2026 Genesis GV70 3.5T Sport Prestige AWD - A really nice SUV but it needs updating

 

As the title says, I think the GV70 needs updating. Nothing wrong with the style, the GV70 still looks good to me. No the updating, or redesign, is needed inside. And maybe with Genesis itself.

When one of the selling points for Genesis is "The navigation display gets an impressive upgrade with the new, expansive 27-inch screen. The customizable user experience allows a wealth of information to be displayed, while voice commands keep your hands firmly on the wheel," maybe the emphasis on the driving experience has been lost. Nobody needs a 27-inch screen. Maybe there is someone out there who thought "what I want is a screen that stretches from one side to the other" but I've never met anyone.

Then there are the dueling knobs. At least I wasn't constantly confused by which one does what. I've driven enough Geneses (evidently this is at least one plural of Genesis) that I remember to look before I twist.

The top one does a whole bunch of stuff - I ignored it. The bottom one is the shifter. You know what works as a shifter? A lever. 

That's it for my gripes. But my wife did wonder why the seat belts were brilliant orange. I realize the belts match the piping on the seats, but the piping is subtle, the belts are not.

Okay, okay, let me turn to something positive. Like the engine. There are two engine choices and of course the test GV70 came with the most powerful, the twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6. I'm sure Genesis could wring out more than the 375 hp, and 391 lb-ft but the GV70 is not a race car, it is a luxury SUV. Pushing the power through the 8-speed automatic to all four wheels (AWD) this engine moves the 4,652 lb from 0-60 mph in 5.0 seconds flat according to Car and Driver. 

Weight and power are not your friend when it comes to economy. Still the GV70 is capable of 18-mpg around town and 25-mpg on the highway.

When driving the GV70 you do feel the avoirdupois. The road hugging weight doesn't make it sloppy on the back roads but you know it's there. 

I really don't know where the race to the largest tire/wheel will go. The GV70 tested had 21" rims! The tires were 255/40R21.

I'm not usually a SUV guy but I'd make an exception for the 2026 Genesis GV70 3.5T Sport Prestige. It is not a SUV you need a stepstool to get in or out of. It's comfortable and roomy. There is up to 56.9 cubic feet of storage. Four adults can ride in comfort. There were no options (other than paint color) on the test GV70 and none were needed because it has everything you need as standard. 

The GV70 is pricey but maybe not as pricey as you'd think. A GV70 Sport Advanced AWD starts at $63,415; the GV70 3.5T Sport Prestige AWD starts at $70,095. There is only one exterior color that is not an extra cost - white. This seems strange to me. One hue, Makalu Gray Matte, is an extra $1,500!

There is a less expensive model, a 2.5T (4-cylinder) that starts at $47,985.

Prices are from genesis.com.