The Genesis is the luxury division of Hyundai. The GV70 is a midsize SUV globally introduced in 2020. The 2026 GV70 has a redesigned exterior and interior. The GV70 is Genesis’s top seller in the Canadian and American markets, representing 57% of all the sales in 2024.
However, there is just one Sport Trim available in Canada called Sport 3.5T (AWD) All-Wheel Drive. All-wheel drive is standard for all trims. I had the opportunity to drive the 2026 GV70 Sport 3.5T Sport AWD for a week.
Exterior
The bold sculpted crease lines run from the front to the sides of the body, giving it an upscale and elegant look. The redesigned iconic sport exclusive “G-Matrix Crest” grille with chrome mesh fills is simplified for a clean look. The signature 2-line LED headlights are retained and the lamps are updated to multi-lens array design. The rear LED taillights are revised to match the style of the fronts. In addition, the 21-inch dark metallic glossy rims along with the updated exhaust tips give the GV70 an aggressive appeal. However, the hood does not meet cleanly with the front fascia due to its overlap. I am not a fan of this, even though the deliberate finish is for crash safety ratings. The finishing for the GV70 Sport in the Ceres Blue Matte is a sight to behold and admire. The 2026 Genesis GV70 Sport has a bold, athletic look with a low, wide stance and flowing profile.
Interior
Upon entering the cabin, you are left breathless with the premium designed finish. I am awestruck with the four layers of orange stitching from one end of the door panel to the other. It pairs nicely with the Nappa leather and suede insert seats along with the bright orange seatbelts. Genesis did not waste any premium cabin space. Instead of using cheap plastic finishing, they covered the empty spaces with a carbon fibre weave adding an upscale vibe. Moreover, the ambient lighting adds a nice finish to the cabin. The GV70 provides comfortable seating for five passengers. The front seats are heated and ventilated, however, the rear seats are only heated. The panoramic sunroof is a great added feature.
There is ample legroom for all passengers for all around comfort. There is an elevated sense of luxury with the gear selector which is a rotary dial with jewel finishes. The flat-bottomed steering wheel is heated and is a new refresh for the Sports model. This type of styled steering wheel is more firm and ergonomic. The driver can easily access the paddle shifters and hand buttons like the turn signals, wiper controls and cruise control. The steering wheel is wrapped in orange stitching for a premium finish. It is equipped with a variety of controls including, audio, media, and hands-free phone calling. Also, with safety features such as, lane driving assist and smart cruise control. The heads up display is a great feature. Moreover, the paddle shifters are a nice added touch to bring that sports vibe.
Infotainment
The steering wheel overlooks the new standard 27-inch OLED display. The screen encompasses the instrument cluster, maps, and infotainment system. It has excellent visibility, crisp graphics, intuitive layout and it is simple to scroll through. The driver is able to re-order the tiles in the infotainment system to one’s liking. There are hard touch-points for the map, audio, media, and setup functions along with tune and volume knobs that sit below the screen.
There are touch controls for the tri-zone climate functions and the temperature knobs. The rear passengers are equipped with their own touch panel climate controls and an 110V AC household outlet. There are two USB ports in the front, for data and charging. However, the two USBs in the rear are charge only. Also, the wireless charging pad in the front is a neat feature.
I am a huge fan of the Bang & Olufsen premium audio system. It has 10-level surround sound with 16 high efficiency speakers, including immersive sound technology and Dolby Atmos. There is minimal distortion at high volumes and the system allows users to adjust sound settings, such as focusing the sound within the vehicle cabin, using the infotainment system.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The GV70 Sport is powered by a 3.5L V6 DOHC Twin Turbo engine with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The Sport is the only trim available with the V6 powertrain. The 3.5L V6 packs a punch with its 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque.
The GV70 is a smooth ride. It is neither numb nor dull. The GV70, the chassis and suspension calibrations are optimized for improved ride comfort and responsiveness. This includes new hydraulic bushings and a refined adaptive suspension system that uses navigation data and cameras to anticipate road conditions.
As previously mentioned the GV70 is meant to compete in the luxury midsize SUV class. It offers a quiet cabin. Luxury vehicle manufactures like, Mercedes Benz and BMW offer quiet cabins to reduce unwanted road noise and create a serene cabin experience. The Genesis uses noise reducing acoustic laminated glass (front windshield, front side windows, and rear side windows) for the GV70 across all trims. Acoustic laminated window glass is where manufacturers sandwich a polyvinyl membrane layer between two pieces of traditional glass for added insulation. This results in the polyvinyl membrane between the windowpanes to absorb intruding sounds that come into the cabin from the outside the vehicle.
The GV70 provides a quiet cabin when driving. The integrated drive mode offers Eco for more fuel efficiency, Comfort for a smooth ride, or the quick responsiveness of Sport and Sport+ modes. One can select Custom mode to customize to their style of driving. The GV70 has the sheer power of twin turbo and can be felt as it comes to life. It is genuinely fast for a highway pass. The driver seat tightens when the GV70 is switched into Sport or Sport+ modes. Moreover, the suspension stiffens along with the steering wheel. The driver’s seat bolsters tightens and the accelerator becomes more sensitive, and gear shifts become fast and aggressive. There is no hesitation or lag from the engine and the turbo response is exceptional. There are three terrain modes, snow, mud, and sand. On winding roads, the electronically adaptive suspension system is able to read the road ahead. This works by, using a front camera, sensors, and navigation data to anticipate road conditions. This adjusts damping in real time to smooth bumps and control body motion. As a result, the suspension is on the softer side during every day driving. The GV70’s start-stop system is a hindrance as it’s noisy and rough when the engine comes back to life. I had it turned off during my drives.
Safety and Driver- Assistance Features
Road safety in the GV70 is intuitive and effortless with intelligent features. The GV70 is equipped with navigation based smart cruise control. It uses navigation based map data for specific highways to identify changes in speed limit, curves in the road, and adapts accordingly. Moreover, it is equipped with highway driving assist II. This safety feature is for highway driving. The highway driving assist II when combined with Lane Change Assist, Vehicle Distance Control, and LFA with Offset Driving, enables the GV70 to assist in lane change maneuvers, adjust to safe following distance, and fine tune lane positioning. Another safety feature is the Lane keeping Assist II (LKA) that assists in maintaining the center of the lane during driving. If the lane is not recognized, it employs an advanced system which detects front vehicles to assist with steering, reducing fatigue and enhancing safety.
Parking safety is another feature and includes cameras and smart systems to help navigate parking lots with ease. The blind-view monitoring shows live views of both sides of the vehicle in the instrument display when the corresponding turn signal is activated. Lastly, other safety features include, forward collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. All in all, the GV70 has a variety of safety features to ensure its passengers safety.
Verdict
The price for the GV70 Sport as tested is $85,700 CAD. The Genesis GV70 Sport 3.5T is an excellent choice among luxury midsize SUVs. It provides refinement, plush comfort, great performance, and competitive price. However, the 3.5T engine requires premium fuel to ensure smooth operation and maximum performance. The GV70 is fuel thirsty. I filled up for $150.00 for a full tank. The high fuel costs may not appeal to some consumers. Lastly, the GV70 is a fun ride.
