2023 Genesis GV60 First Drive Review: Keep EVs Weird

There is no better place for the 2023 Genesis GV60 launch than Austin, Texas.

The “keep Austin weird” vibe is inescapable. Change is in the air, too. Heck, Genesis has the assembled auto journos all start our journey on Electric Drive, a charger-lined bit of road right beside the old power plant.

As Genesis’ first fully electric model, the GV60 needs to make a statement. And make one it does. Call it a crossover, call it a hatchback—whatever it is, the GV60 is a style-forward personal luxury vehicle that sits on the cutting edge while avoiding easy classification.

At the debut of the brand’s first SUV, the GV80 in 2020, company PR man Jarred Pellat told AutoGuide that Genesis would be skipping right over hybrid or plug-in models and going straight to full electrification. Not even two years later, the GV60 is the first result.

If you thought Genesis’ twin-line motif was going to result in the typical same-sausage, different-length styling found in its German competitions’ lineups, hoo boy. The GV60 is unabashedly weird, with a shape that further blurs the lines between hatchback and crossover. The brand’s shield grille takes up residence low in the front fascia, and most of it is just for show—there’s no need for a ton of cooling air when there’s no engine to gulp it down. Move around the side and you’ll find plastic cladding that suggests the GV60 might occasionally dabble in the dirt. Just don’t go too far, since the GV60 boasts less than 6.5 inches of ground clearance.

The pinched roofline tapers down into a substantial gloss-black spoiler. Below it, the GV60’s taillights fan out, mimicking the winged Genesis logo. Connecting the rear and side glasses is a lightning bolt-shaped chrome garnish, mighty appropriate for Genesis’ EV debut. Kaleidoscopic 21-inch wheel designs—”Technical Deconstruction 5-Spoke” in Genesis-speak—round out a package that looks like it rolled off an autoshow plinth. There’s enough hints of the 2018 Mint concept to make that more than lip service, and in typical Genesis fashion, there’s a host of actual colors to choose from. We saw a dozen, including new additions like Sao Paulo Lime, Hanauma Mint, and Atacama Copper.

While the GV60 might be Genesis’ first dedicated EV, the platform underpinning it is becoming increasingly familiar. The E-GMP architecture underpins both the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6, and all three share a 77.4-kWh battery pack. Unlike those two, the GV60 is all-wheel drive only, with the 74-kW front motor (100 hp) and 160-kW (215 hp) rear motor serving as the point of entry here, whereas that’s the top-shelf spec for its siblings (at least until the EV6 GT). Genesis also offers a model with two 160-kW motors, resulting in 429 hp. That’s the only setup available for us to drive during the event.

The GV60’s style-first ethos continues inside the cabin. Everywhere you look, a simple lozenge shape dominates: the air vent design, climate control panel, Bang & Olufsen speakers, and more. Genesis interiors play with texture, and the GV60 does the same with a renewed focus on eco-friendly materials. The artificial leather is made via corn extracts, for example, while PET bottles are used to craft the suede-like material that covers much of the doors and headliner. If you didn’t tell a passenger, they’d be hard-pressed to know these weren’t the real thing. My shiny red tester came with the decidedly pedestrian black interior, but a sweet navy and neon-lime design is available on the top Performance trim. The subtle texture of the metal trim encourages passengers to reach out and touch it.

Special shoutout to the fighter jet grip-like mirror controls. Genesis could have phoned this part of the interior in, but has crafted an eye-catching detail that’s as interesting to look at as it is satisfying to use. Twist the knurled surround to select which mirror to adjust, then use the arrows.

With a flat floor and long, 114.2-inch (2,900-millimeter) wheelbase, the GV60 has interior measurements that rival its larger GV70 brother, despite being 7.9 inches (199 mm) stubbier. Legroom is actually slightly better in both rows, at 42.3 inches (1,075 mm) up front and 37.6 inches (954 mm) in the rear. With the glass roof, headroom figures are 39.0 and 38.1 inches (990 and 967 mm), respectively; again around the GV70, though behind the Tesla Model Y.

With a low seating position, even those above six-foot should be able to get comfortable in either row. The driver gets to enjoy Genesis’ Ergo Motion seat as well, which subtly adjusts via seven internal airbags for increased support. The GV60 also employs the Relaxation Seat found in the Ioniq 5, which reclines the driver’s seat and extends its footrest for a comfy nap layout.

Trunk space is a useful 24.0 cubic feet (680 liters), which expands to 54.7 cubes (1,550 L) with the second row folded flat. All GV60s are rated to 2,000 lb of towing capacity.

A pair of 12.3-inch screens make up the main show in the GV60, running an updated version of the brand’s user interface. The graphics are sharp and the responses quick. That said, the cutting edge feel is dulled by Genesis continuing to not offer wireless phone mirroring. Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto require a cord, which makes for an unsightly bridge across the floating center console. At least all the ports are USB-C now.

