2025 Genesis GV70 review: Australian first drive

11/14/2024 08:00 AM

2025 Genesis GV70

The Genesis GV70 has always impressed us here at Drive since it arrived on our shores in 2021. Smitten by its unashamed luxury married to refinement on the road, the GV70’s biggest selling point remained its sharp pricing when compared against its competitive set. It became, in short, the best-kept secret in the premium SUV arena.

To keep the GV70 fresh in the face of competition from a swag of European and Japanese rivals, the Korean luxury brand has updated the range for the 2025 model year.

The headline acts are new variants, more equipment, updated interiors, and improved road manners.

Nothing in life is for free, however, and this midlife update has brought with it price increases across the range.

So does the more expensive 2025 Genesis GV70 still represent good value? And is this midlife refresh enough to lift this luxury medium SUV from what is, let's face it, still a challenger brand onto the same shopping list as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Lexus and Audi?

How much is a Genesis GV70?

One of the GV70's strong selling points previously was its affordability compared to its main rivals from Europe and Japan.

But that has been diluted a little – on paper at least – with this update, with price rises across the range. However, to offset the price rise, Genesis has included previous features found in its options list now as standard, leaving the $2000 matte paint as the only option box to tick in showrooms. For our full rundown on the updated GV70's specifications across the range, check out our price and spec story.

Prices have risen between $5600 and $15,986 depending on the variant, while the previous entry point into the Genesis GV70 range, the rear-wheel-drive GV70 2.5 available from $70,500 before on-road costs, has been dropped for now.

The new Genesis GV70 range now comprises three all-wheel-drive-only trim levels – Advanced, Signature and Signature Sport – with a choice of two engines paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The entry point in the 2025 Genesis GV70 range is the Advanced 2.5T AWD priced from $78,500 before road costs, an increase of $5600 over the comparable pre-updated model. It’s powered by the same 224kW/442Nm 2.5-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder as previously.

The mid-range GV70 Signature is priced from $87,500 before on-road costs with the 2.5-litre turbo-four or $98,000 with the 279kW/530Nm 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6.

Sitting atop the range, the newly named Signature Sport trim level is also available with either the 2.5-litre turbo-four or 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6. It’s priced from $89,500 (2.5L) or $100,000 (3.5L). Comparing the new flagship with the old, there is a $15,986 price increase for the 2025 GV70.

Prices may have increased across the board, but the GV70 still represents good value for the segment, both on pricing and in the levels of standard inclusions; equipment often found as part of costly option packages amongst its competitive set.

Genuine rivals for the GV70 include the Audi Q5 range where the most affordable petrol option starts from $88,315. Similarly, the entry point into the BMW X3 range gets underway at $84,500, while the most affordable all-wheel-drive Lexus NX, the 350 F Sport, starts from $79,343. All prices are before on-road costs.

How big is a Genesis GV70?

The cabin of the GV70 has always been a premium place to spend time in, even before this midlife refresh. This update, however, has elevated the GV70 to another level.

The centrepiece is the single-frame widescreen infotainment/instrument display, measuring 27 inches, which has been lifted from the GV70's bigger sibling, the Genesis GV80. It's a starkly modernist implementation of in-car tech and sets off the rest of the cabin nicely.

Design changes are minimal, but they have resulted in a more cohesive-looking cabin. Aside from the huge screen, the centre console now slopes gently into the dash topped by a separate screen for the GV70's climate controls, while the dash itself has been redesigned with a gentle curve that leads into the doors seamlessly.

It looks smart and modern and enhances the feeling of calm when you step inside.

Quality materials abound throughout – leather in the entry-level Advance model and nappa leather in Signature and Signature Sport models.

The seats are supportive and comfortable, power adjustable, and heated and cooled up front.

A new steering wheel brings only minor changes, but they too give the GV70 a fresh look inside. It's power adjustable too, and along with the powered seats it makes finding the perfect driving position a cinch.

Storage options abound and run to a decent central storage bin, a pair of cupholders up front, and door pockets that can easily accommodate bottles.

Two rotary dials are housed in the centre console, one serving as the gear selector, the other for scrolling through menus on the infotainment screen.

The second row is excellent in terms of passenger comfort with plenty of space in all key areas. The seats themselves are very comfortable, with manual recline for some added lounging ability.

But, while the outboard seats remain supremely comfortable, the same can't be said for the centre position, which is firm on the seat and in the back with space impacted by a large and protruding transmission tunnel. Occasional use only, folks.

Amenities for second-row passengers include climate-control functions, cupholders in a fold-down armrest, door pockets that can take bottles, two USB-C charging points, while those with kidlets will appreciate ISOFIX child seat mounts on the outboard seats and the manual sunshades on the side windows.

