Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Genesis GV70 SUV review

"The Genesis GV70 is a smooth and comfortable SUV from Hyundai's upmarket brand"

Carbuyer Rating

3.9 out of 5

Owners Rating
Be the first to review

Pros

  • Comfortable
  • Attractive interior
  • Generously equipped

Cons

  • Expensive to run
  • Sedate handling
  • No hybrid

Please give a warm welcome to the Genesis GV70, just when you were already struggling to decide which SUV to pick. If you aren't aware, Genesis is the upmarket sub-brand of Hyundai, in a similar way to how Lexus models sit above the Toyota range. The GV70 is designed to take on models such as the BMW X3, Audi Q5, Mercedes GLC and Lexus NX.

The best family SUVs 2023Top 10 best family SUVs 2024

While Genesis is new in the UK, it's been around in other markets for some time, and comes with the backing of Hyundai's impressive reliability and a five-year warranty package that also includes servicing and roadside assistance. Hyundai has been producing cars like the Tucson with increasingly top-notch interior design, and the GV70 moves the game on even further still. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Everywhere you touch inside, there are high quality, soft-touch materials and a sense of luxury executed in a slightly different manner to German rivals. Highlights like knurled column stalks show real attention to detail, and the Genesis feels more like an SUV designed to soothe and comfort its occupants, rather than be driven aggressively. It also feels bang up-to-date, thanks to a huge 14.5-inch ultra-wide infotainment touchscreen, which can also be controlled via a rotary knob mounted on the centre console.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

More reviews

Perhaps the GV70's biggest limiting factor is its engines, which may appeal to private buyers, but won't make it popular on company car lists. Both the 2.5-litre petrol turbo and 2.2-litre diesel sit in the top Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) bandings, with CO2 emissions of over 180g/km for each. While the petrol struggles to hit 30mpg, the diesel is a better all-rounder, with fuel-efficiency closer to 40mpg.

Thanks to a standard eight-speed automatic and four-wheel drive, the GV70 has smooth acceleration, and is easily quick enough to keep up with most other cars on the road. It's at its best when driven in a fairly gentle manner, though, because it's quite heavy and this is noticeable in corners. Here, the GV70 rolls on its suspension and has rather heavy steering.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Stay away from the thirsty petrol, and the GV70 makes sense if you want a safe, comfortable and quiet SUV that stands out from the crowd. It's generously equipped and should also prove to be safe and reliable.

MPG, running costs & CO2

A lack of electrification shows, with poor efficiency figures

At launch, the GV70 is available with two engines, but a lack of electrification and relatively high CO2 emissions means neither is likely to appeal to company-car drivers. This could change in future, of course, but for now the GV70 is better suited to families looking for a stylish and upmarket SUV.

The 2.5-litre petrol could suit drivers with a low annual mileage, but even on a motorway run we struggled to see 30mpg; it has an official economy figure of 29.7mpg. Its CO2 emissions of 216g/km are also very high for the class. These are similar figures to the BMW X3 M40i, which offers significantly faster performance over the GV70.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

For this reason, the 2.2-litre diesel will be the better choice for most drivers for the time being, with fuel economy of around 40mpg. Emissions are expected to be around 180-190g/km, so it will also sit in the highest BiK band, but owners should at least get further between refuelling stops. 

Engines, drive & performance

The GV70 is a smooth cruiser, but isn't overly sporty

Despite being a medium-sized SUV, the GV70 weighs more than two tonnes, and it feels rather heavy on the move. There's a reasonable amount of body lean if you drive it with vigour, and while Genesis has made the steering heavier to add a sporting feel, it actually makes the GV70 feel a bit sluggish from behind the wheel.

The 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine has 300bhp, so performance is plentiful, with 0-62mph taking just 6.1 seconds and a top speed of 149mph. Like the diesel, it's fitted with an eight-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive as standard.

With 199bhp, the 2.2-litre diesel isn't as powerful as the petrol, but it has more torque. The upshot is that in most normal driving situations, it feels able to get the GV70 up to speed without much fuss. Its official 0-62mph time is 7.9 seconds and it'll do 133mph, but more important is the fact it's very refined and smooth most of the time, boosting the Genesis' upmarket feel.

Interior & comfort

A strong point; it feels comfortable and upmarket inside

The GV70 has lots of sound deadening, so most of the time it's impressively quiet, even if you go for the diesel. Ride comfort is reasonably smooth as well, but an Audi Q5 does even better here, particularly when fitted with air suspension.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Genesis has clearly prioritised the interior design and quality is excellent. Indeed, everything on display and within reach is of a high standard, and there are unique touches like the knurled effect column stalks and glass-topped rotary gear selector. Soft-touch materials are plentiful, while parts you'll grab like the door handles have a reassuringly sturdy and metallic feel.

