In my, very humble, opinion, manufacturers have adopted two different approaches to their electric vehicle design. Some are EV versions of recognised models – a sensible idea that helps keep their core audiences happy – while other models have bespoke designs that, they hope, give their owners a sense of driving the future. The Genesis GV60 reviewed here falls into the latter category.

It is the company’s first dedicated electric car although, based as it on the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6, they didn’t have to start from scratch. That means having access to proven technologies, including the same dedicated electric car platform that underpins both those cars.

Whichever version of the GV60 you choose you get the same 77.4kWh battery pack powering the Ioniq 5 and EV6. If you can find a charger that’s fast enough, you can top the battery up from 10 to 80% in as little as 18 minutes.

The GV60 isn’t just a heavily disguised Ioniq 5 or EV6 though. It’s been conceived as a more luxurious alternative and, on that score, it largely delivers, aided by an interior that is unlike almost anything else on the market.

It all sounds like quite a compelling package doesn’t it. It needs to be, too, because it’s up against some stiff competition from rivals that include the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the Tesla Model Y and VW ID.4, as well as from within in its own stable.

Let’s find out how it measures up.

First, the interior which, as I’ve alluded to, is quite unlike almost anything else on the market.

Climb inside and the GV60 really does have a concept car-feel about it. Most of the surfaces are covered in soft, tactile materials or synthetic leathers and attractive metals.

If you want the real thing you can pay extra for quilted Nappa leather and a variety of alternative interior colour schemes. The build quality is excellent, though not exceptional, but there are some eye-catching details – the crystal ball gear selector that rotates into position when you turn on the ignition – that add a real taste of luxury to the GV60’s interior.

The driving position hits a mid-point somewhere between SUV and family hatchback. The driver’s seat has electric adjustment as standard, including lumbar support, and there’s plenty of flexibility in steering-wheel position.

You get a good view out the front and side – the side windows are large – but that tapering roofline means that the view out of the back is hampered by a small rear window. That issue is mitigated somewhat by the inclusion of front and rear parking sensors and rear-view camera as standard.

You can dispense with the door mirrors entirely if you want and replace them with a pair of cameras that send video feeds to displays mounted…

All versions are equipped with 12.3in trouchscreen infotainment system that’s positioned high on the dashboard and angled towards the driver slightly. The screen is bright, responsive and boasts and intuitive, easy-to-use, operating system.

I’m not, as my regular reader will know, a huge fan of all the controls being assimilated within the touchscreen menus and, for other people like me ( I know you’re out there), there’s a rotary controller on the centre console that allows you to scroll through, and select, functions from the infotainment menu. It’s much less distracting, and safer, to use when you’re on the move.

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring are standard, as is built-in sat-nav, Bluetooth and a generous number of USB sockets. For the audiophiles out there Genesis offer a Harmon Kardon upgrade.

There’s ample room for front seat passengers: Up, down, left and right, there’s plenty of space for heads legs and shoulders. The overall length is less than the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 and that does have an impact on rear legroom compared to those two close relations but there’s still enough room for six-footers.

The tapered roofline does impinge on headroom, which isn’t as generous as you find in the front, but only passengers well over six feet tall will notice in the two outer seats. I’m 6ft 1in and can vouch for the authenticity of my last statement from the back seat.

The middle is raised slightly in comparison with the outer pair, reducing headroom further and forcing anyone over six feet to stoop. There’s not of lot of space for those size 10s beneath the front seats either.

There are lots of plenty to store drinks and other bits and bobs. In the front of the car there’s a pair of cupholders, a cubby beneath the central armrest, storage tray below the dashboard and a good-sized glove box that, surprisingly, opens like a drawer. The door bins are sculpted to accommodate large bottles.

Boot capacity tops out at 432 litres with the rear seats in place (1,550 litres with the 60/40 folding rear bench stowed away). That figure falls short of load-lugging capabilities of its closest rivals but is more than enough to cope with most of an owner’s daily needs. The rear seats fold almost flat which makes it relatively easy to slide longer loads in and out. There’s underfloor storage for the charging cables and load cover.

There’s 53 litres of additional storage space under the bonnet in the single motor Premium but that falls to just 20 litres in the dual-motor Sport and Sport Plus.

You can pick up the GV60 in three version: Premium, Sport and Sport Plus.

The Sport Plus, reviewed here, is the most potent and has an electric motor on each axle. During mormal driving conditions those motors produce up to 214bhp each but, press that big yellow boost button on the steering wheel and that figure rises, significantly, to 241bhp for a combined total of 482.

With all the power under your right foot the GV60 can reach 62mph from a standing start in just four seconds. That’s as fast as a Porsche Taycan 4S. That’s pin you back in your seat fast. That’s don’t forget to give your passengers the heads up before you do it fast.

The GV60 Sport retains the four-wheel-drive layout but with a slightly more modest 341bhp while the entry-level Premium version makes do with rear-wheel-drive and 226bhp. That’s still enough to propel the GV60 to 62mph in a respectable seven seconds though.

There’s decent body control in the corners, and grip levels are good, but it’s quite a large, heavy car so don’t expect hot hatch levels of agility.

When you ‘start’ the car it defaults to Comfort mode but you can switch to Eco, which maximises range, or Sport, which doesn’t. Sport sharpens accelerator response and adds some heft to the steering as well as making the driver display gauges glow an appealing red and tightening the seat bolsters to keep you firmly in your place.

You can adjust the strength of the regenerative braking using the paddles mounted behind the steering wheel. There are four levels to choose from. Level four is powerful enough to slow the car down, almost, to a stop. When you do need to slow the car manually you’ll find the brakes are consistent and predictable.

It seems obvious to say it, but Premium models offer the greatest range, with up to 321 miles (officially) while the Sport tops out at 292 and the Sport Plus at 289. In the real world, however, you can expect to knock about 30 or 40 miles off the official figures.

The GV60 is pricier than the Kia EV6, Tesla Model Y and the Audi Q4 e-tron but it really does feel as if you get your money’s worth, with lots of kit, including a wide array of safety equipment including eight airbags, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot collision avoidance assistance, rear cross-traffic alert and an automatic emergency braking system. In fact, pretty much everything you could need to protect your hefty investment.

The boot isn’t huge rear space is average but the interior is fantastic, particularly from the privileged position of the front seats, the infotainment system is easy to use and on the move the cabin space is a tranquil and relaxing environment.

Genesis GV60

Price from:£54,105

Battery: 77kWh lithium-ion

Transmission: Single speed

Max power

Standard 2WD: 168kW

Torque: 350Nm

Standard AWD: 234kW (74 front / 160 rear)

Torque: 605Nm

Performance AWD: 360kW (180 front / rear)

Max torque: 700Nm

0-62mph: 7.6 – 3.9sec (model dependent)

Max speed: 146mph

For more information click here.