With each new model, Genesis has tweaked the center console controls. First there was the classic iPad-like click wheel in the GV80, then a rotary dial all too similar to the drive selector in the GV70. For GV60, Genesis has ratcheted up the theatrics with the Crystal Sphere. The cool design rotates away while the car is powered down, only revealing itself when the GV60 is ready to go. Prepare to wow passengers with this.

Far more contentious features are the fingerprint scanner and facial recognition. To demonstrate both, Genesis had all journalists register faces and digits with their respective cars, then took away the keys. The rest of the drive event, we unlocked and locked our phones much like a modern smartphone. It worked without issue, with the same roll-your-finger setup as an iPhone. Crucially, the data is never beamed out of the car, staying local only. Nonetheless, it feels gimmicky, is more cumbersome than the usual approach, and is likely affected by poor weather—we’ll have to test the latter to know for sure.

Like the other E-GMP cars, the GV60 allows for vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality. Using either the charge port or a second outlet under the second row, owners can charge accessories directly from the car itself, setting state of charge thresholds that automatically end charging as well.

How often does this happen: the smallest model in a brand’s lineup also happens to be the quickest? That’s the case with the GV60, specifically in the Performance trim I drove. The pair of 160-kW electric motors translates to 429 hp and 446 lb-ft heading to the tarmac via all four contact patches. The way the GV60 surges around dawdling country traffic or up steep hills is addictive.

The selectable drive modes make a big impact on accelerator mapping. Normal is fine for everyday use, while Eco dulls responses. Sport gets the GV60 up on its toes, eager to burst forward in an instant. Want more? Poke that bright yellow Boost button on the wheel and outputs raise to 483 hp and 516 lb-ft. It only lasts 10 seconds, but unlike the similar feature in the Kona N, this one has no cooldown time. A Genesis spokesperson confirms that yes, you could drive around in Boost mode at all times. That’d further eat into the car’s range however: at 235 miles (378 km) in this trim, it’s already only average, if not slightly below. The lower-powered model is good for a slightly better 248 miles (399 km).

Even on the 21-inch wheels, the GV60 is remarkably composed on rough surfaces. It’s quiet too, with active noise cancellation sending opposing sound waves into the cabin. Forget the talk of this being a crossover: like the other E-GMP cars, it drives like a car, a slightly taller one at that. There’s a unique personality here, however, more distinctly sporty and playful than either the Ioniq 5 or EV6. The super-long wheelbase keeps the GV60 secure through the corners, with a flat cornering stance building confidence. There’s not a lot of feel through the right-sized steering wheel, but that’s par for the course these days.

The GV60 offers multiple regenerative braking settings. The lighter setups do a good job feeling natural for those used to an ICE car. This writer prefers the maximum i-Pedal setting, a one-pedal approach that can bring the car to a stop at the lights.

New for GV60 is a dedicated drift mode. Since the drive was on public roads, Genesis didn’t even tell us how to activate it. I found out how—switch to Sport mode, fully deactivate traction control, and hold both regen brake paddles for three seconds—but can’t tell you how it works. I do know that the selectable drive sounds, specifically the throatier G Motor options, probably pair nicely with it …

Genesis is proud to tout its complete lineup of driver assists is standard on every GV60. This includes your usual features, like automated emergency braking, lane keep assist, safe exit assist, auto high beams, road sign recognition, rear cross-traffic alert, and proximity sensors. On top of that, the GV60 has a high-res 360-degree camera, the clever Blind-Spot View Monitor, remote parking assist, and the smooth Highway Driving Assist full-range adaptive cruise control. Genesis will also offer a five year Connected Services plan with all GV60s, allowing owners to check and set numerous features via their phone.

With its ultra-quick 800-volt architecture, the GV60 is capable of charging from 10 to 80 percent in as little as 18 minutes when hooked to a rare 350 kW source. Even a 50 kW charger will do the deed in an hour. Level two charging from 10 percent to full is around 8 hours.

Genesis is keeping GV60 pricing super simple. Just two trims will be available at launch: Advanced and Performance. The former comes well-stocked, with heated seats all ’round, the “Vision Roof” glass roof, V2L charging capability, a five year connected services trial, Nappa leather, 20-inch alloys, and the fingerprint/face recognition system. The full suite of driver assists is also standard. It lists at the all-inclusive price of $59,980 ($71,000 CAD).

Graduate to the Performance, and in addition to the more powerful front motor, you’ll find an electronically adjustable suspension, surround-view monitor, 21-inch alloys, B&O sound system, and a whole lot more. Genesis asks for $9,000 ($8,000 CAD) more than the Advanced here, which isn’t bad for the significant bump in power and equipment it represents. For reference, the Volvo C40 lists for a few grand less, but can’t lay claim to as many features.

The 2023 Genesis GV60 is a delightfully quirky little package. Its concept car looks, spacious cabin, and refined yet fun driving experience more than make up for merely okay range.

As EVs continue to represent more and more of the new car market, there’s an important role for models that look and feel like the ICE cars they replace. I drove one just last week and very much liked it. But there’s also room for experimentation. A trip off the beaten path. A little weird—and a little wonderful.