Korean architecture incorporates the value of life from everyday interactions with nature and harmony with the surrounding environment. This communion with nature has resulted in simple homes without frills, yet not at all destitute.
The same can be said about the Genesis GV70’s interior, which is inspired by this Korean ‘Beauty of White Space’ architectural philosophy. Tranquility is created by an open, uncluttered cabin with luxurious elements that can be enjoyed by all occupants.
The GV70 may be the mid-sized SUV in the Genesis range, but offers many inclusions as standard across all variants. To create the aforementioned harmony in the cabin there is acoustic laminated windshield and front door glass, genuine leather appointed seats with 12-way power front seats including 4-way lumbar that are heated and ventilated, leather appointed dashboard, door trim and console package with real stitching, adjustable ambient lighting, and the list goes on.
I recently drove the top of the line GV70 3.5T AWD Sport with the optional Luxury Package fitted ($6,600). This takes the level of appointment up a notch with quilted Nappa leather appointed seats with an 18-way adjustable driver’s seat with Ergo Motion massage function, heated second row seats, Suede headlining/pillars, heated steering wheel, 3D effect backlit trim that is visible even in daylight and great looking, a 16 speaker, 1050W Lexicon by HARMAN audio and 3-zone climate control.
The diamond etching on the rotary drive selector and controller for the infotainment system above the gear selector is Bentley-esque and very nice looking. However, I did find that on more than one occasion I grabbed the infotainment controller when I wanted to change gears. The same etching is replicated on the touch points throughout the cabin.
I really liked that the digital climate controls had haptic feedback and were easy to use for seat climate adjustments, for me the cooled front seats were good and the heated function worked nicely as well. From here you can adjust the rear climate settings as well and most importantly you can lock the rear climate controls as well. This was particularly important in the GV70 because the air speed adjustment for the rear climate also changed the front air speed. This is one of my particular pet hates in a vehicle because my children like to have the speed on hurricane force whereas I prefer a gentle zephyr.
The other feature that I thought was brilliant though on the GV70 was when I passed my fingers over the controls for the driver’s seat an image was projected on the infotainment screen to show me which button I was touching, so I could make an adjustment without having to guess and change something I didn’t want to. I also had three massages to select from, pelvic stretch, lumbar stretch or whole-body stretch. Under the settings you can also change these between strong or normal intensity and the time you would like 10, 15 or 20 minutes.
In addition to a harmony of luxury design elements there are plenty of convenient features located in the GV70 cabin. Under the arm rest there is a decent sized felt-lined storage cubby that would fit a small handbag or clutch, and it also has a 12V outlet. The two cup holders in the centre console have a removable rubber mat for easy cleaning and under the power operated cover at the front of the centre console there is wireless charging for compatible devices and two USB ports and I like that the phone was secure in this cubby and out of reach. Drink bottle storage in the front door’s is limited to 600ml sized bottles.
The 14.5-inch touch screen display enables access to Infotainment features including navigation with Augmented Reality view function and live traffic updates, digital radio (DAB+), with Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto. Under the infotainment menus there was an option to ‘select exterior colour’ and my children were disappointed when this actually didn’t change the colour of the GV70. The driver also gets head-up display with much of the information displayed on the driver’s dash also replicated here. Like all Genesis models the voice control can only be operated when the Apple CarPlay/Android Auto is connected via USB and the voice control button has a masculine silhouette on it.
I found that the rear seats had adequate leg room for adults and that head room was enough for me, but taller individuals may find it a bit tight. For younger passengers there are two ISOFIX, three rear tether child seat restraint points, but in reality, only enough room for two car seats. The centre seat folds down as an arm rest with two cup holders at the front and you get good-sized drink bottle storage in the door cubbies as well.
There are separate climate controls for rear seat passengers with digital temperature and air speed adjustment, manual mode selection, heated seat controls and below the climate controls there are two USB ports. As mentioned previously I did not like that the rear air speed also controls front air speed. A couple of other features that I like in the rear seats were the manual blinds on the windows and the mat on the floor covered the area completely including the transmission tunnel.
The GV70 boot is a good size and easily took my weekly shop or would hold a pram and a small weekly shop. If you need more space the rear seats have 60:40 split folding function and are released by the latch located in the boot. The boot has gesture open, but not close or can be open/closed from the key fob, the button in the cabin or button on the boot lid, which is located on the rear wiper. There is a removable carpet mat on the boot floor plus four tie down points, two hooks, two lights and one 12V outlet. When you lift up the boot floor you will find a small storage area in front of the temporary use spare tyre and this is where you can store the cargo net and first aid kit. You also a roadside assistant kit containing a poncho, 12V light, gloves, a reflective vest, waterless hand cleaner, a hand towel and a padded mat to lie on.
