Genesis GV60 - From Genesis to Revelation
Some associations in the world of motoring work and others simply don’t. The biggest success is Lexus which is, in effect, the upmarket brand of Toyota.
One that didn’t work was Infiniti - the posh brand of Nissan - despite two of their cars, the Q30 and QX30, being built at the Nissan plant in Sunderland.
And of course, we’re seeing more and more sharing of parts, platforms and technology. Take Stellantis for example. You’ll see loads of sharing going on across their Alfa Romeo, Citroen, Jeep, Peugeot and Vauxhall brands.
One of the latest names to appear on our shores is Genesis. It’s the luxury brand of Hyundai, although it’s worth mentioning here that Hyundai is also the parent company of Kia. Genesis started slowly, but they’re getting into their stride, and their latest offering is this one - the all-electric GV60.
It’s their first all-electric car and it’s good. Really, really good.
You can opt for either rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive or an all-wheel drive performance model. All options use the same battery, but the way it delivers power is very different. The figures are very impressive. The entry-level GV60 can hit 60mph in just over 7 seconds. Power equates to 225bhp and feeds everything via an electric motor on the rear axle.
The mid-range model with all-wheel drive delivers 314bhp via two motors, one for the front axle and one for the rear, while if you go for the full fat performance model you also get an electric motor on each axle, both of which can deliver 214bhp. However, if you want to go for it and frighten the life out of some so-called supercars, hit the boost button on the steering wheel and power rises to a combined total of 483bhp. Blimey. 0-60mph takes 4 seconds flat.
This sort of oomph isn’t surprising because the power plant and platform are very similar to the one you’ll find in the Hyundai Ioniq 5 or the Kia EV6 GT, the latter being one of my favourite cars.
As with all-electric cars, there are two burning questions to be answered; how far can it go on a full battery and how long does it take to charge the battery? Well, there’s good news on both fronts. Genesis reckons you’ll manage 321 miles in the rear-wheel drive model and, when it comes to charging, if you can find a rapid charger, you’ll boost the battery from 10-80% in an impressive 18 minutes. A typical home charger will take about 12 hours and if you go for the AWD models, your range will suffer, dropping to something like 290 miles. The brake regeneration can be adjusted by using paddles on the steering wheel, so at its maximum setting it just about brings the car to a halt.
And don’t assume that this Genesis can’t handle the power - it can. The ride is remarkably smooth. I thought it even edges onto the side of being a fun car to drive. There’s a clever bit of kit which uses a front-mounted camera that can spot lumps and bumps in the road surface. The wizardry adjusts the suspension to maintain comfort and also gives you really good control when cornering at speed. You can choose from Comfort, Eco, Sport or Custom which means the ride varies from cushy to firm, although it never gets harsh and the car is also extremely quiet to ride along in.
In terms of styling, the Genesis GV60 is a coupé-ish SUV. It looks distinctive and certainly stands out from an increasingly bland crowd in the market today.
The interior is where Hyundai has played its trump card to make the Genesis unlike any Hyundai (or Kia). It looks and feels fabulous with very luxurious seating and neat detailing scattered throughout the cabin.
For example, the rotating gear selector also spins on its axis. It rotates when you turn on the car. You also get fingerprint and facial recognition which means you don’t need the keys to enter and start the car. I’m not sure about this, would you really leave the house and head off on a 200 mile journey and leave the keys at home?
The dashboard and head-up display are terrific and some of the best I’ve ever seen. The digital instruments are crystal clear and work particularly well when using the optional side-mounted cameras which are designed to eradicate blind spots. When you indicate right, for example, you get a rear-facing view of the right-hand side of the car displayed on the screen in front of you. The normal rear-view camera is standard on all models.
The sat nav is clear and precise and, good news, you can adjust the climate controls by using some buttons which are situated below the main central screen. The screen is a smart 12.3-inch bit of kit which is angled slightly towards the driver and looks good. There’s also a rotary controller between the front seats which allows you to scroll through info on the screen so it’s much better than having to prod the screen with your finger.
There are three trims available: Premium, Sport and Sport Plus. To be honest, I’d just stick with the Premium trim because the standard equipment list is impressive: electric tailgate, powered and heated front seats which also have a massage facility; LED headlights, heated steering wheel and heated rear seats. It comes with a cracking audio system too.
I’d also go for the rear-wheel drive model. Yes, the other two have stunning performance figures, but once you’ve impressed your passengers or frightened the life out of them when you rocket away from a standstill for the first time, you tend to just settle down to a more relaxed driving fashion with one eye firmly focussed on the battery life. You get a greater range than the AWD cars and save a stack of cash. Win win.
As for prices, £54,105 might look expensive, but it’s only when you climb inside that you can see why Genesis feel they can justify a premium price. The whole package looks extremely smart and when you consider the amount of interior and safety kit you get as standard, it becomes easier to justify the price tag.
This has been one of the most surprising cars I’ve tried in a while and it’s very good.
Oh and if you’re wondering about our ’Genesis to Revelation’ headline, it’s because that was the title of the first album brought out by the Genesis rock band. Trick of the Tale was their best one, well, that’s what this particular writer thinks anyway.
The Genesis GV60 starts from £54,105.
words: Graham Courtney
pictures: Genesis
