It can cause envy. . .

By Gary S. Vasilash

I had the interior designer from another car company in the 2024 Genesis GV60.

He looked at that glowing orb embedded in the center console of the vehicle that recently won the J.D. Power U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) study in the small premium SUV category.

That orb is actually called the “Crystal Sphere.”

It glows.

When the vehicle is started the sphere rolls over and exposes a dial that allows the gear selection (which is perhaps not as accurate a term given that the GV60 is an electric vehicle, and while EVs do have gears, they don’t have traditional transmissions with multiple gears that have to be run through for motive power, which explains, in part, why EVs have that torque from the get-go and why they are more efficient than ICE vehicles because there aren’t the mechanical losses).

The designer was intrigued by the Crystal Sphere, which I suppose is why it exists in the vehicle, although I think that the fit and finish—as well as execution and layout—of the rest of the interior is sufficiently interesting in and of itself, as in things like the patterns on the seating surfaces (which, like other items in the interior, are made from eco-friendly materials, but materials that seem like they are leather, for example).

Intriguing, all.

He told me that he thought that it was quite cool.

But then he began wondering aloud about the level of difficulty of fixing it were it to go wrong.

And then going back and forth, weighing the pluses and minuses, he finally concluded:

“We would never be able to use anything like that.”

And I could detect a bit of regret in his tone.

Elementary. . .

It’s the first dedicated EV model from Genesis.

When it was introduced, Luc Donckerwolke, chief creative officer of Genesis, said: “The GV60 is a symbolic model that materializes the unique values and the sensibilities that Genesis stands for. It offers a satisfying experience to our customers who want something valuable, but different.”

It can be opened with your face. (There is a near infrared camera in the B-pillar.)

It can be started with your fingerprint. (Further underscoring the notion of this is more than a crossover, but a highly sophisticated, comfortable, computer on wheels.)

It has two 160 kW motors, one in the front, one in the back. Which means 320 kW or 429 hp.

It has a 77.4-kWh battery that can be charged on a fast charger (>250 kW) from 10 to 80% in 18 minutes.

It—as in the model in question here—does have eco-friendly, but the seats are Nappa leather, which comes from things with four legs.

It has a 14-way power adjustable driver seat that not only has power lumbar (four-way), but even a cushion extension. (Notably, all trims have this seat.)

It has an infotainment system accessed via a 12.3-inch LCD display. The “tainment” portion is predicated on a 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.

It can tow. 2,000 pounds.

It has 101.1 cubic feet of passenger volume (think five people but two happier ones if they’re not joined by a third in the back seat).

It has 24 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the second row.

It has a 0.71-cubic foot frunk (think small microwave oven).

It has an EPA estimated range of 235 miles.

It has a starting MSRP of $69,550.