Genesis GV60 vs Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

What's the difference?

An electric SUV is certainly an unconventional choice for a halo model, and is unlikely to be a big seller, but that’s not really the focus for Genesis. Instead, the arrival of the GV60 Magma means something bigger for the brand.

It’s a clear sign of intent from Genesis that it means business with Magma and has a long-term plan for Australia and taking on the likes of BMW M and Mercedes-AMG.

But, as for the car itself, it’s undoubtedly a very nice proposition, with some genuine performance potential and an engaging driving experience - even if it is thanks to technology rather than simple mechanics.

To dismiss it as simple a ‘luxury Hyundai’ would be doing it a disservice, too, as it offers not only a more premium package but overall a different driving experience. It’s less outrageous than either the Ioniq 5 N or 6 N, but still outrageously fast.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.

Like I said right from the start, this new, hybrid version of the AMG GLC63 is technically superior to the model it replaces in every meaningful way. It is faster, more powerful and more fuel efficient and therefore a better performance SUV than the model it replaces.

Is it a better model than the one it replaces? Ultimately that will come down to how much stock you put into the soundtrack and your feelings on an AMG not powered by a V8 engine.

Because if you can see past that, then the AMG GLC63 is an absolutely fantastic performance SUV. Not only does the new powertrain make it faster in a straight line, but the chassis is very well-balanced, making for an engaging driving experience.

For those who can look past the smaller engine they will be rewarded with an incredibly fast and rewarding-to-drive member of the AMG family.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.

The GV60 is somewhat of the ‘odd one out’ in the Genesis line-up, with its more aerodynamic shape giving it a distinct visual separation from its bigger SUV siblings, the more upright GV70 and GV80.

But like any self-respecting performance brand, Genesis has given the Magma version some major design upgrades to give it a more aggressive and dynamic look. In keeping with its ‘Unspoken Dominance’ pillar, the design team have added a new 'Magma signature' three-hole bumper plus a redesigned lower front bumper that improves air-flow and track-inspired, aerodynamic canard wings on the sides. 

There are new wheel arches and side skirts, which also have the three hole design element, that help accentuate the stance along with the new 21-inch alloy wheels.

Finally, the look is completed with a new rear bumper design and the unmissable rear wing. You could certainly argue the wing is a bit over-the-top but it completes the look and gives the GV60 Magma a purposeful appearance - even when standing still.

Inside has some obvious similarities to the Hyundai duo, namely the basic layout of the cabin, but there are some key differences to separate them.

The most obvious change is the overall higher level of design and finish, with the Magma featuring a lot of leather and suede, offset by contrasting Magma-orange stitching - with white stitching available as an option. The sports seats are a particular highlight, finished in a combination of leather and suede with the specific Magma stitching pattern.

Then there’s the new, unique, steering wheel and instead of the blue and red ‘N’ buttons, Genesis has included a multi-function ‘Magma’ rotary dial/button and a ‘Boost’ button that allow you to adjust the various drivetrain modes (more on those later).

Overall, despite some similarities, the more premium materials and finish certainly lifts the GV60 Magma over its Hyundai relations.

The GLC63 is unmistakably an AMG from the moment you first lay eyes on it. That’s thanks to the AMG-specific elements, starting with the grille with vertical strikes and the AMG crest on the bonnet; which is now a signature item for the performance sub-brand.

The GLC63 is also fitted with the Night Package II design kit; this adds a darkened grille and black chrome badging to further enhance its visual appeal.

The AMG-specific alloy wheels and more aggressive stance do mean the GLC63 stands out from the rest of the GLC range, helping it look fast even when it’s standing still.

The other glaringly obvious difference inside the cabin between the Hyundai pair and the Genesis is the latter’s signature 27-inch wide OLED multimedia display. Unlike many other vehicles that house two smaller screens in a single housing, Genesis offers an uninterrupted 27-inch display in high-definition.

It looks properly premium (especially when the map or other displays blend into the instrument section) and further accentuates that this is a luxury vehicle, even if much of the functionality is the same.

