Genesis GV60 review

As we’ve already mentioned, it’s not a sports EV, even though the top one is badged as such. It’s the refinement and lack of noise that sets the GV60 apart. It may look like a hatchback, but it’s pretty much as quiet as anything BMW or Audi has on offer, up to and including the iX or e-tron GT. Hushed comfort is what it does best.

What’s the Sport Plus like then?

Oh we’re going to start there anyway are we? You don’t need a 4WD crossover with a limited slip diff that can do 0-60mph in under 4.0 seconds and makes 483bhp and 516lb ft of torque. It’s too quick and doesn’t suit the rest of the car’s characteristics. Poke it and it’ll scoot off like a supercar, but none of the other controls give you the confidence to convince they’ve got it under control. There’s no steering feel (but reasonable weighting), the suspension wallows a little – it’s nerve-wracking rather than enjoyable. In other words, it’s much like a quick Tesla Model 3 or Model S: just because it goes fast doesn’t mean it's good at it.

Boost mode is handy for rapid overtakes but isn’t something you’ll find yourself using that often as there’s enough torque to never need it. We’re big fans of the steering wheel-mounted paddles to adjust levels of regen, though. That can add interest to a twisty bit of road.

Tell me about the ride.

The Sport Plus gets predictive suspension as standard that scans the road ahead for imperfections and prepares the car for impact. We all know this is tech that has a bright future, allowing the car to ready itself for potholes and suchlike, but at the moment it’s like Beta software and is hardly transformative. Put it this way, the lower level Premium using smaller wheels rides notably better, so the technology is still no replacement for a taller sidewall.

And what’s the Premium version like?

Despite it being the base spec, this would actually be our pick of the bunch. The rear-mounted motor provides 226bhp and 258lb ft of instantly available torque. Genesis reckons on 0-62mph in 7.8 seconds, but on the move it feels quicker than that. It’s slightly softer and there’s a touch more body roll, but it’s still not bad given the GV60’s size and weight (just under two tonnes for Premium, just over for the other two).

The power feels better matched to the chassis and less likely to run away with itself. You can keep the Sport Plus under control – it’s not flighty or over-eager, but why spend an extra £13,600 when you don’t have to?

Did I hear something about a drift mode?

Ah yes, you did. Yep, the GV60 is an electric crossover with Drift Mode. Got to find a USP somewhere, don’t you? But we really wish they hadn’t bothered. This is a car aimed at well off people likely to be doing gentle commutes. It’s not an alternative to a Mercedes-AMG A45 S.

We haven’t given it a go yet, but to activate it you put the car in park, select the Sport drive mode, hold the brake while you turn the traction control off and then hold down both paddle shifters for three seconds. We probably shouldn’t have told you that…

But I only want to drive normally. Is it refined?

It is! Impressively so actually. There’s very little tyre and wind noise translated into the cabin, in part thanks to Genesis’ Road Active Noise Control that cancels out as much interference as possible. It’s a very relaxing motorway cruiser.