The Genesis GV60 arrived in 2022 as the first all-electric vehicle from Hyundai‘s luxury Genesis brand. With Genesis earning praise for its gas-powered sedans and SUVs in recent years, hopes were high that the GV60 would emerge as a formidable competitor to the likes of the Tesla Model Y, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and other electric SUVs.
Unfortunately, the reality of the Genesis GV60 has failed to live up to the lofty expectations. While it has a few positive attributes, like an industry-leading warranty and 350 kW fast-charging capability, the GV60‘s drawbacks ultimately outweigh its strengths for most buyers. As an auto expert who has tested nearly every EV on the market, here are the top 10 reasons I would advise avoiding the Genesis GV60 at all costs.
1. Uncompetitive Cargo Space
The biggest reason to cross the GV60 off your shopping list is its surprisingly meager cargo capacity. Pop open the power liftgate and you‘ll find just 24 cubic feet of storage space behind the rear seats. That trails most rivals by a significant margin:
- Tesla Model Y: 30.2 cubic feet
- Ford Mustang Mach-E: 29.7 cubic feet
- Hyundai Ioniq 5: 27.2 cubic feet
- Kia EV6: 24.4 cubic feet
With the 60/40 split rear seats folded, the GV60 only offers 54.7 cubic feet of maximum cargo volume. In comparison, the Model Y fits 72.1 cubic feet and the Mach-E holds 59.7 cubes.
Plentiful cargo space is a major consideration for many SUV buyers, especially those with families. The ability to load up luggage for a road trip, haul sports gear, or help a friend move is key to the utility aspect of a Sport Utility Vehicle. But the GV60 falls short in this crucial regard. Its cargo hold is barely more capacious than some electric sedans. The similarly-sized Tesla Model 3, for instance, has 23 cubic feet of trunk and frunk space.
Speaking of frunks, that‘s another miss by Genesis. Unlike most rivals which offer a front trunk for extra storage where a gas engine would be, the GV60 lacks a frunk entirely. There‘s just a small compartment that houses a portable charge cable. It seems Genesis‘ designers prioritized sleek low-hood styling over added practicality.
The GV60‘s sloped rear roofline is the other factor eating into cargo capacity. It may give the SUV a unique sporty profile, but it cuts into the height and boxiness of the cargo area. Rival SUVs have more traditional squared-off rear ends that enable larger, more usable cargo bays. The GV60‘s form-over-function approach is a detriment to its overall versatility.
2. Mediocre Range and Efficiency
Another major weakness of the GV60 is its driving range. Equipped with a 77.4 kWh battery pack, it‘s rated for 248 miles of range in its base rear-wheel drive form. Upgrading to all-wheel drive boosts output to 314 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque but drops range to just 235 miles. The top-spec 429 hp Performance model has an even lower 235-mile estimate.
Most rivals offer significantly better range for the money:
- Tesla Model Y Long Range: 330 miles
- Ford Mustang Mach-E California Route 1: 314 miles
- Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range: 303 miles
- Kia EV6 Wind RWD: 310 miles
The 235-mile range of GV60 AWD models is especially disappointing considering the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 manage nearly 100 more miles from the same 77.4 kWh battery pack. This points to an efficiency disadvantage for the Genesis, likely due to extra weight and less aerodynamic design. According to the EPA, the GV60 returns 95 MPGe in city driving, 82 MPGe on the highway and 90 MPGe combined. Most competitors are in the 105-125 MPGe range.
Limited range and efficiency mean more frequent charging stops, especially on longer drives. And even with 350 kW charging capability that can take the battery from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes under ideal conditions, stopping more often still equates to more time wasted. For road trippers and those who regularly drive 200-300 miles in a stretch, rival EVs will likely prove more convenient.
3. Weird, Divisive Looks
While styling is subjective, there‘s no denying the GV60 is one of the most unconventional designs in the electric SUV segment. Its bulbous proportions, droopy front end, and stubby tail are a far cry from the elegant, understated lines of Genesis‘ gas models. The quirky clamshell hood, flush door handles, and triangular rear pillars add to the oddball look.
Some may appreciate the GV60‘s funky-futuristic aesthetic. But I suspect it will be a turnoff for more buyers than it attracts. Next to a Tesla Model Y or Ford Mach-E, the GV60 looks like an anonymous background vehicle from a sci-fi movie rather than a confident, modern design. It‘s trying too hard to look different.
