What’s new about the GV70?
This is a new model, the 5th of the ever-expanding Genesis lineup and just their second SUV, nestled under the midsize GV80. The compact GV70 is sized and priced to do battle in one of the fiercest luxury segments against vehicles like the BMW X3, Audi Q5. Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, Volvo XC60 as well as the Acura RDX and Lexus NX.
What’s good about the GV70?
The GV70 rides on a good set of bones, shared with the superb G70 compact sport sedan. While vehicles like the Acura RDX, Lexus NX and even the Volvo XC60 are based on front-wheel drive based platforms (which has a benefit we’ll go into later), the GV70 adheres to the corporate plan from Korea to model and go after some of the best from Europe. The style and proportions fit the traditional luxury mold with a longer hood and elegant “dash to axle” ratio that has been part of the premium vehicle holy trinity of design. The body lines look taut and muscular and in a time where every car is a seemingly variant of a shade of gray, the GV70 colors like a matte burgundy, white or green (or gray). Style is also the name of the game inside the GV70 where curves and shapes can be adorned in fierce red or elegant blue, in addition to requisite black and beige.
Standard is a best-in-class 300 horsepower turbo 4-cylinder engine, with pricing starting at just over $42,000 and all-wheel drive being standard fare. To compare, the Acura RDX price with all-wheel drive starts around $43,000 and comes with a 272 turbo 4-cylinder, while the new Lexus NX starts with a fairly paltry 203 horsepower non-turbo engine, but at a lower starting point at $40,625 with all-wheel drive, NX does offer at turbo 4-cylinder with 275 horsepower for just over $43,000. The RDX and NX both offer front wheel drive configurations as well.
Available in the GV70 is a beefy turbo V6 engine with 375 horsepower at just over $54,000, poised to potentially go head to head with the likes of the Audi SQ5, Mercedes-AMG GLC43 and BMW X3 M40i.
Rear seat space, something that is a bit cramped in the G70, is more accommodating here in the GV70 with its taller cabin. Will be interesting to see how the arrival GV70 impacts G70 sales.
Key Features / Trim
Genesis doesn’t offer the multitude of à la carte individual options that some of the other brands might, instead they bundle them into 3 or 4 core packages or trim lines, depending on engine selection. The 2.5-turbo configurations are Base -> Select -> Advanced -> Sport Prestige. While the 3.5-turbo offers Sport -> Sport Advanced -> Sport Prestige.
Safety is mostly standard, as has been the custom for Genesis and their relatively short history. Items like lane following assist, blind spot collision avoidance, full-speed adaptive cruise control and safe exit assist are standard across the board. As are the premium LED head and taillights, navigation system, wireless charging and a hands-free power opening lift gate.
Lexicon premium audio and the panoramic sunroof come on all but the 2.5 Base configuration. You have to step up to Advanced or Prestige on either engine in order to get things like the surround view parking camera, blind spot view monitor and the ultra fun to show off remote smart parking assist. Heated steering wheel also comes in on the Advanced trims, as do the front parking sensors (rears are standard).
2.5 customers do miss out on some of the top tech and luxury features sadly. Full digital cluster? 3.5 Sport Prestige. Head up display? 3.5 Sport Prestige. Heated Rear Seat? 3.5 Sport Prestige.
So not a lot of decisions to make in terms of mixing and matching standalone options and packages, but alternatively if you can find a trim that works for you, then there are higher odds that the build and color you want will be available.
Quick Spin
During the Washington Automotive Press Association Fall Rally, we sampled a top-spec 3.5-turbo with the Sport Prestige package. If I could sum it up in one word, substantial. The GV70 feels planted to the road. Even with the 21″ wheels, the ride never felt harsh and the power from the engine flows through the automatic transmission and down to the pavement without much drama, although there is some piped in engine noise which can thankfully be turned off.
Maybe not as ultimately light and playful as something like the rear wheel drive G70 sedan, but the GV70 feels a bit more mature in character perhaps and the steering is a touch heavier all around. There’s a quiet confidence to the GV70 and it puts the driver and passenger at ease. Terrific blend of sport and luxury.
Improvement Points
No hybrids! We’re starting to see some plug-in hybrids from the European brands, but nothing here on the Genesis front, however an electric GV70 should be coming. And common across the upper portions of the Genesis and Hyundai/Kia lineups, no wireless CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity.
Bazooka? No that’s just the exhaust tips, and they’re real!