2023 Genesis GV60 Assessment: Willfully Wild | Professional evaluate

The decision: Loaded with usable tech, styled to show heads and powered for neck-snapping acceleration, the all-new, all-electric Genesis GV60 is the closest factor but to a Tesla Mannequin Y killer.

Versus the competitors: The GV60 is inexpensive than a Mannequin Y and has a much more opulent and splendid inside, filled with creative thrives — and it seems unbelievable in addition.

South Korean luxurious model Genesis follows a two-pronged college of thought relating to electrical automobiles: On the one hand, there’s the fully normal-looking 2023 Electrified G80 sedan, which is visually practically indistinguishable from the gas-powered model. It’s nice if you’d like a standard, normal-looking, on a regular basis luxurious automobile that additionally occurs to be an EV.

Associated: 2023 Genesis Electrified G80 Assessment: The Finest G80?

On the different finish of the showroom, you’ve got the automobile mentioned right here: the 2023 GV60. Primarily based on a totally new EV platform that’s shared with fashions from model siblings Hyundai and Kia, the GV60 has Jetsons-level styling, sudden coloration mixtures inside, really eye-popping options and particulars, and a few wild efficiency capabilities — all for a really market-competitive worth. (Be aware: I did not say “low-cost.”) Given segment-leader Tesla’s continuous worth creep into luxury-vehicle territory with the Mannequin Y, the GV60 is an fascinating different for Tesla-intenders.

The Household Face, Writ Small

The GV60’s look is instantly controversial and tough to categorise. There are, nevertheless, a couple of apparent traits that assist distinguish it, together with the Genesis household face that adorns the entrance finish. The split-level LED headlights are engaging, trendy and trendy, with out being odd as they’re on some automobiles. Genesis’ “G-Matrix” grille is absent, however the diamond-pattern mesh exhibits up in a decrease opening beneath the headlights.

The GV60’s sides have a traditional “Coke-bottle” form, with bulging fenders and muscular haunches. All of it terminates on the rear with a really weird zig-zag little bit of chrome, in addition to taillights that undertake the identical split-level theme that’s seen up entrance. These particulars make the GV60 instantly identifiable as a Genesis, and the creative thrives foreshadow the cabin’s distinctive design cues.

All that mentioned, simply what sort of car is that this? Genesis calls the GV60 a “coupe crossover utility car,” which is a category that features fashions just like the Tesla Mannequin Y, BMW’s X4 and X6, and the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe. The GV60’s swooping roofline offers it a curtailed rear finish, and it additionally deletes chunk of area from the cargo space and reduces backseat headroom for the sake of fashion. And there’s no denying this automobile really has model, particularly when adored with the Efficiency trim’s huge 21-inch wheels, which look able to finely grating some Parmesan cheese. Issues get much more curious once you stand again and notice that the general silhouette of the GV60 is nearly equivalent to the Mannequin Y’s, however the variations in design particulars, thrives and execution are worlds aside. The Mannequin Y is boring and frumpy, whereas the GV60 is something however.

Gorgeous Efficiency

Given the GV60 is an all-new electrical automobile with a brand new powertrain, how does it drive? Nicely, it’s a blast — fairly actually, you probably have a GV60 with a bright-yellow “Increase” button on the steering wheel (present in uplevel Efficiency variations).

The bottom GV60 Superior trim comes with two motors for traditional all-wheel drive, making a wholesome 314 horsepower and 446 pounds-feet of torque. And whereas that’s lots spectacular, the Efficiency trim I examined ups output to an eye-popping 429 hp and 446 pounds-feet of torque. And then, once you push that Increase button, you get 10 seconds of 483 hp and 516 pounds-feet of torque that seems like when the USS Enterprise engages warp drive; acceleration is instantaneous.

We ran a GV60 Efficiency down a drag strip towards our long-term Mannequin Y Lengthy Vary, with its personal Acceleration Increase unlocked, and it blew the Tesla away: With the GV60’s Increase Mode engaged, it obtained to 60 mph in 3.77 seconds, versus 4.32 seconds for the Mannequin Y with Acceleration Increase; with out Increase engaged, the GV60 nonetheless did 0-60 mph in 4.35 seconds.

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All these instances are blisteringly fast for a compact luxurious SUV, however the Tesla fell effectively behind the Genesis’ finest time. Tesla does, nevertheless, additionally promote a Efficiency model of the Mannequin Y, which has a manufacturer-claimed 0-60 time of three.5 seconds.

Sadly, lightning acceleration is just about the place the GV60’s efficiency aspirations finish. For one, it’s not as keen to alter instructions as is the Mannequin Y. That doesn’t imply the GV60 is wallowy or tender, it simply doesn’t have fairly the identical degree of athleticism because the Tesla. That mentioned, the GV60 positively has a extra compliant and well-damped suspension than the Mannequin Y, which we’ve discovered to be overly stiff and bouncy. General, the GV60 is extra of a grand touring luxurious car than a sporty one, regardless of its prolific acceleration.

You’ll be able to allow one-pedal driving utilizing the regenerative braking system, which additionally affords totally different ranges of regen braking. In on a regular basis driving, the GV60’s effectivity is surprisingly good, averaging greater than 3 miles per kilowatt-hour throughout lots of routine use. Its vary is simply OK, at the least in accordance with its EPA estimates: 248 miles for the bottom Superior trim degree and 235 miles for the Efficiency. These numbers fall effectively beneath the Mannequin Y’s vary estimates. The GV60 can cost at as much as 235 kilowatts utilizing a 350-kW DC quick charger, which suggests going from a ten%-80% cost in as little as 18 minutes, in accordance with Genesis. That skill to shortly replenish vary — assuming you’re utilizing a DC quick charger that helps its most charging velocity — makes its extra modest vary much less of a problem.