The GV60 Magma marks an important milestone for Genesis. While the Korean luxury brand has steadily built a reputation for elegance and value over the past few years, this is its first genuine high-performance Magma model, designed to take on established European performance SUVs while showcasing what an electric performance car can be.
At first glance it might be tempting to dismiss the GV60 Magma as little more than a luxury version of the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N and IONIQ 6 N. After all, all three are underpinned by Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP architecture and share many of the same core technologies and hardware.
Spend some time with it, however, and it quickly becomes clear that Genesis has infused its own identity. Rather than chasing outright theatrics and 0-100 times, the GV60 Magma places just as much emphasis on refinement, driver engagement and luxury as it does outright performance. It’s a distinctly Genesis interpretation of a high-performance EV, and arguably a more mature one.
2027 Genesis GV60 Magma: Specifications
Electrical: 84kWh battery, 2 x electric motors
Output: 478kW / 790Nm
Gearbox: Single-speed auto
Drive type: All-wheel drive (adjustable)
Wheels: F & R: 21×9.5, 275/35Kerb weight: 2270kg
Power-to-weight: 4.74:1 (kg:kW)
Official range (WLTP): 425km
Max charging AC/DC: 10.5kW/265kW
0-100km/h (in wet): 3.86 seconds*
Starting price: $130,000
*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different
2027 Genesis GV60 Magma: How much does it cost?
Priced from $130,000 (excluding on-road costs), the GV60 Magma undercuts European performance SUVs but is more expensive than some of the more powerful EVs from China. It is certainly expensive by Genesis standards, but buyers receive an extensive list of standard equipment, cutting-edge technology and an ownership experience that remains unmatched, especially in the luxury market.
You get free scheduled services for five years, for one, as well as ‘Genesis to you’ loan vehicles, a five-year warranty, and five-year 24hr road-side assistance.
2027 Genesis GV60 Magma: Interior & packaging
The GV60 has always been deceptively spacious, and the Magma continues that trend. From the outside it appears relatively compact, yet the cabin offers generous accommodation for four adults, or five with a minor squeeze. You have ample rear legroom helped by a completely flat floor. And you also have a 400L boot that makes it perfectly suitable as a daily SUV.
Passengers are also treated to extensive Magma-specific treatment, helping it feel genuinely bespoke rather than simply borrowing components from elsewhere within the Hyundai Motor Group portfolio. Suede-like upholstery, unique cross-pattern stitching, classy trim finishes and a dedicated sports steering wheel immediately distinguish it from the standard GV60.
Ahead of the driver sits Genesis’s impressive new 27-inch integrated OLED display, combining the digital instrument cluster and infotainment touch-screen into one seamless panel. Graphics are exceptionally crisp, while Magma-specific displays add performance data including motor temperatures, G-force readings and boost information when desired.
Unlike some performance cars that sacrifice comfort in pursuit of lap times, the GV60 Magma remains an exceptionally pleasant place to spend long hours. Cabin refinement is outstanding, with no rattles to report, and well-insulated acoustics for a clear audio experience from the awesome 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. This is the real deal and it feels every bit worth the additional $15,000 or so above the Hyundai cousins.
2027 Genesis GV60 Magma: Powertrain & handling
Power comes from dual electric motors producing up to 478kW and 790Nm in Boost Mode, enough to dispatch 0-100km/h in a claimed 3.4 seconds – we timed it in 3.86 seconds in wet conditions. Those numbers place it firmly among the quickest performance SUVs currently available.
But focusing solely on acceleration misses the point. What impresses most is the way Genesis has calibrated every aspect of the driving experience. The steering is beautiful, offering a reassuring weight that feels naturally damped rather than artificially heavy. It inspires confidence through fast corners and communicates more than many modern electric SUVs.
Grip is immense thanks to the 275/35 Pirelli tyres, and body control is superb; it remains super composed even when driven hard around bumpy corners. The adaptive suspension does an amazing job of absorbing broken road surfaces, with none of the crashing or harsh ricochets that are often felt in hardcore models like this.
Perhaps the biggest surprise is how different it feels from its Hyundai cousins. Yes, many of the underlying technologies are shared, including Virtual Gear Shift and the simulated powertrain sounds. However, Genesis has developed its own interpretation. And you have loads of customisation possibilities to play around with, including three settings for the motors, e-LSD, steering, and stability control systems.
Where the IONIQ 5 N and IONIQ 6 N mimic the soundtrack of a turbo four-cylinder engine, the GV60 Magma adopts a far richer, naturally aspirated six-cylinder character. The result is genuinely convincing. Under hard acceleration the cabin fills with a mechanical howl that is reminiscent of a Porsche 911 GT3, complete with induction-like tones and impressive bass. Combined with the simulated, speed-limited gearshifts via the paddle shifters, complete with shunts and thuds, it is a properly immersive driving experience – far greater than any EV currently on sale, in our opinion.
The attention to detail extends beyond the sound effects. Throttle calibration, steering feedback, brake feel all feel more polished and cohesive than simply transplanting hardware from another model. It doesn’t drive like a rebadged Hyundai; it feels like a Genesis from the ground up. Not that the Hyundai products are flawed. This simply takes things to a higher, quality-skewed level.
Just as pleasing is Genesis’s focus on stopping power. The Magma receives 400mm floating discs up front with monoblock calipers, and 360mm rear discs. These deliver enormous stopping power and subsequent g-force. Exactly what every driver needs when going for a spirited drive in an extremely quick vehicle.
2027 Genesis GV60 Magma: First impressions
The GV60 Magma is far more than simply Genesis’s answer to the Hyundai IONIQ 5/6 N. While the shared platform provides an outstanding foundation, Genesis has created a distinct vehicle through superior refinement, bespoke interior appointments, exceptional ride quality and a more sophisticated interpretation of what an electric performance SUV should be. It combines breathtaking performance with genuine long-distance comfort in a way that very few high-performance EVs currently manage.
2027 Genesis GV60 Magma: Video