Boot space remains unchanged at 542 litres with the second row in use, expanding to 1678L with the second row folded away in 60:40 split fashion. A temporary spare alloy wheel lives under the boot floor.

Does the Genesis GV70 have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?

One of the most visible updates on the Genesis GV70 is the 27-inch widescreen infotainment/digital driver’s display set-up. It's an impressive-looking screen, all the more so for treading a slightly different path to its rivals.

Whereas some single-frame widescreen set-ups purport to house just a single integrated screen, the reality is most actually house two separate screens inside that single frame.

Not so the GV70's, which seamlessly blends infotainment and driver display functions into a single OLED screen.

And it's a cracker too, with crisp resolution and an easy-to-follow interface that can be accessed in myriad ways. From touch inputs to voice commands and the rotary dialler, effecting inputs is easy and responsive.

New for this update, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard (along with wired, of course) as is satellite navigation and DAB+ digital radio.

We ran Apple CarPlay at launch and it worked faultlessly, fast to connect and with a stable connection throughout.

A total of four USB-C points – two in the front and two at the rear – help keep devices topped up, while a wireless smartphone charging pad is standard across the GV70 range.

The digital driver’s display can be configured to display any number of different screens – from simple driving data to full-screen route guidance and a wealth of more detailed data screens.

A nine-speaker audio system is standard in the entry-level Advance variant, while both the Signature and Signature trim levels come equipped with a premium 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.

All models are fitted with an excellent head-up display that casts vital driving data directly onto the windscreen.

All GV70 models now come with a five-year complimentary subscription to Genesis Connected Car Services, which allows owners to access their GV70 remotely via an app on their smartphone.

Functions accessed remotely include the ability to precondition the SUV by switching on climate controls, enter destinations on the satellite navigation, and check on the vehicle's location (great if you've forgotten where you parked in that huge shopping centre car park).

And new for this model refresh, the GV70 now has the ability to facilitate over-the-air software and firmware updates without the need to visit a Genesis service centre.

Is the Genesis GV70 a safe car?

The Genesis GV70 was awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating back in 2021 when the model first launched in Australia – with a caveat. The five-star rating currently only applies to 2.5-litre models, with ANCAP explicitly stating 3.5-litre petrol variants are “unrated”.

It seems a bit incongruous that the V6-powered Genesis GV70, which only weighs 75kg more than its structurally identical four-cylinder counterpart, has been classified as unrated by Australia’s independent safety body ANCAP.

For the record, the GV70, when tested in 2021, scored 89 per cent for adult occupant protection, 89 per cent child occupant and 87 per cent for its safety assist systems, while vulnerable road user protection was rated at 64 per cent.

With no major structural changes, expect this five-star safety rating to carry over for this 2025 update.

What safety technology does the Genesis GV70 have?

Genesis has crammed the GV70 with the full complement of its advanced driver assist and safety systems.

Standard across the GV70 range are autonomous emergency braking with cyclist, pedestrian and junction detection, and navigation-based smart cruise control, which not only adjusts travelling speed to the car in front, but also detects slower zones on the road ahead, such as bends and turns, and adjusts the vehicle's speed accordingly.

There's also lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, lane-change assist, forward and cross-traffic alert, road sign detection with speed limit assist, as well as front and rear parking sensors.

Overall, the systems worked well and as intended, although as has become a common refrain, the driver attention monitor and speed sign recognition are a bit overeager with their beeps and bongs.

Helpfully, the speed sign recognition alert can be switched off by a long press on the volume dial, but there's no facility to disable the driver attention monitor as easily. Maybe a piece of tape over the steering column-mounted camera would do the trick?

How much does the Genesis GV70 cost to run?

One of Genesis's strong selling points has always been its cost-of-ownership equation.

The fundamentals are pretty simple – a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and five years/50,000km of free scheduled servicing. Servicing is required every 12 months or 10,000km, a little on the skinny side in terms of distance.

Additionally, Genesis offers a concierge service where a representative will collect the GV70 from your home or office (within 70kn of a Genesis service centre) and provide a courtesy car while your Genesis is in the workshop.

We were unable to obtain a quote for comprehensive insurance for this updated 2025 model year GV70. However, using the range-topping MY24 GV70 Sport Lux as a guide, insurance premiums run to $3047 annually.

At the other end of the range, the AWD GV70 with the 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine will cost $2768 in annual insurance premiums.

Insurance premiums are based on a comparative quote for a 35-year-old male living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.

Is the Genesis GV70 fuel-efficient?

We drove both the 2.5-litre Advanced and 3.5-litre Sport Signature variants.

Genesis claims the all-wheel-drive entry-level model will use 10.3 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined cycle. Our drive at launch saw an indicated 8.6L/100km skewed slightly towards highway but with some spirited driving thrown into the mix.

