Nice Drives: 2024 Genesis GV60 Performance

The New EV features exciting technology and Smooth Riding

By Isaac Bouchard

Genesis’ parent company, the Hyundai Kia Group, is a leader in electric vehicles, offering some of the best in the world.

The GV60 is based on the same E-GMP platform as the award-winning trio of the Hyundai Ioniq5/6 6 and Kia EV6 but shares no sheet metal and little of its interior with them. Its look is a modern, 5-door luxury space pod, with great proportions, discreetly luxurious detailing, and—in the case of the Performance model—complexly facetted 21-inch wheels. Those big rollers (like on all EVs) eat into range, which drops to an EPA-rated 235 for the Performance model. The other AWD offering, the Advance, can go up to 264 miles on 19-inch rims and rubber.

Thankfully, the Genesis’ 800-volt electrical architecture allows ultra-fast recharging; I saw the 77.4-kWh battery go from 10 to 80 percent in only 14 minutes on an Electrify America DC fast charger. Almost no competitors can match those speeds at the price Genesis charges for the GV60, though others, including most Teslas, have a greater range.

The rest of the GV60 is so well designed and drives so well, that it would still be one of my top choices for an EV in its price range. Its combined 483-hp lets hit 60mph in only 3.7 seconds, it is super-quiet and refined, and rides and handles better than most vehicles of its price—gasoline or electric. Note that the normal max horsepower is 429; the extra ponies come when you push the “Boost” button located on the steering wheel spokes. With 516lb-ft of torque it means the GV60 feels sprightly at all times; the Performance’s adaptive suspension combines is smooth riding even in its stiffest setting and the softer mode means it almost glides over most of our state’s awful roads. Steering precision makes placing it easy and the low center of gravity means flat cornering. In many ways, it reminds me of a Porsche Macan, the gold standard of small crossovers.

The Genesis’ cockpit is not as capacious as its Kia and Hyundai platform mates, but it is still roomy and is built of much more touch-worthy materials. Color choices are bold (dark blue with electric-lime stitching for instance) and there are some groovy touches like facial recognition as an alternative to a conventional key and fingerprint ID-based keyless entry.

The most fun though comes when a passenger clocks the backlit crystal hemisphere embedded in the center console flip over to reveal the telephone dial-like shifter. Twin 12.3-inch screens set into a common rectangular plinth of glass convey information clearly while looking classy; the B&O sound system is decent and most tech is very well rendered. Missing is wireless Android and Apple phone integration, though, and the semi-autonomous driving modes take away a bit more control from the driver than I prefer.

Genesis, being an Asian luxury brand, offers excellent after-sales service and a class-leading warranty. It covers the whole vehicle for 5 years or 60,000 miles, and the powertrain for 10 years or 100,000 miles (for the first owner); there is also 3 years or 36,000 miles of free maintenance. Due to supply constraints, the GV60 is only offered in 23 states, including Colorado. For similar money, there is also the option of the GV70 Electrified, which shares its battery and motor with the GV60 and offers a similar range and performance.

EPA Ratings: 235 miles range; 97/82/90MPGe

0-60mph: 3.7sec

Price as tested: $71,320

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Here is what Genesis has to say.

 

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Colorado AvidGolfer Magazine is the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it, publishing eight issues annually and proudly delivering daily content via coloradoavidgolfer.com.

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Isaac Bouchard, Automotive Editor, owns Denver-based Bespoke Autos and can be reached at [email protected]; 303-475-1462