I think the Genesis GV60 Performance is a dark horse EV – but here’s why you won’t buy one

Introduction

I do like a Genesis. Anything in the range offers luxury, comfort, a zesty driving experience and lots of excellent tech courtesy of those clever Korean boffins. I also can’t believe how long the Genesis GV60 has been around now, having first driven one way back in the summer of 2022. I also had a go in the refreshed version almost a year later. Now, the Genesis GV60 Performance edition has arrived and it’s the best one yet.

This car comes with a high price: well over £70K with all the extras, including an Innovation Plus Pack for £2090 and a Bang & Olufson sound system that costs a sizable £1340. The sunroof is an extra £1180 too. All in, then, the Genesis GV60 Performance is a premium and perhaps rather overpriced bundle of fun.

It’s got loads of power to play with, all-wheel drive, an Electronic Slip Differential and a motorsport-inspired Boost button for good measure. There’s even a drift mode for anyone who thinks a track day might be a good idea after parting with £70K plus. Careering around a circuit in a car that’s so comforting could be cool, but I stuck to driving it on the roads, where, as expected, the GV60 Performance was rather excellent.

The styling

Glance at the Genesis GV60 and it’s not immediately obvious what has changed with the facelifted car. However, while the cosmetic changes are subtle, they do help to bring out the best of this model. What I’ve always liked about the GV60 is that it has an identity, which is instantly recognisable – a bit like the Kia EV6. That’s a good thing compared to so many electric cars, particularly those in the SUV bracket, that look interchangeable.

The good bits are still present, like the very cool design that accommodates the headlights, only these now feature Micro Lens Array (or MLA) technology for improved functionality. The nose also looks a little more refined thanks to a carefully tweaked bumper and grille arrangement. I loved the 21in alloys too, which were an improvement over older iterations of the GV60.

Out back, the rear end is quite striking too, with the sculpted taillights sitting hunched under a low-slung spoiler that extends across the glass part of the tailgate. My test car was finished in a delicious low-key green colour too, which was very stylish. This also complimented the light grey interior finish. This being a Genesis meant that the cockpit area really was something special. The embroidered seats were a dream to sit in, front or back, while positioning them was a cinch as everything was electrically adjustable, as was the steering column. It’s a reassuringly premium experience for sure.

The drive

Curiously, I did a home charge on the Genesis GV60 Performance and, at 100%, it still only said 213 miles of range. This was in winter mind, but nevertheless, I had rather hoped for a little bit more. The official figure is 311. However, the GV60 Performance is still practical for longer runs and I achieved a 200-odd mile round trip to the airport without needing a charge and still had 15% left when I got home. This was done with the car in Eco drive mode, though.

This frugal feel-good vibe doesn’t last if the Sport mode is selected. The Genesis GV60 Performance has a lot of power on tap and the acceleration is rapid. As a result, I found it was easy to burn through battery without much in the way of effort. The silly ‘Boost’ button on the steering wheel gives ten seconds of extra beans should it be needed. It’s still more of a gimmick than anything really.

I thought that low-slung GV60 did have quite a hard ride, which is fine for me seeing as it is a performance type of car. I’d forgotten about the turning circle, which didn’t seem especially good. A couple of times I had to carry out a prolonged turnaround simply because the car couldn’t get it done in one go. Aside from that, the Genesis drove like a dream. It was deliciously easy to pootle along on the motorway. Meanwhile, it might be quite a chunky thing, but the GV60 is great on the back roads too.

There’s a lot of power on tap, but it’s all so nicely delivered that the GV60 Performance rarely feels skittish. The price to pay for this, though, is that the range is less great. Saved for occasional use, the performance factor of this car gave me and my passengers a real buzz. Boy, it’s quick away from the lights, too. I also loved the way the drive modes could be selected with a simple press of the round button on the steering wheel, so there was no need to dip into screen menus. Simplicity itself.

The technology

I’ve got a lot of time for the tech found in both Genesis and Hyundai models. Korean cars seem to keep up to date with trends and everything is presented in a clean and clever way. That’s certainly the case for the Genesis GV60 Performance. Admittedly, anything new is quite hard to spot on first inspection, but for anyone who has enjoyed the interior tech of a Genesis before now will find this model is as good as ever.

I liked the mix of touchscreen infotainment and some good old proper buttons. Things like heated and cooled seats are easily enabled in the shifter console. This area still sports that amazing roller ball assembly that revolves around when the start button is pressed. I’m still curious as to how it’s actually constructed. And, as mentioned, those drive modes are selected via another button on the wheel, while a twist-style knob in front of the shifter lets users pick through menu options. It’s actually very good.

This model of Genesis also packs in a fingerprint sensor on the door pillar, which means that once personalised to its owner, makes keyless entry a doddle. I did get a bit irritated by the tiny icons on the keyfob, however, which in dark and dreary conditions proved annoyingly hard to tell apart. A minor point in the big scheme of things, however.

Genesis GV60 Performance verdict

I love the exclusivity of the Genesis GV60 Performance and you’ll be hard-pressed to see one on the roads. That’s not good news for Genesis, I guess, but if you’re looking for something that’s luxurious, performs amazingly well and doesn’t look like a million other EVs, this is the car for you.

The interior tech works really well too, almost as if someone spent time thinking about the people who would use it. Contrast that with some Chinese brands that create baffling infotainment systems and the Genesis GV60 is paradise.

Genesis GV60 Performance technical specifications