Road Test: 2023 Genesis GV60 EV
All-Electric Performance AWD Luxury
I like to get drive impressions from my wife for some of the cars I review. After driving the 2023 Genesis GV60 Performance AWD for about 40 miles, she emphatically said this is the car she wants. This is saying something, as she has ridden in or driven many of the 800+ cars I have reviewed for Clean Fleet Report over the past 10 years. So Genesis, you did a great job.
Sometimes being third isn’t such a bad thing. Case-in-point is the all-new GV60 EV, which followed its cousins, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 (2020), and the Kia EV6 (2021). Each of these are excellent all-electric SUVs (check out review links at the end of this story.
Genesis began as a stand-alone company in 2015 and is just now hitting its stride with a line-up of sedans and SUVs that get rave reviews. Starting in 2025 they will have no new internal combustion engine models, then by 2030 will only sell battery-powered cars and SUVs. Clean Fleet Report has been impressed with all Genesis models. When we slid behind the wheel of the GV60, we were not disappointed.
The 2023 GV60 joins the 2023 Electrified G80 AWD sedan as the first two all-electric vehicles from Genesis.
Charging and Regeneration
There are three charging speed options for the 77.4 kilowatt-hour (kWh) lithium-ion polymer battery. The slowest, a standard 120V household plug, delivers a full charge in about 68 hours (that’s just short of three days). That will be used as an emergency option. Most owners will opt to install a 240V Level 2 charger at their home that will replenish 10% to 100% in about seven hours. For faster charging, owners can take advantage of the three years of complementary unlimited charging at Electrify America stations, where with a 250 kW charger the GV60 will get from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes. At 150kW, which is a more commonly found fast-charging speed, it will take about 50 minutes.
It is important to note that cold weather can affect the charging time and driving range. However, the Genesis GV60 comes standard with a battery heating system that will warm the battery to a temperature that will take a faster and higher charge. Here are some helpful tips on charging.
Additional charging is also through powerful motor regeneration. When coasting or braking, the regen system converts kinetic energy into electric energy and returns it to the battery. When regeneration is set to the highest of three levels (by the steering wheel paddles), it’s possible to do most driving without relying on the brakes (aka i-Pedal or one pedal driving).
The GV60 also has Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) where power, maximum 1.9 kW at 16 amps, can flow out of the battery to charge e-bikes, camping and outdoor equipment, or run your office while traveling. It can also be a home electricity source during a power outage.
The all-wheel drive 2023 Genesis GV60 is available with two propulsion options. The Advance AWD model has a total of 314 horsepower (hp) through 74 kW front and 160 kW rear motors. Step-up to the Performance AWD, the model Clean Fleet Report drove, and those numbers increase to 429 hp with twin 160 kW motors front and rear. But the fun begins by depressing the Boost Mode button on the steering wheel to gives the GV60 a 10-second blast of 54 horsepower, raising the output to 483 hp. It will be polite to give your passenger a heads-up that this rush of power is getting ready to happen.
Silent Propulsion
There are four driver-selectable drive modes of Eco, Comfort, Sport and the customizable My Mode. The all-electric driving range is affected by driving style, the drive mode and the horsepower between the two models. The Advance can go 248 miles while the Performance is rated by the U.S. EPA at 235 miles.
After driving 246 miles through Southern California counties of Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego, we had 30 miles of range remaining on the dash gauge. We averaged a respectable 3.8 miles per kilowatt hour. Respect is the key as we kept our finger off the Boost Mode button, which took a high level of discipline, something we repeatedly proved to be lacking. Driving mostly in the Eco or Comfort modes confirmed what we know about Genesis, that they are conservative when it comes to the all-electric driving range.
The smile inducing torque at any speed is what makes driving an electric car so special, and thankfully the GV60 Performance AWD did not disappoint. Acceleration in Comfort drive mode was strong, but select the Sport mode and it becomes exciting. We turned very fun 0-60 mph times of about 3.7 seconds while using the Boost Mode. Whoosh!
The GV60’s well-distributed 4,890 pounds give a balanced and confident ride. The Michelin Primacy Tour 255/40 all-season tires, mounted on 21-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels, provided ample grip, even when pushing corners to their limit. The all-wheel drive system automatically senses grip level and undetectably sends power front-to-rear and side-to-side. The electronically controlled suspension has Road Preview, front-facing cameras reading road conditions, to automatically control the damping force of the suspension to provide for a smooth ride. There was limited body roll, and the ride was comfortable and confident.
The GV60 has limited wind and road noise partly due to the low 0.29 coefficient of drag (Cd), acoustic laminated glass and sound-deadening insulation. Genesis also uses technology to affect the cabin noise experience. Electric-Active Sound Design pumps virtual driving sounds through the audio speakers. The sounds fluctuate with the drive mode, the speed and accelerator pedal pressure. So in other words, your silent electric vehicle can be set to not be all that silent.
Distinct Exterior
Built on a dedicated EV platform, the exterior styling is distinctive. The signature crest grille sits below a clamshell hood that features the Genesis iconic two-line LED headlight design. The smooth body surfaces on the GV60 are unencumbered with chrome, except on the Volt DLO design feature where the rear side window and the hands-free power lift gate meet. The rear continues the two-line LED tail light design that wraps the lift gate. The glass roof, body color shark fin antenna, roof rails and rear window spoiler complete the exterior’s clean design.