Every GV70 includes the safety of eight airbags, with a centre side airbag between the front seats to prevent serious injuries due to potential driver and passenger collision, in the event of a side impact. There is also an extensive range-standard suite of Genesis Active Safety Control advanced technologies, which includes Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance-Assist, Blind-Spot View Monitor which displays in the driver’s dash when you indicate, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist including Car/Pedestrian/Cyclist detection, Junction Turning/Junction Crossing function, Lane-Change Oncoming/Side function and Evasive Steering Assist function.
My children and I got some amusement out of the Smart Cruise Control display on the driver’s dash that looks like you are firing a laser beam at the car in front of you. The Lane Following Assist and Lane Keeping Assist is constantly making tiny steering adjustments and is not as smooth as other luxury vehicles. Other active safety features include Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance-Assist, Safe Exit Assist, and Multi Collision Brake. The ANCAP safety rating of 5-stars (2021) applies to all variants other than the V6 (3.5 litre petrol), which is unrated.
For convenience the GV70 comes with High Beam Assist, Rear Occupant Warning, and Surround View Monitor with 3D surround view with front and rear parking sensors. The Luxury package adds Forward Attention Warning, Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist –Reverse and Intelligent Front-Lighting System. You also get auto lights and auto wipers and I liked that when you changed the wipers/lights a display came up on the driver’s dash to show you the options available.
This flagship GV70 features a 279kW, 530Nm twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre petrol V6 engine, paired with electronically controlled Genesis AWD, via an 8-Speed Automatic with steering wheel mounted plastic gear shifters for ‘manual’ gear changes and Road-Preview adaptive electronic suspension. The official combined fuel consumption is 11.3L/100km and for my week I used an almost identical amount, 11.4L/100km. Compared the G70 sedan I drove a week earlier, I could certainly notice that the engine felt the 2,500kg of this SUV, and compared with the GV80 I drove a week later the GV70 felt sportier. Overall though I found the GV70 very comfortable to drive and thought it was a great all-round urban SUV.
There are five on-road drive modes to choose from, Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual; I couldn’t see the point of Sport+ mode on the GV70 as I for one wouldn’t want to disengage ESC on a SUV. In addition to adjusting the driving dynamics of the GV70 changing the mode also changes the theme of the 12.3″ full screen Instrument Cluster with 3D function (part of the Luxury package) and in Sport mode the side bolsters on the driver’s seat automatically tighten around your waist.
Under the Individual drive mode, you can adjust the Engine/Transmission, Steering, Suspension and All-Wheel drive settings essentially between Comfort and Sport. The three Terrain modes are Snow, Mud and Sand, but I wasn’t keen to try these out on the 21” alloy wheels fitted with 255/40 R21 Michelin Pilot Sport4 SUV tyres.
New GV70 vehicles are entitled to free scheduled maintenance service for the first five years or 75,000 km whichever comes first. The Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance Plan covers labour, parts, lubricants and sundries such as oil and waste recycling and/or removal and workshop supplies etc. The Genesis Concierge Service will arrange for the pickup and delivery of your GV70 when it is due for scheduled maintenance or warranty services if you live within 70km driving distance to a Genesis Studio. While your vehicle is serviced, a Genesis courtesy vehicle is left at your disposal.
All Genesis vehicles come with a five year / unlimited km warranty (whichever occurs first), other than vehicles used at any time during the warranty period for commercial application. And Genesis owners also receive five year’s Premium 24/7 Roadside Assistance including timely flatbed towing to the nearest Genesis authorised service facility.
The GV70 2.5T starts at $66,400 excluding dealer delivery and on road costs, while the top-of-the-line GV70 3.5T AWD Sport I drove starts at $83,400 excluding dealer delivery and on-roads. As tested with the optional Luxury Package ($6,600) and matt paint ($2,000) the total was $92,000 plus dealer delivery and on-road costs. For more information you can visit a Genesis studio, build and price your GV70 online or book a test drive.
| Pros | Cons |
| The elegant interior design | Rear air speed changes front air speed also |
| Touch sensitive driver seat controls | No ANCAP rating for this variant |
| The ambient lighting | The two rotary controllers on the centre console |
Photographs by Driven Women Magazine.