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First drive: 2023 Genesis GV60 Sport Plus. Image by Genesis.

First drive: 2023 Genesis GV60 Sport Plus
Genesis’ smallest SUV has been updated with more tech and luxury, but does that keep it at the head of the field?

   



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2023 Genesis GV60 Sport Plus

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Genesis has given its already impressive GV60 electric SUV the lightest of updates for 2023, adding some more tech to the newcomer's arsenal. But are the new additions merely gimmicks, or do they make a genuine difference to the ownership experience? We tested a top-of-the-range Sport Plus version to find out.

Test Car Specifications

Model: 2023 Genesis GV60 Sport Plus
Price: From £67,505
Engine: two electric motors
Battery: 77.4kWh lithium-ion
Transmission: single-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
Power: 490hp
Torque: 700Nm
Emissions: 0g/km
Range: 290 miles
0-62mph: 4.0 seconds
Top speed: 146mph
Boot space: 432 litres

Styling

The new GV60 doesn't look all that different from its predecessor, but the more eagle-eyed reader might spot a small change to the B-pillar, where Genesis has added a small integrated panel. Like the man in the gabardine suit's bow tie, it's really a camera, and it allows you to open the GV60 using nothing but your face. There's no need to have the key on your person whatsoever. Once the car is programmed to recognise you, simply press the door handle to activate the camera and peer at the B-pillar. The red circle turns green and the door opens. It's impressive tech and it isn't hoodwinked by vaguely similar-looking motoring journalists. We haven't tested it yet with identical twins, though...

Interior

As with the GV60's exterior, interior changes are subtle. Most of the tweaks are, in fact, merely upgrades to the standard equipment, with heated and ventilated front seats now standard across the range, along with blinds in the rear doors and an 18-way electrically adjustable massage seat for the driver. There's an electrically adjustable steering column, too, and a heated steering wheel.

Other than that, though, there isn't much else that's new. You get the same clean and minimalist design with two massive screens, both of which are clear, sharp and easy to read. The menus in the infotainment screen are logical, too, and the choice of controlling the screen by touch or with the rotary controller in the centre console is a neat addition.

Similarly, the new GV60 has the same solid build quality as its predecessor, with some great materials all stuck together beautifully. We still aren't completely sold on the gimmicky gear selector or the digital door mirrors, though. At least you can avoid the latter issue by choosing a lesser version of the GV60.

But while the GV60's cabin is mostly the same as before, there is one fairly serious change. It's a small pad on the centre console, about the size of a small coin, and it's an extension of the facial recognition tech seen on the outside. It is, in fact, a fingerprint scanner, and you can use that to start the car once you're in. No need for any key at all, as long as the car recognises your fingerprint. Again, it's designed for people who are into sports or other activities that make keys inconvenient.

Practicality

With no differences to the GV60's bodywork, the new model is just as practical as its predecessor, benefitting from a sensibly sized 432-litre boot. That makes it a bit smaller than the luggage bay in the BMW iX1, but it's still a useful size and it's supplemented by a 20-litre 'frunk'. But if you choose the rear-wheel-drive Premium version, that frunk grows quite substantially.

Inside, meanwhile, the GV60 has sufficient space for four adults, with acceptable headroom in the back and ample legroom, although it isn't the most spacious car in the class. Still, it feels light and airy, although the visibility is so-so and the Sport Plus version's digital door mirrors don't help as much as the conventional units fitted to lowlier models.

Performance

Although there are differences in specification between the different versions of GV60, the key difference is the powertrain. Basic Premium models get a 229hp rear-mounted electric motor, while the Sport gets two motors (one at each end) to provide 320hp and all-wheel drive. This Sport Plus version, meanwhile, has 490hp and all-wheel drive, while there's also a boost button to offer maximum power for a 10-second burst. With all that, the Sport Plus can get from 0-62mph in just four startling seconds, before it whirrs on to a top speed of 146mph.

However, it pays a slight penalty when it comes to range. Every GV60 comes with much the same 77.4kWh lithium-ion battery, but where the Premium can eke 321 miles of range on the official economy test, the Sport manages 292 miles and the Sport Plus drops further to 292 miles. The GV60 can, however, be charged at up to 240kW, which means you can get from 10 to 80 per cent in just 18 minutes, assuming you can find a charger fast enough to cope.

Ride & Handling

With a name like Sport Plus and a 490hp power output, Genesis has understandably tried to give the range-topping GV60 some sporting intent. And in many ways, it has succeeded. Despite technically being an SUV, the GV60 doesn't feel wallowy or limp through the bends. Instead, the batteries in the floor make it feel quite nimble and stiff, while the low centre of gravity ensures there isn't too much body roll.

Admittedly, the steering is a bit numb, and the 'drift' mode Genesis has fitted doesn't really work, but the biggest issue with the Sport Plus model is the ride. Because the Sport Plus rides on bigger alloys than the basic Premium and carries less weight, it rides more stiffly and uncompromisingly over imperfections in the road. The Premium model isn't perfect, but it does have a bit more compliance on broken surfaces and it's slightly less prone to thumping into potholes.

Value

Although Genesis has added a considerable amount of tech to the GV60’s standard equipment list, the company has also upped the price quite noticeably. The cheapest GV60 – the Premium – now starts at £53,905, which makes it roughly the same price as the BMW iX1 and just £1,000 cheaper than the Mercedes-Benz EQA. While the Genesis can hold its own in such upmarket company, some customers will unquestionably prefer to spend their money on a more established and well-known badge.

And when this range-topping (and less comfortable) Sport Plus version comes in at more than £67,500, Genesis seems to have lost any real value appeal.

Verdict

The changes to the GV60 have made it easier to live with, particularly if you choose the basic Premium version, which we think is the one to go for. The facial recognition and fingerprint scanning tech will all be a boon for those who don't like carrying bulky and distinctly un-waterproof keys, while everyone will benefit from the extra kit. Of course, these are relatively small differences compared with the 2022 car, and both are great electric SUVs, but the new model is a small step forward on Genesis' path to premium competitiveness.



James Fossdyke - 30 May 2023



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2023 Genesis GV60 Sport Plus. Image by Genesis.2023 Genesis GV60 Sport Plus. Image by Genesis.2023 Genesis GV60 Sport Plus. Image by Genesis.2023 Genesis GV60 Sport Plus. Image by Genesis.2023 Genesis GV60 Sport Plus. Image by Genesis.

2023 Genesis GV60 Sport Plus. Image by Genesis.2023 Genesis GV60 Sport Plus. Image by Genesis.2023 Genesis GV60 Sport Plus. Image by Genesis.2023 Genesis GV60 Sport Plus. Image by Genesis.







 

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