Accessing the Magma is possible either via the standard key fob or the latest generation Digital Key 2.0, which is able to be stored on your smartphone and even shared with others remotely.

Aside from the premium leather and suede finish, the cabin is quite practical for a performance car, with good space front and rear for up to four adults in reasonable comfort.

Again, the shared underpinnings - also known as the e-GMP architecture - is the Hyundai Group’s bespoke EV base so it has been designed to maximise interior packaging and it shows here.

Even though Genesis likes to compare the GV60 Magma to the Porsche Taycan as a performance EV rival, the reality is it sits closer to Porsche’s Macan on price and offers similar interior space despite being slightly smaller overall and slightly lower to the ground.

Inside the GLC63 is clearly a derivative of the rest of the range, with its C-Class-inspired design and layout, but there’s enough AMG-specific elements to ensure it looks and feels special. This starts with the AMG steering wheel, which comes not only with a thick rim wrapped in Alcantara, but also some AMG special dials to adjust the various performance settings for the powertrain, suspension and transmission.

Then there are the AMG-specific seats, which look good and offer good support for the driver and front seat passenger. The rear seats offer decent space for what is a mid-size SUV, with room enough for two adults or teenagers or three smaller kids.

Those in the back aren’t particularly well looked after though, with only rear air-con vents and small door pockets but no USB charging ports or other small item storage.

The boot is 590 litres, down from 620L in the rest of the range, thanks to the addition of the rear-mounted electric motor. There’s also no room for the temporary spare the rest of the GLC range gets and instead you have to make do with a puncture repair kit.

The power and torque figures aren’t the only numbers that have risen sharply, with the GLC63 clearly impacted by a double whammy of inflation and the usual new-car price rise.

The GLC63 now starts at more than $191,814 for the SUV and $198,415 for the Coupe, which represents a nearly $30k increase over the old V8-powered model, which was priced at $164,600 just two years ago. Even for luxury car buyers that’s a big jump, especially when you’re trying to convince people of the merits of the four-cylinder powertrain. 

That also means it's more expensive than all of its key competitors, including the BMW X3 M Competition, Maserati’s Grecale and the outgoing, petrol-powered Porsche Macan GTS.

To help explain some of this price increase Mercedes-Benz Australia has opted for a high level of standard specification for local cars. Standard equipment includes 21-inch alloys, AMG composite braking, a panoramic sliding sunroof, a unique AMG steering wheel, power-adjustable sports seats in Nappa leather, a head-up display, dual-zone climate control, wireless smartphone charging and a Burmester 3D Sound system.

Also included is the AMG Track Pace suite, for those who want to unleash their GLC on the racetrack.

There’s also a limited run, AMG Edition 1 Package available too, for an additional $12,900. On the outside you get Manufaktur graphite grey magno paint, foiling with colour gradation and large AMG logo on the sides, an AMG Aerodynamics Package, unique alloy wheels with Edition 1 and AMG branding, yellow brake calipers and an AMG fuel filler cap in silver chrome with AMG lettering. 

Inside there’s AMG Performance seats, AMG Nappa leather in black with yellow contrasting stitching, AMG illuminated door sills,  carbon-fibre AMG trim highlights, yellow seat belts and a unique AMG Performance steering wheel wrapped in carbon-fibre and microfibre.

While Genesis has done a nice job separating the GV60 Magma from the Hyundai twins visually and in terms of specification, where the three models converge is underneath.

That’s because the GV60 shares the same dual-motor electric powertrain as the N models. And that’s no bad thing because it makes 448kW of power and 740Nm of torque in its standard setting and can stretch to 478kW and 790Nm when you engage Boost Mode.

In addition to that there is also a Launch Control function that allows the Magma to sprint from 0-100km/h in just 3.4 seconds and the company claims it takes 10.9 seconds for it to reach 200km/h. The top speed is limited to 264km/h.

