Genesis GV70: something genuinely new for SUV lovers

South Korean manufacturer Hyundai’s latest addition to its luxury car brand Genesis, the GV70, provides a masterclass in affordable yet lavish motoring. Its bold aesthetics aim to please and make quite a statement, says Tom White in Australia’s CarsGuide magazine.

Its “signature design elements”, including the curved bodywork and V-shaped grille and badge, emulate a Bentley’s, and have made it into something “distinctively unique”. The GV70 looks like it will succeed in offering SUV enthusiasts something genuinely new – unlike rival offerings from Toyota and Nissan.

Happy with hoonery and refined cruising 

Its corpulent frame has impeded the performance a little, but it’s no slouch, accelerating from rest to 62mph in a smooth 7.9 seconds and going on to a top speed of 133mph (for the 2.2-litre diesel model; a petrol version is also available). And the car can be great fun when you want to floor it, says Jake Groves in Car magazine. From a set of dials that are “properly Tron-like”, you select from a variety of drive modes, ranging from the relatively tame “Eco” to “Sport+’”, which disables the traction control and ramps up the power.

The result can be exciting, even if raw speed isn’t the main feature of the car. “It’s quick to react to your inputs, giving you a surge of power and a sporty soundtrack to accompany it if you hoof it. The all-wheel drive system is unfazed by all of your hoonery; there’s no understeer even if you get silly with your corner speeds.” Still, the car is made more for elegant cruising than boy racing and its 1,985kg heft anchors you to the road while the effective suspension floats you effortlessly over unexpected potholes.  

The high-quality interior is impressive too, says Alex Ingram in AutoExpress. It’s clear that “great care has been taken to ensure that all of the bits you touch most often are finished to a high standard” and tech-inclined drivers will be pleased with the wireless phone-charging ports, futuristic dash with 14.5-inch touchscreen, and hi-tech augmented-reality navigation programme.

More clever tech comes with the optional Innovation Pack (£4,190)”, says Motoring Research, which includes remote hands-free parking, surround-view cameras and a child-safety system that prevents the rear doors from opening if a car or cyclist is approaching. All in all, the Genesis GV70 is cheaper than a Bentley, better looking than your average Volvo, and packed full of tomorrow’s best gadgets. It’s something of a steal and an indulgence at the same time. Prices from £39,450