2022 Genesis GV70

In the relatively short time that Genesis has been a standalone brand, they’ve proved it’s possible to deliver world class style and luxury with value attached. Well now, they’re adding to their lineup with the compact GV70, their 2nd utility vehicle, slotted beneath the midsize GV80. So, does the newcomer just fill the need to address the red-hot small luxury SUV market, or does the GV70 deliver something new and perhaps a little more exciting?

It’s all about utility vehicles these days, so Genesis adding only SUV number two to their lineup, the 2022 GV70, does look like perfect timing. And after spending time behind the wheel, it’s also an excellent vehicle for long highway hauls, as it’s not only very luxurious and comfortable, but it feels much bigger than it is.  

Indeed, it’s not all just about posh, as the GV70 is built upon the Genesis G70 sport sedan’s foundation, so it’s rear-drive based and fairly athletic as well. There’s a decided sporty feel with a firm compliant suspension, good handling, and great bump absorption. All things we couldn’t wait to explore further at our Mason Dixon Dragway testing grounds, where even on a cold and windy winter’s day, we found decent grip through our cone course, with the aid of the standard all-wheel-drive setup.  

Balance was great throughout, and the adaptive suspension has a very progressive nature; as it felt soft on initial turn-in, but firmed up quickly before body roll became an issue. A little more road feel would be at the top of our wish list, but steering does have a nice weight to it.  

Our test car came equipped with the standard 2.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder, which makes a nice even 300-horsepower, and cranks out 311 lb-ft. of torque. A 375–horsepower 3.5-liter V6 turbo is also available. Off the line, the 2.5 feels plenty powerful and quite responsive. It sounds raspy and aggressive, too; something we welcomed, but could possibly turn off those that are in it just for the luxury experience.  

After hitting 60 in 5.7-seconds, you hear the 8-speed automatic shifting away as you work your way down the track, but you can barely feel the gear changes when they happen.  Ultimately, the ¼-mile ended in 14.3-seconds at 97 miles-per-hour. There was a fair amount of nose dive in our braking runs, but a 117-foot stopping average from 60 miles-per-hour is more than adequate braking performance for an SUV.   

And it’s all about elegance when sitting still.  Same crest grille as the rest of the Genesis lineup, which, as far as excessively large grilles go, is quite pleasing. The shape is fairly traditional and the finish is muted, rather than overly flashy. We really do love the styling; as proportions, an elaborate parabolic character line and the exaggerated rear fenders, all give the GV70 a more athletic presence than most in the segment.

And not to worry, Genesis did not cheapen out when it comes to the interior, it’s quite beautiful and well-trimmed. Fit and finish are first rate, and the overall ambiance of our Advanced Packaged test car is very upscale.  The slim air vents and chrome trim pieces portray an aero-inspired design theme. 

Infotainment with standard navigation is displayed on a beautiful 14½-inch HD screen. However, the console mounted controller is difficult to be precise with at times. And with it located right in front of the jewel-like rotary shifter, you may find yourself changing the radio station instead of grabbing reverse.  

Rear seat legroom is adequate and the reclining seats are a nice feature. There’s even a decent amount of cargo space with a wide opening and low lift-over height for high practicality; 28.9 cubic-ft. in back, expanding to 56.9 with rear seatbacks folded.  All behind a standard hands-free smart lift-gate. 

Government Fuel Economy Ratings are 22-City, 28-Highway, and 24-Combined. GV70 pricing starts at just $42,045, with a healthy step up from there to the 6-cylinder at $53,645.   

Genesis is slowly but surely expanding their lineup and their brand profile as well; but doing it while maintaining a significant price advantage on the competitors they’re trying to blend in with. The 2022 Genesis GV70 is a hit no matter how you look at it: luxurious, stylish, and even a little sporty. What more could you want in a luxury SUV, and why should you pay more for it?