First Drive: Updates make the Genesis GV60 more compelling than ever

What is it?

Genesis first arrived in the UK around four and a half years ago, quickly launching a flurry of new models with a mix of electric and petrol-powered vehicles. It was the GV60, however, which really stood out thanks to its premium-feeling interior and impressive range.

Understandably, Genesis is in no mood for this hard-hitting EV to disappear, which is why it has treated it to a mid-life facelift. It brings a series of upgrades to both the interior and the drivetrain, but have they done enough to keep this car current? We’ve been driving in the UK to find out.

What’s new?

As mentioned, this is a midlife facelift, so don’t expect the rule book to be completely in tatters. However, there have been some decent upgrades made here and there, including a larger infotainment system – similar to the one fitted to the new GV70 – while bringing a clever new regenerative braking system which can automatically slow the car down before a corner or roundabout.

On the outside, you’ve got redesigned headlights and reshaped bumpers, but things in this area are pretty light. It’s still very similar to the old GV60.

What’s under the bonnet?

As before, the GV60 is available with a series of powertrain options, but the one we’re testing is likely to be one of the most popular. It uses a rear-mounted, single electric motor which produces 215bhp and 350Nm. While those outputs may be relatively modest in the EV game – you could always opt for the 483bhp supercar-rivalling Performance model if you want more – the end result is a car with a decent 348 miles of range. That’s just over 20 miles more than you’d get from the previous GV60, too.

Where this car really excels, however, is with charging. Thanks to its 800-volt charging architecture, the GV60 can accept an impressive 350kW power supply, meaning that a 10 to 80 per cent charge could be completed in 18 minutes. It’s one of the quickest charging speeds that you’lll find on any EV today.

What’s it like to drive?

The driving experience in the GV60 was always quite impressive, so it’s good to see that things in this department have remained the same. Sure, at low speeds the ride can be a touch fidgety, but once you’re moving a little more quickly, things settle down. The steering has a decent amount of weight to it and though this is in essence the slowest model in the range, we’d say that performance is more than adequate for usual driving. As before, the prominent rear spoiler does eat into your rearward visibility.

Road and wind noise aren’t too noticeable, either, and it’s now simpler to deactivate the ever-bonging assistance systems through some simple ‘one-press’ buttons on the steering wheel.

How does it look?

As touched upon earlier, there haven’t been too many groundbreaking changes to the look of the GV60. The bumpers at the front and rear have been redesigned for a more dynamic appearance, while body-coloured wheelarch surrounds are now one of the easiest ways to differentiate this model from the previous-generation car.

The GV60’s headlights now get upgraded Micro Lens Array technology, which, essentially, allows them to deliver the maximum amount of illumination in what is a very slim, compact unit. A new range of alloy wheel designs are there to choose from, too.

What’s it like inside?

Genesis has always positioned itself as the more upmarket brand within the Hyundai/Kia group and this was evident in the car’s interior. While the ‘Pure’ specification car we’re driving may be essentially the ‘entry’ level specification, material quality is good throughout and the level of fit-and-finish is excellent, too. There’s a solid, robust feel to the GV60’s cabin throughout and there’s a great blend of touchscreen and old-school manual controls for various functions. We like the quick-access buttons for changing between different menus, too.

Rear-seat space is compromised ever so slightly as a result of the sloping roofline, but the 432-litre boot is a very decent size. You can increase it to 1,460 litres by folding down the rear seats, too, making this car even more practical.

What’s the spec like?

Prices for the GV60 range start from £54,115, which does put it towards the upper end of this portion of the EV market. However, Genesis has equipped it with a comprehensive list of standard equipment, including its new 27-inch OLED infotainment display, which is fast to respond and easy to navigate. You also get electrically adjustable front seats, wireless smartphone charging and a huge list of safety assistance systems all included on all models. In reality, there’s little more that you could want.

Both Sport and Performance – priced at £58,515 and £67,715 respectively – bring more in the way of power output rather than equipment, so unless you really need that go-faster feeling, we’d say that this Pure model is the one to go for. It has the best range, too.

Verdict

The Genesis GV60 may still be a slightly left-field choice within the electric vehicle line-up, but it’s so comprehensively designed and finished that it should be far more central. It’s well equipped, has a good level of range and brings one of the quickest charge speeds that you can get from any EV today.

It does sit at the more expensive end of things, but when you consider the comprehensive list of equipment that you get as standard, it makes the GV60 into quite a tempting proposition.