Not too long ago, we saw a rush of EVs hit the market seemingly one after another. Now that the dust seems to be settling a bit, we are beginning to get a vision of the good ones. The 2024 Genesis GV60 Performance is one of them: it is a compelling option for those looking for more than a bare-minimum EV for the daily grind, and deserves far more attention than it has received so far.
The GV60 sits below the GV70 and G80 in Genesis’ electric lineup. Unlike those two, it is built on parent company Hyundai’s E-GMP platform, shared with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6. The GV60’s styling is rather interesting — there is a distinct lack of creases and the smooth styling resembles a giant blob. Signature Genesis cues are present, such as the oversized pentagonal grille and split lighting. Overall, the GV60 hides its actual size rather brilliantly.
The GV60’s stylish package extends inside, welcoming you with a beautifully crafted and visually pleasing cabin. The light-up sphere on the centre console acts as a mood lamp when you enter, then flips around and becomes the gear selector once you turn the car on. Two screens atop the dashboard provide the driver with necessary information on an intuitive interface, and we applaud that Genesis designers did not stop there. With plenty of physical switchgear, the overall user experience handily beats the current trend of cramming every feature onto a screen.
We also liked the lengthy features list on our top-of-the-line tester. The Nappa leather seats are silky smooth and quite supportive, and our Performance AWD trim adds a massage function for the driver seat, even though we found the strength to be a bit lacking. The upgraded 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system is excellent in complementing the whisper-quiet ride, and the comprehensive list of driver assists function as-advertised and unobtrusively.
Don’t let the GV60’s deceiving appearance fool you: it has the space of a proper midsize crossover inside. Headroom and legroom is above average in both rows, and the 680-litre trunk is quite accommodating. It can even tow up to 2,000 pounds when equipped with trailer brakes, but keep in mind that if you tow something, your charge will deplete quicker.
The Performance trim adds 115 more horsepower to the base GV60, bringing output to an impressive 429 horsepower. This top-trim also comes with a Boost mode that increases power to 483 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, albeit for 10 seconds. With Boost mode activated, the GV60 sprints from zero to 100 km/h in four seconds flat. Though we did not time it, we can confirm that its acceleration is every bit as thrilling as the numbers suggest.
Behind the wheel, the GV60 once again feels smaller than its size suggests, mainly due to its incredibly responsive steering and planted chassis. The heavy battery making up the GV60’s floor makes it feel more stable during corners, as long as you are mindful of your entrance speed. Much like most other EVs, there is little steering feel to report here, but it is not totally dull. Besides, if you find yourself feeling bored, just apply throttle and your grin will instantly come back.
Genesis estimates range at 371 kilometres for the Performance on a full charge — 21 km less than the base GV60 — but we saw consistently higher estimates on-board. Genesis also says a full charge will take just over seven hours on a Level 2 charger, which is quite convenient at ensuring a full charge every morning. If you are on a time crunch, Genesis says a 10-to-80 per cent charge takes just over an hour on a 50 kW Level 3 fast-charger, or as little as 18 minutes if you can find a 350 kW charger.
The 2024 Genesis GV60 Performance tops out at $80,500 as-tested. It is on par with the Lexus RZ 450e and Volvo XC40 Recharge, but the GV60 offers more performance, premium features, and interior space than both. There is no doubt that more advanced and objectively better EVs will hit the market, but for now, the GV60 is the one that stands out the most.
