Road test | Genesis GV70: when a giant rises

The Hyundai group is about 6.67 million vehicles sold in 2021 in 200 different markets. It is therefore a giant, not as imposing as the Toyotas, General Motors and Volkswagens of this world, but all the same an essential figure in the industry. Its luxury brand Genesis, which has gradually grown its footprint since its birth in 2015, reflects a desire to be taken seriously on a chessboard drawn by German brands. His GV70 compact SUV is arguably one of his finest works to date. Let’s see why.

Charles Rene
The Press

Design

Like the other brands of the Hyundai group, Genesis first establishes its identity visually. If its first creations had no particular flavor, the reform of its design started by the GV80 in 2020 cemented its positioning, a stylistic language somewhat flatly named “Athletic elegance”. The GV70 is truly the most balanced creation resulting from this reflection. Its mesh and ridge grille blends harmoniously into the front end, which is placed rather low to accentuate the dynamic presence of the SUV. The double-lined headlights accentuate the squat impression of the vehicle. From the side, we detect a desire to soften the lines and ensure continuity by the presence of a continuous line on the top of the beltline. The stern completes the design with separate twin lights, but also with very large exhaust tips cut out of a fake plastic mesh. This is probably the only dissonant note.

On board

We often speak in marketing of the “wow effect”, this reaction of wonder, of surprise that exceeds expectations when faced with a product. The GV70 personifies this concept with panache with great attention to detail. The dashboard reflects this in a brilliant way with the integration of controls in an oval shape, a presence amplified by its glossy black. There’s a well-prepared and legible mix of tactile and physical keys here. The upper part conceals the fine ventilation nozzles in a discontinuous band which stretches over the top of the doors. The finish of the latter is embellished by moldings of aluminum and carbon fiber with patterns reminiscent of the latticework of the front grille. All the materials that you touch on a regular basis give a feeling of solidity comparable to that of vehicles twice the price. It’s very impressive, except perhaps with regard to the compartments, which are a little limited in volume, a qualifier that can also be applied to the rear seats.

Under the hood

The GV70 is more conformist on its mechanical offer. Only two engines share the option sheet: a 2.5L turbocharged four-cylinder (300 hp) and a 3.5L twin-turbo V6 (375 hp). The latter counts on a lot of torque (391 lb-ft) produced at very low revs (1300 rpm), thus presenting aplomb quickly and throughout the rev range. Like most supercharged engines, however, the pleasure does not grow at high rpm. Moreover, it is its great softness that predominates and its relative sound discretion, despite a desire for sportiness. It actually has nicer ways than the older generation 3.3L V6 still found in the G70 sedan. The in-house designed eight-speed automatic ensures a good pace, without having the ease of the German ZF in its responsiveness. This six-cylinder is also too greedy for the size of the vehicle.

Behind the wheel

Unlike some rivals, the GV70 is based on a propulsion platform. This technical choice lays the foundations for its dynamic performance, which is intended to be more engaging than that of certain players in the segment. This orientation works quite well. The SUV curves naturally with good steering gear ratio and progressively pivots on a snowy surface, a behavior partly attributable to the electronically distributed rear differential. There is a real driving pleasure, which could be a little more successful with a more direct feeling of the direction, which sometimes seems stuck during fast turns. In terms of damping, the adaptive dampers provide good comfort while controlling body movements very well. The soundproofing fuels an impression of great refinement, which makes this GV70 extremely competitive.

Embedded technologies

The technological offer obviously varies according to the chosen livery. That said, one constant remains: all trims benefit from the large 14.5-inch widescreen, which is among the best in the segment with regard to its high definition and its positioning high enough without being intrusive. The integration of Apple CarPlay is excellent, and we also offer the essential Android Auto. The menus are well structured and the transitions between them enhance the visual. The tried-and-tested livery enshrines equally sleek all-digital instrumentation that can simulate a 3D appearance. This somewhat blurs the contours without really giving depth, in short, it does not work very well. Note also the presence of a rather irritating ergonomic choice: the positioning of the transmission wheel just below that of the infotainment system. They can easily be confused during quick manoeuvres.

The verdict

Genesis has invested a colossal amount of effort in breaking into the luxury compact SUV segment. The GV70 is the convincing demonstration of this, without falling into a pale generic copy of the established contenders. Deploying an elegant design and supported by a chassis that cements a well-balanced sporting temperament, this newcomer has what it takes to play spoilsport in what is considered a German preserve. The Korean brand also pays particular attention to the customer experience, which is not always the case with rival brands. All is not perfect, however. The rear seats with calculated dimensions and the gluttony of the V6 somewhat balance the picture. The fact remains that this GV70 offers a lot for its price. A success, therefore, which will probably be even more attractive with the promise of an all-electric version which will arrive in the near future.