2023 Genesis GV70

The luxury SUV market has never been more competitive, and the trendy compact luxury SUV class is where it's the hottest. This class demands luxury with a sporty edge, and the Genesis GV70 has to face off with heavy hitters like the BMW X3 and Audi Q5. The Genesis GV70 has a simple strategy; it aims to be more luxurious, comfortable, and capable than its European rivals while undercutting them on price. This may be enough to overcome its lack of brand recognition. In our experience, this Japanese contender has all the elements to take the crown from established players, including an excellent 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine or twin-turbo V6 developing 375 horsepower. It's just a matter of making it common knowledge that the GV70 is just one of a range of excellent products from Genesis.

It is a wonder how Genesis has squeezed so many standard features into the GV70 while keeping the price this competitive. The entry-level 2.5T AWD goes for an MSRP of $42,900 excluding tax, registration, and a destination fee of $1,095 in the USA. The Audi Q5, in base form, costs $44,200, and the BMW X3 goes for $45,400 with RWD or $47,400 with AWD. Both have fewer standard features and are significantly less powerful. Adding the Select package to the 2.5T will cost you $3,750, while the Advanced adds $8,650, and the Sport Prestige is a $12,800 increase over the base price.

Stepping up to the 3.5T AWD sees the price increase to $55,000. At this point, you can add the Sport Advanced package for $4,950 and the Sport Prestige for $9,900. Prices quoted here exclude a $1,095 destination charge.

Two aspects are weighted heavily in this segment: comfort and performance. The GV70 covers both of these with finesse - comfort is excellent, and there's good isolation from road noise and abrasive surfaces. The suspension setup is compliant, and it irons out uneven tarmac without too much effort. The Sport package adds a firmer ride, which is necessary for enhanced cornering. Since it's not overly harsh and the benefits include allowing the powertrain to hustle the GV70 along eagerly, it works in this application. Engaging Sport mode allows snippets of enthusiasm to shine through, which is a vast improvement over Comfort mode. Sport+ is a little too aggressive and can be a little too hard to tame in the urban environment. Adding the Sport Prestige package also fits a limited slip rear differential and torque-vectoring.

Between the chassis and the steering, there's responsiveness and grip that inspires confidence. The GV70 strikes a fine balance between playful and mannered, and it'll do the school run just as well as it will enjoy giving you some thrills around town.

The compact luxury crossover SUV segment can feel crowded at times, and for many manufacturers, this is a make-or-break class. Competitors to the Genesis GV70 are respected, though, with the BMW X3 and Audi Q5 having laid down the blueprints for how to succeed. Genesis has done its homework, though. This Japanese luxury crossover takes what the Europeans have to offer and turns up the dial in nearly every category. The styling is on point, the interior, especially in the top trim, is exceptionally luxurious and well-built, and the overall driving experience is on par or better than the best. We love both engines, but we'd recommend stretching for the boisterous V6. The IIHS's safety review of the Genesis GV70 is stellar, resulting in a Top Safety Pick+ award, making this car an even better value proposition than before.

For most people, the 2.5T without any packages will be plenty of crossover and represents the best value for money. As a new family vehicle, it excels in style, comfort, and cargo space. However, we wouldn't blame anyone for adding the Select package for a wheel, sound, and seating upgrade. The Sport Prestige is a hefty upgrade that should be considered if you're going to be putting in serious seat time in your GV70.

While we said the 3.5T AWD isn't a match for the X3 M, that doesn't mean we would rule it out, as it's not trying to compete there. If you're looking for exhilaration and entertaining driving dynamics as well as luxury and utility, but not a track monster, then the 3.5T AWD doesn't need the exclusive Sport Prestige package. However, if you take your backroad bombing seriously, you'll want to tick that box and go all in.