German carmakers have long ruled the competitive luxury SUV segment. The Mercedes-Benz GLC, BMW X3, and Audi Q5 are firmly entrenched as the gold standard in this class, while the Porsche Macan adds further sporty appeal to this group. Then the Genesis GV70 turned up a few years ago and kicked down the door of German complacency.
The Genesis GV70 is well-priced in this segment, but not massively cheaper than the competition. Instead, it proved to be super competitive and able to disrupt the segment with great design, brilliant interiors, and real value, delivered in a package that focuses on the human part of luxury vehicle ownership. Genesis did not rest on these considerable laurels, and the 2026 model year is another step up, increasingly making the Germans look overpriced and underwhelming.
A Design That Looks Confident, Not Corporate
The 2026 Genesis GV70 has a bold and assertive look, like the German competitors, but it makes its own distinctive statement. While side-on, the BMW, Merc, and Audi tend to look pretty much alike, the GV70 has a more distinct shape that strikes a rare balance between elegance and athleticism.
The quad LED headlamps and distinctive Crest grille form a unique face. The lights blend naturally into the fenders, which create visual width without having to add oversize intakes or vents. The roofline features a sleek coupe-like curve, but without compromising the interior space. The LED headlamps are balanced by twin taillights at the back, and the restrained chrome detailing oozes class.
Luxury Underpinned By Industrial Muscle
Genesis is the luxury brand of the Hyundai Motor Corporation, much in the same way that Lexus is to Toyota and Acura is to Honda. Just like Lexus and Acura, this relationship gives Genesis the ability to build its cars on proven mass market platforms, using efficient mass market production methods. With engineering and production sorted out, Genesis has the freedom to build and equip its vehicles to high standards of luxury without blowing out the purchase price.
Range Of Trims To Choose From
The 2026 Genesis GV70 is available in six trim levels in the ICE model, and there is also an EV Model available in several trims, but we’ll focus on the ICE model here for the sake of simplicity. There are two engine options, with the lower trims equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 300 horsepower, and the higher trims offering a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 that makes 375 horsepower. All trim levels come with the proven eight-speed automatic transmission and AWD as standard. A curious omission is the lack of a hybrid drive, since there is a similar 2.5 turbo found in the Hyundai Palisade, but fitted with a more powerful and efficient hybrid drive.
Jam-packed with tech, smart execution, and plush appointments, the GV70 feels a lot richer than its sticker price suggests.
The Interior That Redefines Value And Craftsmanship
Luxury German vehicles have always made their interior quality a focal point of their offerings, but the Genesis GV70 can now match the best of them and is arguably better than some. The cabin design is driver-focused, elegant without being minimalist or bland. Soft-touch materials cover the areas that need them, while open-pore wood and fine leather become more plentiful as one moves up in the trim levels.
Enormous Screens Capitalize On Modern Tech Appeal
The 2026 GV70 has a driver-focused 27.0-inch display screen that serves as both a digital gauge cluster and a central infotainment display. As before, this screen has both touch functionality and a control knob in the center console, as in the past. Connectivity features include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hotspot, as well as an optional digital key that turns your smartphone into a key.
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Interior Space Is Commendable
The Genesis GV70 is a compact five-seat SUV, and, as such, offers the better seating layout synonymous with this car shape. The front seats are comfortable and offer loads of leg and headroom. The front seats are heated and power-adjustable. The rear seats are adequate, but as in many compact SUVs, they could be a bit cramped for taller passengers. The cargo area behind the rear seats is a generous 28.9 cubic feet, and it has a comfortable, low-loading floor. With the rear seats folded flat, cargo space increases to 56.9 cubic feet.
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Performance That Is Smooth And Confident
One area where the luxury Germans have kept ahead of compelling rivals such as Lexus has been in the driving experience, offering a blend of power, performance, and great handling. The GV70 meets these challenges head-on. Although the Macan, for example, will probably have zippier handling, and some of the others could offer more powerful engines, the GV70 has more than enough in all these dimensions to satisfy the discerning driver.
Engine Options Offer Ample Athleticism
The 2.5-liter turbo’s 300 horsepower gives it the ability to effortlessly overtake on the highway, with the twin-turbo V6 offering genuine power. Zero to 60 mph times have been measured at a fraction under six seconds for the four-cylinder and five seconds for the V6 in sport mode.
Driving Modes And Electronically Controlled Suspension
The Genesis GV70 has integrated drive modes, including eco for maximum fuel efficiency, comfort for a more relaxed ride, sport for obvious reasons, and an optional sport+ mode. Terrain modes like snow, mud, and sand will adjust steering, throttle, transmission, and suspension. Optional electronically controlled suspension reads the road surface ahead with a front camera and adjusts the suspension height and stiffness to minimize the effect of potholes and bumps on the road.
The result is a noticeably smoother and more buttoned-down driving experience over the old model. The outgoing GV70 was already a smooth operator with commendable handling. The updated model feels slightly more honed in and ready to play if the driver wants to quicken the pace.
– Chris Chin for TopSpeed
2026 Genesis GV70 Interior And Exterior Picture Gallery
The 2026 Genesis GV70 has been launched with a redesigned exterior and interior, a more luxurious cabin, more powerful powertrains and improved range.
Superior Ownership Experience
Ownership experience is measured beyond speed, acceleration, handling, and comfortable seats. Vehicle safety ratings are important, as are reliable driving safety aids. We tend to keep our cars for longer, and more comprehensive warranties will give the buyer greater peace of mind for the longer haul. We need our vehicles to be reliable as well.
Safety Ratings And Equipment Provide Peace Of Mind
The Genesis GV70 gets the maximum five stars in the NHTSA crash test, while the insurance industry IIHS has rated it as the ‘Top Safety Pick+’, with the “+” denoting that it is among the safest vehicles in its class. Optional features include automatic lane changes, remote smart parking, and blind spot view monitors, while all models come standard with:
- Forward collision avoidance
- Smart cruise control
- Lane following
- Blind spot warning
- Rear cross traffic avoidance
- Driver attention warning
Reliability And Warranties Sweeten The Offer
J.D. Power rates the GV70 at a great 81/100 for reliability. In line with its Hyundai/Kia heritage, the Genesis GV70 comes standard with a five-year/60,000-mile limited warranty, a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and complimentary maintenance for three years/36,000 miles. The Genesis GV70 takes its German rivals head-on, in terms of design, luxury features, power and performance, and general ownership experience. While the GV70 is certainly not a budget vehicle, its purchase price and cost of ownership are generally the same or better than those of its rivals.
Sources: Genesis, NHTSA, IIHS, J.D. Power