Review: Genesis GV60

Genesis is to Hyundai what Crown Plaza is to Holiday Inn or Sofology to DFS, commanding a higher price and a little more luxury.

Part of the Hyundai Motor Group, it has been establishing itself as a premium alternative to Audi, BMW and Volvo for the past five years, with plush interiors among its hallmarks.

Its GV60 SUV shares its architecture with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 but rivals Audi’s Q4 e-tron, BMW’s iX1 and Volvo’s EX40.

Prices start at £54,115 for the 225bhp, rear-wheel drive single-motor version tested here, which boasts the line-up’s largest range, at 348 miles.

Sport and Performance trims feature two motors and all-wheel drive, boosting power to 318bhp and 483bhp, respectively, and prices to £58,515 and £67,715.

However, our tests car’s optional Innovation and Comfort Packs swelled its price to £62,605.

The Pure delivers all the performance most owners will need, reaching 62mph in 7.8 seconds and a 114mph top speed.

The GV60 is geared towards comfort and rides nicely, a natural, progressive-feeling power delivery complemented by regenerative braking which can be adjusted, via steering wheel-mounted paddles, to provide one pedal driving or free-coasting.

Genesis takes refinement seriously. From foam inserts in the Genesis-specific Michelin tyres to active noise cancelling provided by cabin’s speakers, its attention to sound-deadening detail ensures serene transport.

The revised car’s styling is marked out by body coloured wheelarch trims and sleeker LED headlights. Aside from the conspicuous “lightning bolt” rear pillar, it is fuss-free and classy.

The brand’s real value come inside, though.

The crystal ball on the centre console trimming which rotates to become a rotary gear selector is a little contrived, but the cabin is otherwise of high quality and highly functional.

Soft touch materials abound and the crisply rendered 27in OLED infotainment and instrument display look great.

Plenty of physical buttons, and a rotary controller which supplements touchscreen functionality, ensure key functions are easily accessed.

Heated front seats and steering wheel, wireless phone charging, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring tech and 64-colour ambient lighting are all standard.

While the GV60’s 432-litre boot is a little shallow, accommodation is not lacking elsewhere. There is plenty of rear legroom.

Genesis may go without the brand recognition of its key rivals but it is every bit a match in terms of tech and cabin quality, while its proven EV underpinnings provide reliable performance.

Find a rapid charger and its 240kWh capability means a 10-80 per cent top up can take just 18 minutes.

Furthermore, through its ‘Genesis Difference’ promise, the brand serves up collection and delivery for remote vehicle servicing.

For some, this additional USP could add genuine appeal and help to justify the price premium over its very capable South Korean stablemates.

Genesis GV60 Pure

Price: £62,605 (as tested)

Engine: 84kWh battery

Power: 225bhp

Torque: 350Nm

Transmission: single-speed electric

Top Speed: 114mph

0-62mph: 7.8 seconds

Range: 348 miles

CO2 emissions: 0g/km