2022 Genesis GV60

Genesis GV60 Premium UK first drive

With a bit more fine-tuning of the chassis, the standard GV60 would come very close to the perfect medium-sized electric SUV. As it stands, it’s still excellent. So it’s a real pity Genesis has given it such a dramatic price increase. It soundly beats the Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the Tesla Model Y for interior quality and refinement, and it’s a better car than the Audi Q4 E-Tron and Volvo XC40 Recharge thanks to the more upmarket interior, better driving dynamics and superior charging and range. But with a starting price of £53,905 and unfavourable monthly rates, it’s also considerably more expensive than all the rest. Perhaps that’s fair, and the next class up (BMW iX3, Audi Q8 E-tron, Jaguar I-Pace) is a lot more expensive still, but Genesis may have overshot a bit here.


1.PNG2.PNG3.PNG4.PNG5.PNG6.PNG7.PNG
 
Genesis Mint could evolve into luxury urban EV for Europe

Genesis bosses are evaluating a compact electric car in the vein of the Mint to sit beneath the GV60

Genesis is evaluating launching a small, Europe-focused luxury electric car, potentially beating Tesla’s mooted entry-level model to market.

The car would take inspiration from the Genesis Mint concept of 2019, which received positive feedback but hasn’t yet yielded a production car.

It was revealed at the New York motor show, and at the time Genesis hadn’t launched in Europe. A production model would likely have a European focus, given the car’s compact dimensions.

Mark Choi, head of product planning for Genesis, said: “We're looking at expanding our model line-up, and especially in Europe a smaller model is being considered.

“But it's not a simple case of adding new models; we need to factor in the growth of sales anticipated for our current cars, weigh that against our manufacturing capacity and then consider the rising cost of raw materials and understand how that affects the decision.”

Choi hinted that the latter factor could delay the launch of the small EV, which would sit below the Genesis GV60 crossover in the Korean firm’s line-up. As such it would be the entry-level model, although it wouldn’t carry a price tag in line with its luxury billing.

 
Updated 2023 Genesis GV60 unlocks using face recognition tech

'World first' for segment-bending luxury crossover; now priced from £53,095

The Genesis GV60 is now available to order with face recognition technology to lock and unlock the car following a model-year update - a world first, according to its maker.

Owners can set the car up - initially using the key to confirm ownership - to recognise their features using biometric data, and then access it by looking into a camera located on the door pillar. The system, called Face Connect, uses the same technology found on modern mobile phones to unlock their screens.

The system can also use a fingerprint recognition system to verify the owner’s identity for enhanced security. Genesis says the system is secure as a result of its encrypted software and the information is stored and managed via the car’s HMI system, rather than being uploaded and stored remotely from the car.

GV60s ordered from now come with the option of the face recognition technology. Other updates include a standard massaging driver’s seat and heated front and rear seats.

Prices start from £53,905 in the UK for entry-level Premium cars, which include a 12.3in infotainment system, wireless phone charging and a host of safety systems as standard.

Premium models are driven by a 225bhp rear-mounted electric motor, powered by a 73kWh battery with a claimed 321 miles of range.

 
Genesis is working on wireless charging for EVs

Just got used to the magic of wireless phone charging? Soon your car might be compatible too

Wireless mobile phone charging in cars really is witchcraft, isn’t it? Okay your phone can get a little warm while it’s sat in its little tray, but that’s a small price to pay for not having to remember to bring umpteen different cables with varying connectors every time you leave the house.

So, wouldn’t it make sense to upscale that to charging electric cars? Think of how much time and effort you’d save. Well, Genesis is the latest brand to run a trial with 23 wireless charging stations now active across Korea, and TG has had a go.

In reality the experience is rather underwhelming, but that’s surely a positive, no? If your car is equipped with the wireless charging receiver underneath, you simply line it up with the floor-mounted inductive charging pad using the parking cameras and some helpful lines on the infotainment screen.

Once you’re perfectly parked and the car is switched off, it’ll automatically start charging in a matter of seconds. No messing about with cables and no faffing with contactless credit cards – all of the payments are handled by the car.

