Genesis, Hyundai’s luxury arm, has gotten off to a great start with its limited product line. Each vehicle has been met with critical acclaim, yet the average consumer is still unaware of the brand. Clearly it still has a long public relations road ahead to convince people that Hyundai can make high-quality luxury vehicles.
Now Genesis is complicating matters more by diving into the EV world with the GV60. It begs the question, can Hyundai win over luxury buyers and EV buyers with the Genesis GV60? If seeing is believing, then the first sights of the Genesis GV60 make me a believer.
Hyundai shares platforms with the Genesis, which is a common practice amongst auto manufacturers under the same umbrella. And we’ve already seen the Hyundai Ioniq 5, which is a 300-mile range EV. This vehicle, along with the Kia EV6, will share the same platform — but that doesn’t mean any of these three vehicles will be clones of each other.
From the photos we’ve seen of the GV60, it will have bolder looks than the Ioniq 5 and EV6, and it will be loaded with luxury and technology.
Hyundai has done a tremendous job of amping up the luxury and refinement in its sedans as well as the GV70 and GV80Â SUVs. No way could you call any of those vehicles overpriced Hyundais as they’re loaded with fine touch points and refined elegance. We expect the same from the all-electric GV60, which will slot in below the GV70 in its SUV line.
As EVs evolve, the designers are getting more free-reign to add distinctive elements. While this can lead to the absurd (looking squarely you at, Tesla Cybertruck), it can also lead to some eye-appealing designs. And in a segment where so many vehicles gelatinously blend together, it’s refreshing.
When I saw images and ads for the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq, I was drawn to its looks immediately. I proclaimed it to be the best-looking EV on the road. But now after seeing photos of the Genesis GV60, it is going to bump the Lyriq from atop my list.
From the front end with the Quad Head Lamps leading to Two Lines graphics down the side, the GV60’s front end stands out. It will be immediately recognizable.
On profile, the GV60 stands out. It has some quirky styling, but none are absurd or outlandish, but they certainly are bold. The profile of the GV60 is one of the most instantly recognizable vehicles in the industry with a wide stance that leads to a notched out roofline near the C-pillar.
It all culminates at a sexy rear spoiler that sits above the tail lights that match the Two Lines on the grille. It all completes the look, and the Genesis designers deserve praise for what they did with the GV60.
Crystal Sphere
Inside, Genesis eliminates any concerns it might be mistaken for the more budget-friendly Hyundai Ioniq 5 with an interior that features a futuristic-looking crystal sphere that lights up when the GV60 is on. This may seem gimmicky, but EVs like the GV60 are silent, so it’s tough to know if the vehicle is turned on. As the crystal sphere lights up, you know it’s engaged and ready.
“At Genesis we speak about emotional functionality,” the automaker said in a press release. “We created beauty where beauty didn’t exist in the beautiful Crystal Sphere with its laser engraving and user configurable mood lighting.”
The Crystal Sphere shifter may be a “hook,” but it’s something we haven’t seen before in a vehicle. It combines function with styling and will offer a true “wow” factor that the Ioniq 5, EV6 or any other EV just won’t have.
Every vehicle from Genesis I’ve driven has impressed in both styling and performance. The materials for the GV60 call it a “new era in luxury electrification.” Fair enough. We agree.
If the Genesis GV60 jumps into luxury electrification like this, they are raising the bar with its very first offering. All the other auto manufacturers should take note and pay attention to this all-electric luxury crossover.
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