It also comes with Virtual Gear Shift, the Genesis version of Hyundai’s N e-shift, which simulates gears by creating a false ‘rev limit’ so you can tap the paddles on the steering wheel and feel like you’re changing gears even though it has a single-speed transmission.

This is what lies at the heart of the AMG GLC63’s success or failure. As I mentioned at the beginning, the previous generation’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 has been replaced by an F1-inspired plug-in hybrid powertrain.

But don’t think that means AMG is suddenly focused on efficiency over performance. When AMG says the powertrain is inspired by the brand’s success in Formula 1 racing, what it means is the battery and electric motor provides a significant performance boost to support the internal combustion engine, not just save fuel.

To that end the combination of the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and the rear-mounted electric motor produces an impressive 500kW and 1020Nm. That’s a massive jump over the 375kW/700Nm made by the outgoing V8.

The Magma has the same 84kWh battery with what it calls High-Performance Battery Control (or what Hyundai calls N Battery) which are specialised heating and cooling systems designed to ensure the GV60 can withstand racetrack hot laps, as well as spirited on-road driving. This is a key selling point for the Magma, as it allows for extended high-intensity driving, which would otherwise drain the battery too quickly to limit any meaningful track use.

Not that Genesis is pitching the Magma as a ‘track car’ as that’s the domain of the Hyundai pair, but even for on-road driving in the dynamic settings having the battery capable of adapting to the different driving conditions is worthy of note and shows the evolution of the technology.

Overall, the range is rated to 425km, which is good for a performance EV but the low 400 kay range is starting to look a little low these days by broader EV standards. It’s also less than the Ioniq 6 N and 5 N, mainly because the Magma bodykit adds more drag and the extra luxury adds more weight.

In terms of charging, the key detail to know is, with the 350kW charger, you can go from 10 to 80 per cent charge in as little as 18 minutes, according to Genesis’ claims.

And despite being the performance hero, it remains an EV at heart, so it is equipped with vehicle-to-load (V2L), which allows you to draw 200V of power from the battery to power small electrical devices if you need; which is not something many performance cars can claim to be capable of.

Mercedes makes no secret that the battery is designed for performance, not saving fuel. It only has a 14km EV range but can recharge quickly on the move to provide a power boost when needed.

But despite all that, the GLC63 is actually significantly more fuel efficient than the old V8, using a claimed 7.3L/100km, which is a massive 4.9L/100km improvement over the old model. Although, on our day-long test drive we didn’t manage to come close to that claimed figure and instead saw returns around 11L/100km, albeit after a lot of spirited open-road driving.

One of my personal favourite elements of high-performance EVs is their duality. On the one hand they can offer immense speed and power, but at the same time they can glide along in near-silence. Even the best adjustable drive modes in an internal combustion engine hero model can’t match it for the sheer breadth EVs can manage.

The GV60 Magma very much defines this dual personality of performance EVs.

It is especially quiet, with changes from standard GV60, including insulating glass, active noise control, extra gear meshing and more, to ensure it is quiet and refined inside the cabin. Driving it in its Comfort setting is a very relaxed and quiet experience, which is just what you should expect from a $130K luxury SUV.

But once you get out of the city and onto some winding country roads, as we did on the outskirts of Canberra, this is where the Magma is designed to shine. Unlike Hyundai’s N models which are deliberately designed for track use, Genesis says Magma is more of a grand tourer, focused on spirited on-road driving.

So, when you find a road you like, you can select one of the more dynamic drive settings - GT, Sprint or MY (personalised) - and turn on the Virtual Gear Shift (VGS) and virtual sound (which is a single, V6-inspired engine simulation) and have some fun.

Much like the Ioniq N pair, the GV60 Magma is a technological tour de force.

Typically, too much interference tends to dull modern performance cars, leaving the driver feeling more like a passenger. But that’s not the case here, because despite all the technology, or rather because of the way it is deployed, it’s a lot of fun to drive.

That is perhaps the most important element Genesis has taken from Hyundai, even more than the hardware or software, is making an engaging performance car. 

Building a ‘fast car’ is easy, but building one that is enjoyable to drive is much harder and that sums up the GV60 Magma.