As you'd expect, more powerful 3.5-litre variants will, according to Genesis, use 11.3L/100km on the combined cycle. We came close to matching that claim with an indicated 11.7L/100km over a mix of traffic, urban and highway driving.

Both engines require 95-octane premium unleaded as a minimum.

The fuel tank measures in at 66L.

What’s the Genesis GV70 like to drive?

We've always loved the effortless nature of the 3.5-litre V6 lurking under the expansive bonnet of the GV70. It's a powerful yet refined twin-turbo V6 pumping out a healthy 279kW and 530Nm. It's married to a slick eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission sending drive to all four wheels.

And straight away, it's easy to see why this GV70 should be on more buyers' consideration lists.

Around town, the lazy V6 barely raises a sweat, keeping the mid-size SUV moving along with the traffic flow effortlessly.

The eight-speed auto plays its part in the GV70's overall smoothness, with slick and intuitive gear changes that barely raise a ripple in the cabin. It's responsive too, kicking down quickly when more is asked of the V6 for an overtake, say, or a burst of acceleration.

The big Genesis remains nicely composed and serene out on the highway as well. Cruising at the signposted 110km/h is as quiet and serene as you'd expect of an SUV playing in the premium segment.

That's down to the excellent work Genesis has done in keeping noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) at bay, which was already a hallmark of the brand even before this update. There have been NVH updates too, with this update with new transmission damping, improved steering wheel damping, and additional sound-absorbing materials throughout.

It all adds up to a nicely cocooned cabin environment, where the outside world remains firmly outside.

Ride comfort too is on the receiving end of some improvements with this update, revisions to the springs and stabiliser bars resulting in improved body control, while new 'hydro' bushings on the rear suspension control arms and crossmembers improve rear passenger comfort.

The V6 models also benefit from adaptive suspension that can be set to either Comfort or Sport. Comfort is as comfort does, supple without being overly soft, casually soaking up the lumps and bumps that blight our road surfaces here in Australia.

The steering is nice and direct too, and with a reassuring heft that provides a nice tactility and connection to the road.

It makes for a surprisingly capable and engaging medium SUV to hustle with some intent, if that's your thing. The reality is, most owners won't fully explore it, but there is an inherent sportiness to the GV70, which is more than capable of holding its own amongst an armada of Euro brawlers.

You'd expect giving away one turbocharger, two cylinders and a litre of displacement would neuter the GV70's appeal. But the good news is, the GV70 Advanced and its 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder remains as pointed and sharp as its bigger-engined twin-turbo sibling.

Outputs are rated at 224kW and 422Nm, which are ample for a comfortable family hauler. Yes, you give away a little in outright acceleration (7.2sec 0–100km/h against the V6's 5.2sec), but the reality is, out in the real world you really don't notice the difference all that much.

Power delivery is smooth and refined and acceleration remains brisk enough for the daily traffic grind. It's a similar story out on the highway, where the 2.5-litre's very usable 1650–4000rpm torque band means finding enough mojo for bursts of acceleration isn't difficult, the mid-sizer hunkering down and surging forward with minimal fuss.

The eight-speed automatic plays its part here, with slick and responsive downshifts to maximise the available torque on offer and allowing for seamless and confident acceleration.

Ride comfort is excellent too, the Advanced's passive dampers doing a great job at cosseting the cabin from road nasties. Road noise is also kept at bay thanks to improvements to the GV70's NVH.

Should I buy a Genesis GV70?

This midlife update demonstrates what we already know about the Genesis GV70 – that it's one of the best-kept secrets in the luxury medium SUV segment.

While prices may have increased across the board, the extra spend does result in a wealth of standard inclusions that were once only accessed via option packs. And it's hard to overlook five years of complimentary servicing; something that can add up to thousands of dollars when playing in the premium playground.

The improvements Genesis has made to what is its volume seller have paid dividends with a compelling on-road package that blends luxury and refinement in equal measure.

How do I buy a Genesis GV70? The next steps.

Buyers looking for a premium mid-size SUV at the very minimum should take a closer look at the Genesis GV70. We reckon they'll be pleasantly surprised.

The next step on the purchase journey is to check the Genesis website for stock of your preferred GV70 variant. You can also find new and used Genesis cars for sale at Drive Marketplace.

We strongly recommend taking a test drive at a dealership before committing because personal needs and tastes can differ. Find your nearest Genesis dealer via this link. We'd also recommend test-driving some of its rivals including the Audi AQ5 and BMW X3 to see how the GV70 stacks up, not only in driving performance but also in equipment levels.

And if you want to stay updated with everything that’s happened to this car since our review, you’ll find all the latest news here.

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