention.
Genesis Genesis
Longtime luxury car aficionados may remember that the Genesis badge debuted on Hyundai’s mid-size model in 2009. It was a shocking turnaround for a brand that had long focused on small economy cars — and won a number of Awardsand, among others, North American Car of the Year (NACTOY).
The Korean automaker then launched Genesis as a stand-alone brand, with the original GV90 debuting in 2017. Since then, the luxury brand has introduced a series of well-received new models, including the GV70 sedan Another NACTOY win in 2019.
Like mainstream Hyundai, Genesis has developed a robust electrification program. It started with the electrified G80 sedan and electrified GV70 SUV. Both are modified versions of current gas models.
On the other hand, the GV60 is a land EV. It rides on the same architecture as the E-GMP, a skateboard-like platform that will be used for future Genesis battery-powered electric vehicles (and shared with products like the new Hyundai Ioniq 5 And Kia EV6).
GV60 . Powertrain
The platform mounts its electric powertrain below the loading floor, and with the GV60, buyers have several powertrain options. Outside, there’s a single-motor rear-wheel drive model mounted on the rear axle, producing 225 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.
However, for the US, all models will start with two-motor all-wheel drive in the Advanced package, making 314 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque.
The version I’ve had my day in, the Genesis GV60 Performance Package, is the real contender, at least from a pleasure-to-drive perspective. Its twin engines produce 429 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque.
But if you need a little extra power, you can hit the boost button and get an extra boost of power, bumping the numbers up to 483 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque for 10 seconds at a time.
No, you won’t blow up your Tesla Model Y when the light turns green, but in 4 seconds from 0 to 60 mph, you won’t embarrass yourself either. The power comes instantly, as you’d expect from a modern, battery-powered electric vehicle.
The GV60 engines continue to power up to highway speeds. Even then, you’ll find yourself sinking deep into your seat when you hit the gas pedal to pass at high speed.
1- Pedal mode
The GV60 also offers one of my favorite EV features: 1-Pedal mode.
Battery powered vehicles, whether conventional hybrids, PHEVs or BEVs, use regenerative braking to recover energy normally lost during braking and bending. Raise the recovery and it will look like shifting a manual transmission in a gas model.
In many cases, you simply have to adjust the throttle to flush with the traffic or slow down when cornering, and often one pedal allows you to come to a complete stop without having to touch the brake pedal.
The feature proved especially welcome when I headed north on crowded US 101 outside of Los Angeles, bound for the coast on a series of winding valley roads.
Genesis GV60 . Steering Wheel
The GV60’s impressive suspension and steering also proved to be most welcome in my driving. I stayed with the rest mode on the highway, with the active suspension perfectly absorbing the bumps along the road.
The crossover features a MacPherson front, multi-link rear suspension but adds an electronic control system preview. Both the front camera and the onboard navigation system automatically adjust the vehicle’s variable damping to prepare for things like speed bumps and potholes, with amazing results.
Shifting to Sport has tightened up both the steering and suspension—while avoiding the rigors that many SUVs experience when switching to Sport. However, the crossover has bottomed, significantly reducing body roll in corners and allowing me to take those turns a little faster.
In the meantime, the GV60’s steering has proven accurate and predictable, with a good level of road that feels free from squeaky bumps.
Boost mode added to the fun, allowing me to bump up the performance for a while whenever I came on the spot.
Distinguished but polarizing design
The fun factor alone would make the GV60 worth considering, but there’s a lot to like. The design is a really standout – although it’s also a bit polarizing. The crossover picks up some familiar Genesis cues, including the quad headlights and taillights, as well as the distinctive Crest grille.
Here, however, it is mainly about appearance, since there is no need to send cold air under the hood. However, small inlets from the bumper send air to the battery pack and motors for cooling.
One disappointment: no locker, or trunk front. The Genesis product development team claims that they chose a short nose on which they installed the GV60’s electronic controls and a collision energy absorption system. However, I really wanted a small storage box for additional locked storage.
There is an upside to this trade-off. The GV60’s compact footprint hides a mid-size cabin. The rear seats offer plenty of legroom, shoulders, and height.
‘Digital Warm’ Interior Design
The cabin is also class-leading, with plenty of high-end details, including “vegan” recycled leather surfaces. The designers chose a “warm digital” theme, and there are a lot of high-tech, as well as high-touch features. This includes a dual widescreen display that extends two-thirds of the way across the instrument panel.
The voice control system is among the best I’ve tested, making it easy to operate the controls and program destinations. There is also a small third digital display just above the center console for climate functions. And the GV60 gets a real volume knob.
The most funny feature is the “crystal ball”, a sci-fi-like sphere that dominates the center console. The laser-engraved ball lights up when it enters the GV60 and then rolls to reveal the crossover transmission. It also changes color tones when gearing. Another unusual detail is the drawer-shaped glove box, which actually proves easier to use than the traditional design.
The technology used in the GV60 is extensive, with a wide range of advanced driver assistance systems aimed at preventing collisions and easing the burden of driving, whether in heavy traffic or on long journeys.
The crossover also features what is known as vehicle-to-load, or V2L, capabilities. Normally, you can easily make use of its battery to power gadgets or, if you want to, power things like a TV or a device. cooler during the tail.
In some cases, it’s hard to say what a gimmick or feature is really useful. The GV60 can be programmed to recognize the faces of certified drivers using a camera built into the left B-pillar.
The driver’s door will open, and then you can use the fingerprint detector near the crystal ball to start the car. This allows you to drive without a key – although you can achieve the same goal with the Genesis GV60 smartphone app.
GV60 . electric range
As for range, the 2023 Genesis GV60 falls roughly in the middle of the pack among EVs coming to market this year, but well behind the Tesla Model Y. It peaks at 248 miles for the base all-wheel drive model, and the performance package dips slightly to 235 miles per charge.
An 800V electrical system is used in the E-GMP platform (compared to 400V for most competitors). This helps speed up the charging process, as the GV60 goes from 10% to 80% of its state of charge in less than 18 minutes using a 350 kW universal charger. Using a typical 240V home charger requires 7 hours to reach 100%.
Prices for 2023 GV60
Pricing is $58,890 for the Advanced package and $67,890 for the Performance package — before adding $1,090 in delivery fees. Both models are fully equipped. There are no options.
The GV60 also gives buyers 3 years of free 30-minute charging sessions at Electrify America charging stations.
2023 Genesis GV60 Review
Having had a day in a Genesis GV60 in 2023, I came away very impressed. Although it may not have the performance or range of a Tesla Model Y, it is still fast and offers more than the acceptable range.
Most importantly, it’s a true luxury car with a distinctive look, which I’ve found, has plenty of Tesla drivers checking out the GV60. It’s more luxurious on the inside and while it doesn’t match Tesla’s autopilot, it offers plenty of other useful tech.
At this point, when some people are starting to talk about “Tesla fatigue,” there seem to be opportunities for solid alternatives. Obviously, the Genesis GV60 2023 qualifies.
To learn more about the GV60 and the latest Genesis vehicles, check it out Genesis.com.
