In less than a decade, Genesis went from one rebadged Hyundai to a seven-car lineup with the most original styling on the market, impeccable interiors, dedicated dealerships, and a Le Mans racing team. All but two of its models were still in their first generation at the time of writing, and yet the quality and execution feel like Genesis has been around since Lexus, Infiniti, and Acura started in the 1980s.
The GV70, a compact two-row crossover, is one of four Genesis SUVs slotted between the electric GV60 and the midsize GV80 and GV80 Coupe. It features turbocharged inline-four or V6 engines (along with an electric version), loads of technology, and fashionable color schemes. The GV70 competes with the Acura RDX, the Audi Q5, the BMW X3, the Lexus NX, the Lincoln Corsair, and the Mercedes-Benz GLC. At the time of writing, many used GV70 models were still covered by the Genesis five-year/60,000-mile warranty and the three-year/36,000-mile service plan, which are the best in the industry and unprecedented among used cars.
Genesis GV70 Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Genesis GV70 Pros and Cons
- Genesis GV70 Generations
- Genesis GV70 First Generation (2022-Present)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Genesis GV70 years are the best?
The 2026 GV70 is the best model year to date, with a revised suspension and steering that provide more agile handling and a full tech update with the latest infotainment on a 27-inch curved display.
Which Genesis GV70 years are the worst?
No model year of the GV70 is the worst. The powertrains and software have been reliable since the 2019 G70 debuted, so durability has not been a concern. However, to be extra careful, avoid the 2022 model year for potential first-year production issues.
Is a used Genesis GV70 a good deal?
Yes. Averaged among all model years for which we have sufficient data, the GV70 lists on CarGurus for $27,000. For a vehicle that starts at $49,000 new without options, there is great value in buying a used GV70.
Genesis GV70 Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Stylish design
- Standard all-wheel drive
- Impressive technology
Cons:
- Low range on electric models
- No hybrid option
- Not as sporty a drive as the G70 sedan (pre-2026 models)
Genesis GV70 Generations
Genesis GV70 First Generation (2022-Present)
For a luxury SUV in its first and only generation, the Genesis GV70 won praise from professional car reviewers, us included, who have tested generations of luxury SUVs from American, German, and Japanese brands. While Genesis is a subsidiary of Hyundai, the vehicle chassis, the engines, the design, and even the parts down to the vanity mirror lights are exclusive to Genesis. The GV70 is based on a rear-wheel drive (RWD) architecture that was engineered specifically for Genesis and shares no core structure with front-wheel drive (FWD) Hyundai and Kia crossovers. Every detail of the GV70 makes it unique, from the double-bar headlights and turn signals, the elaborate lattice pattern on the grille, double-bar taillights, and a swept-back, muscular profile. The interior is a mix of fine leathers, quilted stitching, soft lighting, elaborate colors, and a great tactility to the controls.
The 2022 GV70 launched with a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower, 311 pound-feet of torque, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive (AWD). A 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 with 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque was optional. Fuel economy was EPA-estimated at 22 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined on 2.5T trims and 19, 25, and 21 on 3.5T trims. However, the 2.5T trims with 21-inch wheels returned lower 19, 26, and 22 ratings.
While the 2.5T was adequate, the 3.5T is explosive off the line and delivered a sporty, if not altogether balanced, driving experience. In our testing, we found the transmission programming to be either too lazy in the normal driving mode or revving too high in sport mode, while shift quality and reaction time were below the best of the segment. Also, even with the 3.5T's standard adaptive dampers, the suspension allowed too much roll, and the steering was vague off-center compared to the precise and confident G70 3.3T sedan. Still, the GV70's good ride and luxurious demeanor made it a worthy competitor, if not a true driver's SUV like the X3 and AMG versions of the GLC, for example. Headroom and legroom were ample for the compact class, along with 28.9 cubic feet of cargo space (56.9 cubic feet with the rear seat folded).
Safety was impressive. The GV70 was awarded an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ for each model year, though only 2024 and later model years had structural improvements to the B-pillars, side sills, and front doors. For 2024 and later model years (built after November 2023) Genesis installed new rear seat belts for better crash protection, according to the IIHS. The GV70 scored five out of five stars in NHTSA crash tests, but only four out of five stars for the driver in a frontal crash. A front-center airbag was standard, which acts a side-impact airbag between the two front seats, along with forward emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane keep assist, blind-spot collision avoidance assist, adaptive cruise control, rear parking sensors, driver attention warning, safe exit assist, auto high beams, and semi-automated driving (Highway Driving Assist).
