New Genesis GV60 vs Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron vs Tesla Model Y: practicality

Upmarket South Korean brand Genesis has bold ambitions to take on the likes of Audi and Tesla with its new electric SUV. Time to see if they're realistic...

Steve Huntingford

Published05 January 2023

Space and practicality

Front space, rear space, seating flexibility, boot

Other than that, though, the Genesis GV60 has plenty of space in the front – plus there are various cubbies for stashing phones, wallets and keys, including a big tray below the ‘floating’ console between the seats. Not that you’ll have any issues with space in the others – and the Tesla Model Y feels the airiest, thanks to a standard glass roof that floods the interior with light.

In the rear, all of our contenders provide as much space as two six-footers could reasonably need. The fact that the GV60 has the least head and leg room will be an issue only if you’re unusually lanky. There’s little to split the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron and Model Y – the former has a bit more leg room and the latter more head room – but both are really practical family SUVs, even though the Q4 is the only car here without reclining rear seatbacks.

If you need to carry more than five people, it’s worth knowing that the Model Y will soon be available in seven-seat form. Judging by the sloping roofline, the third row won't be comfortable for adults, but it's a handy bonus all the same.

The GV60 disappoints slightly for boot space. There's still more than in a Volkswagen Golf's boot, and six carry-on sized suitcases can fit below the tonneau cover, so you're hardly going to struggle with the weekly shop. However, the Q4's boot can accommodate one more suitcase, while there's room for 10 cases in the Model Y.

The GV60 (like the Model Y) has extra storage under its bonnet. You can stow the charging cables there if you want, or leave the space free for delicate items you don't want sliding around the main boot.

The Q4 does without a front boot, but you can have a height-adjustable boot floor (part of the £325 Function Pack), which allows you to keep the potentially dirty charging cables beneath the main boot compartment, away from your shopping.

The Model Y is the only one with rear seats the split-fold in a 40/20/40 arrangement, giving you the option of slotting something long and thin, such as a pair of skis or a golf travel bag, through the middle while still carrying a rear passenger on either side of the car. The Q4 and GV60 come with regular 60/40 split-folding rear seats that offer less flexibility.