2022 Genesis GV70 AWD 3.5T Sport Prestige Review & Test Drive

It’s easy to see why the GV70 Genesis AWD SUV has won awards and placed highly among other competitors. The moment you’re in it, behind the wheel, you notice the difference. A quiet, smooth riding vehicle with class, it’s understated looks become not a criticism, but rather a head turner. As others have noted, it’s rare that once you’re immediately behind the wheel-for the first time-this is an exceptional vehicle, with few, if any, negative reviews. Was I in the market for a SUV, I’d be saving my pennies to add this beauty to the fleet.

There are two trim levels available: 2.5 T Standard AWD ($41,000) and the 3.5T Sport AWD ($52,000). Running alongside the BMW X3, Hyundai Santa Fe and Ford Edge, there is no contest. New from the luxury brand of Hyundai, the Genesis GV70 is a work of art and unique. For a compact-sized crossover, the GV70 offers just what is wanted in a unique package. Powered by a more than adequate 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, kicking 375 horse and 391 lb ft of torque, the Genesis is no sleeper and graceful executes a balanced, quiet, smooth ride. Shifting is smooth-standard 8-speed transmission-and barely noticeable. The AWD system is standard fare, even with the base 2.5T. Both choices offer a vehicle that provides luxurious feel and drive, as well as a good punch that can compete with the best of them.

One will appreciate the large 21-inch wheels and tires that provide a quiet, smooth ride without it being rough. We did notice just a slight lag when taking off from a stop, but it is short-lived as you climb to 60 mph in just seconds. One of the appeals of the GV70 for this writer is that it feels at times somewhat car-like (not a criticism). Not a big SUV fan, this is a plus. It feels at home on all types of roads and takes bumpy surfaces well. Fuel consumption isn’t in the GV70’s favor as it gives more of a larger SUV feel. We didn’t have time to measure consumption on the highway but others reported falling short of predicted mpg.

One can’t argue with the GV70s luxurious, comfortable, premium seating materials. One immediately feels the standard luxury and premium materials used throughout the vehicle. It’s clear Genesis/Hyundai has gone out of its way to provide the best that’s available and surely can compete with other high-end vehicles. Plenty of room is given to seating areas, front and back which makes the GV70 a great road trip choice. The ability for forward and rearward adjusting of seats is generous and can accommodate all manor of passengers, large or small. Want to stretch out your legs? No problem. The driver can treat herself to the massage feature. And don’t miss the ‘smart poster assist’ feature that automatically activates after 30-50 minutes.

The GV70 offers some nifty features such as the blind-spot view monitor which offers a live camera feed image on the gauge cluster when the signal is activated. The vehicle reads driver preferences and memory seat settings. It can also act as a digital key to start the engine without needing a key fob. Your phone can also be used as a key, among other handy things.

Not all offerings are perfect in the GV70. Different features please different drivers. It can be agreed that this Genesis offers a pleasing infotainment system. The GV70s touchscreen is wide and brightly lit. It seems intimidating at first glance, but we found it fairly intuitive to use, in its own style. It takes a little stretch to reach it, and some time to learn how all the console buttons work. Not 100 percent user-friendly, the dual knob and circle that operate station change can take effort.

It can seem awkward but just another quirky setup to interpret. The 3D digital gauge cluster looks classy and is a take off from the GV80. All high-tech features in a cabin that isn’t always the richest looking.

One thing we appreciated is the easy-to-operate gear shifter, borrowed from the GV80. Climate control is intuitive and easy to operate. Those music/sound buffs will appreciate the high-level Lexicon audio system, equipped with 16 speakers for surround sound.

It’s pretty clear why Motor Trend chose the GV70 as its SUV of the year! Pricing has come in somewhat lower than the competition, which it seem, drivers expect in the Hyundai brand. With a unique styling that isn’t off-putting or over done, the GV70 is a desirable SUV choice.

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