The Genesis GV70 has been given a ‘wash and brush-up’ with refined safety, comfort and convenience features for 2025. The already spiffy mid-size SUV has come in for a maker’s spruce-up to help it keep up with a highly competitive bunch of rivals, including the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and the Lexus NX.
Genesis has shuffled the model range, dealing three grades – Advanced, Signature and Signature Sport – with the choice of a 2.5 litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, or 3.5 litre turbo V6 petrol, both mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Prices have taken a leap (more than 15 grand depending on variant) but so have the equipment packages. Safety and driver assist technology have been tickled, along with cabin opulence. The entry-level GV70 Advanced 2.5T AWD clocks in at $78,500, plus on-road costs, while the flagship Signature Sport V6 3.5T AWD tips the scales at six figures ($100,000).
My driveway was honoured with a stint with the Signature Sport – far from hard to take. Not hard to take were 27-inch infotainment display, windscreen head-up projection, climate control at a touch and over-the-air system updates.
Safety has been boosted by intelligent speed limit assist with convenient steering wheel short cut button. Signature grade occupants are spoiled by a Bang and Olufsen audio, air aroma diffuser and UV-C sterilisation compartment.
Further luxury is conveyed from the road at the behest of a stack of chassis, suspension and NVH refinements, conveyed in the Signature Sport by a list of styling features unique to the flagship.
All 2025 GV70 private use vehicles come with a Genesis five-year unlimited kilometre warranty, five-year complimentary servicing and up to ten years roadside assist program. A concierge and courtesy vehicle service are also on offer for five years.
STYLING
Refreshed GV70 styling is led by an array of micro lens headlights and, for Sport, double-mesh G-Matrix grill, featuring a unique geometric pattern, with dark chrome garnish, exclusive front bumper and larger air intakes, plus dual muffler.
The rear also has gained a reinforced spoiler focusing on redesigned wide seamless lighting where turn signals ape the up-front two-line layout and are fully integrated with the taillights.
The flagship rolls on exclusive 21-inch wheels with black coloured brake callipers peering out between the five spokes.
INTERIOR
The GV70 cabin blends leading-edge tech and quality surroundings across the range, while stepping up from Advanced a couple of notches to Signature Sport adds Nappa leather sports seat upholstery with piping and quilting mirroring the G-Matrix grille.
Front seats are adjusted with what the maker calls Ergo motion and are heated, as are the rear positions and steering wheel. A flat-bottom sport steering wheel grabs the driver’s attention, just like Sport trim door garnishes and metal pedals. And who can forget the contrasting orange seatbelts?
The boot is unchanged with space for 542 litres of luggage with the rear seatbacks up, expanding to 1678 litres with seatbacks folded. There’s room only for a temporary spare wheel under the floor.
INFOTAINMENT
The dashboard is dominated by a single 27-inch OLED display, which actually acts as a divide display for infotainment and driver’s instrument cluster. Users interact by touch, voice or dial commands.
Sat nav under guidance will present a map across the entire display, at the same time giving out key driving information via the windscreen head-up display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity comes through the infotainment screen.
A B&O high-res audio delivers true rich sound and unique tonal quality through 16 speakers with aluminium covers matching the G-Matrix radiator grille. If that’s not sufficient, music can be integrated with scent, lighting and massage via a Mood Curator with a choice of Vitality, Delight, Care and Comfort. I do not jest!
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 awaken the SUV climate controls, enter destinations on the sat nav and check where the vehicle is standing. New for this model is the ability to access over-the-air software and firmware updates without a visit to a service centre.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
Genesis GV70 buyers have a choice of two powertrains. There’s the GV70 Advanced with its 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder motor delivering 224kW and 422Nm, the Signature’s V6, a powerful twin-turbo V6 pumping out a healthy 279kW and 530Nm. It’s married to a slick eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission sending power to all four wheels.
SAFETY
All 2025 GV70 vehicles incorporate an upgraded safety aspects which include highway driving assist 2, forward collision avoidance assist 2, augmented real-time navigation based on smart cruise control. Added is remote smart parking assist 2, and front and side reverse parking collision avoidance assist.
DRIVING
The Signature power is provided by a powerful yet refined twin-turbo V6 pumping out 279kW at 5800rpm and 530Nm between 1300 and 4500 revs. Mated with an eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission, sending drive to all four wheels, the flagship tackled town and country with nary a complaint.
The eight-speed auto accompanied power play with ease slipping between notches unnoticed in the cosy, yet far from claustrophobic cabin. Road noise was negated by Genesis active Noise Control cancelling sound waves through cabin speakers.
The V6 also benefited from adaptive suspension that can be set to either Comfort or Sport. Comfort supple, soaking up bumps, a constant reminder of neglect of Australian roads. Steering offered direct contact with varying conditions.
The manufacturer claims combined urban/highway fuel consumption of 11.3 litres per 100 kilometres. The car on test was spot on in the city and came up with 7.5 litres of 95 RON premium unleaded per 100 kilometres on a motorway run.
SUMMARY
Since the Genesis GV70 debuted in December 2020, more than 200,000 units have been sold worldwide, making it one of the best sellers in the mid-range SUV segment. Potential buyers should look beyond the sizable price increases of the mid-cycle upgrade. There’s a pleasant surprise in the package.
RATINGS
Looks – 8
Performance – 8
Safety – 7
Thirst – 7
Practicality – 7
Comfort – 8
Tech – 8
Value – 7
AT A GLANCE
MODEL LINE-UP
Genesis GV70 Advanced 2.5T AWD $78,500
Genesis GV70 Signature 2.5T AWD $87,500
Genesis GV70 Signature V6 3.5T AWD $98,000
Genesis GV70 Signature Sport 2.5T AWD $89,500
Genesis GV70 Signature Sport V6 3.5T AWD $100,000
Option, matte paint $2000
Note: these prices do not include government of dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Genesis dealer for drive-away prices.
SPECIFICATIONS (Genesis GV70 Signature Sport 3.5-litre V6 turbocharged petrol, 8sp auto, AWD)
ENGINE
Configuration: Six cylinders ‘V’ configuration
Capacity: 3470cc
Maximum power 279kW @ 5800rpm
Maximum torque: 530Nm 1300-4500rpm
Fuel type: Premium unleaded petrol 95 RON
Combined fuel cycle: (ADR 81/02) 11.3L/100km
Fuel tank: 66L
DRIVELINE: Eight-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT, AND CAPACITIES
Length: 4715mm
Width: 1910mm
Height: 1630mm
Wheelbase: 2875mm
Turning circle: 11.5m
Tare weight: 2088kg
BRAKES
Front: Ventilated disc
Rear: Disc
STANDARD WARRANTY
Five years / unlimited kilometres
10 years roadside assist / unlimited kilometres
