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I drove the $70,000 Genesis GV60: See inside the futuristic Tesla rival that has facial recognition and a crystal ball

Tim LevinJul 31, 2023, 16:17 IST

The Genesis GV60 offers a premium interior and all the technology you could ask for.Tim Levin/Insider

I drove the Genesis GV60, a new electric SUV from Hyundai's luxury brand.
It impressed me with its comfy interior, flashy tech, and super-fast charging speeds.

I got to spend a few days this month testing one of the most exciting new Tesla rivals out there: the Genesis GV60.

The small electric SUV from Hyundai's luxury offshoot packs quirky styling, a comfy interior, and all the tech you could ask for. Plus, the Performance model I drove — stickered at right around $70,000 — packed a serious punch whenever I floored it.

I got up close and personal with the GV60 so you don't have to. Let me take you on a photo tour of the sleek new electric vehicle and give you an overview of its best features.

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Starting with the exterior, the GV60 has a style very much all its own.

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

Its squat proportions and rounded features make it look kind of like a bug, or an alien spaceship.

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

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Adding to the sleekness are flush door handles that pop out when the car is unlocked, or fold flat when driving.

Tim Levin/Insider

My tester came with 21-inch wheels that some might find a little busy, but I really dug.

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

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To me, the cyberpunk Hyundai Ioniq 5 — built on the same underlying tech as the GV60 — is a better looking vehicle. But everyone I showed the GV60 to seemed to really like it. It grew on me over time.

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

To me, the cyberpunk Hyundai Ioniq 5 — built on the same underlying tech as the GV60 — is a better looking vehicle. But everyone I showed the GV60 to seemed to really like it. It grew on me over time.

As for sizing, the GV60 is a little smaller than something like a Toyota RAV4.

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

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The GV60 is just as stylish and fun on the inside.

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

Plus, it serves up a level of luxury you don't get in Hyundai or Kia's similar offerings. And you'd expect as much from a vehicle with a starting price around $60,000.

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

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My test car had navy leather seats with a radioactive green trim.

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

The perforated leather had a diamond pattern, which you'll notice elsewhere in the interior.

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

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The heated and ventilated front seats came in handy on scorching summer days.

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

They were also highly adjustable in practically every direction. I could even make the driver’s seat squeeze my sides harder.

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

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Every so often on a long drive, the seat adjusted this way and that — basically massaging you — to keep you from getting too stiff. That was a nice extra.

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

Other premium features you get as standard include a 360-degree camera, a heads-up display on the windshield, a wireless charging pad, some aluminum trim, and power-folding mirrors.

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

Other premium features you get as standard include a 360-degree camera, a heads-up display on the windshield, a wireless charging pad, some aluminum trim, and power-folding mirrors.

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The whole cabin felt remarkably open and modern for a few reasons.

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

One was the large sunroof, which had an electronic sunshade.

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

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And since the GV60 doesn't have a bulky transmission running down its center, Genesis was able to provide a bunch more open space in general.

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

There's a big open space by the driver's knee, and back-seat passengers get a totally flat floor.

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

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The cockpit includes a pair of crisp, easy-to-navigate screens.

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

One shows things like speed and range. The other lets you control the media player, navigation, and other settings.

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

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There's also a neat control panel below the main screen where you can change the climate settings or tap to select where you want the air blowing.

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

One of the coolest parts of the GV60’s interior is this crystal ball in the center console.

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

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When the car is off, it's just that — a decorative sphere (that looks extra cool at night.)

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

But when you switch the car on, it rotates 180 degrees to reveal your gear selector.

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

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It's totally unnecessary, but very fun.

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

Another quirk: You can unlock and drive the GV60 without a key. Let me explain.

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

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The SUV has a facial recognition camera and a fingerprint scanner. If you load in your biometric information, you can access the car just using your face and finger.

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

I thought the system worked pretty well, but it wasn't as seamless or quick as the regular key fob.

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

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Here's another unusual feature: The GV60's glove box is actually a glove drawer.

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

OK, so how is the GV60 on the road?

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

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It's quiet, smooth, and in the case of the Performance version I tested, devilishly quick.

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

Clicking the Boost button on the GV60's steering wheel temporarily unleashes the SUV's full 483 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque.

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

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Stab the throttle and you'll instantly jerk forward and accelerate like practically no gas car can.

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

The all-wheel-drive SUV has two motors — one in front and one in back.

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

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The GV60 Performance is rated by the EPA for 235 miles of range, while the regular SUV targets 248 miles.

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

I found the SUV's indicated range to be pretty accurate. And it even recalculated if I cranked up the A/C, which was a nice touch.

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

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The GV60's range is only so-so, but it makes up for it, at least in part, with super-fast charging.

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

On a 250-kilowatt fast-charger, it can recharge from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes, which is darn quick. Some other EVs can only use 100 or 150 kilowatts at most, leading to a less powerful and slower charge.

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

On a 250-kilowatt fast-charger, it can recharge from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes, which is darn quick. Some other EVs can only use 100 or 150 kilowatts at most, leading to a less powerful and slower charge.

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Both times I charged the GV60, it quickly started charging at well over 220 kilowatts, which made for quick pit stops. That helped immensely with long drives.

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

Some other highlights of driving the GV60: its driver-assistance features.

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

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When you switch on your turn signal, the GV60 displays a live camera view of your blindspot right in the driver-facing screen. This should be in every new car.

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

And the car's adaptive cruise-control feature confidently followed lane lines and maintained a steady distance from other cars. It even navigated stop-and-go traffic, which was a godsend.

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

And the car's adaptive cruise-control feature confidently followed lane lines and maintained a steady distance from other cars. It even navigated stop-and-go traffic, which was a godsend.

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The GV60 offers up whimsical features, a distinctive look, upscale finishes, and excellent technology, making it one of the best choices in the luxury EV segment. If you like the feel of the GV60 but can't spend that much, check out the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6. They all share a lot in common.

The Genesis GV60.Tim Levin/Insider

The GV60 offers up whimsical features, a distinctive look, upscale finishes, and excellent technology, making it one of the best choices in the luxury EV segment. If you like the feel of the GV60 but can't spend that much, check out the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6. They all share a lot in common.

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