2022 Genesis GV70 Review
2022 Genesis GV70
Price as tested: $64,000
3.5 Liter Twin Turbo V6
375 HP / 391 TQ
16.8 MPG as observed
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Guy who did stuff: Yousef Alvi
Mark this day on your mental calendar folks. This is the day that Genesis hurled down the proverbial gauntlet to the automotive world, that gauntlet is the 2022 Genesis GV70. Sure, there were some fine Genesis vehicles in the past but all of them lacked the…..errrr
“cohesiveness”
of the Germans and even the Japanese rivals. They had the style and sometimes the performance but there was always a sense of hollowness, a feeling of a luxurious veneer rather than substantive heft of richness found in the likes of Audi, Lexus, BMW and the rest. In other words
“Where their rival’s doors closed with an authoritative ‘thud or thunk’ those previous Genesis’ closed with a tinny ‘clank’ ”
Not anymore…this GV70 is brimming with style AND substance. Sure, it’s not perfect but it’s so very close to it. Let’s go ahead and break it down:
The Great
Well just look at it! If you want an example of elegance in the automotive world, just look at this GV70. Combining looks that would make an Alfa Romeo jealous and an interior that belongs in MOMA…the GV70 is jaw dropping inside and out!
I say this without hesitation…this is the best looking Crossover on the road today. Just stunning!
The Good
One of the best dashboard design I have ever seen. It looks stunning! The HVAC controls are easy to use, clear to read and weirdly fun to use.
The 3.5 Liter Twin Turbo V6 delivers a wallop of grin inducing torque from a dig and the midrange bolted to a finely tuned 8 speed automatic.
The Bad
Well there is no sugar coating this…the gas mileage is atrocious. A 150 mile highway trip netted only 20 mpg, averaging 77 mph.
Our 7 day average was even worse with a paltry 16.8 MPG!
If Genesis is to succeed in this realm, efficiency is something that is dire need of addressing. I’m hoping their EV lineup doesn’t exhibit the same characteristics.
The Ugly
With an as tested price of $64,000, this compact luxury crossover isn’t a bargain. It’s so expensive in fact that it is actually more expensive than some of it’s German rivals. A 200 mile search via CarGurus on the X3 M40i, SQ5 and the GLC43, then averaging the price listed…the GV70 was ended up being $2000 to $3000 more than either with only the GLC43 being more.
Adding the difference in price, performance and efficiency…it is hard to look past the German brands in comparison and that is before we talk about the seating.
The front seats are back achingly bad. Hard and unforgiving the front seats are a clear misstep in an interior that is brimming with greatness.
The Overall
The 2022 Genesis GV70 is an outstanding entry in a very competitive market. Boasting the best looks along with the best looking interior…should be enough to sway some buyers away from the German stalwarts. While it’s rock hard seats, expensive price, higher depreciation, lower performance and awful gas mileage may not sway others.