Anyone who still believes in the adage ‘there’s no replacement for displacement’ hasn’t driven a modern turbocharged and hybridised engine. The GLC63 is a demonstration of the metaphorical and literal power of modern technology, combining an extremely efficient and potent internal combustion engine with an electric motor to make enormous real-world performance.

To be blunt, the GLC63 feels like a rocketship out of corners, launching with a ferocity and relentlessness the old V8 simply can’t match. It shouldn’t come as a surprise, a mid-size SUV with 1020Nm was always going to have plenty of performance, but even so it’s a shock to the system every time you give the GLC63 full throttle. Officially AMG claims it takes just 3.5 seconds to run 0-100km/h and has an electronically limited top speed of 275km/h - mighty impressive figures for a five-seat mid-size SUV.

To help get all that torque to the road, AMG deploys torque distribution technology that allows for it to be split an even 50/50 front/rear all the way to 100 per cent to the rear tyres.

Other technologies deployed to enhance its handling include AMG Ride Control suspension with adaptive damping and rear-axle steering. There’s also eight AMG Dynamic Select driving modes and four AMG Dynamics settings (Basic, Advanced, Pro and Master), so it’s a complex vehicle that is designed for the enthusiast.

While it’s easy to drive around town, once you get out on the open road you can really get a sense of the GLC63’s performance potential. Beyond just its powertrain the suspension offers good body control and the rear-axle steering helps it feel agile and responsive. 

It’s not perfect though. At times the complexity of the system does lead to some hesitation when you put your foot down. It certainly lacks the linear power delivery of the old V8 and makes for a slightly trickier driving experience at times.

As for the sound, which is one of the biggest elements missing from the V8, Mercedes has added AMG Real Performance Sound, which features a pressure sensor in the exhaust that picks up on the engine note and plays it through the speaker system. It certainly helps make for a louder, more noticeable engine noise, but it still sounds more like an A45 than the previous GLC63 and for many would-be buyers, that’s a major turn-off.

The GLC63 comes standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features including 'Distronic' (Mercedes’ name for adaptive cruise control), 'Active Lane Keeping Assist', 'Blind Spot Assist', 'Traffic Light Assist' and 'Adaptive Highbeam Assist'. It also includes Mercedes’ 'Pre-Safe' accident anticipation system - which pre-tensions the seat belts and will even play a white noise to protect your ears if it senses a crash is imminent.

A parking system that includes a 360-degree camera and active parking assist is also included.

The GLC range was awarded a five-star ANCAP rating in 2022, which pre-dates the latest testing protocols, so doesn’t provide a like-to-like comparison for vehicles tested after that date.

Despite being in the market for more than a decade, Genesis is still finding its feet in Australia. Having started with a ‘Studio’ concept in the Sydney and Melbourne CBDs and finding that a challenging way to sell cars, the brand has been expanding its reach with more conventional dealerships.

There are now eight showrooms, or Showcases as the brand prefers to call them, and four service centres - one each in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. So there is still clearly some work to do for the brand to have a truly national reach.

But while it may be behind its rivals when it comes to physical location, they try to make up for it with customer care. 

The GV60 Magma is covered by the brand’s standard five-year/unlimited km warranty but owners also get 10 years of roadside assistance.

They also get complimentary servicing for the first five years, with intervals scheduled every 15,000km or 12 months.

And while the brand is expanding its footprint it is sticking with its ‘Genesis to You’ program that will see a service team member come to a location of your choosing - home or office - and give you a loan car while they take yours away for a service.

So you don’t even need to live near the service centres, Genesis will do the pick-up and drop-off for you. It may sound like a small detail but it should make ownership a much easier proposition.

The GLC63 is covered by Mercedes Australia’s usual five-year/unlimited kilometres warranty.

As for maintenance, Mercedes offers service plans, spanning three to five years. Three years will cost you $5025, $6455 for four years and five years is priced from $7180. Servicing intervals are 12 months or 20,000km, whichever comes first.