I had higher hopes for the 2026 Genesis GV60 Performance AWD when the automaker recently loaned me one for a week here in Detroit.It was a sharp-looking vehicle that's for sure, finished in Uyuni White over a Sky Blue and Prussian interior, with all the hallmarks of a luxurious electric SUV listed on the window sticker.The problem with the GV60 Performance AWD, at least in my view, is that it seems to resemble a number-one draft pick, complete with a press conference and a jersey photo, only to spend the next few seasons riding the bench.
In other words, the GV60 is a strong offering, but there are better players on the team in terms of value for dollar, namely the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6.Based on my experience, the GV60 Performance AWD seems to miss the mark when measured against what is a fantastic brand.It was in January 2014 at the Detroit Auto Show (NAIAS back then) that Hyundai unveiled the redesigned second-generation Genesis sedan (it was still under Hyundai since the standalone Genesis brand didn't exist yet, or at least not until November 2015).
In and around the automotive industry since 2014, there always seemed to be high praise for the Genesis sedan, which would extend later to the brand itself.In 2020, during the lockdowns, Genesis and Hyundai opened their press fleets to journalists of the Midwest Automotive Media Association, of which I am a member.I spent about six weeks during the height of the pandemic reviewing a number of their vehicles, from the entry-level Venue to the G90 touring sedan.
I came away impressed enough by Hyundai to purchase a Kona as my personal vehicle in 2022.Suffice it to say, I thought I would be blown away by the Genesis GV60, especially in its Performance AWD trim.Yet after a week with the GV60, I was glad to be back behind the wheel of my simple Hyundai.
That said, there is still plenty to like about the GV60, even though it didn't move the needle all that much for me.Like Genesis GV60 SUV 2026 Base: $52,525 Base Trim Engine EV Base Trim Transmission 1-speed automatic Base Trim Drivetrain Rear-Wheel Drive Powered by Expand Collapse My week with the GV60 Performance AWD Loaded interior with a few surprises Close Genesis packed a lot of standard equipment into the 2026 GV60 Performance AWD, offering a nice range of tech and convenience features, plus little touches buyers will appreciate, everything from the ambient lighting to the digital center mirror in place of a traditional rearview mirror.My particular GV60 had the Sky Blue Nappa leather with power lumbar support, heating and ventilation (the rear seats are heated too), and more than enough power adjustments between the seats and steering wheel to find the ideal driving position.
The only downside for me, however, is that I had a hard time actually getting positioned the way I wanted behind the wheel.I also didn't find the Nappa leather seats all that comfortable on my longer round trip of about 90 miles during the week I had the GV60.Admittedly, I was surprised by this.
No matter which way I moved the seat or adjusted the steering wheel, I never felt fully engaged as the driver.No matter which way I adjusted the steering wheel, it always blocked something I needed or wanted to see on the instrument display.The massage function, a feature expected for this class of vehicle, feels rather abrasive and even kicked on unprompted during my week-long drive.
As I said, I was surprised by all of this.Although I could not get 100% comfortable behind the wheel, interior room was never a concern.Genesis lists the GV60's total passenger volume at 101.1 cubic feet.
Cargo space behind the rear seats measures 24 cubic feet, while folding the 60/40 rear seats expands it to 54.7 cubic feet.The frunk under the hood adds a bit more storage, small but useful for a charging cable or a couple of bags of groceries.Other redeeming qualities come in the form of tech and connectivity features, including an immersive 27-inch OLED navigation display that spans the dashboard.
My GV60 had wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a feature I really enjoyed during my week-long drive.As far as connectivity with my Android phone went, everything was seamless from a user experience standpoint.I was able to take calls without any issues while driving, using the touchscreen to answer them, including one from my veterinarian.
Starting MSRP for the GV60 Performance AWD is $71,875, though the loaner Genesis sent me came to $74,020.Related The luxury brand that doesn't come with luxury-car headaches Genesis has quietly cracked the luxury-car formula: upscale, reliable, and surprisingly affordable to own.Posts 3 By Adam Gray The infotainment menu goes deep Options to further personalize your experience with the GV60 Close My recommendation is to take some time during your test drive to really go through the infotainment cluster of the 2026 Genesis GV60 if you have your eyes on one.
There is, for all intents and purposes, a lot there! You can adjust a variety of settings and options to further personalize your experience with the vehicle.Here is a look at everything you can thumb through once you are inside the GV60: Setup menu top-level branches Sound Vehicle General User Profile Cluster/Head-Up Display Connections (Connected devices) Under Setup > Vehicle Seat Lights Cluster Climate Drive Mode Digital Key Convenience Door/Liftgate Head-Up Display Driver Assistance Active Sound Design In the General menu, you can make small personal tweaks, such as switching between Celsius and Fahrenheit or psi and kPa for tire pressure.The Connections menu is for contactless payment setup, while the User Profile menu supports multiple drivers with fingerprint identification, so seat position, mirrors, and climate settings can switch automatically depending on who gets in.
