The Genesis GV60 is the first electric model from the brand
It shares its mechanicals and its 800-volt architecture with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the Kia EV6
The GV60 is the first vehicle in the world to be equipped with facial recognition technology
Genesis opened the order books in the United States for its first electric vehicle, the 2023 GV60, today.
This electric compact SUV shares its platform and its mechanical elements with the Kia EV6 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5, two EVs that have arrived on the market a few months ago.
This means that the GV60 benefits from the an 800-volt architecture, something it shares only with its two platform mates as well as the Audi e-Tron GT and the Porsche Taycan. This means it is one of the fastest charging EVs currently available.
Two trim levels will be offered in the US, both powered by a dual motor setup that makes them all-wheel drive. The Advanced package will be the entry-level version, at a starting price of $58,890 and the Performance will be the most expensive, at $67,890.
This second version will use a more powerful front motor and a boost function to momentarily provide 483 horsepower, compared to the 314 horsepower of the Advanced model.
To live up to its name, this version will not only increase the power, it will also rework the handling of the GV60 by using an electronically controlled suspension, an electronic limited slip differential and monobloc front brakes.
Inside, the Genesis GV60 features a large number of new technologies, a couple of which have never been used by a production vehicle before.
For example, the GV60 is the first vehicle to be equipped with a facial recognition system. This feature, called Face Connect, will allow two drivers to use their face to lock and unlock the vehicle without needing a key.
To use this system, driver will have to program their face in the system at first, but in normal use, they will only need to look into a camera placed on the B-pillar to have the doors unlock and the seats, mirrors and infotainment system set to their preferred settings.
A fingerprint scanner on the inside is used to start the GV60, which combines to the Face Connect to make it possible to use the vehicle without having to carry a key or even a phone.
Another way to use the GV60 is the Genesis Digital Key 2, which uses the driver’s phone to act as a proximity key fob.
An interesting feature of this system for owners who have an Apple phone is the ability to share a digital key via iMessage to someone who might need to use the vehicle temporarily and then cancelling their access afterwards.
Genesis has not yet announced the pricing for the GV60 in Canada, but this information should be released soon, ahead of the model’s debut in the country later in the year.