Infotainment is taken care of by a large and impressive 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, but the graphics don't quite match Jaguar's Pivi Pro setup and it's not as user friendly as BMW's iDrive software. A round rotary click wheel can be used to control the menus, which is a nice feature while driving. Its position on the centre console isn't ideal though, because it's next to the gear selector and easily grabbed in error. 

Trim levels are called Premium Line, Sport Line and Luxury Line. Sport Line gets a more aggressive look, in a similar style to BMW's M Sport trim, with 21-inch alloy wheels, a subtly different exterior look, dark chrome trim and bigger tailpipes.

Practicality & boot space

The Genesis GV70 is quite spacious, especially considering its low roofline

As seems to be the current fashion, the GV70 is somewhere between an estate car on stilts, and a traditional SUV. Inside, the driving position feels quite car-like, and there's plenty of room. Perhaps surprisingly, there's also decent head room and knee room in the back seats.

The tailgate features powered opening, and there's a lever just inside the boot to split and fold the rear seats. There's just over 540 litres of luggage space, and there's some extra space beneath the boot floor. This doesn't put it far behind the BMW X3's 550-litre boot, and should provide plenty of space for most families.

Reliability & safety

It might be unfamiliar in the UK, but Genesis is a sub-brand of trusty Hyundai

While Genesis is a new brand in the UK, the fact it's the luxury wing of Hyundai means there's little to worry about. Hyundai was ranked a middling 16th out of 29 manufacturers in our 2021 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey, which was a small slip from 13th-place in 2020. A reasonable 21% of customers reported a fault within the first year of ownership, and some respondents reported issues with build quality. 

The GV70 was crash-tested by Euro NCAP in late 2021, and like the larger Genesis G80 and Genesis GV80, it obtained a top five-star score. This included impressive figures of 89% and 87% for adult and shild occupant safety respectively, along with a high 87% in the Safety Assist category, which rates safety technology.

Plentiful amounts of safety kit is expected, including collision-mitigation features like autonomous emergency braking and lane keeping assist. The GV70's myriad of sensors can detect vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles ahead and to the left and right when approaching a junction, and apply the brakes automatically if the driver doesn't spot them in time.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Richard is a former editor of Carbuyer, as well as sister site DrivingElectric.com, and he's now Deputy Editor at Auto Express. Having spent a decade working in the automotive industry, he understands exactly what makes new car buyers tick.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Volkswagen Tiguan review – family SUV with a trusted formula
Volkswagen Tiguan front quarter driving
In-depth reviews
6 Dec 2024

Volkswagen Tiguan review – family SUV with a trusted formula

Vauxhall Frontera review – hybrid or electric, it’s up to you
Vauxhall Frontera front quarter driving
In-depth reviews
5 Dec 2024

Vauxhall Frontera review – hybrid or electric, it’s up to you

New Cupra Terramar family SUV starts from £37,605
Cupra Terramar
News
28 Nov 2024

New Cupra Terramar family SUV starts from £37,605

Volkswagen ID.4 review – a good-to-drive, but imperfect electric SUV
Volkswagen ID.4 front quarter driving
In-depth reviews
28 Nov 2024

Volkswagen ID.4 review – a good-to-drive, but imperfect electric SUV

Have You Considered

Vauxhall Grandland review – better than before and available as an EV
Vauxhall Grandland UK front quarter driving
In-depth reviews
27 Nov 2024

Vauxhall Grandland review – better than before and available as an EV

Renault Scenic review – family-friendly electric SUV with impressive range
Renault Scenic Carbuyer UK drive
In-depth reviews
26 Nov 2024

Renault Scenic review – family-friendly electric SUV with impressive range

Most Popular

New Ford Puma Gen-E: Britain’s best-selling car goes electric
Ford Puma Gen-E
News
3 Dec 2024

New Ford Puma Gen-E: Britain’s best-selling car goes electric

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
6 Dec 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers

Jaguar Type 00 concept revealed: a bold electric future for the British brand
Jaguar Type 00
News
3 Dec 2024

Jaguar Type 00 concept revealed: a bold electric future for the British brand

More on GV70

Genesis Electrified GV70 SUV review
2022 Genesis Electrified GV70 - front 1
In-depth reviews
3 Aug 2023

Genesis Electrified GV70 SUV review

“The Genesis Electrified GV70 is a practical and luxurious SUV with plenty of driving range and excellent rapid charging capability”
New Genesis Electrified GV70 electric SUV revealed
Genesis Electrified GV70
News
19 Nov 2021

New Genesis Electrified GV70 electric SUV revealed

The midsize Genesis GV70 SUV will have up to 483bhp and be capable of 300 miles on a charge

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
21 Oct 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024