It’s nice living in the middle of an electric vehicle renaissance. The market grows every year, and it’s wide enough now that EVs run the gamut of styles and types. There is quite literally an electric vehicle for all kinds of Drivers these days, not just Dads. While this modern electric wave is far from crowded, there is enough to this renaissance to allow for a proper gauge of true ingenuity and creativity. Breaking through the pack is the 2023 Genesis GV60, an example of what can arguably be the cream of the electric crop.
The GV60 is a new model for a company that is committed to standing out amongst the crowd. Genesis’s line of vehicles is, in this Dad Driver’s opinion, the upper echelon of modern luxury, and with the GV60, their first, full-fledged foray into the EV market, the company is poised to continue that reputation in a whole new way. Beyond luxury and design, Genesis puts their money where their performance is by creating an excellent experience behind the wheel in all their vehicles.
So, I was intrigued when the GV60 we spent some time with came in the top-tier “Performance” trim. It’s a bold choice to utilize such a weighted name like that, and I wanted to know if the GV60 lived up to it. But most of all, I wanted to know how this particular moment in the electric renaissance could shape a driving experience for the modern Dad.
What This Dad Digs about the 2023 Genesis GV60 Performance
Mischievously Beautiful Design – The GV60 is a beautifully designed vehicle, inside and out, period. Its both fresh and unique while not straying too far away from design elements that have become synonymous with EVs. Take the iconic Genesis grill for instance: most of the brand’s vehicle lineup has a brash, trapezoidal grille up front. Naturally, the GV60 doesn’t. Instead, a subdued grill stretches across the lower bumper as more of a design statement than anything else.
While its overall shape clearly emphasizes luxury, there is something playful and even mischievous in the exterior body details. The wide fenders, aggressive head, and tail lights, and its low stance all work together to give the GV60 some youthful spunk. Its smaller size gives the appearance of a lightweight vehicle that’s ready to launch. The semi-fastback roofline took some getting used to but approaching the GV60 from any angle and you’ll find something new and intriguing about it.
The Marriage of Luxury and Whimsy – Inside the GV60, Genesis clearly had fun creating a marriage of luxury and whimsy. The gear selector is a perfect example of this dichotomy: It’s tactile and grippy when the car is on, but once you push the button to turn the car off, the shifter rotates in its socket, like magic, leaving on a smooth crystal-like ball that sits in the middle of the center console. It’s like a mic drop at the end of your drive. It’s brilliant and never gets old.
This clever take on luxury extends throughout the interior of the GV60 in both subtle and not-so-subtle ways. The large infotainment screen is bold but cleverly uses its monolithic structure. There are few hard angles anywhere—instead, gradual curves build a strangely soothing atmosphere. While driving, the cabin is super quiet but as relaxing as the interior feels, there are fun elements throughout to capture the imagination. The facial recognition system that will unlock the vehicle and start the engine for you without the need for a key is a good example of this.
Living Up to its Performance Name – The 2023 GV6 comes with dual motors that create 429 horsepower in the Performance trim; stepping down into the GV60 Advanced model will decrease that horsepower to 314. The Performance trim actually allows for a max horsepower of 483, but it’s a temporary boost – more on that later. The 429 horsepower, however, feels more than adequate for a vehicle this size and offers enough oomph to make the driving experience spry and confident. Handling is buttery smooth, as a luxury vehicle should be, and I was left feeling ecstatic whenever I tackled tight corners or wide open roads. There is a certain level of comfort when driving the GV60 that squashes any need for aggressive performance, but it’s nice to know that when needed, the GV60 performance edition can offer an injection of thrills.
Impressive Charging Time – EVs, in general, are increasingly rolling off the assembly line equipped with better and better charging technology. The charging tech in the 2023 GV60 is some of the fastest I’ve ever experienced. Attached to a fast charging station, I was able charge the GV60 to 90% battery capacity in a little under 20 minutes. It was quick enough that my daughter, who was sitting in the back seat during one of the recharge sessions, didn’t even have time to get restless.
The GV60 comes equipped with a 77.4-kWh battery, and on a full charge, Genesis says this produces a range of 235 miles. The Advanced model actually gets a slightly longer range at 248 miles on a full charge. This battery life is admittedly “middle of the road” in comparison to other luxury vehicles in the EV sector, but it’s manageable, and with the super-fast charge time, I never felt anxious over my next charging session.
Bold Lime – Some Dads want to make a statement, and if that impulse to stand out could be presented in a color, it would be this paint job that Genesis calls Sao Paulo Lime. It’s a fantastically bold color that will stick out magnificently in any environment. Fellow Dad Drivers on the road should have no problem seeing it and therefore avoid any collisions with it. I certainly noticed lots of glances and stares during my week with the GV60 and the few people that approached me about the vehicle said they loved the color. A coworker of mine even had the exact same nail polish color and was excited to discover this match.
What Gets This Dad’s Downvote
Stay Near Home on this Range – Fast charging aside, it is disappointing that the EV60 Performance model doesn’t have a higher driving range. Genesis says you’ll get 235 to the “electric tank,” but realistically that range is somewhere closer to 200 with comfort amenities, like the air conditioner, in constant use. Day-to-day urban driving wouldn’t be an issue but a cross-country trip would take some serious planning.
That Boost Button – It calls to you. There is no ignoring it. It beckons you to press it. That boost button on the steering wheel piqued my curiosity at every glance, and ultimately it became a bit of a distraction. Still, the button does exactly what it says it will do: it increases the GV60’s horsepower to 483 for approximately 10 seconds. I pressed it more times than I care to admit and while it did produce a burst of acceleration, the effect lost its excitement after a few experiences. It just doesn’t produce the thrill I was hoping for, and outside of a straightaway, it wasn’t always a noticeable improvement.
Limited Space – The GV60 is on the smaller size of the luxury EV landscape and while that isn’t itself a drawback, as a Dad Driver, its easier to discover, and imagine, how limiting cargo space can affect our day-to-day. There is plenty of leg, hip, and head space in the front seats and the rear seats are spacious enough. However, once she was in her car seat, my daughter’s feet came uncomfortably close to the back of my chair. Rear cargo space is also limited to 25 cubic feet – enough room for most drivers but Dad and Mom drivers should be aware there is a limit to the amount of “parenting cargo” they can bring along.
A Renaissance Highlight
Dad Drivers who want an electric vehicle as their daily driver have lots of choices in this renaissance, but luxury EVs are a wholly competitive segment in their own right. The striking balance between luxury and whimsy in the 2023 GV60 feels like the perfect mixture for the modern Dad or Mom who appreciates the value of both. That being said, the GV60 is first and foremost a luxury car. All that ambitious styling and exceptional driving experience carries with it a luxury price tag.
The 2023 GV60 begins at $60,415 for the advanced model. The Performance model we tested starts at $69,415. While the GV60 isn’t the most expensive luxury EV in this Renaissance, these are steep entry prices, and for parents, the limited cargo space can be a deal breaker. But the GV60 has more to offer than its shortcomings and if a large amound of storage space isn’t an issue, there is lots to love here.
Phillip is a filmmaker, an award-winning playwright, screenwriter and craft beer aficionado. He writes about cars, car tech, and various other cool Dad things. He lives, works and plays in Dallas, Texas.
