2022 Genesis GV70 AWD 3.5T Sport Prestige in Mauna Red

Genesis Brand – following their successful migration to a standalone brand from the Hyundai premium sedan lineup – has added SUVs to the line.

The first entry is the 2022 GV70 Mid-Size Urban Luxury SUV.

Genesis loaned us a new 2022 GV70 AWD 3.5T Sport Prestige (top-of-line) trim level for drive test a week or two back. It came in Mauna Red w/Obsidian Black interior.

The Sport Prestige trim level GV70 is built on the 3.5T Sport base trim level.  Adding the Sport Advanced ($5,000) and Sport Prestige ($4,900) packages – plus the special Mauna Red color ($500) – and freight, our test GV70 arrived in our garage at MSRP $64,045.

Following our first drive experience, we are left with mixed impressions of this first new SUV from Genesis.

Exterior

The new 2022 Genesis GV70 AWD Sport Prestige key exterior style elements include a Strong Blackout Bezel, Dark Garnished grille mesh w/three-dimensional pattern, unique rear bumper, large circular muffler and body colored diffuser.

Feature elements include LED Quad Headlights w/High Beam Assist, LED Rear Combination Lights, Power Folding Exterior Side Mirrors, Power Panoramic Roof and 21-inch Sport Excusive Alloy Wheels.

NOTE: The 21-inch Alloy Wheels did not impress us. At first glance, and several looks following, they appeared to us to be cheap wheel covers instead of ‘designer’ wheels.  Somewhere, there was a miss on these.

 

Interior

The interior of the GV70 is spacious and comfortable for both driver and passenger. Second row seating is not so spacious – particularly in legroom.  Cargo space behind the second row was adequate, easily accessed by the Power Hands-Free Liftgate.

We struggled a bit with the repeated use of ‘oval shapes’ to define functional and feature spaces, particularly, the dash and instrument cluster.  In our view, ‘blah’. The mixed materials usage for accents in the cabin was also a distraction.

Particularly the optional Carbon Fiber elements in the doors did not work with the rest of the accents.

Nicely done was the 12.3-inch Digital Cluster w/Heads-Up Display.

The GV70 had a good array of premium feature and function elements that did work.

They included Nappa Leather seating surfaces w/Suede Inserts, 16-way Power “Ergo Motion” Driver Seat w/Power Bolster and Seat Cushion Extender, a 12-way Power Passenger Seat, Heated and Ventilated Front Seating, Leatherette Upper Instrument and Door Panels, Tri-zone Climate Control, Heated Rear Seating, Manual Rear Side Shades and Adjustable Interior Ambient Lighting.

The Center Console controls have been mentioned by many.  As others have noted, the double dial controllers – though finely styled – can present some challenge.  The Shift-By-Wire control is appropriately closest to the driver and easy to manage.  Not so easy is the general technology/infotainment rotary dial controller and its interface with the companion roller controllers just forward of the rotary dial.  Not easily intuitive (separate and/or together) they required too much driver attention (away from the road) to manage easily.

A CAUTION: Those roller controllers (at the top) get very hot quickly in the Texas sun – ‘biting’ unsuspecting finger tips looking to adjust volume etc. while driving.

Powertrain / Running Gear

We liked the 3.5L V6 T-GDI engine in our GV70 Sport Prestige.  It produces 375 horsepower w/391 lb.-ft. of torque.  Mated to an 8-speed Automatic Transmission w/Paddle Shifters, we found it very adequately powered the 4,453-pound SUV around town and on the highway.

Power/Drive train features included Smart Cruise Control w/Stop & Go, Multi Terrain Control, Drive Mode Select (NORMAL, SPORT and SPORT +) and an Electronic Limited Slip differential.

A sporty Launch Control Feature enables the 3.5T engine to deliver 0-60 mph acceleration in just under 5 seconds.

Underneath, an Adaptive Electronic Multi-link front and rear suspension and the optional 21-inch wheels deliver a decent drive and ride experience.  The suspension system’s Preview Electronic Control tailors the ride as you drive.  Using forward mounted cameras, it reads the characteristics of the road bed in conjunction with information from the navigation systems adjusting the suspension continuously.

In summary, the GV70 AWD 3.5T Sport Prestige drives bigger than it is and more like a luxury sedan than a SUV.  It is a good drive powered by the 3.5T V6.

Technology / Infotainment

A separate ‘brand’ in the Hyundai family, Genesis benefits from and uses much of the innovative technology found in higher-level Hyundai brand vehicles.

Some of the notable technology features on the GV70 included Genesis Digital Key, Lexicon Premium 16-speaker Audio System, a bright 14.5-inch Touchscreen w/Premium Navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Wireless Smartphone Charging, Remote Smart Parking Assistant (aka ‘smaht pahk’) plus dual front and rear USB Ports, 12-V power outlets front and cargo, 110V power outlet second row and more

OF NOTE: Innovative (and helpful if you forgot your key) is the Biometric Fingerprint Authentication System which will allow you to start the car without your key.

Safety / Convenience

The Genesis GV70 features some of the latest safety and convenience technologies available.

Featured elements include a high-quality Surround View Monitor System with unique Blind-View Monitors located in the instrument cluster plus Forward Collision Avoidance Assist w/Pedestrian and Cyclist, Lane Side, Lane Change, Junction Turning, Junction Crossing and Evasive Steering Assist.

Other elements included are: Forward Collision Assist, Blind Collision Assist, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Forward Attention Warning, Navigation Based Smart Cruise Control, Highway Driving Assist II, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist, Safe Exit Assist, Advanced Rear Occupant Alert and more

Warranty            

The 2022 GV70 coverage includes and industry leading 5-year 60,000-mile New Vehicle and a 10-year 100,000-mile Powertrain warranty.

Also included is the Genesis Experience – which includes 3-year 36,000-mile complimentary maintenance with Valet Service plus 3-year complimentary Genesis Connected Services and Map Care.

Genesis GV70 Lineup

The 2023 Genesis GV70 is available with two powertrain (model) options, the 3.5T Turbo V6 or a 2.5T Turbo 4-cylinder.  Both are AWD and use the 8-speed Automatic Transmission.

Trims:

Learn more about the 2022 Genesis GV70 HERE: https://www.genesis.com/us/en/2022/genesis-gv70.html

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KEY DATA:   2022 Genesis GV70 AWD Sport Prestige

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