Porsche performance at a fraction of the price – that’s the Genesis GV60 Sport Plus luxury SUV!
Thanks to the Boost button positioned on the steering wheel, it is possible to travel from 0 to 60mph in just 3.7 seconds (the same as a Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid); the top-of-the-range Genesis is also priced at £66,900 compared to the Porsche, which starts at £154,000…
There are three driving modes, and the two most important are probably Eco and Sport, for obvious reasons. Interestingly, when Sport is engaged, the lumbar supports tighten up and embraces the driver, a neat touch that is often found in far more expensive cars.
You can feel the G-force when the Boost button is pushed – it should come with a health warning! We’re all pushed back in our seats, and I can feel my face being reshaped under the pressure (no plastic surgery required here).
“Go on, press it again Dad” urges Henry, aged 9, “Go on Dad, GO ON!”
“We’re in a 40, Henry, I can’t do that, you’d lose my licence,” I reply.
He does enjoy himself.
All this adrenaline can make things a bit sweaty, so it is helpful that the front seats are cooled (both the front and back seats can also be heated).
Electrically powered vehicles are that bit quicker than traditional petrol or diesel versions, meaning that cars like this demand the utmost respect and attention of the driver; here, more so than usual. Great care needs to be taken when reversing and parallel parking, because you just need to touch the pedal and, suddenly, the car moves very quickly.
Illuminous yellow brake callipers hint at the capabilities of this luxury vehicle, while enhancing the strong side profile of the pearlescent jade green test model – that same illuminous yellow also appears on the seat stitching. I’m not so keen on the GV60’s front or large rear, which I feel lacks character.
This fully electric rear-wheel drive, futuristic-looking Genesis has a range of around 250 miles per full charge, and as with all electric vehicles, there are fast chargers that will replenish it in around half an hour, but they’re hard to find and unfortunately don’t always work. Despite this, it’s also possible to use a three-pin plug (cables are supplied in the boot) – just remember that charging will take 24 hours.
It gets a thumbs up from the children, who enjoy the space in the back. “Even in the middle there’s room, because the floor’s flat, not like in a traditional petrol-engined car,” says Heidi, aged 12.
The interior is full of interest, with different fabrics including a bit of suede on the doors, plus roof lining and leather seats, which really give a unique feel. We all enjoy the panoramic glass roof, as well as the electric blind that covers it, which splits in two when retracted. The door handles are circular, and the gearbox dial rotates when the car starts or stops; it also lights up at night, giving it a similar appearance to an eyeball… all very flash, and the children love it!
The high-end music system is provided by Bang & Olufsen (say no more), while the personalised number plate (GV60 FAB) reminds me of the popular ‘60s TV show, Thunderbirds, which does make me smile.
Like all aspects of modern life, this vehicle is also integrated for use with a smartphone, but this is one step too far for me – living life by app goes against my grain.
All in all, this seems a pretty efficient vehicle, and the range remains encouraging throughout the test, even after using Boost, which is a surprise because I expected it to suddenly plummet. During one trip, a delivery driver on a moped keeps egging us on to go faster in a 30mph zone… When we enter a 50mph zone, I gently push the accelerator and can’t see him any more in my mirrors; that quick acceleration is enjoyable, to say the least!
Externally, the GV60 is a striking vehicle that stands out from the EV crowd. It possesses that special quality that makes pedestrians and motorists do a double-take.
The unwelcome death knell of a chainsaw starts up once again in our neighbourhood, and we’re very concerned about the hundreds of years-old oak in a garden behind our house. I drive round and speak to the tree surgeon by the roadside, and the moment I pull up, his eyes fall on the Genesis and he’s ready to speak. Oh, the respect! Would this have happened if I were in any other car? I do wonder.
It seems that cars are like clothes these days – people instantly weigh you up based on the vehicle you drive. In the same way that a Savile Row suit might impart confidence and command respect, so too, it seems, does the GV60…
“It’s the FASTEST and BEST car we’ve driven, Dad,” concludes Henry.
Price: £66,900
0 to 60mph: 3.7secs
Top speed: 146mph
Power: 483bhp
Emissions: 0 CO2
Watch the video at www.testdrives.biz
Tim Saunders is a travel writer and photographer regularly contributing to publications with a combined audience exceeding 100,000 readers. You can read more from Tim on his website travelwriter.biz and www.testdrives.biz.
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