2023 Genesis GV60: Bold Little EV for the Cool (Rich) Kids

Launched in 2016, Genesis is still being viewed as a newcomer in the luxury car game, and yet the Korean brand has already racked up multiple awards in North America. The introduction of the GV70 compact SUV in 2021 helped Genesis more than triple its Canadian sales. Following a growth of 26 percent last year, executives are forecasting another 22-percent gain in 2023, in big part thanks to the upcoming launch of the Electrified GV70.

That model will be the company’s most important launch to date and eventually become its best seller, according to Genesis Motors Canada director Eric Marshall. The entire Genesis lineup will be fully electric by 2030, remember.

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Just before the start of the 2023 Montreal Auto Show, The Car Guide was invited to test drive Genesis’ first two EVs, the all-new GV60 and Electrified G80, from Quebec City to Montreal. This review will focus on the former. For more information on the latter, check out this other review.

The Best New SUV of the Year

One year after the GV70, we at The Car Guide picked the GV60 as our Best New SUV of the Year, an honour it amply deserves. The coupe-style EV is shorter than the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Kia EV6 that ride on the same E-GMP platform, but the wheelbase is identical to the EV6’s (2,900 mm) and the trunk is almost as capacious (680 litres vs. 690 litres). Sure, a few compromises have to be made, but it’s not that bad, really.

Inspired by the Genesis Mint concept, the GV60 is primarily aimed at younger drivers looking for bold styling and cutting-edge technology. Consider facial recognition to access the cabin, fingerprint scan to start the vehicle (with the matching driver profile) and the so-called Crystal Sphere that pivots to reveal the gear selector. The combination of digital displays and physical controls is attractive and user-friendly, but the many different buttons and accents in a metallic finish make for a clash of styles and eras that some people probably won’t like, including yours truly.

The driver’s seat is equal parts comfort and support, while legroom and headroom is generous (not so much in the rear). Visibility on each side is decent enough, but every time you look into the rear-view mirror, you’ll see the spoiler/light bar in the middle of the rear window. Better get used to it. The steering wheel comes in a smaller size and kind of gives you the feeling of a sporty car. There are big buttons on it, and the most interesting ones are definitely the two that sit in the lower section.

Drive mode selection (Eco, Comfort, Sport) can be found on the left side for quick access, while the flashy button on the right side activates Boost Mode, which is exclusive to the GV60 Performance we tested. With one push followed by a solid jab at the throttle, available output increases from 429 hp to 483 hp and peak torque does the same from 446 lb-ft. to 516 lb-ft. for 10 seconds. It’s fantastic (and a whole lot of fun) for lightning-quick passing manoeuvres or merging onto the highway, but honestly Sport mode does more than a good job already. By the way, steering firms up nicely when you hit that particular mode, adding to the dynamic driving experience.

As for efficiency, our trip was admittedly too short to get an accurate assessment (not to mention that we spent a lot of time tapping into the GV60’s powerful motors). With temperatures hovering around the freezing point, our combined average was 25 kWh/100 km. For the record, the Performance model is officially rated at 23 kWh/100 km, with a total range of 378 km in ideal conditions. If we had driven more around town, we would have made better use of the regenerative braking function, which by the way has four different settings, Level 4 enabling one-pedal driving.

Charging the battery from 10-80 percent on a 50kW DC fast charger takes 73 minutes, the company says. If you can find a 350kW charger, the same operation will be done in about 18 minutes, which is excellent. We couldn’t test for ourselves as the good folks at Genesis Motors Canada took care of charging for us during lunch.

All-Inclusive Price

Our trip from Quebec City to Montreal in Genesis’ first two EV models showed just how serious the Korean luxury brand is. Quality and performance are evident, and the specs are certainly competitive enough.

What about pricing? The base GV60 Advanced starts at $71,150, while the GV60 Performance costs an extra $8,000. This includes not only freight and PDI, but also regular maintenance and Genesis at Home valet service for five years or 100,000 km. Same thing for the warranty and roadside assistance. Remember that when you compare with other contenders in the segment, such as the Volvo C40 Recharge and Tesla Model Y.

If you have a family or need more cargo space, the Electrified GV70 is arguably a more sensible purchase. Genesis plans to open pre-orders in Canada later this winter. The Car Guide will of course have a first-drive review sometime in the coming months, so don’t miss it!