Active Sound Design was a lot of fun to play with during the week, where the virtual engine sound is matched to drive mode and pedal input.I also thoroughly enjoyed the Bang and Olufsen system (17 speakers and a 14-channel amplifier) while listening to WRIF here in Detroit.Related This Genesis Magma monster is hunting BMW M and Mercedes-AMG Genesis describes Magma as its “alter ego.” Posts 1 By Carl Anthony Powertrain and real-world range The numbers on paper versus the numbers I actually got Close The 2026 Genesis GV60 Performance AWD pairs a 160 kW front motor with a 160 kW rear motor for a combined 320 kW, or about 429 horsepower, and 516 lb-ft.
of torque.Press the Boost button on the steering wheel, and the system jumps to about 483 horsepower (360 kW) for 10 seconds at a time.Given that I was in a Genesis loaner vehicle on public roads, I kept things easygoing and did not use the Boost feature, though I imagine it would be fun in the right circumstances.
An electronically controlled suspension and mechanical limited-slip differential are exclusive to the Performance AWD model, as are the larger brakes (14.2-inch front and rear rotors compared to the 13.6-inch front and 12.8-inch rear rotors on the other trim levels).Every Genesis GV60, regardless of trim level, is standard with an 84 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that can go from 10% to 80% in under 20 minutes via DC fast charging (250 kW).The GV60 comes standard with a native NACS charging port, the same style plug used by Tesla's Supercharger network, and includes a CCS adapter for owners who still rely on CCS stations.
Level 2 home charging takes about seven hours (i.e., overnight) for a full charge, depending on how low the battery is.EPA estimates are 97 MPGe in the city, 83 MPGe on the highway, and 90 MPGe combined.On the open road, the GV60 Performance AWD is smooth and quiet, though the throttle response is not exactly what I expected from a vehicle with 516 lb-ft of torque.
For whatever reason, acceleration for the GV60 Performance AWD can feel as rudimentary as any other vehicle, especially between about 50 and 65 mph when you would need to pass another car.Horsepower and torque numbers aside, I found it best to use the throttle gently because of my admitted range anxiety.On the weekend I had the GV60, I needed to make a roughly 90-mile round trip to the downriver community of Trenton.
Given where I was coming from in Oakland County, the trip would be fairly well balanced between city driving and cruising on I-275 through the Detroit metro.It was a "there and back" trip as I was dropping something off for a friend with little to no driving within the community of Trenton.I figured it would be a good test of the GV60 AWD Performance and its range.
I started the trip with 60% of the battery remaining.Close Based on the screenshots of the trip odometer above, it took me a little over an hour to get to Trenton and then another hour to get back, for a total of about two hours of driving time for the day, with each trip being about 44.8 miles.In rough estimates for the 90-mile round trip, 43 of the miles consisted of city driving, while 47 of them were on I-275.
According to the trip odometer, I was averaging 3.2 miles/kWh.When I finished the trip to Trenton and back, the battery was at 42%, meaning I had burned not quite 20%.It was hot that day (and it's been a hot and hazy summer here in Detroit), but I kept the AC set to a modest 72 and the cruise control at 70 mph.
Converting my 3.2 miles per kWh into an MPGe-equivalent figure puts my real-world efficiency at around 108 MPGe, well ahead of the window sticker's 90 MPGe combined rating, and even a step past its 97 MPGe city number, despite the AC running in the summer heat.The Genesis GV60 and the competition The Genesis GV60 resides in a luxury electric SUV class where there are a number of competitors.Buyers could logically cross-shop the Audi Q4 e-tron and Q6 e-tron, BMW iX3, Cadillac Lyriq and Optiq, Mercedes EQB and EQE, Tesla Model Y, and Volvo EX40 against the GV60.
Those who like Hyundai vehicles could also look at the Ioniq 5 or the Kia EV6, also built on the automaker's E-GMP platform like the GV60, but with a much lower starting MSRP.Members of the r/Ioniq5 community on Reddit have specifically expressed that while the GV60 has its perks, the Hyundai might be the better long-term choice.Despite being a sporty-looking vehicle with a spacious, tech-focused interior and excellent range when driven intently, the 2026 Genesis GV60 feels average for its price.
If you are looking at the GV60, try taking a few other vehicles for a test drive, just to compare.That said, if you like the GV60 after further research, I’m sure it will be a fine vehicle for you despite my reservations.Although I would opt for something less expensive, there are good qualities about the GV60 that many buyers can appreciate.
Read More
