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Genesis is on a hot streak lately. Both the G70 sports sedan and the brand’s first SUV, the GV80, have collected Car and Driver 10Best trophies. Now comes the GV70—smaller than the GV80, this new crossover is based on the G70 sedan—and while it was not able to nab a 10Best award in its debut year, it is fresh off a comparison test win against two longtime segment staples: the BMW X3 and Lexus RX350.
That great initial impression is now going to be followed by a 40,000-mile stress test. Will our strong feelings for this new Genesis last? We’re about to find out.
Our journey with the GV70 began at the grand opening of the Genesis brand’s first standalone North American dealership, which is in Lafayette, Louisiana. A storm advancing from the Gulf prompted us to take quick delivery and hit the road. The dealer put the plates on, handed us the keys, and we headed north toward Michigan.
With our long-term G70 sedan, our biggest regret was not getting the more powerful engine. So, we made sure to not make the same mistake this time. We skipped over the GV70’s standard 300-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter four in favor of the optional 375-hp twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6.
After a roughly 1700-mile road trip bisecting the eastern part of the country, the GV70 hit the track for its initial test. The sprint to 60 mph took 4.6 seconds, and the Genesis reached the quarter-mile in 13.3 seconds at 104 mph. So far, we’re averaging 21 mpg, and that figure matches the EPA’s combined rating. On our 75-mph highway test loop, we achieved 23 mpg, slightly lower than the EPA’s 25-mpg estimate.
Upgrading to the 3.5T brings a plethora of sporty and luxurious features, too, including an adaptive suspension with road preview, a panoramic sunroof, and leather. On top of that, we got the $9900 Sport Prestige package. It adds 21-inch wheels and an electronically controlled limited-slip differential, among other features. Wearing a set of Michelin Primacy all-season tires, our car pulled 0.82 g around the skidpad and required 180 feet to come to a halt from 70 mph. That’s a bit off compared to the GV70’s more performance-focused German rivals, but we’re not complaining as the ride is tuned well for daily driving.
If you do get after it on a back road, the 16-way power driver’s seat bolsters hug you and keep you snug when cornering. As part of the Sport Prestige package, our car is equipped with suede seat inserts and headliner and has carbon-fiber trim. These materials help create a posh interior environment that reminds us of far more expensive SUVs, and we’re sure to enjoy 40,000 miles in an interior this sublime. The GV70 3.5T comes standard with Highway Driving Assist II—we’ll let you know how this Level 2 driver-assist system operates as we embark on numerous summer road trips.
Genesis offers an extensive color palette on the GV70, including hues such as Barossa Burgundy and Cardiff Green, but due to supply shortages we settled for a pre-built car that’s finished in Uyuni White, a $500 option. We’re not complaining about the dull white-on-black livery, but there surely are more interesting options. The 3.5T features oversized dual tailpipes that poke through the black mesh surround on the rear bumper for a more extroverted look than the upright pentagonal exhaust tips on the 2.5T. The V-6 model also gets black trim on the bumpers and side skirts.
In its comparison-test win, we said that “the GV70 puts an exclamation point on Genesis’s ability to compete in the heart of the luxury market.” Over the next 40,000 miles, we’ll let you know if that punctuation still stands.
Months in Fleet: 1 months Current Mileage: 4032 miles
Average Fuel Economy: 21 mpg
Fuel Tank Size: 17.4 gal Fuel Range: 360 miles
Service: $0 Normal Wear: $0 Repair: $0
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