2022 Genesis GV70 3.5T Sport: The Brand’s All-New Entry-Level Luxury Crossover

Highlight: The GV70 borrows Hyundai’s remote park assist feature, which guides the vehicle in and out of perpendicular parking spaces without the driver being behind the wheel.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $64,045 (Base GV70 2.5: $42,045)

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; a compact spare tire; automatic high beam headlights; distance pacing with stop-and-go; an electronic stability control system; an electronic blind spot system; a forward collision avoidance system; a lane following assist system; a lane keep assist system; a lane departure warning system; a rear collision mitigation system; and a tire pressure monitor system

Standard Equipment (2.5-liter turbocharged): all-wheel drive; 18-inch wheels; deep tinted glass; a lip spoiler; power tilt heated side mirrors with manual folding and turn signal indicator; deep tinted glass; a black grille with chrome surround; a power rear liftgate; leather-like seats; power front seats; heated front bucket seats; a manual tilt/telescopic steering wheel; a keyless ignition starter system; a dual zone automatic climate control system; and an automatic day-night rearview mirror

Standard Equipment (3.5-liter turbocharged): a 375-horsepower engine; 19-inch wheels; a panoramic sunroof; leather seats with mesh; a highway driving assist system; and an electronic adaptive system

Options: 21-inch sport alloy wheels; electronic limited slip differential; Nappa leather seating surfaces with sport pattern quilting; layered edge backlit trim; leatherette upper instrument and driver panels; suede headliner; a heated steering wheel; Genesis digital key; and a surround view monitor/blind spot view monitor; remote smart parking assist; parking distance warning; parking collision avoidance assist; and Lexicon premium audio with 16-speakers

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: a 6-speaker AM/FM/HD with SiriusXM

Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard

USB Connectivity: Standard

Apple/Android Connectivity: Standard

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles

Powertrain Warranty: 10 years or 100,000 miles

Standard Engine/Horsepower: 2.5-liter Turbo, 4-cylinder engine/300-hp

Recommended Fuel: Premium

Standard Fuel Mileage: 22 city/28 hwy

What’s New:  The GV70 is the latest new crossover to join the luxury segment.

Pros:

An all-new model

Variety of driving modes

All-wheel drive availability

Stylish design

Upscale interior

A peppy, seamless shifting 3.5-liter engine with a slight growl

Gucci-like wheel design

Easy to navigate

Smart park feature borrowed from the Hyundai brand

An ability for the driver or rear occupants to control the movement of the left front seat for rear occupant to increase legroom or second-row storage

Power pull down trunk

Power exterior mirror

Quiet ride

USB outlets for both front and rear occupants

Panoramic sunroof option

Co-pilot assist steering

Radar cruise control system

Wireless charging for smartphone

Heads-up Display (HUD)

Temperature and heating seat control – second row

But: 

Fuel driving range under 300 with the 3.5-liter engine

It took a moment to figure out how to navigate and preset a radio program

Firm seats

Limited legroom - second row

Verdict:  While Genesis’ literature positions the all-new GV70, as a midsize crossover, the vehicle’s interior dimensions align more with Mercedes-Benz’s GLC and BMW's X3.

With America’s shift toward crossovers and SUVs, the GV70 is a welcome addition to the new luxury brand. As one of the newest luxury crossovers to hit the scene, the utility vehicle is available in a rear wheel drive or an all-wheel drive configurate. The Gucci-like matted badged chrome grille and wheel designs distinguish this vehicle from the crowd.

The GV70 can be powered by two powertrains, a base 2.5-liter or an upgraded 3.5-liter engine, which offers a slight growl. We must note the 3.5-liter engine is the same one in the larger GV80 crossover. We spent time behind the wheel of the 3.5-liter engine, which was also offered a variety of driving modes. The 375-horsepower engine didn’t disappoint in terms of power and handling characteristics.

With a starting base price nearing $43,000, the GV70 is competitively priced. In fact, the stylish, seemingly high-quality crossover offers many of the amenities one would expect of a vehicle in this segment. To up the ante, our test model included such optional features as a remote parking assist feature, a heads-up display system, knitted-like premium leather seat patterns, a suede headliner and a co-pilot highway driving assist system, which pushed the vehicle closer to almost being hands free.

Furthermore, the GV70 can be optioned out with 21-inch wheels and upgraded and 16-speaker audio system.

Conversely, like most of its competitors, the vehicle lacks electrification. Being that it was the last to the table in the luxury crossover segment, this should have been one of the available powertrains.

Overall, the Genesis GV70 is a worthy contender to consider in what has become a crowded field.

Competition: 2021 Acura RDX; 2021 BMW X3; 2021 Cadillac XT5; 2021 Jaguar F-Pace; 2021 Lexus NX; 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC and 2021 Volvo XC60