In the fiercely competitive EV marketplace, does the Korean brand have what it takes to stand out? By John Challen.

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WHAT IS IT? Compact SUV   HOW MUCH? From £54,155   RANGE? 311-348 miles   How long to charge 10-80%? 18 minutes (350kW DC charger) 81 minutes (50kW DC charger)

Ten years after the company was established – and four years after the first of its models arrived on the UK market – Genesis has completed the revamp of its lineup. Following the recent updates to the GV70 Electrified and G80, comes the new GV60, the car that kicked things off back in 2021.

It’s fair to say that the majority of the upgrades are aesthetic and technology-led, which isn’t necessarily unusual for a car of that age. At the front of the car, there is a redesigned bumper and grille, body-coloured arches and side skirts as well as new headlights – ‘Micros Lens Array (MLA) affairs this time around.

Step inside and, like other models in the updated Genesis lineup, there’s a 27-inch panoramic display, which combines the driver and central screens into one large – but very useable and clear offering. Meanwhile, the wireless charging unit has been updated and repositioned to a more suitable location next to the central armrest and the steering wheel has undergone a makeover and adopted more of a ‘D’ shape. GV60 drivers will also benefit from new upholstery designs and colours.

As mentioned, a lot of the changes are around technology, with the electric powertrain benefiting largely here. Fourth-generation battery cells mean an 84kWh capacity pack is now deployed in the car, bringing total range for the RWD Pure model up 27 miles to a theoretical 348 miles. Helping to optimise its performance, battery conditioning has been upgraded for the best charging performance in all conditions – and it can now be activated via the touchscreen and linked to the navigation.

Another upgrade seen an enhanced auto mode in the smart regenerative braking technology, using live traffic and map data to adjust tracking for deceleration near speed cameras, roundabouts and speed bumps. There is still the option to select three different levels of regen, as well as i-Pedal. Finally, GV60 2026MY embraces 800V charging, helping to bring the 10%-80% charge time on an ultra-rapid DC charging down to under 20 minutes.

Away from the powertrain, new GV60 has dynamic welcome lights, upgraded lane following assist and remote smart parking assist and new opportunities for streaming the likes of Netflix and Disney+. Other enhancements include a digital centre mirror and a built-in dashcam.

There’s no escaping that if drivers choose the right spec, they will get a lot of technology and gadgets included in their GV60. Although Genesis admits that some of the features that were previously standard – such as massage seats – have moved to option packs, which has helped keep prices for the new car on a par with the first-gen model. But drivers won’t miss out as the standard equipment list is impressive, along with the overall driving experience.

The Verdict

The fact that there are very few changes to the driving experience or underpinnings of the GV60 isn’t an issue, because the original car was more than capable of delivering an enjoyable and entertaining driving experience. The upgrades in technology and innovation are welcomed and ensure that Genesis can compete in what is a very tough segment.

The Performance might be a bit prices for some, but there is no doubt that the name fits the model. We had the opportunity to try out the car on track and, while a circuit isn’t a natural habitat for an electric SUV, it was decent – and fast – enough.

There’s no getting away from the fact that there is a lot of choice in this segment – and more and more models are arriving all the time. However, for drivers who want to stand out and live with something a bit different to the pack, the Genesis is a great fit.

The Lowdown

Genesis GV60

Key fleet model: Pure

Thumbs up: Specification, quality, refinement

Thumbs down: Quite pricy, limited rear space

Seven-word summary: Front and rear passengers consumed with comfort

Also consider: Audi Q4 e-tron; Hyundai Ioniq 5; Kia EV6