The Genesis GV70 was launched in 2021 and has recently had a mid-life update. Available with three different engine choices, including an electrified version, a 2.5L turbo four-cylinder and a 3.5L twin-turbo V6, Genesis provides an alternative for buyers in the competitive mid-size luxury SUV segment.
The GV70 2.5T specifically comes in three grades including the entry-level Advanced, mid-spec Signature and top end Signature Sport. The car on test is the GV70 2.5T Signature Sport, costing $89,500 before on-road costs.
Interior
Genesis has comprehensively revised the interior for the updated GV70. The biggest change is the huge 27-inch OLED infotainment screen, with other updates including a head-up display and UV-C sanitising compartment. Although the GV70’s interior is incredibly well appointed and luxurious, the brushed aluminium centre console displayed some scratch marks, with the car only having travelled 16,000 kilometres. Within the centre console sit two rotary dials; the smaller dial is used to select different settings in the infotainment screen while the larger dial is the gear selector. The steering column is power adjustable, while the flat bottom three spoke steering wheel has red stitching and is well proportioned. The alloy foot pedals offer plenty of grip. The Signature Sport also scores a 16 speaker Bang and Olufsen premium sound system, suede headlining, heated steering wheel and heated second row seats. Nappa leather is used for the seats, with front seats offering ergo-motion massaging along with being heated and ventilated. Front seats are also 18-way power adjustable and in this car the interior is finished in a colour called Sevilla Red. The red interior isn’t to my personal taste, however there are three other interior colour options to choose from, being Obsidian Black, Vanilla Beige and Ultramarine Blue. A wireless phone charger, USB port, 12V socket and UV-C all sit underneath the centre armrest. There are also two drink holders in the centre console and room for drinks in both front and rear doors. Adequate legroom and headroom are available for front and rear seat occupants. Other interior features include privacy glass and window shades for the back windows, a Genesis decal on the base of all four doors, air conditioning controls front and rear, lighting strips in the doors that change colour depending on the drive mode selected and ISOFIX child restraint anchors in the rear. Boot space is 542 litres, which expands to 1678 litres with the second row seats folded down. Within the boot sits a spacesaver, First Aid Kit and Roadside Assist Kit.
Exterior
This GV70 is finished in Capri Blue gloss paintwork and is also available in Uyuni White, Savile Silver, Makula Grey, Vik Black, Storr Green, Ceres Blue, Mauna Red and Bering Blue. Matte colours are available as a $2,000 option and include Matterhorn White, Storr Green, Ceres Blue and Makula Grey. The Genesis GV70 is a good-looking SUV from all angles, with unique styling that sets it apart from most SUVs. The updated model features a new grille, front and rear bumpers and lights and a new spoiler. This Signature Sport model receives a double-mesh front grille with dark chrome garnish and an exclusive front bumper with larger air intakes. The split headlight and taillight design, now common on all Genesis models, suits this car like it suited the previously tested G70. The LED headlights have Micro-Lens Array and Intelligent Front Lighting, an advanced headlight system that uses many tiny LEDs and lenses for precise, powerful, adaptive road illumination. Dual exhaust tips are also a feature on the Signature Sport. Other exterior highlights are the rear spoiler and the boot release button located on the base of the rear wiper blade.
The GV70 2.5T Signature Sport also gets updated dark metallic 21-inch five spoke alloy wheels with 225/40 profile Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV tyres. There are black monoblock brake callipers and the brake package consists of 360mm diameter ventilated disc brakes with four piston callipers at the front and 345mm diameter ventilated discs with single piston callipers at the rear.
Standard equipment
Standard equipment on the GV70 Signature Sport includes a 27-inch OLED infotainment screen, panoramic sunroof, adjustable ambient lighting, touchscreen climate control panel, head-up display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, over-the-air updates, keyless entry and start, power tailgate with hands-free opening function, satellite navigation with augmented reality, Genesis Connected Services, rain-sensing wipers, remote start, paddle shifters, fingerprint authentication system, LED head-and tail lights, second-row climate control, memory front seats and air aroma diffuser.
The GV70 has a five-star ANCAP rating. The car has an upgraded forward collision system with junction crossing and junction turning, lane change oncoming, lane change side and evasive steering assists. Standard safety equipment includes adaptive cruise control with stop/go, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot assist, Forward Collision Avoidance-assist, Highway Driving Assist, Lane-keep assist, Lane Following Assist, Rear cross-traffic assist, Parking Collision Avoidance Assist, Safe Exit Assist, Driver attention warning, Leading vehicle departure alert, Intelligent speed limit assist, Front and rear parking sensors, Surround-view camera with 3D view, Intelligent speed limit assist, Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist and Remote Smart Parking Assist. The GV70 Signature Sport has eight airbags including airbags for the front driver and passenger, a front centre side airbag, knee airbag for the driver, side airbags for driver and front passenger and side curtain airbags.
