2023 Genesis GV60 Performance EV From a Unique Perspective

VEHICLE FRONT

Genesis is getting into the luxury electric vehicle market with their new GV60. The base version has a 314 horsepower output. This is the Performance offering, cranking 429 horsepower, with 483 on tap if the driver presses the right button, which we shall show later.

Photos by Chad Haire

DOOR

If you want to enter the cabin in a "high-tech" way, there is a facial recognition screen located by the outside door. Just put your kisser up to the lens, and this door handle pop open, allowing access.

FINGERPRINT READER

The other high teach feature is located here, between the radio controls. It reads your thumbprint, and if approved, starts the car. All of this gadgetry impresses onlookers, but for daily commuting, we just used the simple old-fashioned key fob to enter and drive off.

GEAR SELECTOR

On the console is a large round glass ball. It does a good job of lighting up the interior when parked. But activate the ignition, and it does a 180-degree turn to pop up an interesting control.

GEAR SELECTOR

Once the car is running, the glass ball turns into a gear shift control. Yes, it's a gimmick to be sure, but it certainly impressed the passengers. It makes a good conversation piece too.

CHARGING

The 314 hp battery has an advertised range of 248 miles. This 429 hp performance battery is listed at 235, which we can verify. Genesis claims the battery can go from 10% to 80% capacity in 18 minutes with potent public 350 KW supercharger. We could not find one nearby that was available, but a 150 KW unit located went from 30% to 80% in about 27 minutes. But be advised public superchargers are not cheap to use. To get 70 miles of juice at our last visit cost us $16. That could buy 5 gallons of gas elsewhere, and get about 200 miles of range on a typical hybrid vehicle. For the best electric car economy, it is best to charge your EV at home.

REAR STORAGE

Like most electric vehicles, there is no spare tire. The rear cargo area has a storage bin for the charging cable and other accessories instead.

FRONT STORAGE

Unlike many EVs, you can actually raise the front hood. There is a small storage bin under there, just under a cubic foot of room. We found it to be a good place to keep our pizza warm!

HEADLIGHTS

You want headlights? You got headlights, with 20 bulbs overall to illuminate the road.

INFO SCREEN

Being a modern car, there are a lot of functions on the infotainment screen. It is not as complicated as it looks.

GLOVE BOX

We are very impressed with the glove box design. Instead of a typical door, the entire assembly slides out like a drawer. Someone at Genesis has great attention to detail!

POWER BOOST

Here is the best feature of the GV60. Press this magic button, and you get a 10-second performance boost from 419 to 483 horsepower. This is enough to propel this GV60 to 60 mph in the claimed 3.7 seconds. So adjusted, it's quick! Too bad there isn't enough time to reach the end of a 1/4 mile strip, as the numbers would be impressive.

POV

If you want a performance car, the combination of power boost, sharp handling, and strong brakes certainly delivers. Yet for daily commuting, this has a plush ride and is very enjoyable, until the 235-mile battery starts to run out of juice. Then the fun is over, and it's time to find a charging station again.

SUV

Since the GV60 has 6 inches of ground clearance and all-wheel drive, Genesis is marketing this as an SUV. Yes, as seen here, we did take it out in the sand. But without a spare tire, it is best left on the pavement.

COST

The base GV60 starts at $59,290. This Performance version is $68,985. We are pleased to see this includes everything, with no options to nickel and dime us to death. This is the way it should be on a top-line luxury machine. Plus as a bonus, the entire vehicle is made in a Korean factory, where quality standards are very high. Overall, even someone who usually isn't impressed with electric cars will likely be so with this one. I sure was.