Hyundai’s new E-GMP platform has already delivered a couple of sensational vehicles with the IONIQ 5 and Kia EV6. So imagine our delight when we heard that Genesis would be applying their own special touch while also adding heaps more power! We got to spend a week with what they came up with – the 2022 Genesis GV60 Performance AWD.
Like its platform-mates, the GV60 brings exterior design that defies convention. The IONIQ 5 is retro cool, the EV6 futuristic and sporty, and the GV60 delivers Genesis’ unique take on luxury that we have come to really appreciate. Our tester is decked out in Hanauma Mint paint, one of 12 available options. Signature Genesis styling cues are here; the big crest shaped front grill, linear headlights and linear taillights. Standing in front of the GV60 really gives off a sense of how wide it is with a giant clamshell hood making a statement. Intricate wheel designs have become a Genesis calling card and these 21-inch black chrome rollers do not disappoint.
After recent stints in the GV80 and G80, we were excited to see what Genesis’ interior design team could do with the unique packaging inherent to EVs. As you may have noticed, EVs have become a sort of playground for designers to get really creative. For the GV60, we have a literal centerpiece – a floating center console housing a Guilloché patterned (remember Spirograph?) crystal sphere.
The crystal projects ambient light and welcomes you into the car before literally transforming into the shifter when it’s powered on. Other notable elements include the glove box that opens like a desk drawer and a beautiful panoramic display accompany Genesis staples. Fancy dials, touch and physical buttons for climate and media controls and a rotary touchpad with handwriting recognition round out an incredible interior.
The bright Ash Gray and Glacier White color scheme of our tester is certainly eye catching, though we’d probably opt for the available Navy or Black interiors for day to day use to negate the constant upkeep it would take to keep the white looking factory fresh.
As we have come to expect from Genesis, the Nappa leather upholstery work is both beautiful to look at and rewarding to touch. The quilted seats are plush and comfortable no matter where you sit though the driver is treated to an 18-way power seat with four-way lumbar, power bolsters, and a relaxation massage mode. It also has an innovative “Smart Posture Care” feature which uses the driver’s height and weight to analyze driving posture and suggesting an ideal seating position to provide the perfect posture.
The Alcantara headliner, pillars and door inserts add another layer of premium touch to the interior; the concave door inserts create a feeling of openness. That width we were talking about with the exterior really shines though in the interior space – the rear seat area feels massive in every direction. With its comfy chairs, spacious cabin and unique style Genesis have created a lounge like feeling. Adding to that feeling is the use of noise reducing glass which enhances the sublime Bang & Olufsen 17-speaker system.
A lounge-like space where you can relax and enjoy the entertainment is especially important in EVs as you may find yourself having to spend some time waiting for the vehicle to charge. With a standard Level 2 charger the GV60’s 77.4-kW battery takes seven hours to fully charge. On a Level 3 at 50-kW it takes 73 minutes to charge from 10% to 80%, or 18 minutes if you can find a charger capable of delivering 350-kW. In our week we averaged 19.8-kWh/100km and found that the range estimate in-dash to be quite accurate giving us a reliable 420 kilometers before having to seek out a charger.
In case you were wondering where the “Performance” trim gleams its name from, it’s primarily in the form of the 160-kilowatt power unit driving the front wheels vs the 74-kilowatt example found in the Advanced. In addition to the 160-kW motor driving the rear wheels, we now have a total 320-kW to play with, or in more familiar terms – 429 horsepower and 446 lb-ft. of torque. In Sport mode the power hits hard, pinning you to the seat as the car propels itself forward like a Japanese bullet train.
If that somehow isn’t enough, the GV60 Performance has one more trick up its sleeve. A little yellow button adorned with the word “Boost” sits on the steering wheel. Pressing it unleashes some extra juice from the 77.4-kWh battery giving 10 seconds of a joyous 483 horsepower and an astonishing 516 lb-ft. of torque. Engaging boost mode is hugely entertaining harkening the “Overboost” and “NOS” buttons of old; good enough to propel the GV60 Performance from 0-100 in four seconds. It’s almost impossible not to giggle like a school girl when it comes to an end.
Immense power notwithstanding, the GV60 is a joy to drive with its supple suspension tuning, electronic diffs, and did we mention the torque? There is a bit of body lean when cornering hard and you can definitely feel torque steer when trying to put all that power down coming out of a corner. These things can be forgiven when considering the GV60’s cruising manners and bevy of modern drive assist features.
While there much to like here it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. It’s almost unforgivable that a car with a face recognition and fingerprint authentication system that can be used in lieu of a key could also be missing wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Furthermore, for a vehicle so packed with content, we found the documentation (both online and hard copy) to be woefully lacking.
Rear visibility is quite poor but this is mitigated somewhat by the excellent blind spot detection and lane change camera systems. Also, like the IONIQ 5 and EV6, the GV60 forgoes a rear wiper which doesn’t help rear visibility in poor weather conditions. While the interior design is excellent, we do wish there was a little less grey plastic which is a little too reminiscent of Dyson vacuum products.
At $71,000 for the Advanced and $79,000 for the Performance these aren’t the EV crossover utility vehicles for the masses we’ve all been waiting for. With truly great EVs being made by traditional auto makers; no longer is Tesla the only game in town. If you ask us, the Hyundai Motor Company may very well be at the front of the pack. The 2022 Genesis GV60 Performance AWD is one of the best vehicles we’ve driven all year, electric or otherwise.
