It was just a few years ago that Genesis announced plans to launch a line of performance luxury variants called Magma, and the powerful GV60 Magma is the first to arrive. This fully electric crossover boasts exceptional driving dynamics and more than 600 horsepower, ready to go head-to-head with BMW M and Mercedes-AMG. After spending time behind the wheel, I expect the GV60 Magma's excellent blend of luxury and performance will easily hold its own against those established German brands.
Photo: Perry Stern
The Genesis GV60 received a refresh for the 2026 model year, and the 2027 Magma builds on that new look with a distinctly high-performance design. Its more powerful drivetrain and upgraded driving dynamics help set the Magma apart from the rest of the lineup. At the same time, its cabin gets special treatment that further enhances the high-performance luxury vibe.
The 2027 Genesis GV60 is a five-passenger electric crossover offered in five trim levels: RWD, AWD, Advanced AWD, Performance AWD, and Magma. Pricing for the 2027 model year should be available soon.
For this review, Genesis invited me to South Korea and provided a 2027 GV60 Magma in the eye-catching Magma Orange colour. The Magma comes fully loaded, with no additional factory options available. As of this writing, Genesis has not released the final pricing for the new GV60 Magma, but we expect it to be available soon.
Photo: Perry Stern
The GV60 Magma is the highest-performance model Genesis has ever produced, and it certainly looks the part. Already standing out in its Magma Orange paint, the GV60 Magma features a unique grille, a bold, wide stance, and the Korean brand's signature two-line, multi-lens LED headlight array. The side sills, functional rear spoiler, and stylish 21-inch wheels shod with performance tires enhance the performance look.
The performance vibe extends into the cabin, where you will find comfortable, supportive sport seats trimmed in soft suede with orange stitching and piping, along with orange seat belts. Orange accents continue throughout the cabin, including stitching on the doors and dashboard, as well as the large Magma button on the custom steering wheel.
But just because the GV60 is a high-performance machine does not mean you lose practicality. The large 27-inch OLED display is bright and clear, seamlessly integrating the digital gauge cluster and infotainment system on a single screen, while climate controls are kept separate for quick access. I like that Genesis still uses physical buttons as shortcuts for navigation, media, and vehicle setup, and that a central controller provides an additional interface option.
The floating center console adds a modern look to the GV60's cabin, but with the gear selector and infotainment controller occupying much of its space, there is little room for smaller items. That said, the dual cupholders and wireless smartphone charger are within easy reach of the driver, and the cubby below the dashboard can easily hold larger items like a bag or purse.
The practicality extends to the rear seat, where the flat floor provides ample space for all three seating positions. The seats match those up front and, with good padding and soft suede trim, are quite comfortable. Dual USB-C ports, door cupholders, and a storage bin between the front seats add to the overall appeal.
Adding to the GV60 Magma's everyday driver capabilities is its generous cargo area. The large hatch provides a wide opening for easy loading, and with 24 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, there is plenty of room for luggage or other gear. Fold the 60/40 split rear seats flat, and the space increases to 54.7 cubic feet.
Photo: Perry Stern
The Genesis GV60 Magma comes standard with a 27-inch OLED screen that integrates both the driver's and infotainment displays. The digital gauge cluster offers multiple configurations, and a head-up display is also standard. Features of the infotainment system include:
With its large, clear display and intuitive layout, the infotainment system in the GV60 is among the best on the market. Large icons on swipeable pages make navigation a breeze, and features are selectable via the touchscreen or the central controller. Genesis also features a natural voice interface that can manage phone calls, set destinations, and adjust the cabin temperature, all without the driver taking their hands off the wheel or eyes off the road.
For those who prefer a more familiar interface, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard with wireless connectivity. My Samsung Galaxy S23+ connected without issue, and while Android Auto does not integrate as seamlessly as the native system, it worked as expected. Streaming music via Spotify sounded excellent with the high-end Bang & Olufsen audio system.
Genesis also offers multiple configurations for the driver's display, including a distinctive appearance when selecting either Magma drive mode (GT or Sprint). Instead of the common two-gauge layout, the Magma screen features a central gauge that displays speed and power use. Battery and motor temperatures are also shown for monitoring during high-performance driving.
Photo: Perry Stern
At the heart of the GV60 Magma is a dual-motor electric drivetrain with standard all-wheel drive (AWD) and a maximum output of 641 hp and 583 pound-feet of torque. Maximum power is available for only 15 seconds at a time, activated by pressing the Boost button or flooring the throttle. Otherwise, output remains at a plentiful 601 hp and 546 pound-feet of torque. Genesis says the Magma will reach 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 3.4 seconds, with a top speed of 164 mph.
