2022 Genesis GV70 AWD 2.5T Advanced - Review by David Colman +VIDEO

The Bangingest Best Bang for Your Bucks

David Colman

Photos and Story By David Colman
Special Correspondent to THE AUTO Channel

Genesis, the luxury division of Hyundai, has been making inroads on more expensive competitors ever since the marque was introduced five years ago. After spending a week at the wheel of the GV70 2.5T ADVANCED, we clearly understand the unique attraction of this relative newcomer to the automotive scene. Genesis currently offers 3 distinctly different SUVs. The smallest is an electric-only model designated GV60 which is based on the Hyundai Ioniq and Kia EV6. This one sells for $45,000 to $65,000. The largest is the GV80, which ranges in price from $50,000 to $77,000. In between the GV60 and the GV80 lies the GV70 we tested. This compact luxury SUV world is available in no less than 7 different combinations covering a price range from $42,595 for the 2.5T to $63,545 for the 3.5T Sport Prestige.

All versions of the GV70 come with all wheel drive. The lower priced 2.5T versions like our test model use a 2.5 liter 4 cylinder turbo good for 300hp and 311lb.-ft. of torque. The upper echelon 3.5T models are powered by a 3.5 liter turbocharged V6 which makes 375hp and 391lb.-ft. of torque. Both the 2.5T and the 3.5T are quick enough to offer satisfying acceleration. The 2.5T scoots from 0-60mph in 5.6 seconds, while the 3.5T does the job in 4.9 seconds. When we mashed the accelerator of our test 2.5T and then lifted off the gas, the engine continued at max revolutions for a full second after we lifted - a disconcerting tendency.

Besides price, the big differentiator between the two engines is fuel economy. The 2.5T gets 24MPG in overall driving while the 3.5T, at 21MPG, falls 3MPG short of the 4 cylinder model. Since we found that the 2.5T to be plenty quick (quarter mile in 14.1 seconds at 99mph), there seems little incentive to spend more on initial purchase and gas for the costlier 3.5T.

Our test GV70 carried a base price of $41,000. In addition to a $500 charge for Savile Silver paint, Hyundai also boosted the bottom line with a pair of expensive but worthy option packages. The first, the $4,000 "Select Package," added 19 inch alloy wheels shod with 235/55R19 Michelin Primacy Tour A/S all season radials. Other Select improvements were aluminum trim with a "spin brushed pattern," a panoramic roof, ventilated front seats and a 16-speaker Lexicon Premium Audio. The slightly more expensive Advanced Package ($4,150) provided leather seating, heated steering wheel, surround view/blind spot monitor, remote smart parking assist, front parking distance warning, and rear parking assist/collision warning. The one item in the Advanced Package that really distinguished the interior of the GV70 was the "Waveline Backlit Trim" which lent artistic savoir faire to the cockpit of the GV70.

Driving the GV70 requires a full immersion course in Genesis operation. Let's start with the rotary shift mechanism. The GV70 harnesses the turbo 4 to an 8-speed automatic gearbox featuring paddle shifters. However, Genesis has installed a circular shift controller on the center console which will require your full attention for operation. The drive-off sequence goes something like this. Push the aluminum starter button on the face of the dash, then move your hand back - past the screen controller dial -to the knurled aluminum select-a-gear wheel which is always in Park at start-up. Note that both these dials are confusingly identical in circumference. Then choose Reverse, or Drive as needed, and the system automatically deactivates the parking brake. When you are ready to shut the GV70 down, press the center of the rearmost dial to engage Park and the emergency brake simultaneously. With some practice, shifting via dial becomes easier, but never did it become second nature for me. Poor gear demarcations on the dial are partly responsible for apprehension, as are the almost invisible backlights that identify the gear you have chosen.

Once underway, the GV70 proved to be a sweet handling package. The Michelins are gratifyingly adhesive, the suspension is firm but accommodating, and the seating position is lofty and informative. Genesis provides a tiny Drive Mode Select switch which allows you to tailor the SUV's road behavior to your preference of the moment. We briefly tried the Sport Mode and found that it converted the GV's behavior into something too racy for trips around town. For one thing, it wastes a lot of gas by downshifting into lower hears, and another drawback is that it stiffens the dampers causing the GV70 to hop and skip over bumps. So we stuck with comfortable Normal setting and were perfectly pleased with the overall driving behavior.

Genesis has invested a great deal of capital and engineering into the GV60 and it shows every time you climb aboard, every time you floor the gas, every time you look longingly at this beauty when you lock it up for the night. The GV70 will give BMW and Mercedes a major tussle in the compact luxury SUV market. If more for less is your credo, the GV70 is your best compact luxury SUV bet.

2022 GENESIS GV70 AWD 2.5T ADVANCED

• ENGINE: 2.5 liter inline 4, turbocharged and intercooled DOHC, 16-valve aluminum block and heads, port and direct fuel injection
• HORSEPOWER: 300 hp @5800rpm
• TORQUE: 311lb.-ft.@1650rpm
• FUEL CONSUMPTION: 22MPG City/28MPG Highway
• PRICE AS TESTED: $50,695

HYPES: The Look of a Swiss Watch

GRIPES: Rotary Shift Consternation

STAR RATING: 10 Stars out of 10