Genesis apparently can do no fallacious with the brand new fashions it launches and the GV70 is simply the newest instance of this.

The South Korean automotive producer unveiled the 2022 GV70 precisely 12 months in the past as a smaller, and extra engaging, various to the bigger GV80. Genesis in all probability ought to have launched the GV70 earlier than it introduced the G70 sports activities sedan to the market, given the shifting shopper curiosity away from conventional vehicles and in the direction of crossovers and SUVs. Nevertheless, as we lately found, the model’s entry-level crossover has been nicely well worth the wait and may very well be the perfect general bundle in its present line-up.

Decide your poison

The identical array of engines are supplied within the GV70 as with the remainder of the Genesis vary in Australia. Which means there’s a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 224 kW (300 hp) at 5,800 rpm and 422 Nm (311 lb-ft) of torque between 1,650 rpm and 4,000 rpm, a 2.2-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder rated at 154 kW (206 hp) at 3,800 rpm and 440 Nm (324 lb-ft) between 1,750 rpm and a pair of,750 rpm, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 delivering 279 kW (374 hp) at 5,800 rpm and 530 Nm (391 lb-ft) from 1,300 rpm to 4,500 rpm. The GV70 we examined was the diesel.

No matter which engine prospects go for, all GV70 fashions come solely with an eight-speed automated transmission with the identical gear ratios throughout the three engines. Curiously, the two.5-liter turbo petrol mannequin is offered as commonplace with rear-wheel drive and supplied as an choice with all-wheel drive. Each the two.2-liter turbo-diesel and the three.5-liter twin-turbo V6, nonetheless, come commonplace with all-wheel drive.

Efficiency varies significantly relying on the engine. For instance, the GV70 with the two.5-liter mill can hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.1 seconds and run down the quarter-mile in 14.2 seconds. By comparability, the flagship 3.5-liter mannequin wants simply 5.1 seconds to succeed in 100 km/h and runs the quarter-mile in 13.4 seconds. The diesel is the slowest of the bunch, needing 7.9 seconds to hit 100 km/h and 15.6 seconds for the quarter-mile dash.

Learn Additionally: 2022 Genesis Electrified GV70 Has 482 HP And 800-Volt Charging Expertise

Genesis Australia sells the GV70 in a handful of various trim ranges that modify relying on the engine. Diesel fashions are supplied in Commonplace, Luxurious, Sport Line, and Luxurious Sport Line configurations, the latter of which mixes the Sport Line and Luxurious trims into one and is the one which adorned our tester.

A lot of distinctive options distinguish a GV70 geared up with the Luxurious Sport Line trim from lesser variants. These embrace 21-inch 5-spoke wheels supplied in two designs, Nappa leather-based with quilted stitching, a Lexicon by HARMAN 16-speaker audio system, Ergo movement driver’s seat with Lively Stretch mode (therapeutic massage features), a 12.3-inch 3D instrument cluster, a 12-inch Head-Up Show, sporty entrance and rear bumpers, a darkish chrome entrance grille encompass and a bunch of different exterior and inside trims. The Sport Line and Luxurious Sport Line fashions additionally come geared up with enlarged 360 mm x 34 mm entrance brakes with four-piston calipers and 345 x 20 mm rear discs with floating calipers.

A cabin not like some other

Whereas the GV80 and G80 have comparatively related inside layouts, the cabin of the GV70 is not like some other Genesis mannequin and it’s all the higher for it.

Dominating the inside of the GV70 are ellipses. They’re in all places, most notably throughout the middle management stack on the dashboard, throughout the door panels together with the seize handles, audio system and reminiscence seat switches, and even the edges of the middle console.

Commonplace variants of the SUV have a two-spoke steering wheel just like different Genesis fashions, however these with the Sport Line or Luxurious Sport Line trims have a extra standard three-spoke wheel. As talked about, there may be additionally a beautiful 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 3D perform and an enormous 14.5-inch infotainment display screen that provides Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Positioned on both facet of the steering wheel are the indicator and wiper stalks, full with a knurled metallic end that make them really feel all of the extra luxurious. Then we come to the middle of the sprint. Whereas the G70 sedan has pretty conventional buttons and dials for the local weather management, the GV70 homes these controls in a small touchscreen, just like what the GV80 has. This display screen permits you to regulate issues just like the fan pace, the course of the air, and the heated and ventilated settings for the seats. We’re not all the time keen on touchscreen controls for local weather settings however the display screen’s very good use of haptic suggestions nearly completely mimics the sensation you’d get from urgent a bodily button.

One other neat and maybe missed characteristic of the GV70 is the small storage cubby discovered simply forward of the cupholders. Press down on the lid and it reveals a Qi wi-fi charger on your cellphone which is totally out of view that means you may’t get distracted by your cellphone display screen whereas driving. A rotary dial acts because the gear selector whereas positioned simply above it’s a second dial, which is used to enhance the infotainment system’s touchscreen.

The remainder of the inside feels extraordinarily premium and this consists of the second row the place there may be 972 mm (38-inches) of headroom, 945 mm (37 inches) of legroom, 1,444 mm (56.8 inches) of shoulder room, and 1,358 mm (53.4 inches) of hip room. Even with the panoramic sunroof, there may be ample headroom for folks over 6-foot tall. These within the rear even have entry to local weather management features, together with heated seats, in addition to two USB ports. A key spotlight of the cabin is the superbly intricate ambient lighting system.

