2022 Genesis GV70 3.5T AWD - Bottom Line Review

SECOND KOREAN PRESTIGE CUV DESCENDANT: Ants can attest that certain species evolve from competitive survival to thriving of the fittest by downsizing. Automaker Genesis could nearly be forgiven for a late arrival to the luxury sport activity vehicle show with the diamond grille GV80 mid-sizer sampled by Roadblazing.com last year. But now the luxury upstart has conceived, gestated and brought forth what portends to be the brand's best seller, the more dimensionally measured 2022 Genesis GV70 SAV.

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WHAT: All new 2022 Genesis GV70 3.5T AWD Sport Prestige mid-size 2 or 3-row (3.5T V-6 only) luxury crossover utility vehicle, built on Hyundai - Kia M3 modular platform.

Standard Power: intercooled twin-scroll turbocharged 2.5L, direct injected, dual VVT-i DOHC 16V I-4 gas engine = 300 hp/ 311 lb-ft @ 1650 rpm + 8-speed planetary automatic transaxle.

Optional Power: intercooled twin-scroll turbocharged 3.5L, direct injected, dual VVT-i DOHC 24V V-6 gas engine = 375 hp/ 391 lb-ft @ 1300 rpm + 8-speed planetary automatic transaxle.

• Idle Stop and Go
• 6 Drive modes: Comfort, Eco, Snow, Sport, Sport Plus, Custom
• Standard Drivetrain: PTU to viscous multi-clutch differential all-wheel drive
• Variable brake effort and audio enhanced exhaust sound settings

WHAT (A) STYLING DIFFERENCE: 2022 Genesis GV70, the second and more compact, of the luxury brand's latest crossover sport activity vehicles, cribs the larger GV80's long hood, low cowl, swept back windshield, acute rear sloping roof profile. The latest Genesis corporate nose with oversized blingey diamond lattice grille flanked by split upper & lower quad LED lighting traced by tandem twin lateral amber/ white LED directionals/ DRLs.  The final result absolutely enters the sport activity coupe realm while avoiding most of the genre's utility compromises.

Variations on GV80 Front & Sides: √ Dark lattice lower front fascia corner ducts; √ Smooth lateral roll of hood to fenders; √ More acute rising lower cheat line styling crease; √ Acute upper fender to quarter panel crease, splitting off to upper quarter panel crease; √ Instead of Hofmeister kink, upper greenhouse style band dips in C-pillar underlining window forming slender coupe-like D-pillar.

Zuffenhausen- ed  Rear: Aiming for a sportier coupe stance the 2022 Genesis GV70 adopts a positively bulbous, smoothly curved hatchback slope; √ Buttress free body color roof spoiler; √  Tall liftgate backlight; √ Mid liftgate centered "Genesis" lettering flanked by wrap-around tandem thinner LED taillamps & directionals; Subtle outward canting lower liftgate crease; √ Lattice imprinted lower rear fascia with inverted trapezoid license plate crater, with integrated outboard dual polished round tip exhaust outlets; √ Dark clad lower rear diffuser.

Stand-Out GV70 Styling Cues:

• ♦ Sublime matte paint option easy to dust off
• ♦ Matching tandem lateral directional / DRL lighting aligned fully around perimeter
• ♦ Chrome bands on lower front fascia, lower body skirting, rear bumper cover with reflectors

WHY: Second Child from First Book of Korean Luxury Carmaking driven forth into prestige compact crossover segment.

WHEN: On-Sale (in the U.S.) since Winter 2021-2022

WHERE: Genesis new vehicle dealers

WHERE MADE: Ulsan, South Korea

WHERE TO: Lockable 50:50 all-wheel drive torque split + 7.3" place the 2022 Genesis GV70 3.5T Sport Prestige above un-plowed road snow, but 21" all-season performance rubber will mire in mud.

