The 2022 GV70 is a bold step in the right direction for Genesis to maintain its viability in the Luxury vehicle utility market. This makes it a very good thing that the GV70 has everything most people are looking for in a luxury vehicle and then some. Let’s review the most important selling points of the new 2022 Genesis GV70 and come to a conclusion on if this is the right luxury vehicle for you.

A Real Player in the Luxury Compact SUV Segment

Thumbs Up

• Style both inside and out
• Technology galore
• Powerful engine choices

Thumbs Down

• Low MPGs
• Handling leans to the Luxury side of the spectrum vs Sporty
• New to the Scene

Set The Scene

The 2022 GV70 is really helping Genesis plant its flag in the ground as a major player in the cutthroat arena that is the Luxury vehicle utility market. The GV70 has emerged onto the scene packing everything it needs to compete with the offerings from BMW, Audi, and Mercedes.

Pricing

The 2022 GV70 has a starting MSRP of $41,000 in 2.5T AWD Standard Trim. On the other end of the spectrum, a range-topping 3.5T AWD Sports Prestige Trim begins at $62,500. Let’s lay out what drives these prices with a simple breakdown of available trim levels and their associated featured standard equipment.

2.5T AWD Standard
All-wheel drive / Smart cruise control / Lane-keeping assist / Heated front seats / 18-inch alloy wheels

2.5T AWD Select
Panoramic roof / Lexicon 16 speaker audio system / Ventilated front seats / Power tilt & telescoping steering wheel / 19-inch alloy wheels

2.5T AWD Advanced
Leather seating / Surround-view monitor / Blind-spot monitor / Remote smart parking assist / Heated steering wheel

2.5T AWD Sport Prestige
Sport appearance package / Genesis digital key / Highway driving assistant II / Leather seat coverings with mesh / 21-inch alloy wheels

3.5T AWD Standard
3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 / Electronic suspension with Road Preview / Highway driving assistant II / Panoramic roof / Leather seating surfaces with mesh / 19-inch alloy wheels

3.5T AWD Advanced
Nappa leather seating with quilting / Lexicon premium audio / Remote smart parking assist / Suede headliner / Backlit interior trim

3.5T AWD Sport Prestige
Electronic limited-slip differential / 12.3-inch 3D digital gauge cluster / Head-up display / Carbon fiber trim / Heated 2nd-row seats / 21-inch alloy wheels

Exterior

The exterior style of the GV70 makes use of the brand’s diamond pattern grille and twin light bar design to bring about an outcome that is both sophisticated and unique. It is a welcomed alternative to the other offerings of the segment, although, I feel that some will view the GV70’s style as a bit too avant-garde.

Interior

The GV70, in my opinion, deserves an A+ for its interior design, layout, and execution. It’s stylish, quiet, loaded with technology, and has a truly handcrafted feel to it. The material quality is second-to-none, particularly in the higher trim models, and the attention to detail gives the GV70 more flamboyance than most of its competition. This is accomplished by the fact that Genesis has taken some risks and offers the GV70 in a wide array of colors that include: Obsidian Black, Sevilla Red (pictured above), Ultramarine Blue, Havana Brown, Pine Grove Green, and Velvet Burgundy.

Performance / Ride / Handling

The GV70 comes standard with a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that produces 300-horsepower, and if that is not enough, you can upgrade to the 375-horsepower twin-turbo V6. Both engines are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission that prioritizes smooth over sporty shifts. The 2.5T has more than enough power for zipping through the city, as well as highway passing power, but if you desire performance, then the V6 has what it takes to put that smile on your face when the road starts to twist.

The ride of the GV70 compared to the competition is really in a sweet spot. Yes, some rivals have better sporty handling, and some have more of a plush ride, but the GV70 manages to really walk the line of a true all-arounder. There is some body roll when you begin to push the vehicle but nothing that ever makes you lose confidence in the capabilities of the GV70. Another item I wanted to touch on is the standard AWD system which is rear-biased and can send 100% of the power to the rear wheels for a more dynamic driving experience or can maximize grip by sending up to 50% of the power to the front wheels.

Tenchnology

The GV70 is loaded with technology and many of those items are standard even on the base trim models. These items include full LED lighting, 14.5-inch HD touchscreen with navigation, full-speed dynamic cruise control, and rear cross/forward/blind-spot collision avoidance assist. Not to mention, other available items that are not even offered by some of the competition. These include the industry-first-in-vehicle fingerprint reader, Highway Driving Assist II, Genesis Digital Key, Blindspot monitor, Remote Image capture, and Launch control.

Final Thoughts

Is the 2022 GV70 the right car for you? I feel that really depends on what you value in a vehicle. If you are big on bold style and luxury and are willing to sacrifice a little on handling and brand heritage, then quite possibly. Either way, if you are in the market for a luxury compact SUV the GV70 must be on your list of vehicles to test drive.