As for the trunk, all variants of the GV70 supply up 542 liters (19.1 cubic-feet) of cargo house with the rear seats upright and 1,678 liters (59.2 cubic-feet) with them folded down.

An emphasis on consolation

If I may solely use one phrase to explain what it’s wish to drive the GV70, clean is the phrase I might use. This can be a supremely refined and comfy car that makes any journey a pleasure.

As talked about above, the GV70 that we examined was geared up with the two.2-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder, an engine shared with numerous Hyundai and Kia fashions. It’s maybe the least fascinating of the three engine choices for a car like this however that’s to not say it’s disappointing. Fairly the other, in reality.

Hyundai’s newest CRDi diesel engine is exceptionally quiet and it’s solely if you pin the throttle that you could truly hear that trademark truck-like sound that each one diesel engines have. In any respect different instances, you’d be hard-pressed to know this was a diesel.

Straight-line efficiency is nothing to write down residence about for the GV70 with the two.2-liter engine. As talked about, it wants 7.9 seconds to hit 100 km/h but it surely feels slower than that. Will this be a problem for many prospects? Completely not. In spite of everything, these after higher efficiency and keen to sacrifice on gas financial system will go for both the two.5-liter engine or the brand new 3.5-liter.

The identify of the GV70 could lead on you to consider that it’s merely an SUV model of the G70 sports activities sedan and that it might drive in a really related manner. That couldn’t be farther from the reality. Whereas all variants of the G70, together with the two.0-liter mannequin, have a really sporty really feel to them, the GV70’s further dimension is instantly noticeable if you begin to push it by means of corners. The suspension is softer and the steering is much less exact. It prioritizes consolation and luxurious over pace and efficiency and is all the higher for it. Lengthy journeys are the place the GV70 actually thrives.

Included on our take a look at car was a wonderful therapeutic massage perform for the driving force’s seat and a sophisticated Head-Up Show that works brilliantly, notably when utilizing the automotive’s in-built navigation system. Street noise has additionally been stored to a minimal and on freeway drives, it truly is such as you’re enveloped in a cocoon of consolation. Loads of soft-touch supplies are additionally discovered all through the cabin, additional including to the premium really feel of the SUV.

Some enhancements may very well be made

Our important gripe with the GV70 is its eight-speed automated transmission. Whereas good, it isn’t the perfect eight-speed ‘auto on the market and at low speeds, typically feels fairly unrefined and will be considerably jerky. Genesis may have fairly simply geared up the GV70 with the newer wet-type dual-clutch eight-speed you’ll discover in a bunch of Hyundai and Kia fashions from the Santa Fe and Sorento to the i30 N scorching hatch. This dual-clutch is best than the GV70’s present eight-speed, offering snappier shifts, extra predictability and, surprisingly, higher low-speed manners.

Some prospects may additionally have a problem with the gear selector. You shift by means of the gears by turning a big dial on the middle console. Nevertheless, there may be additionally a dial used to function the infotainment system and on a couple of event, I tried to shift into Drive or Reverse whereas parking however as a substitute scrolled by means of the infotainment settings, as I used to be turning the fallacious dial.

The important thing attraction of the diesel GV70 over its petrol counterparts is gas effectivity. The automaker says it consumes 7.8 l/100 km (30 U.S. mpg) over the mixed cycle in comparison with the 9.8 l/100 km (24 U.S. mpg) of the two.5T RWD, the ten.3 l/100 km (22.8 U.S. mpg) of the two.5T AWD, and the 11.3 l/100km (20.8 U.S. mpg) of the three.5T. We averaged 8.4 l/100 km (28 U.S. mpg), not unhealthy contemplating we drove it predominately in city areas. The truth that it isn’t notably quick additionally means you’re by no means tempted to drive the GV70 2.2T in a sporty method.

That is Genesis at its finest

We’ve pushed various new Genesis fashions over the previous couple of years. None have impressed us greater than the GV70. This can be a car that feels each bit as premium as its German rivals and turns extra heads than all of them. For us, although, the inside is the true spotlight and helps to differentiate the GV70 from all different Genesis fashions.

Australian costs begin at AU$74,917 driveway for a base GV70 2.5T 2WD and enhance to AU$78,221 for the two.5T AWD, AU$81,415 for the two.2D AWD, and high out at AU$93,793 for the three.5T AWD. The Luxurious Sport Line bundle of our tester and its Brunswick Inexperienced paint introduced its driveway worth as much as AU$97,390. A similarly-equipped 3.5T mannequin with the Luxurious bundle and the identical shade of matte inexperienced paint is on the market from AU$102,952 and given the added efficiency, it’s in all probability the higher deal.

U.S. pricing begins at $41,000 for the two.5T AWD Commonplace and will increase to $45,000 for the two.5T AWD Choose, $49,150 for the two.5T AWD Superior, $52,750 for the two.5T AWD Sport Status, $52,600 for the three.5T AWD Commonplace, $56,700 for the three.5T AWD Sport Superior, and tops out with the $62,500 3.5T AWD Sport Status.

The Genesis GV70 is the model’s most essential mannequin and might want to promote nicely to assist the automaker develop its presence within the luxurious phase. It has all the precise components to take action, however will it? Solely time will inform.

Photograph credit: Brad Anderson/CarScoops