The 2023 Genesis GV70 combines luxury styling with excellent tech features for an attractive price. The Genesis brand has earned a well-deserved reputation for combining comfort, sportiness, and features for an excellent value, and the 2023 GV70 might be the most successful version of this formula yet. That said, there are a lot of standouts in the luxury small crossover segment, such as the Acura RDX, Lincoln Nautilus, Alfa Romeo Stelvio, and BMW X3.
Now in its second year, the five-seat, all-wheel-drive Genesis GV70 sees minor tweaks to features, interior ergonomics and design, and the exterior color palette. The bigger news is the announcement of the new Electrified GV70. With a 77.4-kwh battery pack and a 0-60 mph time of less than 4.5 seconds, Genesis says the Electrified GV70 is capable of charging from 10-80% in as little as 18 minutes. It’s the first Genesis model to be built outside South Korea.
The GV70’s contemporary exterior and gorgeous interior makes its mark. The Genesis brand’s design cues were well established before the GV70 came along, and they all work to the GV70’s advantage. The front end is distinguished by the large crest-shaped grille and the quad LED headlights bisected by daytime running lights. The DRLs lead the eye to a body line that runs toward and down the rear fenders, mirroring the shape of the sloping roofline and its integrated spoile
Quad LED taillights mimic the look at the front and draw the eye above twin exhaust pipes that are more prominent on Sport models for a slightly more menacing look. The 3.5T line also gets bigger side intakes and skid plates. A range of alloy wheel designs, available in sizes up to 21 inches, buff the side profile, though a curious quarter window along the rear pillar is a distraction from the otherwise harmonious design. Three new exterior colors; Capri Blue, Makalu Gray, and Makalu Gray Matte, will be phased in over the 2023 model year. Electrified GV70s come only in black, grey, or silver, with either a black or a white cabin.
The GV70’s dynamic nature is powered by robust turbo engines. The 2023 GV70 is based on the G70 sedan, and can be configured as a comfortable cruiser or upgraded to the larger engine, a twin-turbo V-6, for sport crossover cred. All-wheel drive is standard across the lineup, but the GV70 is suited for pavement, with a ground clearance of 7.3 inches and a sleek body that’s not really upgraded for off-road obstacles. However, it can handle light off-roading and both engines are rated for a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds.
With the base 2.5-liter turbo-4 and its 300 hp, we expect a 0-60 time of under seven seconds. We’ll update after testing. We estimated a run in the mid-four-second range for the 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 model, with 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. With launch control in Sport and Sport+ modes, it’s particularly quick; without launch control, there’s a slight turbo lag before the torque kicks in. The 8-speed auto transmission is sharp and handles this well on its own, but can be overridden with the standard steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
The stiff structure helps minimize body roll, though the 3.5T clocks in at approximately 4,500 pounds. Its handling falls short of performance crossovers like the Porsche Macan, but it’s also less firm. The ride’s cushioned by MacPherson front struts and a rear multi-link suspension, with five available drive modes to fine-tune this dance of power and grace. The Sport drive modes reduce the stability control’s interference, firm the power steering, and delay shifts. With precise steering and more agility than the GV80, the GV70 melds to twisty country roads not unlike the rear-wheel-drive sedan that serves as its basis.
Most of the torque is shipped to the rear wheels, though the system can detect slip and course-correct by dividing the torque equally. The optional electronic limited-slip differential will shift all torque at the rear axle to one wheel when necessary. Most road noise comes from the 21-inch wheels, which can be heard even over the artificially amplified engine noise. All settings enable the driver to customize the experience, from a torquey pavement bruiser to a high-class comfy cruiser, or anything in between.
With the Electrified GV70, Genesis pushes the SUV’s curb weight into the 5,000-pound range, but substantially boosts the effortless luxurious driving experience. Though it’s down on ultimate range and acceleration to some TVs, the Electrified GV70 can accelerate to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds or less thanks to its 1,063-pound, 77.4-kwh lithium-ion battery pack and dual motors.
Stuffed with more sound deadening materials even though the gas engine’s noisemakers are gone, the electric vehicle glides along in near-silence, sweeping through bends with graceful aplomb thanks to camera-based predictive automatic damping. The EV GV70 has light steering unless the drive mode selector’s set to Sport—which we found unnecessary. Total driving range checks in at an EPA-rated 236 miles, on the low end for a new vehicle, in a day when 300 miles is common in lower-priced EVs from Genesis alone.
The lack of a hybrid option hinders fuel economy in the GV70. The GV70 is about average in terms of fuel economy, taking its standard all-wheel drive into account, though if fuel economy is a priority, be mindful of wheel selection. The base 2.5T earns EPA ratings of 22 mpg city, 28 highway, and 24 combined, but the optional 21-inch wheels lower ratings considerably, to 19/26/22 mpg. Regardless of wheel choice, the 3.5T model gets ratings of 19/25/21 mpg.
The 2023 Electrified GV70 earns an EPA-rated 236 miles of range on a full charge. We’ve seen efficiency of up to 2.5 miles per kwh, good but not great. Genesis gives each owner 3 years’ worth of charging in 30-minute increments at Electrify America stations, and promises 60 miles of range in 5 minutes of charging, provided a connection delivering at least 250 kw. A household 24-volt connection can fill up the car in about seven hours. Laptops and small appliances can tap into the GV70’s battery via a cargo-area outlet.
