Few automotive brands have matured as rapidly as Genesis. Evolving from a single model, the marque’s roots trace back to the Hyundai Genesis sedan of 2008. Eighteen years later, the company is a standalone brand with six models, two of which have sub-models. Meanwhile, Chrysler, one of America’s oldest legacy brands, is fielding but three.Even more remarkable, the company launched its first dedicated dealership in 2021. Meanwhile, its products are almost universally lauded. Which is absolutely the case for the subject of this review, the 2026 Genesis GV70 3.5T Sport Prestige AWD. The compact luxury crossover SUV’s base price is $70,095, its price as tested came in at $72,225.
Summary
- The 2026 Genesis GV70 returns with refreshed, more aggressive styling.
- The 3.5T V6 yields refined, 375 hp performance and 0-60 in five seconds.
- Improved steering and the adaptive suspension system enhance handling.
- Prestige-level interior, tech and features beat Porsche on value; but Mercedes offers hybrid fuel economy and stronger resale.
- Base Trim Engine
-
2.5L I-4 ICE
- Base Trim Transmission
-
8-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
-
All-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
-
300 HP @5800 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
-
311 lb.-ft. @ 1650 RPM
- Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
-
22/28/24 MPG
- Base Trim Battery Type
-
Lead acid battery
- Make
-
Genesis
- Model
-
GV70
In order to provide you with an honest and unbiased review, the vehicle reviewed in this article was driven on a daily basis throughout the course of daily life for a period of one week. For detailed insight into testing procedures and data collection, please review our methodology policy.
2026 Genesis GV70 3.5T Sport Prestige First Impressions
One of the key reasons for the meteoric rise of Genesis was the hiring of former Bentley design director Luc Donckerwolke. The company also lured SangYup Lee away from Bentley, where he served as director of exterior design. Their “Athletic Elegance” styling language elevated Genesis into the ranks of high desirability seemingly overnight. Take the GV70, for example. The look of the crossover is at once evocative of luxury and performance.
The tautness of its curved lines, suggesting motion even when the GV70 is at rest, gives the Genesis an aura of unreleased tension. It’s as if the GV70 is ready to spring into motion at any moment.While the basic lines of the compact SUV have remained unchanged since it was introduced in 2021, a revised headlight and grille treatment have refreshed its look for the 2026 model year. These updates are complemented by new wheel designs, revised air intakes, and a renewed taillight treatment. Taken altogether, they give the GV70 a more aggressive appearance without compromising its aura of sophistication.
Exterior Dimensions
|
Length |
185.6 Inches |
|
Width |
75.2 Inches |
|
Height |
64.2 Inches |
|
Wheelbase |
113.2 Inches |
|
Front Track |
64.9 Inches |
|
Rear Track |
65.6 Inches |
|
Curb Weight |
4,453 Pounds |
Driving Impressions And Performance
The GV70 3.5T Sport Prestige AWD, with which I spent a week of quality time, was powered by the company’s twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6. Happiest when fed a steady stream of premium fuel, the engine is rated to produce 375 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 391 pound-feet of torque at 1,300 rpm. The all-wheel drive powertrain is completed by an eight-speed automatic transmission.
With nearly 400 pound-feet of torque coming online so low in the rev range, the GV70 felt satisfyingly quick off the line. Chronicling the elapse of five seconds between the moment I nailed the throttle and the moment the GV70’s digital speedometer eclipsed the 60-mph mark, my Omega Speedmaster substantiated what the seat of my pants had already told me. Equally impressive was the smoothness of the engine as it steadily made power. Refinement is the word I’m looking for here.
Underway, I noticed the steering was a bit more responsive than it had been on the GV70 I drove last year. Ride quality and handling were somewhat improved as well. Not that it was bad before, it’s just better now. The 3.5T GV70 I drove was also capable of scanning the surface of the road ahead and pre-adjusting the adaptive suspension system to smooth out the ride when surface abnormalities were detected. What’s more, it did so without incurring a roadholding penalty. Yes, Porsche’s Macan will still run off and leave the GV70 on a twisty road, but the Genesis does afford its driver a solid mount when rapid changes of direction are required.
