2023 Genesis GV60
Right Vehicle At The Right Time
Genesis’ first foray into the world of battery electric vehicles was a modified version of their G80 sedan; and while it was a fantastic effort, getting the full benefits of an EV requires a dedicated EV chassis. So, you can probably see where this is going, this GV60 is their first to ride on Hyundai’s electric global modular platform, yet another new beginning for Genesis.
The 2023 Genesis GV60 may be the brand’s first dedicated BEV, but it’s not entirely new to us, as it’s based on the Hyundai IONIQ5 which we tested a few months back and were quite impressed with. And like the IONIQ5, the GV60 is a capable handler, has good overall balance, a smooth ride, and swift acceleration; all things that help you enjoy driving, no matter what the power source.
The interior is uncluttered and modernly simple, due mostly to the open floorplan, but still highly luxurious; though the tall floating center console keeps it from feeling as roomy as it could. Materials are a mix of sustainably sourced plant-based leather and fabrics made from recycled plastic. A 12-inch high-def touchscreen for infotainment is standard, as is a 17-speaker B&O sound system and a fixed glass panoramic roof.
Just an LCD panel for gauges, which is typical these days, as are the touch-sensitive controls; but there are some unique features and controls to be found, like a boost button on the front of the steering wheel and brake regen paddles behind. We’re generally not fans of rotary style shifters, but when its disguised as a crystal ball, well it’s hard not to be entranced or look for answers. Will this car get to 60 in less than 4–seconds?
Well, all signs point to yes, as this all-wheel-drive GV60 Performance features a 160-kW electric motor for each axle; outputting a total of 429-horsepower and 516 lb-ft. of torque. The standard Advanced edition has a smaller 74-kW motor up front for a 314-horsepower output, but gets the most range, at 248-miles. Our Performance tester is rated for just 235-miles, but there was an indicated 257 available at 100%. We drove conservatively, doing our best to drain the battery, and were indeed on pace to get 259-miles before needing to plug in. No surprise, the GV60 Performance also has a good efficiency rating of 36.8-kWh/100 miles.
Now, few would call the IONIQ5 gorgeous, but Genesis has certainly taken it in a new direction; with a smooth and purposeful design that showcases the “athletic elegance” side of the brand. Genesis hallmarks such as the barely there parallel lines for headlights and Crest grille remain; but the jagged-line chrome trim, rear spoiler, and color highlights, clearly take it in a sportier direction. Less obvious, is the new wing logo, made thinner to enhance aerodynamics, along with the pop out door handles. And if you happen to forget your key fob, you can access the car and get moving simply with facial recognition.
Since the crystal ball didn’t provide any answers, it was off to the track to get some hard numbers. And there was a tremendous amount of power delivered at launch, with a unique spaceship-like soundtrack along for the ride as we sprinted to 60, taking that full 4.0-seconds. Hitting that boost button on the steering wheel gives you max torque and the sensation that you just engaged warp speed.
Power delivery stayed pretty intense until we hit 80 miles-per-hour, at which time it leveled off for a more serene finish to the ¼-mile. Our best time was 12.4-seconds at 112 miles-per-hour. The GV60 Performance clearly lives up to its name there, but a little less so when it comes to handling. We could really feel this utility’s weight through the cones, and it doesn’t seem to carry that weight as low as most EVs.
For now, all GV60s are all-wheel-drive, with the base Advanced starting at $59,985; the Performance at $68,985.
So, while the Genesis brand hasn’t been around all that long, big changes are already taking place. Jumping into the EV world with their G80 sedan was a fantastic start, and following it up with this 2023 GV60 utility seems to be the right vehicle at the right time. And, even in the automotive world, timing is indeed everything.
Specifications
- Motor Setup: Dual Motor
- Horsepower: 429
- Torque: 516 lb-ft
- 0-60 mph: 4.0 seconds
- 1/4 Mile: 12.4 seconds at 112 mph
- EPA Range: 235 miles
- MW Range: 259 miles
- Efficiency: 36.8-kWh/100 miles
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe
Hyundai’s Santa Fe Aims For Land Rover
The Hyundai Santa Fe has been through many changes during the four generations and 23 years that it’s been sold here in the U.S., but none more dramatic than what is being offered for 2024. This fifth-gen Santa Fe is certainly bigger and definitely boxier, but is it a better Santa Fe?