With good crash test scores and a wealth of tech, the Genesis GV70 is a smart pick for safety. The GV70 garnishes respect for its standard safety equipment and crash-test results published thus far. The IIHS awards the 2023 Genesis GV70 with Good scores in all six crash tests, and the 2022 model earned the Top Safety Pick+ rating. Genesis expects the GV70 to earn a five-star rating from the NHTSA, though that agency hasn’t yet published any crash-test data. The GV70 features an airbag system that Genesis claims is the first in the segment, in which one of the airbags is located between the front seats, protecting the front passengers from hitting each other or hitting the console.
Every GV70 comes equipped with adaptive cruise control that can complete a full stop, active lane control, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitors, automatic high beams, and parking sensors. Most competitors in this segment charge $995 to $2,000 for packages with these features. Need more? Genesis offers a surround-view camera system, a feature that shows the blind-spot camera’s view in the instrument cluster when a turn signal is active, and a radar-based rear occupant safety system that detects a child or pet, then sends an alert to the driver’s phone, sounds the horn, and flashes the lights.
Aeronautical-inspired design elements are nothing new in the luxury vehicle segment, but Genesis uses them to great effect, with gorgeous wing-like elliptical patterns throughout the cabin, across the entire dashboard, touching everything from the steering wheel to the door handles to the climate panel. Thin wraparound vents tie in to the front end’s lighting signature for a thoughtful bit of continuity, and the upper dashboard is the base for the wide, low touchscreen display. This elegance is elevated by the materials; the glossy black plastic that’s ruined many a cockpit is pleasantly absent in favor of aluminum switchgear and other quality pieces.
Great seats and a good finish make the GV70 a comfy cruiser. The 2023 GV70 offers a fantastic driving experience, with power-adjustable and heated front seats, a spacious second row with reclining capability, plenty of cargo space, and great insulation from wind noise. Most models get standard leather upholstery, and sumptuous nappa hides are available for 3.5T models. The curves are best accentuated in the Sevilla Red and black combination, and the elegance of the capacitive buttons, knurled knobs, and aluminum trim is as welcoming and warm as the cushioning of the seats.
The 2.5T comes standard with a 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat that also has 4-way lumbar support. The 3.5T upgrades to a 16-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with power side bolsters and thigh extender that automatically adjust based on drive mode or can be selected manually. This seat offers the perfect amount of support and comes with a feature called Ergo Motion, which automatically adjusts the driver’s posture after an hour on the road, or the feature can be manually applied. The passenger seat in the 3.5T is adjustable with two small buttons on the driver’s inside bolster. Electrified GV70 SUVs share most of the latter’s equipment.
Rear passengers are also treated to comfort, with optional heated rear seats with recline functionality. There’s 37.2 inches of legroom, and the 39.1 inches of headroom beats the larger GV80 by about half an inch. The 40/20/40-split seat opens up functionality in the rear row, enabling storage of longer items. Cargo space measures 28.9 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 56.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. The ride is serene most of the time, as a result of the laminated front glass throughout the lineup, though the available panoramic roof and larger 21-inch wheels do allow in some noise at high speeds.
Genesis loads the GV70 with standard features and a great warranty. The 2023 GV70 coddles front occupants with heated and power-adjustable front seats with synthetic leather upholstery. There’s also a leather-upholstered steering wheel, a 14.5-inch horizontal touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and navigation. Genesis dominates the segment when it comes to warranty coverage. The GV70 gets a 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty as well as 3 years or 36,000 miles of free scheduled maintenance that includes a concierge service to pick up your vehicle at your house and leave you a loaner vehicle.
The GV70 comes with a 14.5-inch touchscreen with a crystal clear display and redundant controls via center console dial, steering wheel controls, and voice commands.The interface takes some time to learn, with up to eight tiles on the main page leading to lots of submenus and awkward submenu logic. The tiles can be reordered but the menus can’t be rearranged. The display can be split 2:1 for the map display and navigation, or it can take up the whole screen. The lack of wireless smartphone connectivity is the system’s biggest disadvantage.
There’s solid value throughout the GV70 lineup; every model feels good in terms of features and pricing. This year, the 2.5T lineup sees minor additional features. The Select model gets monoblock front brakes and a heated steering wheel; the Advanced gets a Lexicon premium stereo system; the Sport Prestige gets the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and tri-zone climate control.
We find the base 3.5T the most compelling overall package, though the $52,645 2.5T Advanced is also a solid choice, with leather upholstery, ambient lighting, a heated steering wheel, a surround-view camera system, a blind-spot camera, and rear automatic emergency braking. By the time you reach the 2.5T Sport Prestige model, $56,795, it makes more sense to move up to the 3.5T. It starts with the same features as the 2.5T Select, plus massaging seats and the upgraded powertrain, for $56,095.
The 3.5T Sport Prestige offers the best performance and features, for $65,995. An electronic limited-slip rear differential offers more athletic handling, 21-inch wheels give a premium look, and the cabin comes upgraded with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, nappa leather seats, carbon fiber trim, heated second-row seats, and a head-up display.
The Electrified GV70 starts at $66,975, and comes with leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, 20-inch wheels, power front seats, heated and cooled front seats, and a power tailgate. The $73,775 Prestige version sports a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, nappa leather upholstery and a sueded headliner, heated second-row seats, a head-up display, and a Lexicon premium audio system. Every Genesis gets a 5-year/60,000-mile warranty and 3 years/36,000 miles of free service including pickup and drop-off and a loaner vehicle.
Genesis continues to impress, and with knockouts like the GV70, has quickly become top dog in its class. With stunning looks, commendable driving manners, and topnotch technology with a great value proposition; it’s easy to see how the 2023 Genesis GV70 is stellar. The new Electrified GV70 takes those amazing traits and cranks them up making the zenith of small luxury SUVs. For those looking to try something new and step out of the current luxury flock, the new Electrified GV70 is definitely worth a look.