The power charge door, located on the left rear fender, looks just like if this car used gasoline. This is part of the long-term strategy to not call-out attention that the GV60 is powered by electricity, which includes no “EV” badging anywhere. Genesis will be an all-electric car brand, and they don’t want car buyers thinking otherwise.
Spacious Interior
Genesis calls it the “Beauty of White Space,” where the interior is open, spacious and comfortable. The floating center console leaves open space for purses on the flat floor, while the low slung dash has dual 12.3-inch horizontal color display screens that look like one piece. One screen is for the digital instruments and the other for the infotainment system. Sounds came from a 17-speaker (with a subwoofer), 1,400-watt, 14-channel amplifier for the Bang & Olufsen premium audio system. Music is provided by AM/FM/MP3/SiriusXM/HD Radio, with wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Bluetooth connection for up-to two devices with USB C-type power and data ports, wireless phone charging and a Wi-Fi Hotspot complete the technology.
The interior comfort starts with Nappa leather heated and ventilated front seats, with memory and 14-way power adjustments including side bolsters, a lower leg extension for the driver, and massage. The driver gets the Genesis-exclusive Ergo Motion Seat designed to improve comfort and reduce fatigue. Checkout this video to see the technology that will make your journey even more relaxing and enjoyable. The front passenger seat gets 12-way power adjustments, including 4-way lumbar, and has power buttons to adjust the seat back to allow easier access to the rear seats.
The heated rear leather seats have ample leg room, but taller passengers will brush their heads on the microfiber covered ceiling. Rear seat occupants get adjustable head rests, a center folding armrest with cup holders, door cup holders, charge ports and side window shades. Rear cargo storage is good, plus there is a front trunk, or frunk, for stashing smaller items.
As to be expected on a top-end luxury car, the GV60 Performance has power everything, beginning with the unique and fun Crystal Sphere rotary dial shift selector. This glowing ball rotates upon starting the GV60 to reveal the gear options for the shift-by-wire transmission. The leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel has controls for audio, telephone and the adaptive cruise control with Stop and Go. The radio can also be controlled by touchscreen and volume and channel selection wheels on the center console. There was a very short learning curve for this outstanding entertainment system.
Other features are driver selectable Mood Lighting, a dual zone automatic temperature control, rain-sensing windshield wipers, power tilt and telescopic steering wheel, a color head-up display, heated and power side mirrors with turn signals and wireless phone charging.
Technology
The 2023 Genesis GV60 is packed with technology. Will you use them all? We believe you will.
Technology features include:
- the Digital Key which provides access to vehicle systems, including lock and unlock, remote start, and driving.
- Face Connect and Fingerprint Reader, when programmed, allows for doors to be unlocked and unlocked by looking at the B pillar, while the fingerprint reader provides access to vehicle systems.
- The Homelink auto-dimming rear view mirror is an integrated transceiver (a transmitter and receiver) that can be programmed to activate radio frequency (RF) devices such as garage doors, estate/community gates, entry door locks, home/office lighting, security systems or other RF devices.
- Remote Smart Parking Assist can be move the GV60 forward and reverse by using the key fob. This helpful feature comes in handy when someone parked too close and you can’t open the doors. This feature also can find an available parking space on the street or in a parking lot and then self-park.
- The Surround View Monitor is an important safety feature when parking, or backing in an area where there may be vehicles or pedestrians appearing suddenly.
Safety, Warranty and Pricing
The 2023 Genesis GV60 comes with an extensive and standard list of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and a semi-autonomous driving system, the Genesis Highway Driving Assist. A helpful feature is when using the right or left turn signal, a camera comes on showing the sides of the GV60, depending on which direction is being turned.
The GV60 has not yet been safety rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) gave it a Top Safety Pick+, its highest safety rating.
The 2023 GV60 comes with these warranties:
- Powertrain – 10 years/100,000 miles
- EV Systems – 10 years/100,000 miles
- New Vehicle – Five years/60,000 miles
- Maintenance – Three years/36,000 miles
- Roadside Assistance – Five years/Unlimited miles
- Anti-perforation – Seven years/Unlimited miles
The GV60 comes in two models, with these base prices, which include the mandatory $1,095 freight and handling fee.
Advanced $60,385
Performance $69,385
The GV60 is sold in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Utah and Washington states.
Observations: 2023 Genesis GV60 EV Performance AWD
If you need more than my wife’s endorsement, drive the 2023 Genesis GV60 EV for yourself. I suspect you’ll come to the same conclusion. Genesis, you did a great job.
Whether it is an entry-level or a luxury model, there is something very satisfying about driving an electric car. The lack of sound as it moves down the road is wonderful, and the instant torque from a stop or when already at highway speeds, is something to enjoy.
When climbing behind the wheel of the GV60, you’ll quickly recognize a fine automobile. The GV60 exterior styling immediately identifies it as a Genesis. The impressive interior with a long and deep features list and a full safety suite make the GV60 the luxury all-electric crossover to buy.
The GV60 EV, built in Ulsan, Korea, is the second step in Genesis becoming an all-electric brand, with the electrified GV70 SUV next up. For a seven-year old company, Genesis is traveling at light speed when it comes to becoming an all-electric car brand.
The GV60 will be a unicorn as it is only sold in eight states, and in limited numbers. If you are in the market for a luxury EV and live where the 2023 Genesis GV60 is sold, it is worth your time to visit a Genesis dealer and experience this fine automobile.
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Story by John Faulkner. Photos by John Faulkner and Genesis.
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Disclosure:
Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.
Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and diesels. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.
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