2026 Genesis GV60 Review: Updating an AutoGuide Favorite

Rarely does a manufacturer get it right the first time. But that’s the case with the Genesis GV60. As the brand’s first ever all-electric vehicle, the GV60 combined style, luxury, and performance in a well-executed package that wasn’t ostentatiously expensive. Our only real complaint was its somewhat limited range.

Now entering the small EV’s fifth model year, it has undergone a substantial refresh that sees a host of updates, including the range issue being somewhat addressed (more on that later). To see if we’re still as smitten with the luxury crossover as ever, we grabbed a 2026 Genesis GV60 Performance for a week’s evaluation.

As mentioned above, the 2026 model year sees the GV60 undergo a mid-cycle refresh. The exterior gets updated styling, with a revised front fascia that sees changes to the grille and headlights. Inside there’s a new steering wheel and a large 27-inch screen that houses both the driver information center and infotainment display.

A larger battery is now included in all-wheel drive models, and while American customers have a few models to choose from, in Canada only the top-of-the-line Sport trim is now available (Performance in the United States).

Exterior Style:

The GV60 remains a small crossover/SUV, measuring it at 178.9-inches (4,545 mm) in length, 74.4-inches (1,890 mm) in width, and a height of 62.4-inches (1,585 mm). Size-wise, aside from extra some width, that puts it about the same shape as a Honda HR-V.

The biggest changes to the GV60 for the 2026 model year occur up front. The side intakes that wrapped around the grille on the bottom have now flipped and wrap around the top. The twin line headlights now contain more LEDs and the grille is updated.

In the United States, the GV60 can be had in three power configurations. The big dog is the Performance trim (Sport in Canada) that features a dual motor set-up making 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. If that’s not enough, there’s a steering-wheel-mounted Boost button that will temporarily increase power to 483 hp. When enabled, the GV60 can rocket from 0 to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds.

As these stats and figures suggest, power is plentiful. There’s oodles of acceleration at any speed, including freeway velocities. It may not be the absolute quickest EV on the road, but the GV60 never feels underpowered or in need of more ponies. Point the Genesis at a piece of empty asphalt, stomp on the accelerator, and off it goes.

To support all that power, the battery has grown in size this year, up to 84.0 kWh. In the Performance model, range is now listed at 252 miles (406 km) on a single charge, up 18 miles (28 km) from last year. Unfortunately, during my time with the vehicle, I never saw figures that high. The GV60 was only seeing around 190 miles (300 km) on a charge, hampered by winter tires and near freezing temperatures.

The good news at least is it recharges fast. Now equipped with a NACS charge port, it can charge at speeds up to 350 kW and will recoup battery capacity from 10-80% in 18 minutes at 250 kW charge speed. For those like me that charge at home, it will take around 7 hours to fully energize on a stage 2 charger, using the on-board 10.9 kW charger.

Handling and Drivability:

The Genesis GV60 has always driven more like a car than a SUV, despite the brand officially classifying it as the latter. When cornering, the 4,945 pound (2,243 kg) curb weight can be felt, but there’s still good response and reflexes due in part to the 12.6:1 steering ratio. Also helping the GV60 negotiate corners is an electronically controlled mechanical slip differential that works hard to minimize forward push. The upgraded 14.2-inch brake rotors feature four piston front calipers and work with the 255/40R21tires to stop the vehicle with great haste - even wearing winter tires.

Despite the Performance trim name though, it’s not a pure performance SUV: that will be the Magma edition debuting later this year. As it stands, the GV60 Performance is more of a luxury SUV with a definite sporty flair.

With the GV60’s adjustable suspension set to its more comfort-orientated mode, ride quality is well-mannered. The comfortable front seats also help make any drive more enjoyable. The Nappa leather swathed driver seat has a massage function, while both front seats are heated, ventilated, and power operated. The steering wheel is also heated as are the outboard rear seats.

The rear seats though are a bit tight and not a place adults will want to spend a lot of time. For adolescents though, they are quite nice, offering commendable comfort and the same luxury as the seats up front. Behind the rear seats the GV60 can hold up to 24.0 cu ft (680 L) of cargo, which expands to 54.7 cu ft (1,550 L) with the seat backs folded.

Interior Style and Quality:

One of the reasons Genesis has become a serious player in the luxury vehicle world, in such a short period of time, are the brand’s interiors. The GV60 is no exception. It’s one of the most luxurious feeling interiors, regardless of price.

Inside, it’s full of style and high quality materials. The quilted suede-like door inserts, the use of leatherette and metallic looking trim materials, the cool design element where the driver-side door-mounted power mirror switch mechanism is duplicated on the passenger side as a speaker: it all just works. This year, the addition of that giant 27-inch dual-use screens is properly blended into the overall look. 

Tech and Safety:

Being the top trim, the Performance (Sport in Canada) comes well-equipped with features like rain sensing wipers, a 1,400 watt Bang & Olufsen 17 speaker sound system, dual zone climate control, a wireless phone charger, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, head-up display, and much more.

Safety equipment is also plentiful, including highway driving assist 2, a surround view monitor, parking distance warning and collision assist, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, forward collision advance avoidance, adaptive cruise control, and so on.

Value Dollars and Sense:

It’s always good to get back behind the wheel of vehicles I remember fondly. Sometimes, the rose colored glasses effect has muddied my memory, and a second drive reveals the vehicle in question not to be as good as I thought it was. With the 2026 Genesis GV60, this is not the case.

Spending a week with the refreshed EV reminds me why I like it so much, and the refresh just makes it better. It still has a few drawbacks, some which may be deal breakers for potential consumers. But, as a high-end, all-electric, urban/suburban luxury SUV, the 2026 Genesis GV60 fits the bill quite nicely.  

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