LOOKS

The 2024 GV70 features sharply designed wheels, plus a large, beautiful, and bold mesh-style grille. There are also uniquely-shaped curved lighting designs in both the front and rear of the vehicle, and attractive overall silhouette.

Even from a distance, you can tell the GV70 is a bold and classy machine both in style and drive quality. It's a sporty type of vibe, flashy but not stuffy. It is aimed at people who want to stand out in the crowd vs. traditional luxury rides.

My test vehicle featured a Mauna Red exterior paint color (with a bright, sporty look), and other sporty appearance touches. It offered dual exhaust and a black mesh design on the rear of the vehicle, 19-inch wheels (you can opt for 21-inch wheels), and a panoramic sunroof, as well as power-folding mirrors.

Moving inside the GV70, you will find high-quality stitching on the leather upholstery, and a comfortable ride for all five passengers compared to segment rivals. It looks and feels luxurious throughout the vehicle, including a sleek and appealing dashboard design that stands out in class, carbon fiber trim features, plus a suede headliner and leather door panels.

Heated and ventilated front seats are offered, along with a heated steering wheel and three-zone climate control. The second row seats are also heated on top trim level. Adjustable ambient lighting also helps create a welcoming experience in the GV70. 

In terms of cargo, you get 28.9 cubic feet of room with the second row up, and 56.9 cubic feet if you fold down the rear seats.

The only real downside of the interior is that the back seat is a big tight, a reality you have to accept when choosing a smaller SUV. Front seats are quite roomy and comfortable for both driver and passenger.

For true relaxation while you drive, the massaging seats feature is a nice touch and features multiple modes. You can also use manual sunshades that are installed on the rear windows.

HOW’S THE RIDE?

Two solid powertrain options are offered on the 2024 GV70.

I tested the more impressive of those two options — a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine delivering 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. That’s paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, and it also features an electronically controlled suspension with road preview — using the front camera and navigation system to analyze road conditions ahead, then automatically adjusting the damping force of the suspension.

The other engine option is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder turbo option offering a respectable 300 horsepower, and 311 pound-feet, also paired with the 8-speed auto transmission. 

All-wheel drive comes standard on the GV70.

Driving the GV70 can be a tale of two worlds. If you want a quiet, smooth and elegant ride worthy of a request for Grey Poupon, it will deliver that experience. But if you want to unleash the beast, switch to Sport mode, mash the gas and listen to it growl.

Drive modes include Snow, Eco, Comfort, Sport and Sport+, easily adjustable via the center console. Handling and cornering ability proved top-notch, and brakes respond quickly when you need to stop.

All in all, the GV70 offers a truly sporty and enjoyable driving experience. And while there are some rivals that may top its output numbers and overall sportiness (i.e. the Porsche Macan), they typically will also be more expensive options, and the numbers and performance of the GV70 will suffice for most buyers.

Zero-to-60 numbers are quite strong, coming in at roughly 5 seconds with the V6 engine, plenty quick for when you need to merge onto the freeway or get moving quickly from a stop light. And even with the lesser engine, your 0-to-60 time will be just a second more at about 6 seconds.

On the Sport Prestige model with the 3.5-liter offering, you also get an electronic limited-slip differential, which maximizes available traction during hard acceleration, as well as sound-reducing rear windows.


TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY

Technology is a huge part of decision-making for car buyers, and the tech that comes with the GV70 is some of the best you’ll find in a luxury car right now.

The tech is centered around a huge, 14.-5 inch infotainment touchscreen, which is controlled by a dial in the center console or by direct touch controls. (One small note: The dial is located near another rotary dial for shifting gears, so you’ll need to be careful which dial you are grabbing)

The system and its many menus feature a seemingly endless amount of settings that can be explored and updated, so it takes a bit of time to get acclimated to where everything is located.

Below the main touchscreen is a small digital cluster with easy-to-use climate controls, surrounded by bright ambient lighting at night.

In my experience, voice commands proved effective for directions, radio and phone, and the navigation system did its job impressively. In addition to the main touchscreen, there is a large 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster featuring 3-D graphics.

The GV70 features a 90-day trial for satellite radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for phone mirroring (wired connection only), a wireless phone charger, Genesis Connected Services, and even a Fingerprint Authentication System that allows you to open the car and start the engine without a key.

Audiophiles can upgrade their listening experience with a 16-speaker Lexicon Premium Audio system. And the Genesis Digital Key smartphone app will allow a driver to turn on the car and unlock or lock it from their phone. Four USB outlets are included, as well as a 110-volt outlet.

The 2024 GV70 has been rated a top safety pick by the IIHS, and features a bevy of standard safety features, plus some excellent options.

One of my favorites was the optional surround view (including birds-eye view) camera setup that proved helpful for maneuvering in close parking situations or when I had to back into a tight spot.

The GV70’s Highway Driving Assist and its limited self-driving system functions well, too, using lane keeping and adaptive cruise control to keep you within your lane and slow you down when traffic is in front of you.

Other helpful safety features on the GV70 include: Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Driver Attention Warning, Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance-Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance-Assist, Safe Exit Assist, and Advanced Rear Occupant Alert.

A head-up display is also available on the GV70 to keep your eyes on the road.


MPG

The official fuel mileage numbers on the 2024 Genesis GV70 I tested with the more powerful 3.5-liter V6 engine were 18 city/24 highway/20 combined. 

The base, four-cylinder 2.5-liter engine improves to 22 city/28 highway/24 combined.

In my real-world testing, I averaged just over 15 miles per gallon, which was below the listed numbers, but in fairness I used Sport mode quite a bit throughout my time in the vehicle. 

Better numbers are possible if you drive with the goal of maximizing efficiency. 

Compared to rivals in the luxury realm, the GV70’s fuel mileage is competitive with some and trails behind others, though the differences aren’t large enough for this to be a deciding factor for most buyers shopping the segment.

PRICE

Depending on the engine and trim level you choose, the GV70 will range from around $47K, up to nearly $70K, so you have quite a few options to choose from depending on your budget.

The 2.5-liter turbo options (base, Select, Advanced and Prestige) are the more affordable offerings, topping out around $58K, and the 3.5-liter twin turbo options (Sport, Advanced and Prestige) begin around $59K.

These numbers are definitely not affordable for all, but for people cross-shopping other luxury SUVS, the numbers are on the lower end of the pricing spectrum, making the GV70 one of the more affordable options in the luxury realm, especially if you’re choosing from the lower trim levels.

Add in the class-leading warranties from Genesis, and the value proposition gets even better. You’ll get a 5-year/60,000-mile New Vehicle Warranty, 10-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Warranty, and 3 years/36K miles of complimentary maintenance.


BOTTOM LINE

With sharp looks, a sporty drive, an excellent tech setup, and a reasonable price for a high-end ride, the 2024 Genesis GV70 is no doubt one of the best options in the luxury compact SUV class.

It’s representative of the strong showing Genesis has been making in the overall market over the past several years as it competes for its share of the luxury market with a strong lineup of SUVs.

===

AutoTechReviews.com can be found on Twitter @AutoTechReview, or stay updated at the AutoTechReviews Facebook page. Follow AutoTechReviews on Instagram at @Autotechreviews. Matt Myftiu can be found on Twitter @MattMyftiu