It takes a long time for a new car name to penetrate the public consciousness — even one that everyone should know — so consider this a public service announcement: Genesis makes very good cars.
“Is Genesis a car brand?” During my week driving the 2024 Genesis GV70, I got this question a lot from friends who don’t really pay much attention to cars unless they’re buying one. So let me explain a bit.
Genesis is Hyundai Motor’s luxury division, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary next year as it expands its lineup of luxury vehicles to compete with brands such as Lexus and BMW. Genesis cars are known for their good design sense and unusually low prices for the luxury class.
We’re not sure if the brand has a true signature product yet, but if you needed one, the GV70 would be it. It’s a compact luxury SUV that our editors rate as the best car in its class. Yes, given the choice, we’d pick the upscale Hyundai over the Mercedes-Benz GLC, BMW X3, or Lexus NX. Let us explain why.
My test car was a top-of-the-line all-wheel-drive 3.5T Sport AWD model with the Sport Prestige package (which adds goodies like 21-inch sport wheels, Nappa leather, and a Lexicon premium audio system.) Retail price in Mauna Red is $69,350, including a mandatory delivery charge of $1,350.
Genesis takes design seriously
Every luxury SUV has a well-designed interior, and you have to put in a lot of effort to stand out from the crowd.
The GV70 reaches that level with astonishing detail: The cabin of the model I test drove was decked out in a bottomless blue that Genesis calls “Ultramarine.”
Driving a new car can be a little too fussy. Our editors have to work hard not to develop a critic brain that complains about little things that car buyers wouldn’t consider important. But there’s no helping it here. Almost every car interior on the market today is black or beige. Soft nappa leather dyed as deep as the North Atlantic is a refreshing sight.
Genesis allowed designers to be adventurous with color, and the world is a little better for it. Competitors can learn from Genesis’ color courage.
The interior design theme is dominated by ellipses and curves, and the large 14.5″ touchscreen is the only surface that doesn’t look organic. Brushed metal trim lends a midcentury modern feel. The interior is a lovely place to spend time.
It gets even nicer at night, when color-adjustable ambient lighting outlines the modest trim.
We have one minor gripe: The centre console has two nearly identically sized rotating puck controllers side-by-side, one for shifting gears and one as an alternative touch-screen control. Drivers will get used to knowing which is which, but since the screen is already operated solely by touch, the extra controller seems irrelevant.
He’s also handsome
While the interior is exceptional, it’s also fun to see the GV70 from across the street: Genesis uses a distinctive lighting style with two parallel horizontal lines for the daytime running lights and tail lights, giving the car a unique ambiance.
In a year when most SUV designers are leaning towards a rugged, boxy aesthetic, the GV70 has just enough curves to stand out.
Rumbling twin-turbo V6
Genesis builds the GV70 with a choice of two engines: a 300-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder and a twin-turbo V6 that makes an extra 75 horsepower. I always advise you to go for the four-cylinder, and you probably should; 300 horsepower is more than enough.
But the V6 emits a subtle, throaty sound under acceleration that’s thrilling to experience, and the sound of this car alone makes me want to go against the usual “don’t spend the extra money if you don’t have to” automotive advice.
Great seats
Most automakers offer their top-of-the-line seats in their most expensive cars, but you don’t have to upgrade to the larger GV80 to get Genesis’ all-inclusive seats.
The GV70’s top trim comes equipped with heated and ventilated front seats with power lumbar support, and the driver gets a power knee bolster and an “Ergo Motion” massage function, a programmed series of stretching exercises designed to prevent fatigue, which I found invigorating on long drives.
The driver has easy access to buttons to slide the passenger seat fore and aft, which is a thoughtful feature.
Buy and hold
But the GV70’s best feature may be mostly on paper. Genesis offers a five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty on its cars, the longest in the industry. Some rivals offer that length of warranty for an extra fee, but Genesis doesn’t.
A luxury car is a big purchase, and if you buy this car, you won’t need to buy parts or labor until 2034.
The balance of joy
There are several reasons to consider the GV70’s competitors: The BMW X3 might offer a few more on-road thrills, and the Lexus NX might offer a bit more protection from road noise.
But the GV70 is 95% better on both counts, has a longer warranty, and offers sensory pleasures that other cars don’t, like exciting interior colors.
In my opinion, the GV70 is the most well-rounded compact luxury SUV on the market for the 2024 model year, even if you’ve never heard of it.
