If one didn’t know better, one might think Genesis has Nordic roots what with its new GV60 being bathed in a gorgeous metallic blue-green paint scheme known as Tromso Green Metallic and a stunning minimalist interior.
Last year, I marveled at the simple interior and exterior beauty of the GV60, the smallest electrified Genesis SUV/crossover, but I may have been too modest in my praise.
For 2026 Genesis, a South Korean automaker, adds more powerful batteries that extend range and speed charging, but don’t mess with the overall elegant look of the rounded GV60. If you want a bulky muscular looking SUV or crossover, look elsewhere. If you want sophistication and uniqueness, stick around.
I can’t get over the wholeness of this design, the continuity from the rounded body shell, the continued use of twin horizontal slit lights (with a touch of rounding) front and rear, and the satin chrome rounded door pulls, instrument pods and controls inside, not to mention the horizontal pop-out door handles on the four doors that reflect the lights shapes.
Rarely do friends, neighbors, and relatives ooh and aah over one of my test vehicles. The GV60 is an exception.
That color, named for a chilly Arctic city in northern Norway, garners the attention along with the upscale GV60 Performance’s styling. I call this a metallic blue-green ($650), leaning more toward the blue end of the color spectrum.
It sparkles. It stirs smiles. It instills pride.
But so does that new battery system with 84 kWh of power, a significant bump from the previous generation.
That translates to a 100% charge netting 296 miles of range, while the 2025 model topped out about 252 miles. This charged slightly quicker too.
That enabled me to drive from north of Milwaukee to Madison and back one day, returning with still more than 100 miles of charge. Note that keeping an eye on the percent of charge remaining matters more than the estimated mileage, as that can vary depending on driving conditions and your heavy right foot.
On the highway one can burn through battery power a little quicker. Still, I managed about 3.2 miles per 1% of charge. So, returning with a 30% charge means I had about 102 miles of range left, or so the car’s computer figured.
I found a nearby Kwik-Trip with chargers and replenished the charge from what was then 24% to 94% in about 30 minutes, maybe a couple more. That was perfect because on my puny 110-volt garage outlet I then could add 3-5% overnight, keeping the charge in the 95% range for several days of driving.
For the record, Genesis says a charge from 10-80% takes about 18 minutes. Also, my charge cost $31, so about what I normally pay for a couple hundred miles of driving in a gas-only vehicle of this size. I drove in Eco mode, one of 5 drive modes, much of my drive.
Lest you think I was poking around town, well no. The Performance trim is top-level, and one could consider it the Muscle Car version, pumping out an incredible 429 horsepower when pushed, and …. wait for it … when pressing the Boost button on the steering wheel hub jumps to 483 horses. The boost lasts 10 seconds and pushes you back into these super supportive leather-wrapped seats.
Passengers are impressed. Note that pressing the Boost button sucks down the power storage by about 1% each time it’s deployed. For race fans, think of it as an Indycar Push-to-Pass moment.
That power comes from the new battery arrangement, plus two permanent-magnet synchronous electric motors, one front, one rear, which also gives the GV60 AWD for excellent traction.
Car and Driver magazine says to expect a 0-60 mph time of 3.9 seconds when the Boost button is pressed. Sorry Ferrari and Lamborghini!
Handling is quick too and with the lower center of gravity due to the GV’s battery placement and weight (4,514 lbs.) the crossover corners like a sports car, although a bit on the heavier side. Still, ripping around winding rural roads is rewarding.
The 114.2-inch wheelbase helps tame the ride, spreading out the crumbling Midwest roads’ bumps. That said, the ride is still firm, but the luxury seating and interior help soften it to a reasonable level.
Let’s face it, we all spend a lot of time in our vehicles and so comfort, convenience and style are important. Anyone can create a nice black leather interior with well-shaped seats these days. But Genesis has raised the bar, consistently setting new standards. The GV60 is a prime example.
Start with the Nappa leather seats, a silvery blue here and these are quilted and well-padded for added comfort. The seats are well shaped with controls to adjust everything from height to angle to lumbar stiffness and location, plus the driver’s seat offers a massage function. In fact, after an hour’s drive it kicked on by itself declaring it time for a posture correction session.
The massage continued for several minutes. Nice!
Much better, too, than the cars that chime every 20-30 minutes suggesting a driver might be getting tired and need a break. Sheesh!
The seats alone drew raves, but the blue suede (not shoes) door panels soften the interior’s feel and help keep the interior whisper quiet. They too have a sort of quilted diamond pattern and wrap around the satin chrome door pulls and round releases. All buttons and knobs are also satin chrome with the dash and door tops a soft gray material with white stitching. I’ve not seen better.
The one-piece dual screens have grown to 27 inches wide and perfectly blend into one another and are visually sharp so easy to tune and see. A redundant (not needed) round knob on the console also allows info screen tuning. But I find it distracting from the actual round crystal shifter that rotates from crystal ball to the shift pattern. Clever!
There are three-level heated and cooled front seats and heated rear seats, along with a two-level heated steering wheel. That’s a power tilt/telescope model and wrapped in leather with, again, satin chrome hub trim.
A premium Bang & Olufsen stereo is standard too, as is a wireless charger on the textured chrome console, asjacent to the console storage box/armrest. The charger wisely will alert the driver if a phone is left in it after the car’s ignition is off.
Overhead the sunroof is large with power shade that opens in opposite directions, sort of like scissors being opened.
Naturally, Genesis provides premium safety system features, one-pedal driving where coasting and braking recharge the batteries, and a rare face-recognition system for vehicle entry, if needed.
Other than the little niggling concerns mentioned above there also is a mostly un-useful frunk, just 1 cu. ft. under the hood. Luckily there’s plenty of cargo space in back under the power hatch.
Pricing ranges from $54,020 for the Standard model with rear-wheel drive and just one electric motor creating 225 horsepower, to the tested Performance model that starts at a luxury-level $73,370 and after adding the fabulous paint ended at $74,020.
An Advance model may be the best value with AWD and two electric motors creating 314 horsepower. It starts at $60,900.
Competitors include the BMW iX3, Volvo EX 60 and Mercedes-Benz GLC Class EV.
One could pay more, but Genesis excels in styling, comfort and performance, whether Nordic or not.
FAST STATS: 2026 Genesis GV60 Performance AWD
Hits: Standout styling inside and out, big power w/Boost button, quick handling, AWD, nearly 300 mi. range. Stylish yet simple dash, big dual 1-piece screens, snazzy crystal sphere shifter, face recognition entry, heated/cooled and supportive front seats, heated rear seats, 5 drive modes, sunroof w/shade, premium safety systems, B&O stereo, power tilt/telescope and heated wheel. Wireless phone charger w/left behind alert.
Misses: Firm ride, redundant info screen knob competes with shifter on console, tiny frunk, cost.
Made in: Ulsan So. Korea
Power: 2 permanent-magnet synchronous electric motors w/84 kWh battery, 429-483 hp/516 torque
Range: 296 mi. (as tested)
Transmission: 1-speed reduction gear
Weight: 4,514 lbs.
Wheelbase: 114.2 in.
Length: 178.9 in.
Cargo: 24-54.7 cu.ft.
Tow: 2,000 lbs.
MPGe: 97/83
Base Price: $73,370 (includes delivery)
Invoice: $69,953
Option: Tromso Green Metallic paint, $650
Test vehicle: $74,020
Sources: Genesis, www.kbb.com
