Genesis GV70 review

This comfort-first ethos carries into the GV70’s interior, which is fantastically lavish.

Tick a few options boxes – and build up a spec equivalent to the car in our Genesis GV70 review video – and you’ll have an SUV with soft leather seats, massage functions and a general poshness not normally seen in cars that cost less than seventy grand.

Best of all, the interior design – including its digital tech, complete with Apple Carplay/Android Auto– are all beautifully finished.

Engines and power

With either a 2.2-litre diesel engine or a 2.5-litre petrol under the bonnet, the GV70 has plenty of turbocharged power in both current forms.

But it’s also quite thirsty, with the diesel capable of a respectable but not exactly mind-bending 40 miles per gallon (mpg) on a run, while the petrol offers 30mpg on a cruise.

Enter the city and the 2.5 model can quickly halve that figure.

There's also an electric version, and while it can be considerably cheaper to run, it's quite a heavy SUV, so it's not the most efficient electric car out there.

That being said, when it comes to muscle and performance, it’s hard to argue with the grunt offered by the 207hp diesel or 304hp petrol.

Handling and ride comfort

The GV70 is a big car but it charges along no matter the setting, doing a good job of ironing out the road imperfections below thanks to clever suspension technology.

Using cameras mounted on the nose, the GV70 can ‘see’ cracks and potholes ahead, slackening its electronically controlled suspension when necessary to help smooth them out. It’s not sporty, but it is brilliantly comfortable.

Rear seats

The interior space is generous, if not class leading. Front passengers are given loads of adjustment options for the seats, while rear passengers on the three-seat back bench can set their seats upright or more laid back.

They even get rear climate control and lots of leg and head room.

Boot space

And that’s not at the compromise of boot space, because the GV70 can easily swallow a trio of suitcases for the family getaway, and more – especially if you fold down one or more of the back seats.

Reliability

Being part of Hyundai won’t do it any harm, because that brand has made a name for itself when it comes to build quality.

Also, the relative simplicity of the petrol and diesel powertrains – which don’t get hybrid tech like some rivals – means there’s less to go wrong.

Fuel economy

It also means fuel costs will be higher than the class average, which may prove significant if you’re the sort of SUV driver that does lots of miles each month.

But the key to the GV70’s appeal is its lower-than-average list price, with rivals not managing to offer so much plushness for your pounds.