It's hard to imagine just a couple of years ago when Genesis was struggling to make a name for itself. Sure, it had the excellent G70 sports sedan and the G80 that was basically a rebadged Hyundai Genesis. The top-end G90, however, wasn't selling at all, despite the tremendous luxury value it provided. But now, things have changed drastically, and the Genesis lineup is truly special.
The refreshed G70 is here, the redesigned G80 sedan is getting huge accolades, the GV80 SUV is the cream of the luxury SUV crop, and the new GV70 crossover is a dynamo. The brand's not stopping yet, and their first EV is the GV60, which will also come to our shores. More than just an efficient EV, the GV60 is meant to perform and please. Let's take a closer look at it.
Good Range and Awesome Power
First of all, it's based on the same platform as the Kia EV6, as you can see from the general size and shape. The 77.4 kWh battery comes straight from the EV6, and RWD models will top out at 286 miles of all-electric range. This is based on Korean testing and on 19" wheels, so our numbers may vary. In terms of power output, the GV60 will have three different choices:
- Base GV60: Rear-wheel drive, single electric motor, 225 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.
- Dual Motor GV60: All-wheel drive, two electric motors, 314 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque.
- Performance GV60: All-wheel drive, two electric motors, 429 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque
The GV60 also gets what's known as a "Boost Mode" that will goose the output for 10-seconds at a time. Select the Boost Mode, and the GV60 will rocket to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds. While that's 0.5 seconds slower than the Tesla Model Y Performance's time, it's still quicker than most sports cars, and it beats the Jaguar i-Pace EV, and nips at the heels of the Porsche Taycan.
Hooligan Fun with Drift Mode
One feature we sure didn't see coming is the GV60's Drift Mode that functions by “optimizing distribution of driving power and braking system.” There isn't any easy way to access it, though, which means you really have to be committed to causing mayhem. You have to stop the vehicle, step on the brake, select Sport mode, press ESC 2, and then hold both paddle shifters for three seconds. Man, that's a lot to go through, but we expect it'll be worth the effort to send this EV sideways.
The system uses the electronic limited-slip differential to deliver optimal amounts of torque to the wheels under hard cornering, and it should even provide safety in wet or snowy weather. The vehicle's Preview Electronic Control Suspension actually makes use of a camera and the in-car navigation system to recognize road problems that could affect driving safety or comfort, and then it automatically adjusts. Yep, it's totally smarter than you are.
Charging
What good is an EV without good charging? Well, the GV60 will come with what's known as "ultra speed" charging that allows it to juice up from 10% to 80% in a scant 18 minutes when it's plugged into a 350 kW charging station. While most owners will probably never have this kind of charging station in their homes due to infrastructure challenges and costs, it's good to know you can charge up in very little time.
The GV60 also features what's known as “vehicle to load” capability, so it has the ability to charge larger electronic devices when you're away from home (like camping) or in your home when the power goes out. It clearly is more than a one-trick pony, and we're sure shoppers will take a serious look at the GV60 and not just from a styling perspective.