Just 22 cars (a mix of GV60s and Electrified GV70s) have been modified to take part in the pilot project so far, but Genesis is apparently looking at introducing wireless charging as an optional extra down the line.


1.PNG2.PNG3.PNG4.PNG
 
Genesis GV60 facial recognition review: does this scary new tech actually work?

The future is coming, and it wants your face... to open up your car

Gimmick or gadget?

Gadget. Just. It’s a fun talking point and works well provided you’re not in a rush (the whole face entry and fingerprint start-up process takes extra seconds we don’t normally allow for).
Best of all, like the Genesis remote phone app (yes, there’s one of those too), it costs nothing to add – it’s now standard equipment on all GV60s. Treat it as a useful extra feature, rather than a game changer, because what it mostly serves to do is remind you how sensible/flexible a remote control fob is.

 
Genesis GV60 gains the world’s first face recognition

Genesis updated the GV60 with a host of new features for the model year 2023. The GV60 is the posh version of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6, and arguably - the best-looking out of the trio. This shouldn’t be a surprise, after all, Genesis is the upmarket brand of the Hyundai Group and its vehicles offer seriously high levels of luxury and comfort, but the latest EV range adds more flair to the electric car world.

The GV60 gets an improved facial recognition system called Face Connect. It allows the owner to enter and drive the vehicle away without the need for a keyfob or a mobile phone. Its NIR (near infrared) camera coupled with an advanced image processor, can safely identify the owner in any conditions - be it at night or when it’s raining. The added benefit is the extensive profile recognition - once the vehicle knows who’s the driver, it adjusts everything to the individual requirements. In the time it takes for the door to open to the driver sitting down - everything is adjusted and ready.

The improved Digital Key 2.0 comes pre-installed as well, it allows the GV60 owners to share their car without having to be present. Up to three users can be registered with the vehicle and have their own individual profiles. The Digital Key 2.0 uses Bluetooth, UWB, and NFC to ensure a safe and reliable connection and improved security. Additional improvements involve welcoming lights coming on when the driver is about 1 m away from the vehicle and position recognition - the vehicle knows which door is the driver standing by and can automatically open the tailgate without any interaction required.


 
Genesis GV60 review

WHAT'S THE VERDICT?

“The Genesis GV60 is smooth, very quiet and refined. Approach it like that and you’ll find a lot to like”

The EV crossover market is approaching saturation. Just check out our 11-car mega-test video by clicking these blue words to see what we’re on about – that’s pretty much every one of the GV60’s rivals in one place for you.

It’s mightily impressive, though, the Genesis. We’d avoid the Sport Plus: it’s too quick and too expensive, and neither of those facets chime with the GV60s strengths in other areas. The longer range Premium is the one to go for, although its price aligns it with top-spec versions of the Ioniq 5 and EV6. Genesis will have to hope the aftercare services (see Buying section) live up to the hype.

It’s smooth, very quiet and refined. Approach it like that and you’ll find a lot to like. It’s swift and easy to drive, but don’t expect it to be as crisp or alert as a Ford Mustang Mach-E or the Polestar 2. The interior is soft and comfortable, although the shapes, patterns and pastel colour palettes might not be for everyone. This very much feels like the car that should have introduced Genesis to Europe. It’s a better anchor point for the brand to build off for the future.

 
Genesis GV60 facelift possibly spotted in Korea

The Genesis GV60 was announced back in 2021 as the brand's first dedicated EV, and it's build on the same E-GMP platform as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6. Now it seems like it may be in need of a slight refresh. At least that's what Genesis appears to be thinking, as it looks like a new GV60 facelift has been spotted in Korea.

The new model was just hanging out in the background of a video announcing Jacky Ickx as the latest Genesis brand ambassador. Here's the relevant shot:

The air intake / bottom grille is obviously different compared to the current GV60, the headlights seem to be ever so slightly touched up too, but perhaps the most obvious difference is the lack of the triangle above the license plate area. Here's the current GB60 for comparison:


 
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X