Review of Genesis GV60 finds one of the best EVs you can buy

Genesis may be an unknown brand to many, but the luxury offshoot from Hyundai has developed a cracking EV with the GV60.

Flared wings on the badge drew a crowd.

Crooked necks, longing stares and intrigue followed the Genesis GV60 throughout its travels.

Some confused the badge with Bentley. Alas it was a luxury car, but the prestige arm of Hyundai which has been around since a large sedan was launched in 2014.

Initially in some Hyundai dealerships, then stand-alone offerings, Genesis now has “studios” in Sydney, Melbourne and Southport, along with test drive centres in metro areas. But for those with genuine buying intentions, they may bring the car to you.

The GV60 is among a trio of new electric vehicles recently arrived from Genesis. Our family sampled the compact SUV, and given the rapidly growing interest in EVs, with the experience proving this is certainly worthy of consideration lists.

Genesis’ compact SUV, the GV60 AWD.

WHAT WERE YOUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS?

KEL: This is the definition of chic. Akin to a modern inner city wellness centre, the GV60 looks uber prestige inside and out.

GRANT: Wearing a “mint” paint job, combined with a white, grey, aluminium and copper colour scheme inside it’s what the kids nowadays are calling “fresh”.

KEL: Collectively I thought it was brilliant. It attracted a lot of attention and my friends agreed … especially the retractable door handles, cameras instead of side mirrors and the console ball which lit up every entry.

GRANT: That’s what Genesis calls the “Crystal Sphere”. It doubles as the mood lighting, but when the driver presses start it flips over to reveal the rotary dial gear shifter.

The funky “Crystal Sphere” in the Genesis GV60.

KEL: Some will call it a gimmick. I never tired of seeing it, or showing people.

GRANT: Equipment levels are impressive, soft leather trim, heated and ventilated front seats, wireless phone charging, twin 12.3-inch screens (one for infotainment and the other for the driver), power tailgate and a sunroof. There are two versions, we sampled the Luxury version which comes to about $113,000 drive-away – the Performance model, which bolsters outputs to 320kW/ 700Nm, is about $8k more.

KEL: Having driven the latest EVs from BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz recently, I thought the Genesis would be more expensive.

GRANT: Looking at it objectively I would agree, although many people still commented “that’s a lot for a Hyundai”.

Check out the small screens on both front doors in the Genesis GV60, which replace side mirrors.

WHAT DID YOU LIKE?

KEL: Excellent storage options were my highlight. The area at the base of the dash which is great for handbags, cup holders also suitable for bottles and a compartment perfect to hide phones. For me the daily convenience was spot-on.

GRANT: Part of that comes courtesy of using the same platform as the Hyundai Ioniq and Kia’s EV6, its architecture dedicated to an EV rather than shoehorning electric infrastructure into a combustion engine structure.

KEL: You said it was a compact SUV, but in terms of size and space it felt big on the inside but not when you were trying to park.

GRANT: One highway trip we fit three boys across the back seat, two pushing 170cm. Rear aircon vents are on the side pillars rather than behind the console.

KEL: About 10 full grocery bags fit in the boot. I haven’t had the same success with other small SUVs.

GRANT: More than 430 litres of space is good for the SUV size, while surfboards were also accommodated with split-folding rear seats.

Boot space in the Genesis GV60 expands to more than 1400L with the seats down.

WHAT DIDN’T YOU LIKE?

KEL: Using the charger in a standard household power point, the connection seemed to be loose and we often had a charging error.

GRANT: It was frustrating, but using a public charging station there wasn’t the same problem. Using a standard 10-amp household plug means a long charge, about 34 hours from near empty to 80 per cent. Find a fast charger and it can add about 300km in less than 18 minutes.

KEL: The range of about 470km is good, although I’m still worried about having enough charge in emergencies along with having access to faster chargers.

GRANT: Genesis does come with free servicing for five years, and the choice of installing a wallcharger at your home for no cost or taking a Fox charging station subscrption for five years.

Kel and Grant Edwards.

HOW WAS THE DRIVE?

KEL: Typical electric performance, it was fast off the line and quick enough that I wouldn’t consider the Performance version.

GRANT: Our Luxury model achieved the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.5 seconds. The more athletic model can do the job in four using a boost mode. Big 20-inch wheels offer ample grip for responsive cornering.

KEL: Becoming accustomed to door-mounted screens that replace the side mirrors took some time, but once familiar the change was fine – you just needed to be aware objects were closer than they appeared and it wasn’t in proportion to the rear view camera.

GRANT: The ride can be firm, and you’ll feel the bumps on occasions, while it can also feel its 2610kg weight when you quickly change direction.

The Genesis GV60 AWD Performance.

WOULD YOU BUY ONE?

KEL: Without doubt if I was in the market for an EV and had that kind of money to spend. Everything was so easy and I loved the aesthetics.

GRANT: Not only is it the most convincing EV we’ve seen from Genesis, but also one of the best from all manufacturers. The new EV6 GT from Kia is bigger and faster for similar, but the GV60 has prestige proportions and that flashy crystal ball.