Hyundai Motor Group managed to strike gold thrice in a row. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 are each good midsize electrical crossovers with distinctive styling and enjoyable driving dynamics. Surely Korea cannot develop a 3rd automobile on the identical platform that stands out sufficient to warrant consideration, proper? Wrong. The 2023 Genesis GV60 is that third automobile, and it rocks.The GV60 instantly pulls me in because of its styling. Smooth traces are the secret right here, a distinction to its sharply angled siblings. My tester is clad in a $575 coat of white paint, which does make it appear to be an egg, however a cool egg. Genesis’ giant-ass maw is decrease on the entrance fascia than on its fuel automobiles, however it’s nonetheless there, and the dual-layer headlights and taillights additionally assist maintain the GV60’s seems throughout the household. There are a number of loopy angles, however they’re utilized in restricted quantities; the zag within the C-pillar seems fairly slick, and my tester’s 21-inch alloy wheels are amongst my favorites within the trade.The GV60’s inside is even funkier. The Ioniq 5’s trick sliding middle console will not be right here, however you realize what’s? A metric boatload of blue Nappa leather-based and neon-green distinction stitching and piping. Most contact factors are delicate, or knurled, or in any other case visually fascinating. The GV60 is not a automobile that takes itself too severely, and I like that. And higher but, these things is all normal on the Performance trim, not an choices bundle in sight.There are some actually neat parts contained in the GV60, just like the shift dial that flips over when the automobile is shut off, providing you with an orb to ponder. The door handles are round, however in contrast to a Mini’s, they’re ergonomic. The steering wheel has an attractive vivid inexperienced “BOOST” button on it (extra on that later). The rear seat cup holders are built-in cleanly into the doorways’ armrests. The complete factor feels very nicely thought out.Genesis and its mum or dad firm have lengthy had among the best in-car tech setups within the automotive trade, and the soar to electrification did not change that one bit. The GV60 comes normal with a pair of 12.3-inch screens. The left show is the digital gauge cluster, providing glances at pertinent info associated to the automobile and its numerous security programs. There’s a widget on the precise facet that lets me have a look at a number of various things, whether or not it is a map or automobile information or no matter’s enjoying on the radio.
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If you do not like the way in which the menu is laid out from the manufacturing facility, you possibly can rearrange all these tiles in order that your most used content material is correct in entrance of your face. Andrew Krok/CNETThe proper display runs the newest iteration of Genesis’ infotainment system, which is a fancily reskinned model of what Hyundai and Kia supply. It’s responsive, intuitive, and I like that there is a dial on the middle console, in case you do not wish to gunk up the show. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are normal, however it’s not wi-fi, though wi-fi system charging is normal on each trims, as are 4 USB-C ports cut up between each rows.I saved the good little bit of tech for final, although. When organising a driver profile by the infotainment touchscreen, I’ve the choice to incorporate biometric info. A fingerprint reader inside and facial-recognition digicam exterior mix to offer a two-step authentication that enables the proprietor to function the GV60 with out a key or cellphone. It’s straightforward to make use of, it is safe — in that the info by no means leaves the automobile and can’t be accessed by anybody, even Genesis — and it frees up area in my pocket.Whether or not a key’s concerned, the 2023 Genesis GV60 is a delight to drive. The GV60 is obtainable in two trims, each of which embody two-motor all-wheel drive and a 77.4-kilowatt-hour battery pack. My tester is the sprightlier Performance trim, which places out 429 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, numbers that generate some thrilling motion in a midsize crossover. Remember that inexperienced “BOOST” button on the steering wheel? Smash it, and the wick will get turned as much as 483 horsepower for 10 seconds. Electric torque’s instantaneous supply is enjoyable in each automobile, however man, the GV60 actually will get stepping into a rush.
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The GV60’s trip high quality may benefit from some barely thicker tire sidewalls, however it’s nonetheless fairly plush total. Andrew Krok/CNETThe GV60 Performance is a hoot to throw round on again roads, thanks partly to trim-specific upgrades like a mechanical limited-slip differential and an electronically managed suspension. Spin the steering wheel’s drive mode dial to Sport and the automobile stiffens up whereas the throttle provides sensitivity. Body roll is negligible, solely actually displaying up on the ragged edges of grip. Leave the GV60 within the default Comfort mode, and it is nonetheless enjoyable to chuck about, however the suspension provides some give (a necessity in Michigan) and the precise pedal takes a much-needed chill capsule. I choose the GV60 in its extra sedate settings, the place you possibly can actually max out the luxurious vibe, one thing Genesis has been nailing for years now.It’s not all roses and daisies, although. The brake pedal is extraordinarily sensitive always, regardless of if regeneration is at its strongest or weakest, so I counsel protecting it in one-pedal-driving mode (which, annoyingly, I’ve to allow each time I get within the automobile). For a automobile with “performance” in its title, the tires are severely missing; I perceive low rolling resistance improves vary, however the Michelin Primacy Tour all-season tires roast themselves underneath reasonable acceleration and spirited driving on curvy backroads. Slap some correct summer season tires on the GV60, and whereas vary could take a success, it ought to really feel a lot better to drive.Then once more, vary is form of vital right here, because the GV60’s battery is not precisely successful any trophies. The GV60 Performance is rated at 235 miles, which is barely just a little worse than the 248-mile vary on the bottom Advanced trim. The EPA claims the Performance mannequin’s economic system is round 2.71 miles per kilowatt-hour, a determine I’m in a position to beat with out making an attempt too exhausting. Over a pair hundred miles, I’m seeing between 2.9 and 3.1 miles per kilowatt-hour.
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When charging the GV60, the pondering orb won’t flip over to show the gear selector, stopping homeowners from driving off with the charging cable connected. Andrew Krok/CNETWhen it comes time to cost, the GV60 makes use of an 800-volt structure, which permits it to make the most of extra energy at high-speed chargers than most different EVs. Granted, it is nonetheless restricted to about 225 kW, so I by no means get the complete 350 kW marketed on the quickest charging stations, however 225 is greater than sufficient. Going from 10% state of cost to 80% in simply 18 minutes is not unhealthy in any respect, however for those who’re a kind of homeowners with an open 240-volt outlet, letting the GV60 cost in a single day ought to present all of the juice you may ever want. Also, neat truth: If you hop again into the automobile whereas it is charging and energy it on, the orb will not flip over to indicate the rotary gear dial. Somewhat idiot-proofing by no means hurts.The Genesis GV60’s larger price ticket should not come as a shock for those who’ve seen the mass-market EV6 and Ioniq 5, each of which could be kitted into the mid-$50,000 vary. The GV60 picks up just a little previous that time, beginning at $59,985, together with $1,095 for vacation spot. My tester’s Performance trim is a good bit above that; together with the only real accessible possibility ($595 for fancier white paint), this factor rings in at $69,560. That’s about as a lot as you’d spend on a completely loaded Polestar 2 or Tesla Model Y. Those two could characteristic extra energy, however neither feels as luxurious because the Genesis.Genesis actually discovered a superb area of interest with its distinctive tackle luxurious. Its automobiles are fascinating all through, with greater than sufficient functionality for the typical proprietor, and a scarcity of complicated packaging makes ordering a a lot less complicated affair. It’s exhausting to not suggest any Genesis, and the 2023 GV60 is certainly a formidable step because the automaker pushes to impress its lineup over the following three years.