Lee Min-hyung joined The Korea Times in 2014 and has worked as a journalist mainly in Korea’s finance, tech and automotive industry. He specializes in content creation, breaking news and in-depth analysis currently on transportation and mobility. You can reach him via mhlee@koreatimes.co.kr.
TEST DRIVE Genesis GV60 Magma demonstrates commitment to luxury EVs
Genesis GV60 Magma high-performance electric SUVs stand ready for a drag race at the Korea Automobile Testing & Research Institute in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, Tuesday. Korea Times photo by Lee Min-hyung
By Lee Min-hyung
Luxury EV offers comfort, dynamic driving for daily purpose
YONGIN, Gyeonggi Province — The Genesis GV60 Magma has clearly demonstrated that a composed ride and high performance need not be mutually exclusive in the era of electric vehicles (EVs).
The vehicle is engineered to deliver the two somewhat contrasting features — quiet comfort and sustained high-speed travel — making it more distinguished than other conventional performance cars that focus mostly on realizing dynamic driving.
The high-performance electric SUV is built on a clear identity: luxury performance. Genesis invited reporters to its showroom in Yongin's Suji District and offered a test drive that stretched roughly 50 kilometers one way to the Korea Automobile Testing & Research Institute (KATRI) in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province.
Genesis GV60 Magma EVs stand ready for a drag race at the Korea Automobile Testing & Research Institute in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, Tuesday. Korea Times photo by Lee Min-hyung
The first impression of the GV60 Magma is shaped by its exclusive bucket seats. Despite the track-focused design, they remain comfortable. On the move, the vehicle stands out as notably quiet even among high-performance EVs, making it an ideal option for those seeking to enjoy both a comfortable daily ride and a powerful sports car-like experience on highways.
The GV60 Magma is equipped with Magma-exclusive drive modes, such as GT Mode and Sprint Mode. In GT Mode, the vehicle delivers unwavering stability and ride comport even at high speeds. Sprint Mode pushes the car’s driving performance to the extreme, enabling drivers to enjoy a sports car-like experience on the road.
Unlike most other performance vehicles that equate sportiness with harshness, the GV60 Magma filters out any unpleasantness while maintaining composure — an ideal setup for a real-world road environment.
A side view of the Genesis GV60 Magma electric SUV / Korea Times photo by Lee Min-hyung
The vehicle’s performance figures are also striking. It can accelerate from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in only 3.4 seconds, and it takes 10.9 seconds for it to reach 200 kilometers per hour.
The vehicle was also available for a 300-meter drag run at the institute. The GM60 Magma surged forward with volcanic intensity in only a few seconds during the tested drag run. Its braking stability was also equally impressive. The combination of the vehicle’s large brakes and well-integrated regenerative system delivered unwavering stopping power even at high speeds.
The GV60 Magma differentiates itself from Hyundai Motor Group’s N high-performance brand by including a more luxury identity.
The interior of the Genesis GV60 Magma EV / Courtesy of Genesis
“The N brand focuses more on performance on a track, and the Magma positions itself as a more luxury-oriented brand with a special focus on retaining a comfort ride,” an official from Genesis said during a media event Tuesday.
“The GV60 Magma is as composed and refined on the daily commute as it is thrilling on the track, in a display of Genesis’ ambition in the high-performance EV segment,” the official said.
The vehicle uses a 84 kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery for a decent driving range of 346 kilometers on a single charge, according to a certification from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources.
The vehicle is available in a single trim at a price of 96.57 million won ($66,300). Porsche’s Macan Electric SUV is considered one of the biggest rivals for the GV60 Magma in the similar segment.