With more than 600 hp on tap, efficiency and range are reduced. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not yet have a rating for the 2027 GV60 Magma, but Genesis estimates the range at around 230 miles, much lower than its less powerful siblings, which can go as far as 306 miles on a full charge. During my drive, which included a mix of city, highway, and mountain roads, the GV60 Magma showed 194 km available with 49 percent charge. At this rate, a full charge would deliver 396 km (245 miles) of range, a slight improvement over the automaker's estimate.
I had been looking forward to driving the new GV60 Magma ever since Genesis revealed it in concept form a few years ago, and the powerful small crossover certainly lived up to my expectations. Acceleration from a stop is smile-inducing—or possibly scream-inducing if your passenger is not ready for the instant torque. Even at highway speeds, a quick stab of the throttle will set you back in the seat.
Within a few minutes of starting out in the GV60 Magma, I learned how multifaceted this high-performance luxury model really is. The throttle is easy to manage in city traffic, with smooth power delivery, and I was thoroughly impressed by the grip and stability as I took the freeway entrance ramp at high speed.
Once on the highway, the GV60 Magma took on the role of a grand tourer as I set the drive mode to Comfort and relaxed while the suspension absorbed bumps and Active Noise Control kept road and wind noise at bay. But even when you are just cruising, power is always available when needed, and pressing the Boost button to zoom around a slower vehicle never gets old.
As good as the GV60 is as a grand tourer, the crossover is equally capable when the road gets twisty. As the route left the highway and headed into the mountains, I selected Sprint mode, which sharpens throttle response and delivers quicker steering, firmer suspension, and maximum performance from the electronic limited slip differential.
This setup delivered excellent handling and ideal driving dynamics, enabling it to tackle high-speed corners with ultimate confidence. The GV60 remained stable under heavy braking, during quick direction changes, and under hard acceleration out of the curves. In summary, the Magma is certainly the most exciting Genesis model I have ever driven.
But some drivers do not like the quiet, steady power delivery of an electric vehicle (EV) and prefer a powerful internal combustion engine with a roaring exhaust. Activating the GV60 Magma's Virtual Gear Shift (VGS) system can deliver that classic experience, so convincingly that a driver might not realize they are driving an EV.
Upshifts and downshifts sound completely real, with the matching performance and exhaust note audible inside and outside the vehicle. The tachometer in the gauge cluster adds to the realism, and you can rev the “engine” in Park. The VGS system adds excitement, but I found it hard to get past the fact that it is not real, so I chose to drive the GV60 as an EV with the VGS turned off.
Photo: Perry Stern
The GV60 Magma comes standard with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Features include:
One of the highlights of the Genesis ADAS features is Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA2). By combining adaptive cruise control (ACC) and lane centering, HDA2 provides semi-autonomous driving, taking some of the stress out of long highway drives. My drive route in South Korea included plenty of multi-lane freeways where I got to try out the system, and I thought it worked quite well.
With the ACC set to the speed limit, the system kept the GV60 perfectly centered in the lane and held that position even around curves. When I flicked the left turn signal to pass a slower vehicle, the system checked for clearance and automatically changed lanes to the left. However, the system is not hands-free, and it will issue a warning if you attempt to use it with no hands on the wheel.
As of this writing, neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) provides crashworthiness ratings for the 2027 Genesis GV60 Magma.
According to the JD Power 2026 Initial Quality Study (IQS), the BMW X2 ranks highest in the Small Premium SUV segment, with the BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA ranked second (in a tie).
According to the JD Power 2025 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, the BMW X1 ranks highest in the Small Premium SUV segment, with the Genesis GV60 ranked second.
According to the JD Power 2026 Electric Vehicle Ownership (EVX) Study, the Tesla Model 3 ranks highest in the Premium Battery Electric Vehicles segment, with the Tesla Model Y and BMW i4 ranked second and third, respectively.
Other 2027 GV60 competitors include the Audi Q6 E-tron, BMW iX3, Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric, and Porsche Macan Electric.
The 2027 GV60 Magma is the first high-performance luxury model from Genesis. If it is representative of future Magma variants, the new performance lineup should bring plenty of excitement to the brand. While its range is a bit disappointing, the GV60 Magma offers an ideal blend of luxury, performance, and utility in the small premium crossover market. With an extensive standard equipment list and excellent driving dynamics, the 2027 GV60 Magma should prove to be a strong competitor to established brands like BMW M and Mercedes-AMG.
Perry Stern has worked in the automotive industry for over 30 years and has always been a car enthusiast. Driving nearly every new car on the market, Perry has written for multiple publications in addition to his work for jdpower.com. Living in southeast Michigan, Perry remains passionate about cars, especially his 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata.
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