Performance Specifications
|
Engine |
3.5-Liter Twin-Turbo V6 |
|
Transmission |
Eight-Speed Automatic |
|
Horsepower |
375 HP @ 5,800 RPM |
|
Torque |
391 LB-FT @ 1,300 RPM |
|
Fuel Economy (CMB) |
19 MPG (Observed) |
|
0-60 MPH |
Five Seconds |
|
Top Speed |
150 MPH (Governed) |
Jam-packed with tech, smart execution, and plush appointments, the GV70 feels a lot richer than its sticker price suggests.
Genesis GV70 Fuel Economy
According to the good people at the EPA, one can anticipate the consumption of a gallon of premium every 18 miles in the city, every 25 miles on the highway, and 21 miles in a combination of city and highway driving. This proved somewhat optimistic, though. The best I could manage was 19 mpg overall. Now, with that said, I never really drove the Genesis for economy, as the rush of that 391pound-feetof torque off the line was a siren song I could not resist.
|
City |
Highway |
Combined |
|
|
EPA Rated Economy |
18 MPG |
25 MPG |
21 MPG |
|
Fuel Economy As Tested |
19 MPG (Observed) |
Interior Design And Comfort
Given the positions the minds leading the styling of the brand previously occupied, it came as no surprise to find the interior of the Genesis GV70 offered a premium experience with avant-garde architecture. Updates for the ’26 model year include a thicker rim for the steering wheel, more prominent ambient lighting, and a new OLED digital display, measuring 27 inches in diameter.
Offering a nice mix of physical buttons, as well as switches and dials, the interior’s ergonomics were quite good – for the most part. I often grabbed the infotainment dial, when I wanted the dial for the transmission. It’s hard to believe the interior team didn’t see that one coming when they positioned them directly in line with one another.
On the other hand, the Nappa leather upholstered seats offered great support and more than adequate leg, shoulder and headroom for front seat passengers. These were nicely complemented by the microfiber faux suede headliner, polished carbon fiber trim, and seatbelts in a contrasting color (orange). The rear seat was passable on the legroom side, but it could have been better. Outward visibility was good from the driver’s seat, with no significant blind spots. All in all, the passenger compartment was both comfortable and beautifully finished with easy ingress and egress.
Interior Dimensions
|
Front |
Rear |
|
|
Headroom |
38.6 Inches |
38.3 Inches |
|
Shoulder Room |
59.1 Inches |
56.9 Inches |
|
Legroom |
41.3 Inches |
37.2 Inches |
Technology And Ease Of Use
Getting back to that 27-inch widescreen monitor; housing the GV70’s instrumentation and infotainment interface, its displays were crisp with quick-to-respond touchscreen functions. I liked the inclusion of the center console mounted interface dial. Again though, its placement made it easy to confuse it with the transmission selector dial (And yes, I’m mentioning it again, because it really bothered me – okay?) Wireless CarPlay and Android compatibility were standard, as was a Wi-Fi hotspot. The GV70 3.5T also had a digital key which enabled me to use my iPhone as the key, while a wireless charging pad helped keep the phone charged. Bang & Olufsen provided the audio solution. The GV70 also featured fingerprint recognition, which permitted me to start the Genesis without a key.
Numbered among the driver’s aids were automated emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, forward collision-avoidance assist, and driver attention warning. Additional safety tech included forward attention warning, blind-spot collision avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist, parking distance warning, and parking collision avoidance assistance. The Genesis also provided safe exit assist, advanced rear occupant aler,t and remote smart parking assist.
Cargo And Storage Space
Cargo space behind the second row measured 28.9 cubic feet. Folding it away, I gained an additional 28 cubic feet for a total of 56.9. That’s enough room for at least seven carry-on suitcases. The GV70 also offered storage compartments at all the major seating positions, as well as in the center armrest. There was also a fairly commodious glove compartment.
|
Minimum Cargo Capacity |
28.9 Cubic-Feet |
|
Cargo Capacity Second-Row Folded |
56.9 Cubic-Feet |
Genesis GV70 Vs. Its Competitors
The GV70 Sport Prestige AWD’s closest competitors are the Mercedes-Benz GLC350e and the Porsche Macan S. The Genesis enjoys a significant price advantage over the Porsche, while being closely paired with the Mercedes in that regard. With that said, each of these are strong choice and highly ranked.
