UK Drive: Can Genesis get the sporty EV right with GV60 Magma?
Performance-focused electric hatchback certainly looks the part, but does its drive live up to the hype? Jack Evans finds out.
What is it?
But that focus looks to change slightly for this new car – the GV60 Magma – which arrives as Genesis’ opening performance car. We’ve been trying it out.
What’s new?
It has also debuted a brand new style for Genesis, breaking off from its usually understated, low-key approach for something that is altogether more distinctive.
What’s under the bonnet?
But there’s a lot more going on here than just figures. Like the Hyundai, the GV60 Magma gets its own electronic gear shift designed to mimic a ‘real’ paddle gearshift. It’s got its own bespoke tune and is linked to a sound generator that has been inspired by V6 engines. A 20mm drop in ride height over a standard GV60 and wider, stickier tyres are all there to make the Magma sharper and keener to drive, too.
What’s it like to drive?
But this isn’t a car designed for slower speeds, of course. Move more quickly and the Magma is a great deal of fun, even in ‘standard’ driver modes. Switch things up, engage the electronic gearshift and it’s genuinely involving, while the augmented V6 engine noise is properly realistic. You can hear it from the outside, too, and we’d reckon that those who weren’t aware of the GV60’s battery-powered setup beforehand would easily mistake it for a full petrol-engined car.
How does it look?
The orange colour is tied to the Magma brand, so those bright brake calipers can’t be swapped out for a different shade. However, if the primary orange colour isn’t for you, then the Magma does look pretty stealthy in black, too.
What’s it like inside?
Rear-seat space isn’t too bad, though headroom is limited due to the sloping roof. As in the standard GV60, a small rear window – which doesn’t get a wiper – is a bit of a hindrance, particularly when you’re driving in heavy rain.
What’s the spec like?
But you’re also getting all of the bells and whistles to go along with it. You’ve got redesigned sports seats with 10-way electric adjustment, plenty of suede-like trim finishers and a wraparound 27-inch screen which blends together infotainment and driver information. It looks great and still gets plenty of physical controls to help things out, which feels like a rarity today.
Verdict
The GV60 Magma feels like a fitting flagship for the brand. It’s been a long time coming – we first got wind of this car back in 2024 – but now that it’s here, you can tell that the thought has been put into making sure that this performance model is executed properly.
The only sticking point is the price. However, if you’re after a performance EV that’ll turn heads and feel a little different to the status quo, then the GV60 Magma could be for you.