HOW ROADWORTHY:

Twin turbocharged gas six cylinder power has proven itself worthy successor to the atmospheric aspirated Vee Eight. Ample low end grunt swells out of the GV70 3.5 liter 24-valve twin-charged six pot, though its more restrained than frenzied. Affirmative shifts from the in-house 8-speed automatic passes the power to the rear biased wet clutch differential. Sport Plus mode, defeating the traction control, and meaningfully sized magnesium steering wheel shift paddles can accomplish an eager gallop into triple digit territory. Audio system artificial aural enhancement can be varied in intensity but it best silenced.

Owing to its compactness, the 2022 Genesis GV70 reverts to a front strut lower arm suspension. The 3.5T Sport Prestige trim tours grandly with barely any jostle on 21" inch alloys. As an aggressive sport package effort the GV70 3.5T Sport Prestige falls somewhat short as steering weight is lighter than anticipated. Also the Michelin Primacy all season footwear gives up ultimate lateral grip compared to the competition's sportiest lines and road feel is too muted. Vented disc brakes, abetted by front four-piston fixed calipers still demand a bit of pedal effort to slow down from sanctionable speeds. Drive mode settings do offer a unique variable brake effort adjustment, but the aggressive setting is simply too head jerking hyper reactive for any environment lacking a checkered flag. Can someone say, "Kindly bring an N-Line version?"

HOW FAR: 19 combined miles per gallon observed fuel economy; 435 miles highway range.

HOW BIG/ LITTLE: Firmly a larger mid-size crossover, Genesis GV70 = -1.0" inches wheelbase vs. a three-row Hyundai Palisade full size family SUV.

- 2021 Genesis GV70 113.2" wheelbase = 2.2" > Audi SQ5, 0.4" > BMW X3 M40

37.2"-inches Row 2 legroom = 0.8" < Audi SQ5; 0.8" > BMW X3 M40

HOW USEFUL: √ Low load floor floor bumper cover chrome scuff plate; √ Manual & trunk cable release tilting & folding 60/40% split 2nd Row seatbacks; √ Front seat back aft net map pockets; √ Available cargo shade; +1 Wide front seat cushion; +1 Front & 2nd Row door pocket

PARTICULARLY USEFUL: +1 Proximity operating, dual speed power liftgate

Not So Useful: -1 4-prong tow package receiver requires 7-prong trailer adapter

• 2021 Genesis GV80  56.1 cu. ft. cargo space (max.) = 4% > Audi SQ5 ; 11% < BMW X3 M40
• 2021 Genesis GV80  3500 pounds towing = 900 lbs. < Audi SQ5 ; 900 lbs. < BMW X3 M40

HOW SAFE: √ IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus ; √ 8 airbags; √ Rear camera; √ Forward & rear sonar park assist; √ Blind Spot Warning (available); √ Forward collision & pedestrian avoidance braking; √ Full adaptive cruise control; √ Lane departure warning, keep assist, trace; √ Rear Cross Traffic Alert, collision avoidance; √ Automatic high beam headlamps; √ Auto parking brake hold; +1 Lane change assist

SAFETY STANDOUTS: +1 Bird's Eye view Rear camera; Approaching side traffic 2nd Row door lock-in with daylight bicycle recognition; Sonar based 2nd Row occupant minder which notifies in cabin & by smart phone application.

+1 Outward visibility from low cowl, narrow front & side pillars, tall tailgate window;

HOW PEOPLE FRIENDLY: Prestige brands create living quarters that reach out to make a personal connection with driver and occupants. The new Genesis GV70 accomplishes the goal with an elegance in comprehensive convenience and comfort packaged in a cohesive setting. As with all the latest Hyundai and Genesis products the demarcation between upper and lower dash tier includes a triple metallic banded climate vent style line which spans to the middle upper door panels.

Mimicking the jelly bean exterior, all major dash door and center console panels and housings are either carbon fiber or satin aluminum long elliptical panels. Exquisite switches respond to light touch, motors whisper rather than whir, and controls are are grouped without clutter. The ample diameter thick glove rimmed steering wheel adopts the traditional 4-spoke layout, with delicately stitched center boss. The GV70 cabin manages airiness in a compact package. There is no shortage of bespoke materials such as satin aluminum, carbon fiber, stainless steel, simulated suede, and carefully stitched split grain leathers. Trick touches include a single lateral spoke steering and a floating center stack convenient for purse storage.

