Genesis GV60 Sport Plus Luxury SUV.
Genesis is the luxury marque of the Korean brand Hyundai, and you can see the step up in detail and design in their models. The GV60 is a prime example, with a captivating interior bedecked with stylish components and technology. During a sunny October, Jeremy Webb breezed along the B Roads of Berkshire and Oxfordshire to test the SUV.
The Genesis GV60 has three versions: Premium, Sport and Sport Plus. We tested the GV60 Sport Plus, which is the most powerful, with an electric motor on each axle. The four-wheel drive allows for supreme handling, which can cope with the 214bhp that each motor can produce.
Comfort driving mode is the default setting when you switch on, but you get two others to select if you want: Sport and Eco.
As it suggests, sport is the one to select when you want the buzz of speed from quicker accelerator response and heavier steering. When selected, the driver display gauges glow red, and the seat bolsters tighten to grip you better in corners.
Eco Mode is to maximise the range between charges, and you can adjust the strength of the regenerative braking using paddles behind the steering wheel, with four levels to choose from. Level 4 means the slowing effect when you lift off the accelerator is so strong that the brake pedal is rarely required.
Premium, the entry-level version, has the most comfortable ride, thanks mainly to its smaller 19-inch wheels. It dampens most lumps and bumps on most roads, making it more comfortable than any direct rival. Sport Plus cars have 21in wheels and low-profile tyres, meaning they're a bit harsher.
If you want more mileage range, then purchase one of the entry-level versions as they provide it, unlike the Sport or Sport Plus. These two variants are rapid but don't store battery power as efficiently, leading to mileage of 289 for the Plus and 292 for the Sport. The Premium reaches 321 miles on a full charge.
The luxury of the Genesis GV60 comes when you enter and sit down. Your senses tell you that you are in something different and unique. A crystal ball set in the centre console spins upside down to reveal the drive selector when you push the 'start' button. It appears magical to the eye, and the driver display lights up with all forms of information along with the fabulous head-up display.
The Genesis GV60's driving position is between an SUV and a regular hatchback; you don't sit as high up as in a Nissan Ariya but raised more than in a Tesla Model 3. The driver's seat has electric adjustment as standard, including for the lumbar support, and the steering wheel has a good range of movement.
The quality materials throughout the interior give the Genesis GV60 a premium feel. The surfaces have soft-touch materials, synthetic leather, and attractive metals. All levels have a 12.3 quick-to-respond and bright touchscreen infotainment system positioned high on the dashboard and slightly angled toward the driver. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto mirroring are in all models, and you get built-in sat-nav, Bluetooth, and multiple USB-C sockets.
The front has plenty of head and leg room, and the Genesis GV60's interior is broad, which means the driver and front passenger aren't even close to rubbing shoulders. The car is smaller than the closely related Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6, so rear leg room isn't as impressive, but there's still enough for six-footers.
The boot has 432 litres of space below the load cover, slightly less than in the Kia EV6 and Nissan Ariya and much less than in a VW ID 4 or Tesla Model Y. The Genesis GV60 won't struggle with the weekly shop, golf clubs, or a couple of pushchairs.
All Genesis GV60s have a 77.4kWh battery and can charge at speeds of up to 239kW. In ideal conditions and with a speedy public charger, a 10-80% top-up can take as little as 18 minutes, but in reality, you'll probably be waiting around half an hour.
The entry-level Genesis GV60 Premium is generously equipped with full LED headlights, wireless phone charging, dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, an electric tailgate, and the infotainment and visibility kit we covered earlier. You get heated, ventilated, and massaged front seats, rear seats, and a heated steering wheel.
Plenty of safety equipment includes eight airbags, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot collision avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert and an all-important automatic emergency braking (AEB) system.
It is an excellent luxury SUV and epitomises the standards electric cars are now reaching. Packed with modern tech and safety aids, they are a pleasure to drive and fun if you wish to push that accelerator pedal hard. The development of fast charging facilities has done away with range anxiety, and you can use charging stops as comfort breaks on long journeys. The Genesis GV60 looks terrific internally and externally, with noteworthy features that excite. I highly recommend booking a test drive if you are considering an EV.
Range from £55000
Genesis gives you a five-year unlimited mileage warranty, plus eight years of cover on the main battery, free servicing and over-the-air software updates for five years.