Sharp looks and a revamped interior bring the Genesis GV70 to the forefront of compact luxury SUVs, but if you’re still unconvinced by this burgeoning automaker and its premium offerings, we implore you to book a ticket across the Pacific and wander around its hometown of Seoul, South Korea. A high-tech metropolis flourishing with pop culture and skyscrapers, it’s a megacity that isn’t exactly known for its car culture, but rather for its sheer quantity of Hyundais and Genesis’ on the roads. Peek around every corner and across every parking lot, and there’s a GV70, GV80, or even their electrified variants, bathed in Korea’s customary shades of white, black, and grey with tinted windows – we see more Genesis than we do 7-Elevens. It’s a matter of national pride. 

Although Genesis has yet to make a monumental impact on the North American market, they are still performing well, particularly with their best-selling GV70. Much of that comes down to the quality and avant-garde design of their interior – Genesis poached a few notable designers from the Bentley cohort, and a quick perusal of the interior makes it clear where those influences lie. From the Ultramarine Blue nappa leather and suede seat inserts, to the orange seatbelts that complement the four layers of orange stitching stretching from one end of the rear door panel to the other, the ability to apply bold colours and pull it off well is a card that only the top level of designers know how to play. Not to mention, Genesis made sure not to waste any cabin real estate, and instead of using the glossy black plastic playbook from Audi, they covered all the empty space with a carbon fibre weave for that added upscale vibe.

It’s not just a visual play either. The texture of the switchgear has been meticulously designed to bring an elevated sense of luxury. The rotary dial, gear selector, volume and HVAC knobs, and even the signal stalks are all knurled to satisfy your fingertips. Of course, the Nappa leather doesn’t emit the evocative scents of a Bentley, and that’s not genuine crystal or glass surrounding the center dials either. Still, the shape and intent are there, and they look compelling, but don’t operate with the same kind of rigidity and sturdiness as the British marquee it’s trying to emulate.

The 2026 model brings a fresh steering wheel, which is flat-bottomed on the Sport model we tested. It’s the most significant upgrade in our eyes – more like hands – and the wheel is more substantial to hold, firmer to grasp, and more ergonomic to access the paddle shifters and litany of hard buttons, the latter of which make it both a functional and aesthetically pleasing device to use and stare at. But like the Porsche Macan, the wheel rim blocks the view of the new 27-inch OLED widescreen flanking it, which now encompasses both the driver’s gauges and the center screen. The lower touchpad handles all the heating and ventilation controls, as well as highly-used functions that typically warrant a dedicated button. The screen emits haptic feedback when the input is registered, much like Audi’s, and it’s one of the better touchscreen units around.

But there’s only so much you can dress up. The awkward seating position remains, with the driver situated too high up to be integrated and involved as part of the machine. While great for overall visibility, you feel like you are sitting on top of the GV70 rather than in it. The rear seats also lack enough leg- and headroom to call it accommodating for adults. Still, the overall cabin deserves praise for its clean and uncluttered design while still keeping a focus on physical switchgear.

There’s a calm waftability to the way the GV70 glides over porous surfaces. The Sport model comes with an adaptive suspension with a road preview feature, which anticipates the road conditions and adjusts the dampers accordingly. This tech has been used by Mercedes and BMW for a while now, and the resulting road compliance and comfort shine through. But while the GV70’s movements are heavy, firm and substantial, you feel the weight the moment you turn the wheel, almost like they added a dragging anchor on purpose. We’ve never been a fan of Michelin Primary Tour all-season tires either. The steering requires reasonable effort to rotate, especially if you’re used to the overboosted racks from Lexus or Mercedes. The GV70 is grounded and stable as a result, but it is hesitant and lacks agility under low and moderate-speed cornering. The GV70 struggles to hide its body roll, and unnervingly leans and piles into understeer, washing wide when you ask too much of its 375-hp V6.

The twin-turbocharged unit is strong with a punchy mid-range and suitable (synthetically piped-in via the speakers) vocals. It accelerates without much hindrance, but the turbo lag is apparent, and the 8-speed gearbox is often caught napping in top gear, especially when the Cruise function is activated, which decouples the engine and gearbox under low power demands for better efficiency. Sadly, the brakes require a disheartening amount of force to bring the GV70 to a halt from speed, and the start-stop system is noisy and rough when the engine fires back to life, unrefined enough for us to switch it off. It’s also worth noting the lack of hybrid options, but we don’t think this will be a significant concern for most buyers in the current market climate. Be that as it may, Genesis must incorporate more performance DNA into their mainstream products if they want their grand entrance into Le Mans next year to translate into meaningful sales.

Stylish with substance, the revitalized GV70 finally impresses us with a dazzling interior that cements its brand image and emblazons the way forward. As is customary, the GV70 also undercuts its main competition in price, with this top-of-the-line Sport 3.5T AWD model costing $85,700 fully loaded, compared to the base price of the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 ($81,200), BMW X3 M50 ($74,900), Porsche Macan S ($81,600), and is more in line with the pricing of the Volvo XC60 Ultra ($71,689). By all accounts, the GV70 remains a pricey offering, with the punchy V6 engine further upping the ante, but while it may currently lack the brand cache of its adversaries, its hometown showcases the potential and vision for its proverbial wings to spread wide and fly.

Specifications:

Model: 2026 Genesis GV70 Sport 3.5T AWD
Paint Type: Ceres Blue Matte
Base Price: $85,700
Price as Tested: $85,700
Wheelbase(mm): 2,875
Length/Width/Height (mm): 4,714 / 1,910 / 1,630
Powertrain: 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6
Horsepower: 375 hp @ 5,800 rpm
Torque: 391 lb-ft @ 1,300 – 4,500 rpm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Drive Configuration: Front engine, AWD
Observed Fuel Consumption (L/100km): 12.5
Tires: Michelin Primacy Tour All-Seasons; 255/40R21