Genesis GV70 Petrol 3.5T AWD (2021-2026)

A perfect blend of performance and luxury – On the outside, panels, doors and trim pieces all fit together neatly and accurately. There was a rewarding weight when opening and closing the doors, and panel gaps were a lot neater than they were on the G70 sedan. A little quirk in the form of two ‘fangs’ protruding over the front bumper from the bonnet panel, made it appear as if there was some miscalculation when putting the GV70 together. Overhangs like this aren’t usually seen on cars produced today. This is a design feature I’m not sure was the best choice when convincing new buyers that the GV70 is a well-built car.

Interior quality was superb. Rich leather, accurate stitching and quality displays came together to form an interior that felt a step above the rest. In comparison to the likes of Alfa Romeo who try to incorporate a ‘flashy’ design with a luxurious and practical interior, the Genesis manages to bring all of those elements together well, without sacrifice.

The base 2.5L turbocharged petrol four cylinder GV70 starts from $66,400 before on-road costs. There’s a 2.2L turbo-diesel four cylinder on offer starting from $71,800 before on roads. However, what we have here is the range topping 3.5L twin-turbo petrol V6 motor, starting from $83,400.

Our tester was fitted with the ‘Luxury Pack’, so it was $90,000 before on roads.

The 3.5L twin-turbo V6 falls into the realm of consideration against performance-orientated SUVs like the Audi SQ5, Mercedes GLC 43 and BMW X3 M40i.

The major reason to consider a GV70 against European rivals is the longer 5-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, and complimentary servicing and service loan car during this period.

Your first 5 services are included with the purchase of a new Genesis. Not only will they include these services, but they will also pick up your car from wherever you specify, and drop a loan car in its place.

This cabin is an oasis from noise. There’s clearly been a lot of effort thrown into sound deadening efforts in the GV70.

I’m so glad Genesis resisted the urge to turn the top of the range GV70 into an exhaust noise machine, rather, honing in on what makes their cars so enticing. It does this by creating a luxury experience, supported by a tidal wave of engine power.

You can start-up, accelerate and cruise the motorway all without disturbing a sleeping passenger in the GV70.

Active sound-cancellation helps reduce road noise roar, and there’s certainly a minimal amount of wind-noise emanating from this slick exterior.

Here, alongside the refined suspension set-up, the brakes are pleasantly soft when you apply weight to the pedal. It provides what feels like an exponential reduction in speed, rather than an abrupt change in motion.

0-100km/h in 5.1 seconds is brisk for a family SUV. It doesn’t just allow you to effortlessly conduct overtakes on the highway, but it also allows for ghost-like acceleration from a set of traffic lights.

This particular 3.5L V6 twin-turbo V6 produces 279kW @ 5,800rpm and 530Nm @ 1,300-4,500rpm.

Sport + allowed for an optimal launch, with turbo-lag feeling non-existent. I was already at my turn before the other two lanes even thought about leaving the lights.

This is a uniquely fast car. The 3.5L motor is a large displacement motor, so it doesn’t need to string out the revs to get up to speed. Twin turbochargers provide that mid-range punch that pushes you back in your seat, all while any passers-by hear the faint noise of a working V6.

There are 8 gears to choose from in the GV80, and transitioning between them is seamless while the car is in control.

You’re never going to feel a misplaced shift, nor have the car hold gear where you’d rather it just move up or down a gear. Alongside the brakes, the gearbox only adds to what the GV70 is trying to achieve, in placing luxury first above all else.

The combination of suspension and handling is what seals the deal for the driving experience in the GV70.

Suspension is cushioned but firm. However, take a speed bump a little too quickly and those 21-inch wheels transfer that movement into the cabin - all without a disturbing ‘thump’ that some other cars might make in this same situation.

Across rough road surfaces, this suspension makes light work of making the GV70 feel like it’s cruising just above it all.

The lowest scoring section of this review goes to just how thirsty this engine can get.

During my test, I saw peaks as high as 20L per 100km. That’s a hungry motor, but no prizes go to anyone who could have guessed that.

The star feature goes to the 14-inch touch screen that sits up on the dash and will have all of your friends ‘oohing and ahhing’ as they would with an 80-inch TV you bought just in time for Grand Final Day.

It’s a blend of old school luxury (leather and metal) and technology (in the form of lighting and plenty of screens).

There’s 542L of boot space here, and a maximum of 1678L with all the seats folded down.

That’s plenty of room for a midsize SUV, and will get you plenty of places when you need to haul extra equipment along with you. Additionally, making room by folding the seats is easy, thanks to pull tabs in the back that automatically fold the seats flat.

I really wish brands included 40:20:40 seating in their cars more often, because that 60:40 split in the GV70 really took away from this being the ultimate road trip car for four people.

Hands down, this Genesis gets my strongest recommendation as a luxury family car.

Ignore the lust of a carbon fibre cladded, sports exhaust-fitted shouty ‘sports’ SUV, and treat yourself to a luxury driving experience.

The GV70 makes me reevaluate packaging sports cars in with a luxury car; I don’t think that it has to be the case. If you require two cars, a fun hot hatch should quench that sports car thirst.

*Disclaimer - I work for ProductReview as their independent car and motorbike expert. I borrow new cars and motorbikes from manufacturers and owners to review. I am not paid or incentivised by these brands to post reviews. I write and create content to provide insight and information about any new or used vehicle I can get my hands on.