There were seven Genesis GV70 trim levels. The 2.5T Standard had a power hands-free liftgate that opened automatically when the proximity key was nearby, along with spec such as full LED headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, 18-inch wheels, a 12-way heated power driver's seat with four-way lumbar, an eight-way heated power passenger's seat, leatherette vinyl upholstery, auto-dimming rearview mirror, garage door opener, aluminum trim on the doors and center console, an eight-inch color display between the two analog gauges, a nine-speaker sound system with SiriusXM, 14.5-inch touchscreen with a navigation system and over-the-air updates for three years, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, a wireless phone charger, four USB ports, and three years of Genesis Connected Services (remote access via app, plus more).
The GV70 2.5T Select upgraded to 19-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats with memory and Smart Posture Assist (which adjusts the seating position to reduce fatigue while driving), duplicate passenger seat controls on the upper backrest, power-folding mirrors with puddle lamps, power tilt/telescope steering wheel, a 16-speaker Lexicon premium audio system, and a brushed pattern for the aluminum trim. The 2.5T Advanced added leather, ambient lighting, backlit trim on the doors and console, heated steering wheel, power lumbar for the front passenger, rear window shades, an AC power outlet in the rear console, and safety features including a 360-degree surround-view monitor, blind-spot cameras, front parking sensors, rear emergency braking, rear occupant alert, and remote parking that allowed the vehicle to be controlled from the outside using the key fob (known as Remote Smart Parking Assist). The 2.5T Sport Prestige added 21-inch wheels, a more aggressive front and rear bumper, a smartphone key, leatherette trim on the dash and door panels, massaging driver's seat with power torso bolsters and cushion extension, metal pedal covers, and a special aluminum trim.
The 3.5T Sport came standard with everything on the 2.5T Select except the Lexicon stereo, plus the 16-way massaging driver's seat, a 12-way front passenger seat, and adaptive dampers with road preview (which used the front camera to detect road conditions and adjust the damper firmness). The 3.5T Sport Advanced came with Nappa leather seating with diamond-quilted stitching, a microfiber suede headliner, the Lexicon stereo, and everything on the 2.5T Advanced. Finally, the 3.5T Sport Prestige added a head-up display, a digital instrument cluster with a 3-D effect, heated rear seats with insulated rear glass, separate rear climate controls, carbon fiber trim, and the exterior appearance upgrades of the 2.5T Sport Prestige. An electronic limited-slip rear differential with active torque vectoring was also standard.
The GV70 could be ordered with four shades of matte paint, including a green and violet, and offered 10 interior colors and upholstery options, including a navy blue with red seat belts, a violet and black, a green and dark blue with tan seat belts, and other striking combinations.
For 2023, Genesis introduced the Electrified GV70 in a limited number of states. The solid grille sported a hidden charging port, while restyled front and rear bumpers and wheels were the only clues this GV70 had a 77.4-kWh battery with two electric motors. Total output was 429 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, with 483 hp available in 10-second bursts. The EPA-estimated range was 236 miles. Three trims were available in Standard, Advanced, and Prestige.
The gas GV70 added more equipment to certain trims. Sport trims came with touch-sensitive steering wheel buttons and black brake calipers in the rear. The 2.5T Select came with new brake calipers and a heated steering wheel. The 2.5T Advanced added the Lexicon stereo. The 2.5T Sport Prestige added three-zone climate and the digital instrument panel. New exterior colors included Capri Blue, Makalu Gray, and Makalu Gray Matte.
For 2024, Genesis revised the 19- and 21-inch wheels and added ventilated front seats, rear window shades, forward attention alert, and remote parking with the 2.5T Sport Prestige. Wi-Fi was now standard on the 3.5T trims, which also included an improved forward collision avoidance assist. The Electrified GV70 added Wi-Fi as standard plus five exterior colors. For 2025, Genesis removed and added a few exterior colors and added wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support across both gas and electric trims.
The 2026 GV70 came with a new dash design that replaced the instrument binnacle and top-mounted touchscreen for a single 27-inch OLED display with new software, new steering wheel controls, new climate controls, upgraded headlights, new wheels, a different grille pattern, and enhancements to the steering and suspension. In our test drive of a 3.5T Sport Prestige, the 2026 GV70 felt more agile and controlled in the corners and the transmission shift quality was notably smoother and quicker. Orange seat belts were introduced on Sport Prestige trims to match the company's racing division and upcoming line of Magma performance vehicles. Bering Blue and Ceres Blue were new exterior colors. USB-C ports, rear seatbelt pre-tensioners, front parking sensors, rear door handle sensors for the proximity key, adjustable ambient lighting, and a new Terrain driving mode were all newly standard. The Lexicon stereo was replaced by a Bang & Olufsen stereo on Advanced and higher trims. A larger battery increased range to 263 miles on the Electrified GV70.
Base MSRP prices for the 2026 GV70 ranged from $48,985 to $71,095 for gas trims and from $64,380 to $75,350 for the Electrified GV70. The average used list price on CarGurus for the Genesis GV70 ranged from $33,000 for the 2022 model year to $51,000 for the 2026 model year at the time of writing.