This 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe is indeed a major departure from the wide-mouth, chrome-clad, swoopy-styled midsize five-passenger utility that we’ve known for the last 5 years, and it brings some other big changes with it.
The look is now more slab-sided, slimmed-down, and off-road inspired; drawing comparisons to Land Rover from just about everyone we encountered. The wheelbase has been extended by almost 2 inches, which adds to interior space; so much so that a third row of seating is now once again standard in the Santa Fe. Like many major departures when it comes to styling, time will tell how well it ages, or if there will be another big swing next time around. Many on our staff were not fans of the 21-inch wheels that come with the top Calligraphy trim; and it does appear like they ran out of ideas when they got to the back and called it a day.
But that flat tailgate is 6 inches wider than the previous gen, allowing for very-much minivan-like access to the cargo area, which Hyundai says is the launchpad for adventures, no longer just a simple cargo bay. There’s room for 14.6 cu-ft of adventure gear, or just groceries, behind the third row, 40.5 cu-ft behind the second row, and a max of 79.6 cu-ft with all seatbacks folded. And if you can’t fit everything back there, Hyundai has integrated a cool grab handle into the C-pillar for helping you load stuff up top.
The cockpit of this adventure vehicle feels much more like a luxury car than a rugged utility. Maybe that’s the Land Rover influence again. But really, it’s mostly on-brand from what we’ve been seeing from Hyundai lately. That’s especially the case when you escalate things to top Calligraphy trim. Its $12,500 over base and comes with features such as quilted Nappa leather seats, Eco-suede materials, dual wireless phone chargers, a sweeping panoramic curved dual screen display that we’re more accustomed to seeing in Genesis, with sturdy captain’ chairs with lots of adjustments in the second row. Two-place seating in the standard third row means a capacity of six; lesser trims come with a second-row bench upping that number to seven.
The cockpit of this adventure vehicle feels much more like a luxury car than a rugged utility.
The 2.5-liter I4 turbocharged engine returns, but now as the standard powertrain, getting slightly detuned to 277 horsepower but with the same 311 lb-ft of torque as last year. All-wheel drive is an $1,800 option for all trims except in the off-road inspired XRT where it is included. A 231-horsepower Hybrid is optional. This is a lot of vehicle for the standard four-cylinder to move, even if it is turbocharged, but that seems to be the way things are heading these days. So, we’ll just have to accept the tepid jog to 60 of 7.0 seconds. To be fair, it’s still plenty quick for running errands with the family.
It uses a dual-clutch eight-speed transmission rather than a traditional automatic. Gear changes were smooth with some power drop with each upshift. We reached 95 mph at the end of the quarter-mile in 15.4 seconds. This bigger Santa Fe felt very stable at speed going down the track. It was more in its element in our handling course, with sharp and responsive steering, great balance, and lots of feedback; all making it easy to keep momentum going through the cones. We saw plenty of nosedive with a soft brake pedal in our panic braking runs. But results were quite good, with stops from 60 averaging 111 feet.
Government Fuel Economy Ratings with all-wheel drive are 20 City, 28 Highway, and 23 Combined; rounding up our 22.6 mpg of Regular average puts it right on.
An ever increasingly wide bandwidth of options has the base Santa Fe starting at $35,365 and reaching all the way up to $47,915 for top Calligraphy; the Hybrid is available in SEL, Limited, and Calligraphy trims only.
Love it or hate it, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe has made a bold step in style, but it still has plenty of substance to back it up. So yes, it is a better Santa Fe, and now with a definite upmarket push, it lands as an even greater mid-size utility value.
Specifications
As Tested
- Engine: 2.5-liter I4 Turbo
- Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
- Horsepower: 277
- Torque: 311 lb-ft
- EPA: 20 City | 28 Highway | 23 Combined
- 0-60 mph: 7.0 seconds
- 1/4 Mile: 15.4 seconds at 95 mph
- Braking, 60-0 (avg): 111 feet
- MW Fuel Economy: 22.6 MPG (Regular)