Test Car Specifications
Model: 2024 Genesis GV60 Premium RWD Single Motor
Price: From £54,105 (£61,115 as tested)
Motor: 168kW electric motor
Transmission: single-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Battery: 77.4kWh lithium-ion battery
Power: 229hp
Torque: 350Nm
Emissions: 0g/km
Range: 321 miles
0-62mph: 7.8 seconds
Top speed: 115mph
Boot space: 432-1,550 litres (plus 20-litre 'frunk')
Styling
Spotting the difference between new and old versions of the GV60 takes some doing, primarily because the brand didn't see any need to modify the car's styling. And why would they bother when the GV60 looks this good? Sure, some might say it's a bit bulbous in places, but we think it's quite a handsome design that feels every inch the premium product.
And now it's a premium product with a very clever feature, because a close look at the B-pillar between the doors will reveal a small panel that hides a camera. It's a face recognition system, and it allows drivers to access the car without using the key. And our slightly crude tests found it works well, which makes it useful for those who'd rather not carry keys around. Particularly for those playing sports or going for a walk in the wilderness.
Interior
As with the exterior, the GV60's cabin hasn't changed much, except for a new button on the centre console. It's a fingerprint recognition system, much like the one on your phone, and it is essentially an extension of the facial recognition system outside, allowing you to start the car without a key. Again, it seems to work pretty well, and it will doubtless come in handy for some, although it's hardly like drivers haven't survived without it for years...
Anyway, there are other differences, too, but most of them are to do with the car's specification, rather than its design. You now get heated and ventilated front seats as standard, which is a nice touch, and more sophisticated driving seat adjustment. You get electric steering wheel adjustment, too, which is another useful addition.
Otherwise, though, it hasn't changed much at all, which means you get the same high-quality interior as before. You get the same materials and quality construction that has made the GV60 a genuine alternative to established premium models, and the well thought-out technology that makes the car so easy to live with.
Practicality
Space in the GV60 is perfectly adequate, rather than particularly awesome, but for something that bridges the gap between a family hatchback and a compact SUV, it isn’t too shabby at all. In fact, considering it’s electric, it’s a pretty roomy thing. There’s plenty of legroom in the back, and the cabin feels very light and airy – particularly in a pale upholstery shade. Admittedly, the black roof lining that comes with the black leatherette upholstery is a bit oppressive for those in the back, but it isn’t desperately problematic. Boot space is sufficient, too, with 432 litres of luggage capacity when all five seats are upright. That’s more than you get from a VW ID.3 or a Volvo C40, but slightly less than you’ll find in the back of an electric XC40.
Performance
This entry-level ‘Premium’ version of the GV60 is, predictably, the least powerful car in the range, with a 229hp electric motor powering the rear wheels. Other versions get a second motor powering the front wheels and therefore offering all-wheel-drive traction, as well as more power, but the Premium pays you back with greater efficiency. In fact, the GV60’s 77.4kWh battery is big enough to take this car 321 miles on the official economy test, and our test drive showed a real-world motorway range of more than 200 miles, even in the depths of winter. On a warm summer’s day, it will likely improve on that.
In short, this rear-drive GV60 is pretty efficient – it’ll do more than 3mi/kWh even with the heater on and heated seats toasting your backside – and it’s more than powerful enough. Yes, the 7.8-second 0-62mph time isn’t exactly incredible, but it’s plenty fast enough. And are you really likely to take it to its top speed of 115mph?
More important, therefore, is the fact it can charge quickly, at speeds of up to 350kW. That means a suitable charger will fill the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in less than 20 minutes, given optimal charging conditions. That’s very useful if you’re trying to cover long distances and you can find a 350kW charger en route, but it’s still handy when you’re looking at a 150kW charger and you know you’ll be able to make use of that power. After all, you’ll probably pay a premium for using it.
Ride & Handling
The GV60 has always driven quite tidily, and the new model is mechanically identical to that of its predecessor, so not much has changed. However, when we drove the latest-generation GV60 last summer, we were in a top-of-the-range model with digital door mirrors and 490hp, as well as big 21-inch alloy wheels. And we found it fast, but a bit of a pain in the backside. Literally.
We're happy to report that while the Premium model, with its smaller 19-inch wheels and less weight, rides a little less scrappily. It isn't perfect, thanks in no small part to the weight of the battery and the dire state of British roads, but it is more pliant than the range-topping versions.
And it's just as much fun to drive. While it may not be as fast as the high-performance model, and it may not have the traction, it still has reasonable body control and just about enough steering feel, so it's pretty handy in the corners. It's no world-beater, but it's easy to have some fun. And, in cold, damp weather, you can have quite a lot of excitement thanks to the rear-drive layout. On dry asphalt, it's as solid as a rock, but when the temperature plummets and the road gets greasy, the back will sometimes try to step out of line. The stability control steps in quickly and imperceptibly to help out, but it can lead to a few eye-opening moments if you're too bolshie in bad weather.
Value
With prices starting from just over £54,000, the GV60 isn't cheap, but then no electric car is. In a world where a Peugeot E-308 hatchback will set you back more than £40,000, and one of the Genesis' most natural competitors, the Volvo C40, costs just under £52,000, the GV60's price tag is competitive, if not especially impressive.
And you get plenty in exchange, with even this basic Premium model getting 19-inch alloy wheels, the face and fingerprint recognition technology, and heated seats in the front and rear. Front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera and two-zone climate control are all standard, too, along with wireless phone charging and ventilated front seats. It's a lot of kit, and we haven't even touched on the digital instrument display, massive touchscreen and very tactile faux leather upholstery. You really don't need to upgrade much unless you're desperate for all-wheel drive and more power.
Verdict
This basic version of the GV60 is, in many ways, the most appealing. Not only does it offer better range than its twin-motor siblings, but it's also more comfortable and no less luxurious. With a few choice options, it becomes a compelling premium electric car with ample space and performance. It's true, the BMW iX1 is better, but if you want something a bit different, the GV60 is well worth a look.