Styling is an important consideration for any vehicle purchase, arguably even more so for luxury models. When dropping $60K or more on a new Genesis SUV, most people want to feel proud showing it off and pulling up to the valet stand. The GV60‘s bizarre looks may leave you fielding more "What is that thing?" questions than genuine compliments. For an EV design that blends attractive proportions with cool details, check out the Hyundai Ioniq 5 instead.
4. Cut-Rate Interior
The GV60‘s cabin is a letdown compared to other Genesis models and high-end EV competitors. Hard plastic surfaces, large panel gaps, and some flimsy controls cheapen the environment. The rotary shift knob feels wobbly and the door-mounted seat controls look like rejected video game console designs. Shiny piano black trim on the steering wheel and doors is a magnet for smudges and scratches.
Material quality falls below segment standards and fails to justify the GV60‘s lofty price point. A loaded Performance model rings in at nearly $70,000, yet doesn‘t feel any more special inside than a top-trim Hyundai Ioniq 5 that costs $20,000 less. Other EVs like the Audi Q4 e-tron, Volvo C40 Recharge, and BMW i4 offer more convincingly premium cabins for the cash. Even the Tesla Model Y, hardly a benchmark of build quality, at least has a cohesive modern aesthetic that looks and feels appropriate for the price.
The GV60‘s front seats are another weak point with thin padding, minimal bolstering and just 8-way power adjustability. Tall adults may find their heads grazing the headliner due to limited vertical space. Out back, the cramped rear quarters are better suited for kids than grown-ups on longer trips. At least the GV60‘s pair of 12.3-inch screens are crisp and colorful, if not particularly responsive or intuitive to use. Overall, the Genesis‘ interior fails to make a compelling first impression or hold up under closer scrutiny, especially in a market segment known for wow-factor cabins.
5. Sold in Just 20 States
As of August 2023, the Genesis GV60 and Electrified G80 sedan are only sold at dealerships in California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Washington, Florida, Virginia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Georgia, Illinois, Texas, Washington DC, Oregon, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Hawaii. If you live anywhere else in the US, you‘re out of luck.
Limited geographic availability is unfortunately a reality for many of the latest EV models as automakers often prefer to focus initial sales in states with high EV adoption rates and robust charging infrastructures. But it nonetheless eliminates the GV60 as an option for a large chunk of American car buyers. Hopefully Genesis will expand sales nationwide in the near future, but for now it remains a frustrating obstacle.
6. Lack of Brand Cachet
Genesis has made admirable strides in the luxury vehicle market over the past few years, producing some truly excellent gas-powered sedans and SUVs that rival established players from Germany and Japan. But the fledgling Korean luxury brand still lacks the name recognition, heritage, and prestige of a Tesla, Audi, BMW, Mercedes, or Porsche badge.
Fair or not, EVs tend to be status symbols and fashion accessories as much as transportation. So the brand on the nose often carries more weight for electric vehicle buyers than traditional car shoppers. Someone considering a loaded GV60 for $70K may ultimately decide to stretch for an entry-level Audi e-tron, Porsche Taycan, or Tesla Model X instead purely for the added clout and neighbors‘ envy.
While some may appreciate the GV60‘s positioning as a relatively rare, under-the-radar EV, its offbeat design is nonetheless likely to attract questions and side-eye rather than respect and admiration. For now, Genesis remains a niche player without the same brand draw as more established luxury marques. Until that changes, the GV60 faces an uphill battle standing out in the increasingly crowded EV space.
7. Frustrating Infotainment Controls
The GV60‘s infotainment system looks slick at first glance with its twin 12.3-inch curved displays, configurable widgets, and high-res graphics. But actually using the interface reveals some frustrating design choices sure to cause distraction while driving.
Chief among them is the touch-sensitive panel below the central screen that‘s used to swap between climate and audio controls. It‘s easy to accidentally graze it while reaching for the volume knob, changing the mode with an errant touch. And even when you do want to pull up the climate controls, they require more eyes-off-the-road time than physical buttons and knobs.
The user experience feels half-baked too, with laggy response times, confusing menus, and illogical control placement. Want to activate the heated seats? That requires digging through multiple submenus rather than simply tapping a clearly marked physical button. Changing a radio station frustratingly requires multiple steps instead of just spinning a tuning knob or using the steering wheel controls.