How The Genesis GV70 Compares To The Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e 4MATIC
- Base Trim Engine
-
2L I4 Hybrid
- Base Trim Transmission
-
9-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
-
All-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
-
255 HP @5800 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
-
295 lb.-ft. @ 2000 RPM
- Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
-
24/30/26 MPG
- Base Trim Battery Type
-
Lead acid battery
- Make
-
Mercedes-Benz
- Model
-
GLC-Class SUV
If you’re going to get close to the GV70’s power output in a Mercedes-Benz GLC, without venturing into AMG territory, you’ll be looking at the GLC 350e 4MATIC. This will get you a 313-horsepower hybrid powertrain, which is based upon a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Torque output is rated at 406 pound-feet. The electric motor is paired with the nine-speed automatic transmission. With a starting price of $60,300, the GLC 350e enjoys a lower base price than that of the Genesis.
However, it catches up pretty quickly once you start adding the options you’ll need to get your GLC 350e equipped like the Genesis. For example, you’ll spend an additional $1,950 to get the driver’s aids that come standard with the GV70. Want the enhanced ambient lighting, upgraded audio system, and other niceties included in the Exclusive Trim package? You’re looking at another $2,200. The Sport package will incur an additional charge of $3,450. The least expensive leather option requires an outlay of $1,620, but go for the Nappa leather you’ll get as standard equipment with the Genesis, you’ll pony up an additional $2,590, which brings you to roughly $73,690. Add the $1,250 destination charge, and you’re looking at $74,940.
Now, with that said, you will get the prestige factor that goes along with driving a Benz, for about the same money as driving the Genesis. You’ll also get the road manners of a Mercedes, with a plug-in hybrid powertrain capable of traveling 54 miles on electricity alone. According to the EPA, the Merc will return 23 mpg in the city, 28 on the highway, and 25 combined – which is roughly four mpg better than the estimated combined figure for the Genesis. These factors make the GLC350e a pretty formidable competitor for the GV70 3.5T.
How The Genesis GV70 Compares To The Porsche Macan S
- Base Trim Engine
-
2L I4 ICE
- Base Trim Transmission
-
PDK 7-speed auto-shift manual
- Base Trim Drivetrain
-
All-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
-
261 HP @5000 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
-
295 lb.-ft. @ 1800 RPM
- Base Trim Battery Type
-
Lead acid battery
- Make
-
Porsche
- Model
-
Macan
- Segment
-
Compact Luxury SUV
In the Macan lineup, you’ll need to spring for a 2026 Porsche Macan S, the base price of which is $78,000 to match the GV70 3.5T’s power output. This will get you a twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6, which is good for 375 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. That engine feeds a seven-speed automatic transmission, which routes output to all four wheels.
However, those of you who are familiar with the Porsche way know you can easily push the Macan S price tag well above that figure if you partake of the options list. Meanwhile, a lot of the stuff Porsche declares to be optional is standard equipment on the Prestige Plus GV70. For example, to get close to the GV70’s equipment package, you could go with Porsche’s Premium Package Plus, which is a $3,740 proposition.
That will get you a panoramic sunroof, 14-way power adjustable front seats, lane change assist, and heated front and rear seats — as well as ventilation for the front seats. Do that and nothing else, you’ll be looking at roughly $81,740, and you still won’t have everything the Genesis offers.Now, with all of that said, the Macan does exhibit a great deal more athleticism than the GV70. It also has a Porsche badge on its nose, which means it commands a more significant prestige factor.
Our Recommendation For Which Model You Should Buy
From my perspective, the choice here comes down to your own priorities. The Porsche is the one if you care more about driving pleasure than cost. Deciding between the Mercedes and the Genesis is a bit more challenging, as they are well within range of one another in terms of price and features.
To my eyes, the 2026 Genesis GV70 3.5T Sport Prestige AWD has more interesting styling — both inside and out — where the Mercedes is on the conservative side. However, the GLC350e is a plug-in hybrid, which means long-term fuel costs will be lower. Meanwhile, Genesis includes three years of complimentary maintenance, which Mercedes does not.
Resale value is likely to favor the Benz, as it has a more established track record. But then the Genesis has better warranty coverage. This one’s a tough call, and, truth be told, it would be hard to go wrong with either one, especially if your ego doesn’t demand your car wears a three-pointed star.