• +1 No hokey watch dial clock on dashboard is courageous for the segment
• -1 Dashtop pod rather than embedded media display; Grooved barrel aluminum audio controls in the center console; Rotary dial transmission selector located so close to the rotary remote infotainment dial in center console

√ Heated & cooled 23-way driver, 16-way front pax power seats, w/ 2-setting memory; √ 4 power windows w/ full up/ down express; √ Rear door front & cross controlled power sunshades; √ Puddle lamps at each door; √ Row 2 remote front pax seat pitch adjust; √ Panoramic moon roof

Cool Gizmo(s): √ "3-D" TFT drive mode variable virtual instrument cluster; √ Recessed dish media display rotary dial remote controller, script text pad; √ Driver's seat optimal posture settings; √ Driver's seat massage; √ Driver's door Genesis winged logo puddle lamp; √ Variable custom color LED ambient cabin lighting; √ Aft front center console Row 2 digital climate control panel; +/- Hyundai "Sounds of Nature" mood audio sounds includes clanking dishware at a sidewalk cafe;

Extra Cool Gizmo !!: ++ Biometric security capacitive finger print reader, (located mid dash, left of climate control panel), bypassing valet mode and activating CarPay applications.

Details Done Right: √ Drive mode color variable 12.3"-inch color TFT instrument MFD cluster / drive status display; √ Fully padded and contrast stitched dashboard; √ Middle dashboard pebble graining; √ Carbon fiber middle dashboard, center console and door panel accents; √ Brushed aluminum vent bezels and grooved dampers; √ Grooved brushed aluminum toggle integrated steering wheel spoke controls; √ Brushed aluminum dashboard media switch buttons and accents; √ Microsuede headliner & pillars; √ Contrast stitched, leather + microsuede seating; √ Variable color full cabin ambient lighting; √ Power Tilt / telescoping heated leather & wood steering wheel; √ Exposed stitched leather dash cover & hinged ceiling pull handles; √ Stainless steel door audio speaker covers;

Nearly Non-Descript: -1 Seats have short cushions and limited lateral support; Leather feels thin; Hard plastic front seat backs advertise scuffs; Front climate display reflections

HOW "APP" -LICABLE: √ Center dash-top 14.5"-inch capacitive touch LCD infotainment 80:20 split pane screen + driving landscape home screen √ Rotary remote controller w/ touch pad script; +1 Large touch display icons; √ Voice learning hands-free communications; √ Native GPS HD voice command, guidance navigation; √ 9-speaker, 450 W Mobis audio w/ streaming audio & HD radio; √ Mobile powered Android Auto/ Apple Car Play application & navigation overlays; √ BlueLink Apps.

√ Audiophile Upgrade: 16 speaker, w/ Kevlar cones, 1050 Watt, 14 channel DSP 7.1 DTS Lexicon streaming audio is a bit punchy down low, owing to twin 8.0" subwoofers under the front seats, and slightly more brassy at higher frequencies than expected, but leaves little doubt that the audio outfitter stands with the best in soundstage fidelity and depth.

√ Subscription based: Sirius XM & Sirius XM TravelLink (90 days included trial); Connected Services telematics (5 years included)

√ USB-C x 4, 12V x 2 (incl. cargo bay); 110V AC x 1; +1 Damped sliding covered center console bin w/ Qi wireless charging

HOW MUCH: $65,045 = 2022 Genesis GV70 3.5T Sport Prestige AWD

WHAT'S MISSING: Less confusing center console rotary remote infotainment and transmission controllers, infotainment performance data display

ANY COMPETITION:  Audi SQ5: +1 cabin controls and finish;  BMW X3 M40: +1 twin-turbo inline-6, raceway digital instrument cluster; AMG Mercedes Benz GLC 43: Benz cabin and on road serenity, TT I-6; Volvo XC60 T8 Recharge: +1 PHEV and PHEV power, seats which fit like gloves

BOTTOM LINE: Compelling new compact luxury crossover utility vehicle driven forth from Garden of Eden.

(Contributing Editors: J. Flynn)