Drive modes
Drive modes and Terrain settings are activated by using the switch in the centre console that sits just above the smaller rotary dial. There are five different drive modes to choose from in the GV70, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport + and MY. Terrain settings include snow, mud and sand. There are a range of settings that can be adjusted on the 27-inch infotainment screen. These settings are vehicle, navigation, sound, phone, user profile, voice recognition, theme/layout, display, general, touchpad and connected services. One handy feature is a 3D showroom, where an image of the car is represented on the infotainment screen. You’re able to rotate the image of the car through 360° and adjust individual settings by touching on different areas of the car. Another good feature are the widget displays for power distribution, tyre pressure, oil temperature, torque output and turbo pressure. These are accessed by swiping a small button on the steering wheel.
Driving impressions and performance
The Genesis GV70 Signature Sport is powered by a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, with outputs of 224kW and 422Nm. An eight-speed torque converter automatic sends drive to all four wheels via an on-demand all-wheel-drive system. The gearbox can be operated with paddle shifts and is well suited to the engine but isn’t the fastest shifting unit. The engine is started by pushing a starter button; however, I personally found the engine sound to be a little uninspiring. With so much ability to adjust seating and steering wheel positions, an ideal driving position can be found. The high torque output from the engine means overtaking is effortless and this is the car’s main strength rather than its ability to accelerate quickly from a standstill. Having said that, the 2013kg Genesis still achieves an impressive 0-100 km/h time of 6.2 seconds, with launch control activated. The car achieves combined fuel consumption figures of 10.3L/100km and has a 66 Litre fuel tank, running on 95 RON.
It’s a very surefooted car and testing it didn’t reveal any issues with wheelspin or torque steer. The all-wheel-drive system is incredibly reassuring and sticky Pilot Sport 4 tyres help to put power to the ground with no issues. Although the car is more suited to covering long distances comfortably and quietly, it still performs admirably when pushed through lower and higher speed corners. Sometimes when turning through higher speed corners, the GV70 felt more out of its comfort zone thanks to its weight and higher centre of gravity, however overall, the car felt much more composed through the corners than the previously tested GV80. There is plenty of steering feel through the variable ratio electric power steering system.
The updated model has increased chassis rigidity, modified springs, dampers and anti-roll bars. Even with the car running on low profile tyres and 21-inch wheels, ride quality is excellent and the car effortlessly absorbs bumps and potholes and handled corrugations on dirt roads with ease. The GV70 Signature Sport is at its best in Sport + mode and in this mode, the seat side bolsters move towards the driver to support them when cornering. The gearbox shifts were also faster in this mode. The brake package not only looks good but does a great job of pulling up all the mass, with no brake fade evident.
Some small criticisms of the GV70 are having the two rotary dials sitting so close to one another. At times, I found myself using the smaller dial to try and select gears when this is for operating the infotainment system. Having to turn off some of the more intrusive safety systems like lane departure warning and collision avoidance systems that automatically come on every time you start the car becomes very tiresome and is a major frustration. It really interferes with what is an otherwise great car with many abilities.
Final thoughts
Genesis provides free scheduled servicing for the first five years or 50,000 kilometres – whichever comes first. The GV70 Signature Sport is also covered by a five-year unlimited kilometre warranty. Rivals include the BMW X3 ($84,500) and Mercedes-Benz GLC ($89,000).
Personally, I think that the GV70 is a uniquely styled car that sets it apart from many other SUVs. The Signature Sport is the highlight of the range and the premium materials used in the interior along with a huge range of convenience and comfort items for driver and passengers, makes the car a wonderful place to spend time in for either short or long distances. Its practicality makes for an ideal family car, with a safe and comfortable environment for all occupants and more than enough boot space for all your belongings. The GV70 is a great all-rounder; it can be used as a daily driver, for the school run, long trips, or taken for a spirited drive along some country roads. The turbocharged four cylinder is well suited to the car and makes for effortless overtaking, while the suspension is perfectly suited to our roads. The all-wheel-drive system is also very reassuring.
Driver aids however are too intrusive and turning them off should be made simpler. The automatic gearbox is slow at times, and the gear selector can sometimes be confused with the control for the infotainment screen.
The GV70 Signature Sport is a worthy alternative to its German rivals and offers something uniquely different in the SUV segment.
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