Is the 2023 Genesis GV60 a Good Electric Car? 6 Pros and 4 Cons
As electric vehicles gain mainstream acceptance, manufacturers have taken two approaches to their EV offerings. Some have embraced an everything-is-different design school, encompassing all aspects of the vehicle from interior and exterior styling to controls and features. Others have launched EVs virtually indistinguishable from their gasoline-powered siblings, save for an electric powertrain.
Genesis has opted to dabble in both approaches. With its GV60 crossover, the South Korean luxury brand has chosen the first formula, but with sleek and modern exterior styling free of some odd EV flourishes, an elegant cabin and groundbreaking technology.
Related: 2023 Genesis GV60 Review: Willfully Wild
The GV60 largely succeeds in its mission, with an attractive shape that is both different yet recognizable as a Genesis; a comfortable and luxurious interior with room for five occupants; quick acceleration; and decent range. Overall, it presents as a solid alternative to rivals such as the Tesla Model Y, BMW’s X4 and X6, and the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe.
Riding on a new EV platform shared with corporate siblings Hyundai and Kia, the GV60 delivers blistering acceleration if perhaps not the cornering agility of a Model Y. But the Genesis has an edge in refinement and delivers with a more absorbent and well-damped suspension, user-friendly tech, and a lower price.
Aaron Bragman had a chance to spend some quality time with a 2023 Genesis GV60, and he found it to be a competitive entry with a lot to like. As expected, not all is perfect, however. Use the link above to read Bragman’s complete review. For a quicker look, here are six things we like about the 2023 GV60 and four things we don’t.
Things We Like
1. Abundant Power
Genesis offers two all-electric powertrain choices in the GV60, both of which provide more than adequate motivation. The base Advanced trim gets two motors for a total of 314 horsepower and 446 pounds-feet of torque delivered to all four wheels. The Performance trim cranks out 429 hp and 446 pounds-feet of torque, with 483 hp and 516 pounds-feet of torque available for up to 10 seconds at the press of the Boost button. Doing so in our test car resulted in a 0-60 mph acceleration time of just 3.77 seconds.
2. Quick Charging
When plugged into a 350-kilowatt DC fast charger, the GV60 can charge at up to 235 kW, enabling it to go from 10%-80% charge in as little as 18 minutes, according to Genesis. While that’s still not as fast as tanking up a gasoline-powered vehicle, it means that drivers with access to fast charging can add significant range in about the time it takes for a leisurely cup of coffee. That makes the GV60 a lot more usable for road trips.
3. Easy Tech
The GV60 is loaded with user-friendly tech features, combined with simple knobs and buttons. A reconfigurable 12.3-inch gauge cluster sits ahead of the driver, with another 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen to the right. The latter can also be operated using a rotary knob on the console. The combination of touchscreen and hard controls works well and makes everything easy to use on the fly.
4. And More Tech
A unique touch is an illuminated orb that turns over to reveal a gear selector when power is activated. There’s also a fingerprint scanner that can be used to power the vehicle; it remembers driver preferences and settings. A facial-recognition camera is built into the B-pillar that can identify a familiar face and automatically unlock the car.
5. Modern Yet Welcoming Interior
The cabin is wide and airy, with plenty of room up front and a big center console with sufficient room for cupholders, large and easy-to-use controls, and ample storage. The front seats are roomy and comfortable if perhaps higher than ideal for reaching some controls. Another distinctive stylistic touch is the use of some unusual color combinations, such as blue upholstery with lime-green stitching.
6. Competitive Pricing
A GV60 in the base Advanced trim starts at $60,385 (all prices include destination), while the Performance trim starts at $69,385. It’s worth noting that the starting price for a base Model Y Long Range is significantly higher at $67,440, while a Model Y Performance will set you back $71,440 to start. Overall, the GV60 makes for a better value equation, with a much nicer interior and user-friendly features, if less overall range.
More From Cars.com:
- 2023 Genesis GV60 Lands IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus Award
- Tesla Model Y Vs. Genesis GV60 Performance: Which Is Faster?
- 2023 Genesis GV60 Quick Spin: Electrifying Performance
- 2022 J.D. Power Tech Experience Index: Hyundai Dominates, Overall Satisfaction Dwindles
- Research the Genesis GV60
Things We Don’t Like
1. The Price of Style
As is typical with some other stylized crossover designs, the GV60’s swooping roofline eats into cargo capacity and backseat room. The lowered roof extracts a penalty in headroom, and rear legroom is not as generous as it is up front. The high beltline creates a sort of cavelike feel that’s made worse by rear side windows that rise steeply toward the back.
2. Not So Athletic
The GV60 trumps the Model Y in some areas, including straight-line acceleration. But when things turn twisty, the Genesis can’t match the Tesla for agility. It handles well enough, but doesn’t feel as light or responsive as the Model Y. Really, the GV60 is more of a grand tourer than an electric sports car.
3. Mediocre Range
The EPA estimates that a base GV60 Advanced can travel 248 miles on a charge, dropping to 235 miles in the Performance trim. Neither is particularly notable, and both are considerably less than the estimated range of a Model Y.
4. Limited Availability
As good as it is, a notable downside of the GV60 is that buyers in many states can’t get one. As of this writing, availability is limited to just eight states: Arizona, California, Connecticut, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Utah and Washington.
Related Video:
Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.
