Consumers interested in small luxury sport utility vehicles have it good. The segment is flush with quality choices from legacy and newer manufacturers — Audi to Volvo, BMW to Porsche.
The Genesis 2026 GV70 is the South Korean manufacturer’s fifth-year offering. Since 2022, the stylish SUV has firmly established itself as a top choice in the stellar group. It’s handsome inside and outside, especially with its sloping roofline. It rides smoothly, particularly at highway speeds. It also features top-level technology and safety, and includes the industry’s best warranty.
Standard is the 2.5T, a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 300 horsepower. There’s also the 3.5T twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 with 375 horsepower. Both choices are offered only with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
Both engines pair with well-defined trims. The 2.5T is available in four levels —Standard, Select, Advanced and Sport Prestige; The 3.5T is offered in two trims—Sport Advanced and Sport Prestige. Both engine types have adaptive suspension.
The 2026 edition has several updates: a new grille pattern, fresh designs for 19- and 21-inch wheels, reshaped headlights and a redesigned hood ornament. Sport models have darker, more aggressive-looking fascia and accents.
The GV70’s driving mode is customizable for various terrains and weather. The reviewed 3.5T Sport Prestige accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds. It drives confidently and feels secure in all driving scenarios. But two driving components are among the SUV’s few shortcomings. The engine exhibits noticeable turbo lag and fuel economy is a lowly 18 miles per gallon in city driving, 25 mpg on the highway.
Luxury features included Nappa leather seats, heated second-row seats, carbon fiber trim and a microfiber suede headliner. Three-zone climate control and the carmaker’s Remote Smart Parking Assist 2 are also standard. The parking system wasn’t tested, but it provides automatic diagonal, parallel and perpendicular parking capabilities with the driver in or out of the vehicle. Also unique to the trim level are 21-inch wheels. The result: an MSRP of $70,095 and a total price of $71,225.
The most expensive GV70 inherits much of the equipment from other trims. It includes ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and backlit accents. Technology features also include surround-view and blind-spot monitors. A 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system is included.
Perhaps the most significant interior change is the new 27-inch dash display. It has replaced the 14.5-inch screen standard equipment since the vehicle’s debut. With customizable features in four sections, Genesis added the expanded display to keep pace with the superior offerings of competitors, specifically Cadillac and BMW.
Additional worthy equipment includes four USB ports (two front, two rear) and two 12-volt outlets, including one in the cargo area. Too many carmakers include wireless phone chargers located in awkward positions behind cupholders or in other hard-to-use locations. The GV70’s feature was relocated to a handy but discreet pad below the front edge of the center console lid.
Powering along in the GV70’s quilted leather seats, fine-sounding stereo ablast and smooth, quiet ride go a long way for the SUV’s top rating. Rear-seat passengers don’t have much room. The carmaker’s top-selling vehicle has an overtly sensitive avoidance system. And mastering the soft braking requires a learning curve.
But Genesis gets everything else right. The GV70 has brought the decade-old manufacturer into the mainstream, where more competition keeps the industry healthy.
James Raia, a syndicated automotive columnist in Sacramento, also contributes business, lifestyle and sports content to several print and online publications. E-mail: james@jamesraia.com.
