2027 Genesis GV60 Magma First Drive Review

The GV60 Magma is the first high-performance vehicle from Genesis, spearheading a new line of models that will aim to blur the line between speed and luxury.

Think of Magma as a competitor to long established players like BMW’s M division and Mercedes-AMG, but rather than create a facsimile of the current high-performance leaders, Genesis says its car will have unique character. Steeped in Korean culture, the sub-brand’s signature orange colour represents the country’s volcanic landscape and the molten rock just beneath its surface.

The 2027 Genesis GV60 Magma is based on the standard all-electric GV60, but with extensive modifications to its dual-motor powertrain, chassis electronics, and suspension. It also features flared fenders and a wider track for a more planted look and feel.

Most Powerful Genesis Ever

The upgraded rear motor makes 303 kW of power while the one up front pushes out 175 kW, giving the GV60 Magma a pronounced rear-biased power distribution. It produces up to 641 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque when using the boost mode function, which can be activated by pushing a button on the steering wheel or by pushing the accelerator pedal past 90 per cent of its travel.

Of note, that’s strikingly similar to the output generated by the closely related Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. Likewise, the GV60 Magma uses the same 84-kWh battery pack as the performance-focused Ioniq 5 N, which is slightly more capacity than the standard version’s unit (77.4 kWh). Range estimates weren’t available as of this writing, but the Ioniq 5 N is good for a paltry 356 km on a full charge. It can be hooked up to DC fast-chargers with speeds of 350 kW.

More Than Brute Force

The GV60 Magma gets larger brakes, an electronic limited-slip differential, a new torque vectoring system, and reworked suspension components that include new lower arms, hub carriers, and link structures. The revised suspension geometry greatly reduces body roll and allows for a more stable and neutral handling behaviour, according to Genesis. The body was reinforced with extra structural adhesive and welding points, and more chassis bracing, resulting in a 10 per cent increase in torsional rigidity. Meatier rubber with 275-mm wide rear tires shod with sticky Pirelli P-Zero tires complete the package.

You end up with something that feels completely different than the regular GV60, but the engineers were careful to tune the package for compliance and to maintain ride comfort in line with a luxury vehicle. It’s a fine balance, but it worked well on the narrow roads carving their way through the mountainous regions near Cheongju, South Korea, where this test took place.

Virtual Hot Hatch

It's here also where you realize the GV60 isn’t like most other electric vehicles (EVs). Like the Ioniq 5 N, this Magma-tuned model has a virtual gear shift system and active engine sound that cleverly mimics the sensations of an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and 9,000-rpm V6 engine, complete with paddle shifters on the steering wheel.

The system can be turned off, but it works well at making you believe you’re driving a powerful hot hatch. It will even hold gears at a virtual redline and bounce off an imaginary rev limiter until you pull the right-hand paddle to upshift. It might all be a simulation, but the GV60 Magma has the hardware to back it up with precise steering that loads up naturally in corners, copious amounts of grip, and almost no body roll. Somehow Genesis made this compact crossover feel like a hot hatchback with a cabin lined in microsuede.

Supportive sport seats are wide enough to be comfortable for the long haul, and everything that’s good about the standard GV60 is here, including the gimmicky crystal ball gear selector. [To each their own, Kunal.––Ed.] There’s orange stitching on the dash, doors, and seats, as well as orange seatbelts, and an excellent sound system.

Final Thoughts

Genesis says the Magma sub-brand isn’t reserved for EVs, but rather represents a new dimension within the company that coincides with its 10th anniversary. The brand’s newly formed World Endurance Car (WEC) team even participated in the gruelling 24 hours of Le Mans, crossing the finish line in a respectable 13th place.

For such a young company, launching a racing team and a bonafide new performance car simultaneously is impressive, but Genesis says these are calculated investments that will help it gain recognition on the global stage. And while the 2027 Genesis GV60 Magma is a promising start, it’s arriving without many other competitors like it.

Official pricing hasn’t been announced, but we can expect this one to land closer to the $100,000 range. It’s available for pre-order now, with production already underway in South Korea. Initial deliveries are expected later this summer.