Sharp seems to be and a revamped inside deliver the Genesis GV70 to the forefront of compact luxurious SUVs, however when you’re nonetheless unconvinced by this burgeoning automaker and its premium choices, we implore you to guide a ticket throughout the Pacific and wander round its hometown of Seoul, South Korea. A high-tech metropolis flourishing with popular culture and skyscrapers, it’s a megacity that isn’t precisely recognized for its automobile tradition, however fairly for its sheer amount of Hyundais and Genesis’ on the roads. Peek round each nook and throughout each car parking zone, and there’s a GV70, GV80, and even their electrified variants, bathed in Korea’s customary shades of white, black, and gray with tinted home windows – we see extra Genesis than we do 7-Elevens. It’s a matter of nationwide satisfaction.
Though Genesis has but to make a monumental impression on the North American market, they’re nonetheless performing properly, notably with their best-selling GV70. A lot of that comes all the way down to the standard and avant-garde design of their inside – Genesis poached a couple of notable designers from the Bentley cohort, and a fast perusal of the inside makes it clear the place these influences lie. From the Ultramarine Blue nappa leather-based and suede seat inserts, to the orange seatbelts that complement the 4 layers of orange stitching stretching from one finish of the rear door panel to the opposite, the flexibility to use daring colors and pull it off properly is a card that solely the highest stage of designers know easy methods to play. To not point out, Genesis made certain to not waste any cabin actual property, and as a substitute of utilizing the shiny black plastic playbook from Audi, they coated all of the empty house with a carbon fibre weave for that added upscale vibe.
It’s not only a visible play both. The feel of the switchgear has been meticulously designed to deliver an elevated sense of luxurious. The rotary dial, gear selector, quantity and HVAC knobs, and even the sign stalks are all knurled to fulfill your fingertips. In fact, the Nappa leather-based doesn’t emit the evocative scents of a Bentley, and that’s not real crystal or glass surrounding the middle dials both. Nonetheless, the form and intent are there, they usually look compelling, however don’t function with the identical type of rigidity and sturdiness because the British marquee it’s making an attempt to emulate.
The 2026 mannequin brings a contemporary steering wheel, which is flat-bottomed on the Sport mannequin we examined. It’s probably the most important improve in our eyes – extra like fingers – and the wheel is extra substantial to carry, firmer to know, and extra ergonomic to entry the paddle shifters and litany of exhausting buttons, the latter of which make it each a purposeful and aesthetically pleasing gadget to make use of and stare at. However just like the Porsche Macan, the wheel rim blocks the view of the brand new 27-inch OLED widescreen flanking it, which now encompasses each the driving force’s gauges and the middle display. The decrease touchpad handles all of the heating and air flow controls, in addition to highly-used capabilities that usually warrant a devoted button. The display emits haptic suggestions when the enter is registered, very similar to Audi’s, and it’s one of many higher touchscreen models round.
However there’s solely a lot you may gown up. The awkward seating place stays, with the driving force located too excessive as much as be built-in and concerned as a part of the machine. Whereas nice for general visibility, you are feeling like you might be sitting on prime of the GV70 fairly than in it. The rear seats additionally lack sufficient leg- and headroom to name it accommodating for adults. Nonetheless, the general cabin deserves reward for its clear and uncluttered design whereas nonetheless protecting a give attention to bodily switchgear.
There’s a relaxed waftability to the best way the GV70 glides over porous surfaces. The Sport mannequin comes with an adaptive suspension with a street preview function, which anticipates the street circumstances and adjusts the dampers accordingly. This tech has been utilized by Mercedes and BMW for some time now, and the ensuing street compliance and luxury shine via. However whereas the GV70’s actions are heavy, agency and substantial, you are feeling the load the second you flip the wheel, nearly like they added a dragging anchor on objective. We’ve by no means been a fan of Michelin Major Tour all-season tires both. The steering requires cheap effort to rotate, particularly when you’re used to the overboosted racks from Lexus or Mercedes. The GV70 is grounded and secure because of this, however it’s hesitant and lacks agility below low and moderate-speed cornering. The GV70 struggles to cover its physique roll, and unnervingly leans and piles into understeer, washing vast whenever you ask an excessive amount of of its 375-hp V6.
The dual-turbocharged unit is powerful with a punchy mid-range and appropriate (synthetically piped-in through the audio system) vocals. It accelerates with out a lot hindrance, however the turbo lag is clear, and the 8-speed gearbox is commonly caught napping in prime gear, particularly when the Cruise perform is activated, which decouples the engine and gearbox below low energy calls for for higher effectivity. Sadly, the brakes require a disheartening quantity of pressure to deliver the GV70 to a halt from pace, and the start-stop system is noisy and tough when the engine fires again to life, unrefined sufficient for us to modify it off. It’s additionally value noting the dearth of hybrid choices, however we don’t suppose this shall be a major concern for many patrons within the present market local weather. Be that as it might, Genesis should incorporate extra efficiency DNA into their mainstream merchandise if they need their grand entrance into Le Mans subsequent 12 months to translate into significant gross sales.
Fashionable with substance, the revitalized GV70 lastly impresses us with a stunning inside that cements its model picture and emblazons the best way ahead. As is customary, the GV70 additionally undercuts its essential competitors in worth, with this top-of-the-line Sport 3.5T AWD mannequin costing $85,700 totally loaded, in comparison with the bottom worth of the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 ($81,200), BMW X3 M50 ($74,900), Porsche Macan S ($81,600), and is extra consistent with the pricing of the Volvo XC60 Extremely ($71,689). By all accounts, the GV70 stays an expensive providing, with the punchy V6 engine additional upping the ante, however whereas it might presently lack the model cache of its adversaries, its hometown showcases the potential and imaginative and prescient for its proverbial wings to unfold vast and fly.
Specs:
Mannequin: 2026 Genesis GV70 Sport 3.5T AWD
Paint Kind: Ceres Blue Matte
Base Worth: $85,700
Worth as Examined: $85,700
Wheelbase(mm): 2,875
Size/Width/Top (mm): 4,714 / 1,910 / 1,630
Powertrain: 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6
Horsepower: 375 hp @ 5,800 rpm
Torque: 391 lb-ft @ 1,300 – 4,500 rpm
Transmission: 8-speed automated
Drive Configuration: Entrance engine, AWD
Noticed Gasoline Consumption (L/100km): 12.5
Tires: Michelin Primacy Tour All-Seasons; 255/40R21
