We’ve been driving all the electric cars lately, trialling everything from BMW, Porsche, and Kia to get a taste of the EV life at all ends of the spectrum. There’s one EV we’ve been itching to get behind the wheel of and Genesis Australia has finally lifted the lid on their first dedicated electric vehicle, the Genesis GV60. Marking the first of three Genesis EVs due in 2022, the GV60 is set to arrive in Australia from September 2022 and is priced from AUD$103,700 plus on-road costs.
Related: Looking for more of the best SUVs, electric, luxury, and sports cars? Check out all the news here.
What Powers the Genesis GV60?
The Genesis GV60 will be offered in two different vehicle specifications, with both based on the shared E-GMP electric platform (same as Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5). You’ll notice some similarities between those models and the performance figures below.
Motors
GV60 AWD
The first of the two motor options is the GV60 AWD comes equipped with a 160kW at the rear and a 74kW motor up the front for a total output of 234kW and maximum torque of 605Nm. On paper, even the entry-level model offers more power than the next most expensive EV on the market – the BMW iX3 we drove earlier this year – that starts from AUD$114,900 plus on-road costs and produces 210kW to the rear wheels only.
GV60 AWD Performance
The performance variant of the GV60 raises the power output of both motors to 180kW rear and 180kW front. This results in a total output of 360kW when using ‘Boost Mode’ activated by a button on the steering wheel. This mode activates additional performance for 10 seconds and enables the GV60 Performance AWD to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.0 seconds (4.6sec without Boost Mode). You also receive a Rear Limited Slip Differential (E-LSD), black monobloc front brakes, and adaptive road-preview capable electronic suspension.
Battery
Both Genesis GV60 models come equipped with a 77.4kWh battery. This is considered an average size for EV batteries today and is exactly the same size as the Kia EV6 as they’re both based on the same E-GMP platform. Compare this to the Tesla Model Y Long Range which boasts an 82.8kWh battery pack and more range. Speaking of which…
Range
The 77.4kWh battery offers both cars a WLTP range in the region of 470km. You’ll have a harder time achieving that number in the more powerful GV60 AWD Performance (466km WLTP), however, the rear-wheel-biased e-AWD system does feature a Disconnector Actuator System (DAS) that separates or connects the motor and the drive shaft to cater for driving conditions and maximise range. Moving down the price bracket and you have the Tesla Model Y Long Range with a maximum WLTP range of 514km – starting from AUD$96,700.
Charging
Unlike the Tesla, the Genesis GV60 utilises the same variable 400V/800V charging capabilities that we’ve loved from luxury EVs like the Porsche Taycan. This means stable and rapid charging with various charging infrastructures, and when charging at 350kW with the ultra-speed charging function, you’ll get from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in just 18 minutes.
The GV60 also introduces battery preconditioning for charging to the E-GMP platform for the first time. Kia owners have complained about not having this capability since that vehicle came to market, however, an update is said to arrive later this year and for MY2023 vehicles. The battery conditioning function will preheat the battery to secure better performance when the ambient temperature is low, as well as reduce charging time by ensuring optimal battery temperature. We’re glad to see this introduced to a vehicle in this price bracket.
Related: 2022 Porsche Taycan RWD Review: The Model to Buy?
What’s the Exterior Like on the Genesis GV60?
We absolutely love the exterior design of the Genesis GV60. Most notably, the vehicle will introduce the digital side mirrors we first saw in the Audi E-Tron. A system that replaces the side mirrors with cameras.
Colour options include gloss and matte options.
Gloss Exterior Colours
- Solid: São Paulo Lime
- Mica: Uyuni White
- Metallic: Savile Silver, Himalayan Grey, Vik Black, Adriatic Blue, Barossa Burgundy, Mauna Red, Hanauma Mint, Atacama Copper
Matte Exterior Colours (Performance AWD only)
- Mica: Matterhorn White
- Metallic: Melbourne Grey, Atacama Copper
Genesis-signature shade Atacama Copper makes its debut on GV60.
Related: 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Review: Long, Large, and Luxurious.
What’s the Interior Like on the Genesis GV60?
As this is a platform shared vehicle with the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5, the interior of the Genesis GV60 would appear very familiar in overall design at first glance, primarily the centre console design and screens. The brand has, however, changed most of the touchpoints to reflect the vehicle’s price premium over its cousins.
Infotainment
Infotainment consists of a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a matching 12.3-inch multimedia touch screen display with Augmented reality navigation and Live Traffic. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included (but not specified as wireless or wired) and sound is played through a 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio w/ Digital Radio.
Touchpoints and Trims
The theme of bringing the best of the rest into the Genesis GV60 continues with a familiar Crystal Sphere drive selector that clearly resembles the BMW iX xDrive50 we drove a few months ago. Here we see the crystal illuminated to function as a ‘mood light’ according to the brand, and we actually prefer its application here as it adds a very premium touch to the cabin. Like the BMW, the crystal theme continues to the horn cover, door handles, and side mirror controllers.
GV60 is available with a choice of quilted Nappa leather upholsteries and aluminium trim garnishes.
AWD Interior (featuring Digital Dots Aluminium Garnish)
- Obsidian Black with Copper accents
- Ash Grey & Glacier White with Copper accents
- Monstera Green & Glacier White with Copper accents
Performance AWD Interiors (featuring Arrows Aluminium Garnish)
- Obsidian Black with Metallic Accents
- Ash Grey & Glacier White with Metallic Accents
- Torrent Navy with Metallic Accents
Quite frankly, we’re just happy to see a lack of ‘Vegan Leather’ otherwise known as recycled plastic.
Related: 2022 Kia EV6 GT Line AWD International First Drive
Genesis GV60 Australian Pricing and Release
Pricing
The Genesis GV60 AWD start from AUD$103,700 before on-road costs.
The more powerful Genesis GV60 AWD Performance starts from AUD$110,700 before on-road costs.
The extra money gets you more power, equal range on paper, and a host of extras including a Rear Limited Slip Differential (E-LSD), black monobloc front brakes, and adaptive road-preview capable electronic suspension. Choosing the Performance variant for a price difference of AUD$7,000 is a no-brainer in our eyes and we expect this to be the most popular model.
Release
The Genesis GV60 is set to arrive in Australia in September 2022.
Warranty and Servicing
The following are included with the purchase of the Genesis GV60.
- 5-year / unlimited-kilometre warranty
- 8-year warranty on high voltage battery
- 5-year complimentary servicing
- 5-year Genesis To You & valet service
- 10-year 24/7 roadside assistance
- 10-year complimentary map updates
- Choice of 5-year Chargefox subscription or home A/C charger & installation.
For more information, check out the link below.
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