The Genesis GV60 is an electric vehicle that stands out with its convenient and delicate driving. With improvements in battery capacity, charging speed, and regenerative braking (a system that converts and recovers kinetic energy generated during braking into electrical energy and stores it in the battery), the unique performance of the electric vehicle has been enhanced, and various cutting-edge technologies have been added to make driving even more comfortable. The vehicle responds flexibly and nimbly according to the driver or driving environment.
Hyundai Motor Company launched a facelift model of the Genesis compact electric vehicle GV60 in early March of this year. The GV60 is the first dedicated electric vehicle from Genesis, unveiled by Hyundai in October 2021, and this facelift comes about 3 years and 5 months later. The test vehicle was the GV60 Performance AWD trim.
The exterior of the GV60 feels compact, but the interior is more spacious than expected. The dimensions of the vehicle are a length of 4545 mm, width of 1890 mm, and height of 1580 mm, making it smaller than the GV70 electric vehicle (length 4715 mm, width 1910 mm, height 1630 mm). However, the wheelbase, which determines the indoor space of the vehicle, is longer in the GV60 at 2900 mm compared to the GV70 at 2875 mm.
The overall design is a blend of compact sports utility vehicle (SUV) and hatchback characteristics. While the front section is somewhat wide and round, the three-dimensional bumper, low body, and dual headlamps combine to create a sleek and dynamic impression.
Upon entering, the first row, second row, and cargo space (trunk) all provide a sense of openness and comfort. However, certain design elements like the sphere-shaped crystal gear shift, circular buttons, handles, and the grid pattern applied to the leather seats may be perceived as somewhat excessive depending on personal taste.
The GV60 stands out not only for its smooth and quiet driving performance typical of electric vehicles but also for its specifications that enhance driving convenience and enjoyment. The battery capacity equipped in the vehicle has increased from the existing 77.44 kWh to 84 kWh, and the range on a full charge has extended from 451 km to 481 km (combined, standard 2WD basis).
Though the battery capacity has increased, Hyundai explains that cooling performance improvements enable the same charging performance of 18 minutes (from 10% to 80% battery capacity) during 350 kW ultra-fast charging as before. The battery conditioning mode has been enhanced to provide optimal fast charging performance even during cold winter temperatures.
The GV60 is considered a popular model among employees of the battery manufacturer. SK On, which supplies batteries for the GV60, has been supporting employees who purchase electric vehicles equipped with its products by covering 15% of the vehicle's price (up to 10 million won) since last year, and the demand for Genesis electric vehicles, including the GV60, is reported to be steadily increasing.
The smart regenerative braking system 3.0 applied in the GV60 automatically adjusts the optimal amount of regenerative braking based on driving conditions by utilizing navigation information such as the flow of traffic ahead, driver deceleration patterns, speeding camera locations, speed bumps, and roundabouts. This alleviates driver fatigue while also preventing any jolting sensation experienced by passengers in electric vehicles.
Pressing the 'BOOST' button located at the lower right of the steering wheel momentarily boosts the output of the electric motor, allowing the vehicle to surge forward sharply with just a slight press of the accelerator. When the boost is applied, the vehicle delivers a peak output of 360 kW (490 ps) and maximum torque of 700 Nm (71.4 kgfm), accelerating from a standstill to 100 km/h in just 4.0 seconds.
As the impact of the chasm (temporary demand slowdown) continues, the price of imported electric vehicles is steadily decreasing, making the starting price in the mid-60 million won range still a burden. The sales prices for the GV60, based on electric vehicle tax benefits, are as follows: ▲Standard 2WD 64.9 million won ▲Standard AWD 68.51 million won ▲Performance AWD 72.88 million won.