First Drive: 2021 Genesis GV70 Review

It seems that if you want to sell cars at all these days, you have to build an SUV of some description. Be that anything from a crossover that, unless you squint, is just a jacked-up hatchback, to a bonafide beam axle mud-plugger – a high-riser is essential. 

Genesis isn’t offering them because of volume, though. Big sales numbers aren’t yet a priority to the new-to-the-UK marque. First and foremost it’s here to compete and make a name for itself. That’s where the GV70 comes in, a sort of fastback mid-sized luxury SUV not dissimilar in silhouette to a Porsche Macan and aimed squarely at the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC.

Deride the unstoppable swarms of SUVs as enthusiasts might, the companies that build them are getting better at styling them. Yes, the GV70 is far from beautiful but we’d stop well short of calling it ugly. It’s quite a handsome thing once you spend some time around it. It shares a distinctive new design language with its G70, G80 and GV80 siblings, which includes quad lamps and that brave crest grille. The surfacing is smooth, carefully judged and fussy detailing isn’t in excess. There’s definitely a more luxurious and premium look to it than even some well-established German rivals, in spite of the infancy of its parentage. Some of the more bold colour choices on the options list are less flattering on it than the G70 sports saloon, mind.

The GV70 can be had with one of a pair of combustion-only engines – a 2.5-litre 304PS (220kW) petrol four-cylinder and a 201PS (147KW) 2.2-litre diesel four-cylinder, both sending power to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Having tried the G70 and its 244PS petrol not long before, even with its added size and weight, the GV70 felt a bit more sprightly with its chunkier 300PS lump. Still, like in the G70, this is not a free-spirited motor that wants to be used for all of its power and, with a big SUV to lug along, it’s thirsty too. Likewise, the transmission is happiest up to the point of being moderately exercised and not too far beyond.

Like the G70, the GV70 is a car that feels most comfortable on a swift but unaggressive run, with a well-resolved platform, a decent ride and great refinement on the inside. The GV70 has electronically controlled suspension that adapts based on information about the road ahead fed from a camera system, informing the softly-softly ride, in spite of its 21-inch wheels. What we couldn’t really feel was the effects of the electronic limited-slip diff and the inclusion of a Sport+ driving mode felt about as appropriate here as a lighter in a fireworks factory. This is not the sporty SUV that it’s confusingly been marketed as. Instead, it offers a nicely refined and luxurious driving experience. A fastback tail it might have but this isn’t to be confused with a Porsche Macan or an Aston Martin DBX on a budget. 

This is where the GV70 leaps ahead of its G70 sibling and potentially, much of its competition, with what is a highly distinctive, good quality interior. This cabin makes no apologies for the luxury leanings of this model. Gone are the anonymous centre console and grey plastics of the G70. In their place, leather, a round-the-cabin metallic highlight and a neat oval arrangement containing your climate controls. There are touch-sensitive bits, for your heated seats and so on but it all works quite well. In fact, everything you touch most often in this cabin feels high quality, from the much nicer steering wheel to the column stalks. There’s no impression that any of the controls were afterthoughts when it comes to design and build. We should say, our car came with the optional comfort seat (£1,470) and second-row comfort (£600) packs.

Gripes? They are minor. In places you’re less likely to focus on, the quality does drop off but it far from glares in your face. Those sleek looks somewhat dock the glasshouse, which might trouble some little ones more prone to car sickness. The optional sunroof (£1,460) might go some way to aiding that. The Saville Red of our car’s interior spec was also quite a bold choice and the touchscreen is a bit of a reach. Happily, you get a clicky, quality-feeling navigation wheel with which to control it.

The GV70 gets similar tech to the G70, including the clever blind-spot view monitor camera system when indicating. Cool for the GV70 is the augmented reality camera view system for your sat-nav, which overlays directional arrows on a real-world look at the road ahead. Quite how much use the in-house nav system will get in an age of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity remains to be seen. Happily, all software and maps get updates for five years over the air free of charge, so you’ll have the choice for a while yet.

There’s remote parking, a heads-up display, the gimmicky 3D instrument display, surround-view cameras, highway driving assist, adaptive dual LED lamps, a wireless phone charger and much more. All are included in the innovation pack (£4,190) though some of it feels a bit surplus to requirements. Genesis also claims to stock an unrivalled arsenal of driver assistance and safety systems in its cars.

The GV70 is a nicely turned-out luxurious SUV that seems more honest with itself about what it is, even if the marketing spiel isn’t. This is a comfortable, cosseting, quality product that can hold its head up high in a marketplace crowded with long-standing names. In fact, it’s perilously close to offering the nicest cabin in its segment. Still, there’s brand building to be done and as such, it could do with a bit more of an obvious undercut on price compared to rivals like the BMW X3. And while the limited engine options simplify things, they’re not this car’s strong suit. It could really do with a sturdy plug-in hybrid version or better yet (and more appealing to Genesis top bods) an all-out all-electric version. The latter is sure to come as the sun is sure to rise tomorrow. We’re excited to see what Genesis can be in an all-electric future, on the merit of what it is today.