CHATHAM, Mass. – Smooth operations, quiet comfort and supercar performance – in a five-passenger, all-electric subcompact sport-utility (SUV) package – characterize the 2024 Genesis GV60 Performance.
The all-wheel drive (AWD) GV60 represents the peak of the brand’s electric-vehicle (EV) range introduced in 2022, one which combines premium features, including a comprehensive list of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), with rapid recharging and superior on-road performance.
The rapid-charging capabilities help mitigate range anxiety, allowing travel to continue following an 18-minute electrical fill up which can restore up to 80 percent of the GV60’s battery.
Powertrain means performance
A pair of 160kW electric motors, one powering the front wheels, the other the rear’s, means a total of 320kW (429 horsepower) and 516 pounds-feet of torque. A 77.4 kWh battery provides the juice to make the GV60 Performance go, and go it does!
According to testing by Car and Driver, the 2024 model achieved 0-60 miles per hour in 3.7 seconds when the “Boost” mode button on the steering wheel was pressed. Pushing that green button shoots the twin-motor horsepower rating to 483.
Even without touching the magical green button, the GV60 Performance has tremendous instant power thanks to the “always there” torque (electric motors produce maximum torque at zero RPM) and AWD traction. Thus, the GV60 is quick as well as fast.
There is a penalty for all that power: while the 225hp rear-wheel-drive GV60 Standard model can eke out close to 300 miles on a full battery charge, the more powerful Performance variant has a range of approximately 235 miles.
During my week, the GV60’s on-board computer indicated 246 miles after an over-night full charge from the Level 2 MaxiCharger AC Wallbox Home unit in my garage.
I did not have an opportunity to sample public charging during this review period, but after testing the 2023 version, I wrote:
“Bottom line: when charging at the fastest of the fast chargers (Level 3) springing up throughout the country (350kW), the battery can be charged from 10 percent to 80 percent in under 20 minutes! And it works, as I found out on two different occasions, at two different fast chargers.”
I have no reason to believe the 2024 model will function any differently than the previous one based on personal experiences with other Hyundai-family battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) sharing the company’s Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) architecture. The Hyundai Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6 and Kia EV6 models I have driven all work just as well with Fast Charging as last-year’s GV60.
Support pieces complete performance package
A true performance car must be more than fast. It must stop, turn and handle all types of challenging roads, to wear this label. The GV60 Performance earns its name through both the on-paper specifications as well as real-world actions.
The small SUV goes where it is pointed at very rapid speeds, the AWD helping navigate twisting surfaces with aplomb. The speeds increase because the driving feedback is so reassuring; the GV60 Performance oozes confidence in every action. And it does all this in quiet comfort.
The suspension components feature MacPherson-type struts up front and an independent five-link multi-link setup in the rear.
The Performance model’s Preview Electronic Control Suspension (Preview ECS), uses information gathered from the GV60’s front camera and (standard) navigation system to recognize situations that could have an impact the vehicle, such as speed bumps, in advance. It also controls the damping force of the suspension according to the surface of the road.
In addition, the electronic-Limited Slip Differential (e-LSD) enables an optimal amount of torque to be distributed to the wheels when turning around at high speeds, improving performance when cornering and starting off. This offers drivers more stable control on slippery roads and in snowy or rainy weather.
Braking systems for the GV60, like most electrified vehicles, comes in two forms: regenerative braking which turns the engine into a generator thus slowing the vehicle as well as recharging the battery, and a more conventional friction-braking system.
Steering-column paddle shifters allow the driver to select up to four levels of “regen,” including the ability to engage in one-pedal (or as Genesis calls it, “i-Pedal”) driving. This setting enables the car to slow and even come to a complete stop simply by releasing pressure on the accelerator pedal; the brake pedal does not come into play.
Conventional friction braking means using the brake pedal. The GV60’s system features electronic brake boost, anti-lock (ABS) and 14.2-inch ventilated rotors front and rear.
The wheels are 21-inch aluminum wearing 255/40R21 Michelin Primacy Tour all-season tires.
Full roster of ADAS
As befitting a premium-level vehicle like the Genesis GV60 Performance, the list of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) is comprehensive. This includes: brake assist, hill-start assist control (hac), parking distance warning – front & rear, parking collision-avoidance assist – rear, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist and rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, lane keeping assist and lane following assist, forward collision-avoidance assist, intelligent cruise control, highway driving assist, surround-view monitor, driver attention warning.
Cabin filled with premium touches
I said the 2024 Genesis GV60 Performance was the top-of-the-range and as such its interior is filled with premium-level technology, amenities and conveniences.
These start with Nappa leather covering the heated seats (fronts also ventilated and power adjustable); a leather-covered, heated steering wheel with power adjustment, and dual-zone electronic automatic climate control.
The panoramic display extending across most of the dash includes the 12.3-inch customizable instrument cluster and the 12.3-inch touchscreen controlling (supplemented by a console-mounted rotary control, dash buttons and steering-wheel switches) the infotainment system with navigation.
Premium features and price
The GV60 three-model range begins with the RWD Standard at $52,000 with the AWD Advanced version at $60,550. The Performance model like I drove, with all the mentioned features, as well as many not discussed, is priced at $69,550 and adding the $1,350 freight fee, totaled $70,900.
The price is not insignificant, but neither is the GV60 Performance. All the capabilities and characteristics outlined above are evidence of its ability to more than hold its own against any other premium EV subcompact on the American market.
