Genesis GV60 review finds ‘perfection’ from on critic

Despite struggling for recognition in Australia, Genesis produces a brilliant little EV in the GV60

Discerning luxury buyers should expand their vision in the current market.

Figures show the prestige sector has been in decline this year despite overall sales setting record benchmarks.

Genesis is a high-end brand which continues to fly under the radar. Never heard of it? It’s akin to the Toyota and Lexus arrangement, albeit with Hyundai its parent company.

The brand has been in Australia for a decade but is yet to unsettle the big guns like Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, BMW or Audi.

One machine looking to put the brand on the luxury map is the all-electric GV60 which has impressive lineage, sharing its platform with the Hyundai Ionic 5 and Kia’s EV6. It also comes with some of the highest praise in the industry – having been awarded the JD Power award for top premium compact SUV for performance and layout.

At least $100,000 is needed to have a GV60 in the driveway, but throw in the Performance variant that comes with more firepower and you’ll need about $120,000 once on-roads are covered.

Inside the Genesis GV60 Performance variant with the black interior colour option.

What do you get?

Riding on 21-inch alloys with pumped-up wheel arches, the GV60 cuts a robust figure standing still.

Looking like a first-class lounge inside, the high-end feel comes courtesy of quilted leather trim, 12.3-inch central touchscreen, heated and ventilated front seats (driver has massage function), heated outboard rear seats, 17-speaker Bang and Olufsen stereo with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charger, digital driver instruments as well as a head-up display.

Genesis offers free charging at Australian Chargefox facilities for five years or there is the option of a complimentary 7.2kW 32-amp single phase charger installed at your home.

Tech-savvy, the GV60 can accept over-the-air software updates which can add new features and functions remotely. It can even use face recognition to open the car and start with a fingerprint.

Warranty coverage is five years and unlimited kilometres, but the big inclusion is free servicing. Depending on your location Genesis will also pick up and return the vehicle for the maintenance.

The primary issue is the only two Genesis locations in Queensland are at the Gold Coast and Brisbane.

Genesis has also armed it with fast-charging functionality so it can replenish the battery quicker than most EVs. Use a rapid charger and it can add a few hundred kilometres of range in less than 20 minutes.

The Genesis GV60 Performance variant.

How was the drive?

Base variants are typically punchy, like just about all electric offerings, but the GV60 Performance models can be particularly savage.

Featuring a “boost” button on the steering wheel, it can push the compact SUV from pedestrian to downright insane with one press.

Upgrading to the Performance version is an additional $7000, bolstering power to 360kW from 234kW, while torque rises by 95Nm to 700Nm. That reduces the 0-100km/h time from 5.5 seconds to four flat.

Motors on each axle provide all-wheel drive motivation and it handles corners without hesitation.

While not a dynamic leader in terms of overall prowess, it performs better than most compact SUVs and the boost button certainly provides a crazy element of straight line speed.

Our test returned energy consumption of just over 19kWh per 100km – that’s the same as the official figure from Genesis.

The tapered roofline does rob headroom for those in the back seat, although the cabin feels much larger than the dimensions dictate. Dropping the seats provided enough space for an adult-size bike without removing any wheels.

One cool feature is the crystal sphere in the console. When you enter it provides ambient lighting but when the car is turned on the sphere rotates to become the gear selector.

The Genesis crystal sphere that features in the Genesis GV60.

The Genesis GV60 Performance variant.

Would you buy one?

Kel: Without doubt I’d own a GV60. We’ve driven some great EVs in recent times, but I continually come back to this SUV for style and performance. My preference is the mint exterior, combined with the white and ash grey interior that features gold highlights. I could deal with the standard model as I have no need for the boost, it’s pretty much my perfect EV.

Grant: The fit, finish and overall ownership benefits of a Genesis are alluring. Loaded with kit, the GV60 is an awesome SUV which feels much bigger than most others in the “compact” category. At more than $120k it does come up against some tough competition, including its brethren in the Hyundai Ionic 5N and close cousin, the Kia EV6 GT – although those are both performance focused while the GV60 walks the luxury line. Cool styling ensure it stands out from the crowd, combine that with the running-cost appeal and it’s a brilliant package.

Originally published as Genesis GV60 review finds ‘perfection’ from on critic