The 2023 Genesis GV60 is all-new and is the first electric vehicle produced by Hyundai’s upscale brand. This electric SUV checks all the boxes when it comes to performance, driving dynamics, modern styling and up-to-the-minute tech. It enters the electric luxury SUV category as a top contender, giving the likes of Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Tesla and Volvo a run for their money. The only downside is the range of the GV60 (235 to 248 miles, depending on the trim) is less than some rivals.
Base Price: $67,890
As Tested: $69,560
Horsepower: 420
Mileage: 97 MPGe city/82 MPGe highway/90 MPGe combined
For now, the GV60 is tough to get – it’s only available at a select number of dealers in a limited number of states including Washington, California and Arizona. Genesis says availability is “extremely limited.”
The 2023 GV60 has some cutting-edge technology, including fingerprint sensors and facial recognition. The fingerprint authentication system allows drivers to start and drive the car without the key fob. Face Connect recognizes the driver’s face, and settings for the head-up display, driver’s seat, steering wheel, side mirrors, and infotainment settings can be adjusted based on the driver’s customized settings. It can be automatically connected to individual driver profiles. How it works is the driver touches the door handle and shows their face to the camera on the B-pillar. The feature can register two faces. Door handles are electric and they pop out when the driver approaches the car with the key fob. Yep, these features are pretty cool and worked well during my week-long test drive!
The five-passenger GV60 comes in two trims: Advanced and Performance with starting prices of $59,290 and $68,290. All-wheel-drive is standard on both trims. The Advanced trim has a range of 248 miles while the Performance has a range of 235 miles.
There are two powertrains. The Advanced trim has two electric motors, a 74-kW motor in the front and 160-kW in the rear, and a 77.4-kWh battery that make 314 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. The Performance trim’s two electric motors are 160-kW up front and 160-kW in the rear with a 77.4-kWh battery that crank out 420 horses and 516 pound-feet of torque. Use the “boost” setting in this trim and you can boost horsepower to 483 for 10 seconds, propelling the GV60 from zero to 60 mpg in four seconds. Both powertrains have a single speed automatic transmission.
Both set-ups produce plenty of power, swift acceleration, and refined driving dynamics. The GV60 is a blast to drive on twisty backroads, a smooth cruiser on the freeway, and pleasant as a daily driver. Power delivery feels effortless in my aptly named Performance trim tester – passing and merging are a breeze. You can set the regenerative braking to a regular feel or one-pedal braking. The ride is very smooth. Visibility is pretty good all the way around, except for a metal bar across the back window that slightly hampers visibility to the rear.
Fuel efficiency is good for a luxury electric SUV. EPA ratings for my Performance tester are 97 MPGe city and 82 MPGe highway with a combined rating of 90 MPGe. The Advanced trim does a bit better at 103 MPGe city/86 MPGe highway/86 MPGe combined.
Like the Ford F-150 Lightning, the GV60 can be used a mobile power source with vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging so you can use your vehicle’s battery to power things like tools, electronics, appliances or other equipment.
Genesis says the GV60 will charge in about seven hours using a 240-volt (Level 2) outlet. With a DC Fast-Charger (Level 3), the GV60 can go from a 10% charge to 80% charge in only 18 minutes. Charging with a Level 1 charge on a regular 120-volt household plug takes significantly longer – from 34 to 68 hours.
When properly equipped, the GV60 can tow up to 2,000 pounds.
The cabn is luxurious and loaded with tech. One of the first things you’ll notice (after using your finger print or facial recognition to enter the vehicle) is the “crystal sphere” gear selector – it glows and then revolves to reveal the gear selector. Materials are top notch and fit and finish are excellent. Seats in both rows are supportive and comfortable. There’s plenty of room for adults up front, while taller folks in the rear seats may wish for more headroom.
Standard features include remote keyless entry, proximity keyless entry, push-button start, facial and fingerprint recognition, digital key (which lets you lock, unlock and start the vehicle with your smartphone), rearview camera, surround-view camera system, head-up display, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel, 14-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, 12-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, heated and ventilated front seats, 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, infotainment system with 12.3-inch touchscreen, navigation, 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, satellite radio, HD Radio, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Wi-Fi hot spot, wireless device charging, four USB ports, a full-length fixed panoramic glass roof, automatic high-beam headlights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and universal garage-door opener.
Available features include Nappa leather upholstery, massaging driver’s seat, and heated rear seats.
Standard driver assistance technologies include forward and reverse collision warning, forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, stop-and-go adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, blind-spot view monitor, pedestrian and cyclist detection, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, park assist, Safe-exit assist (alerts passengers exiting the vehicles of approaching vehicles), driver-attention monitoring, and rear-seat alert (a reminder to check the backseats for kids or pets before you leave the vehicle.)
There’s a learning curve with the infotainment system but it becomes easy to use with some practice. The large touchscreen looks great with its sharp graphics and responds quickly to voice and touch inputs. There are redundant physical controls on the center stack and steering wheel as well as a rotary knob in front of the gear shift.
Cargo space is about average for the class. There are 24 cubic feet with both rows of seating in place and 54.7 cubes with the second row folded. The small frunk (front trunk) has just one cube, which can be used to stash the charging cable or other small things. A hands-free power liftgate is standard.
The good:
Attractive looks
Quick acceleration and dynamic handling
Smooth, comfortable ride
Upscale interior
Tons of tech including some cutting-edge features
The not-so-good:
Range is less than some rivals
Extremely limited availability
Pricing info:
My tester starts at $67,8890. Uyuni White paint is $575. Delivery fee is $1,095, bringing the grand total to $69,560.
Bottom line:
The first electric vehicle from Genesis is a solid and classy offering from the South Korean automaker. The GV60 enters the luxury EV class as a top contender. It’s a terrific blend of athletic performance, comfort, luxury, and cutting-edge tech. The only drawback for some is that the range is less than some rivals. Otherwise, the GV60 is sure worth consideration.