Genesis may win points for sleek minimalism, but the GV60‘s form-over-function approach is likely to induce more frustration than appreciation for most users. Tesla‘s infotainment system remains the gold standard for intuitive controls and snappy responsiveness. The Audi Q4 e-tron‘s combination of physical switchgear and crisp dual touchscreens works well too. But the GV60 feels a step behind the competition here.
8. Better Buying Experience Elsewhere
While Genesis has made strides with its online shopping tools, concierge service, and at-home test drives, the reality is that most GV60 buyers will still have to set foot inside a traditional dealership to sign paperwork and take final delivery. And as countless unsavory experiences have taught us, the dealership model often fails to respect customers‘ time and intelligence.
Expect to endure lengthy wait times, hidden fees, hard sells on dubious extras, and plenty of unnecessary paperwork. The average car buying process takes over 3 hours end-to-end. Do you really want to burn half your Saturday kicking around a fluorescent-lit showroom while answering the same questions about monthly payments and extended warranties again and again?
Contrast that with the seamless, pressure-free experience of ordering a Tesla Model Y or Ford Mustang Mach-E online. Everything is clearly priced, the process is nearly painless, and your new EV can be delivered directly to your driveway. Until Genesis offers a similar purchasing model, buying a GV60 will mean running the typical slimy dealership gauntlet.
9. Lackluster Driver Assists
Every GV60 comes standard with an array of active safety tech like adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. But the systems are a mixed bag in real-world use.
The lane centering assist struggles with gentle curves, often ping-ponging between the lines before deactivating with an annoying chime. Adaptive cruise gets easily confused by merging traffic, sudden braking at inopportune times and leaving an unnecessarily large gap to the car ahead even in its closest follow setting. The 360-degree around-view camera offers an impressively crisp overhead perspective, but there‘s noticeable lag when shifting between views.
For an extra $3500 Genesis offers a limited hands-free driving system called Highway Driving Assist II, but it‘s not nearly as polished as Ford‘s BlueCruise or GM‘s Super Cruise setups. While Tesla‘s so-called "Full Self-Driving" system remains controversial and misleadingly-named, there‘s no denying Autopilot is smoother and more confidence-inspiring than what Genesis currently offers.
10. Unsure Resale Value
Since the GV60 is the first EV from Genesis, it‘s hard to predict how well it will hold its value over time. Variables like battery degradation, parts availability, and recall issues could all impact depreciation more heavily than for a proven design. Established brands like Tesla and Audi at least have a clearer track record with their battery-powered models.
With the GV60‘s polarizing styling, it may fall victim to rapidly-shifting EV design trends too. What looks cutting-edge today could seem hopelessly dated 5-7 years from now when it‘s time to sell or trade-in, especially as fresh rivals continue to hit the market.
As federal EV tax credits begin to favor American-made models, the Korea-built GV60 is likely to be at a further disadvantage from a financial perspective. A $7500 credit can make a big difference in the effective cost of ownership and put a major dent in depreciation. Newer US-assembled models from brands like Tesla, GM, Ford, and Volkswagen will likely enjoy stronger resale value as a result.
Avoid the GV60, Choose a More Compelling EV
After an in-depth evaluation, I simply cannot recommend the Genesis GV60 to any electric SUV shopper. Its limited cargo space, unexceptional range, messy styling, low-rent interior, and mediocre technology all fail to justify the lofty price tag. With so many strong alternatives in the segment, there‘s little reason to consider the GV60 beyond brand loyalty or contrarianism.
If you‘re dead-set on a Korean EV with a slightly elevated badge, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 both offer more range, passenger space, and overall value for thousands less. The Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4 are other strong mainstream picks with better practicality. For a taste of real luxury and cutting-edge tech, the Audi Q4 e-tron, BMW i4, and Polestar 2 are all worth a look. And it‘s impossible to rule out the Tesla Model Y which continues to dominate the sales charts for good reason.
Whichever EV you ultimately choose, it‘s hard to make a rational case for the Genesis GV60 over any of them. Here‘s hoping the next electric effort from Genesis addresses the shortcomings and delivers a more competitive package. But for now, the GV60 is an electric SUV to avoid at all costs no matter how much you value cargo space and overall practicality.
