This wasn’t just a casual drive. It was a deep dive into what makes this all-electric SUV tick, and more importantly, whether it truly lives up to its premium price tag. So buckle up, we’re going full throttle into every playful design cue, every electron that powers its motors, and every creak, turn, and charge session we experienced across our mountain test route.

Playful Details Add to the Appeal

Before I even sat inside, the GV60 set the tone. As I approached with the key in my pocket, the car greeted me like an attentive butler. The door handles elegantly emerged from the bodywork, begging to be grasped, even if their design could prioritize form over function. But hey, premium sometimes leans into theatre.

Inside, the wow factor didn’t let up. The first thing that caught my eye? The “Crystal Sphere.” This little orb sits nestled in the center console, glowing softly like something from a sci-fi movie. Press the start button, and it rotates with a soft whir into the drive selector. Completely unnecessary. Totally awesome.

Everywhere you look, there’s cleverness at play. Floating console, expansive dual-screen setup, neat hidden compartments, it’s clear Genesis wants to make a statement about being different. Yet, all this flair doesn’t come at the cost of usability. Everything’s intuitive, from the climate controls to the infotainment knob that feels like a polished evolution of BMW’s iDrive.

There’s substance behind the sparkle too: storage is abundant, the build quality feels truly premium, and the cabin remains whisper-quiet, even when you’re gunning it through hairpins.

Genesis GV60: What Are the Camera Mirrors Good For?

Now here’s the thing: I wanted to love the digital mirrors. For €1,460, they sound like a tech-forward upgrade, compact external cameras feed video to two OLED screens at the corners of the dashboard. Cool? Sure. Useful? Debatable

In practice, they take some serious adjusting to. Your instincts scream to check the window for a mirror, but your eyes need to relearn that the “mirror” is now a screen. Add that to the already crowded visual space, massive dual displays, head-up display, and climate touchscreens, and your eyes are in constant motion.

In terms of function, they help eliminate blind spots and never get foggy. But the image lacks depth, and I found it hard to judge closing speeds, especially on winding mountain roads with rapidly approaching vehicles.

My advice? Skip this option unless you’re a die-hard tech enthusiast. What you should spring for, though, is the Bang & Olufsen sound system. Not only is the audio rich and immersive, but it also actively cancels road noise, making the GV60 eerily silent, even at high speed.

Electric SUV With Rapid Performance

Performance is where the GV60 Sport Plus stops being a polite luxury SUV and starts throwing punches like an EV heavyweight.

With dual motors producing 320 kW (436 hp) and a boost function that raises output to 360 kW (490 hp) for 10 seconds, this thing moves. Press the bright yellow “Boost” button on the steering wheel and the world compresses. I clocked 0–100 km/h in a blur, just under 4 seconds, and overtaking slower traffic on rural roads became a giggle-worthy thrill.

On mountain roads where space is tight and reflexes are everything, the GV60 was unflappable. Its 2.2-ton mass practically disappeared, thanks to a low center of gravity and responsive all-wheel drive.

The chassis struck a fine balance between comfort and composure. While you’re never in danger of forgetting it’s an SUV, the GV60 corners flatter than most, and torque vectoring adds a sense of athleticism not often found in this class. Compared to something like the VW ID.5 GTX, the GV60 feels sharper, livelier, and more responsive.

No Problems in the Evasion Test

For all its performance flair, the GV60 doesn’t sacrifice safety. In the evasive maneuver test, it stayed controlled and confident. The ESC system engaged just enough to maintain composure without snatching control away from the driver.

The steering, too, deserves praise. Light when you want it, weighted when you need it, and accurate throughout. Feedback was surprisingly communicative for an EV, more so than many of its European rivals.

Even on slick patches in the Fichtel foothills, traction was ironclad. The traction control system works seamlessly and never feels like it’s fighting you. Instead, it partners with you, ensuring power delivery is smooth and effective.

800 Volt: The 77 kWh Battery Charges Quickly

Here’s one area where Genesis truly stands out. The 77.4 kWh battery, using an 800-volt system, is an engineering gem. On a DC fast charger, I watched the battery leap from 10% to 80% in just under 20 minutes.

The charging curve remained strong, averaging 192 kW during our test. That’s Porsche Taycan territory, but without the six-figure price tag. While rivals are still sipping power at 100 kW, the GV60 is already back on the road.

AC charging is limited to 11 kW, which is standard but unspectacular. Still, overnight home charging will do the job just fine for most users.

GV60 Sport Plus: 365 km Range in the Test

Genesis quotes a WLTP range of 466–470 km for the Sport Plus. In the real world, twisty mountain roads, mixed-speed cruising, and a few heavy acceleration tests, we averaged 23.9 kWh/100 km. That translates to a real-world range of around 365 km.

Not stellar, but respectable considering the performance on tap. Cold-weather efficiency was improved thanks to the heat pump, and the car smartly adjusted its energy use without much input needed.

Drawback: There Are No Genesis Dealers

This might be the biggest Achilles’ heel. Genesis doesn’t operate traditional dealerships in Germany. Instead, you get online purchasing and two Genesis Studios (Frankfurt and Munich). Your vehicle is delivered and serviced via a “Genesis Personal Assistant.”

While this boutique-style service has its charm, and includes a five-year warranty, pick-up, and return, it might not be practical for everyone. If you live far from a metro area, getting your car serviced could be a hassle.

This approach might suit high-end customers used to concierge services, but mainstream buyers might find the limited physical footprint inconvenient.

Technical Specification (GV60 Sport Plus AWD)

Specification	Value
Drive Type	All-wheel drive
Power Output	360 kW (490 hp with Boost)
Torque	700 Nm
Battery Capacity (Net)	77.4 kWh
0–100 km/h	4.0 seconds
Top Speed	235 km/h
Real-world Range	365 km
WLTP Range	466–470 km
Average Consumption	23.9 kWh/100 km
Charging Power (DC)	Up to 350 kW
Charging Time (10–80% DC)	~19 minutes
Trunk Volume	432 L (up to 1550 L folded)
Weight (EU)	2,145 kg
Towing Capacity (Braked)	1,600 kg
Length x Width x Height	4,515 x 1,890 x 1,580 mm
Base Price (Germany)	€74,480

Conclusion

The Genesis GV60 Sport Plus isn’t just a car, it’s a rolling manifesto from a brand determined to stand out. It’s powerful, luxurious, quirky in the best way, and deeply satisfying to drive. While the digital mirrors miss the mark and the service network is thin, the GV60 redeems itself with speed, silence, and standout tech.

In the Fichtel Mountains, it danced up inclines, devoured corners, and left an indelible impression. It’s not trying to be European. It’s not trying to be American. It’s doing its own thing, and that, in the world of me-too EVs, is worth celebrating.