2025 Genesis GV70 review
Its GV70 mid-size SUV is perhaps the best representation of this appeal, packing oodles of refinement, specification and finish into a surprisingly lean sticker price. Easy to see then why the model makes up nearly two thirds of all sales for the brand in Australia.
For 2025, the GV70 undergoes a mid-generation update, consisting of a facelift and improved specification (with a focus on safety, ride and cabin sophistication). That said, there’s a considerable price rise to match.
How much does the 2025 Genesis GV70 cost?
The update applies to petrol-powered models, with the 2.5-litre four-cylinder and 3.5-litre six-cylinder turbocharged engines returning unchanged. Battery electric GV70s are set to receive changes, but this will come sometime in mid-2025.For now, buyers have the option of Advanced, Signature and Signature Sport trims. Advanced spec can only be had with the four-banger, with both engines available for Signature and up.
Opening at $78,500 (plus on-road costs) for the Advanced grade, the cost of entry for the GV70 is up $5600 on pre-facelift models. Signature and Signature Sport variants fitted with the four-pot come in at $87,500 and $89,500 respectively, with the six attracting a $10,500 premium and taking them to $98,000 and $100,000. This renders a top-of-the-range combustion-powered GV70 nearly $16,000 dearer than the outgoing model. Matte paint is now the only available add-on, ringing up $2000.
Genesis covers servicing for the first five years or 50,000kms (based on slightly shorter 12-month/10,000km intervals than industry standard), with the GV70’s warranty running a five-year, unlimited-kilometre period.
What is the 2025 Genesis GV70 like inside?
Interior fit and finish is where the 2025 Genesis GV70 really shines, comprehensively earning its stripes in the luxury segment. Materials have a premium and lush feel, with electrically adjustable, heated and ventilated front seats providing excellent comfort and support. Rear passenger comfort is great, with rear climate controls (for Signature trim and up) and a recline function adding luxury, however middle-seated rear passengers will have to contend with a transmission tunnel that chews up space.
Renewed focus on cabin refinement in the updated model heralds the introduction of a new 27-inch (yes, 27-inch) touchscreen, curving from the centre dash to behind the steering wheel and responsible for infotainment and instrument cluster duties.
The screen is much better integrated into its surrounds than the previous generation’s unit, complementing curvature seen elsewhere in the interior. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard.
A head-up display and over-the-air updates – allowing software to be updated remotely – now come standard across the range too.
External dimensions of the 2025 Genesis GV70 are the same as before, but new lamp, rear bumper and badging designs feature, with an updated grille matching the geometric body used elsewhere on the GV70.
Signature Sport trim gets more aggressive styling on bumpers and exhaust tips, larger 21-inch alloy wheels (which also feature on Signature, up from 19-inch units fitted to Advance), and larger brake callipers.
What equipment does the 2025 Genesis GV70 come with?
Offsetting the price hikes, the GV70 picks up a raft of additional equipment thanks to once-optional packages now becoming standard inclusion.For 2025, Advanced trim picks up new 19-inch alloy wheels, updated LED headlights and touchscreen climate control. Signature gains new 21-inch alloys, memory functionality for both front seats and an uprated Bang & Olufsen sound system. Signature Sport picks up new-design 21-inch alloys, revised styling front and rear, sports seats and steering wheel and dual exhaust tips.
A raft of tech has been thrown at ride comfort and driver feedback, including hydro bushings, revised springs and stabiliser bars to reduce pitch and bouncing, and improved steering and transmission damping. Increased sound deadening, uprated acoustic glass and dynamic suspension – making use a ‘road preview’ camera system that identifies and prepares for upcoming road imperfections – means the GV70 can provide ample feedback to the driver all while gliding over bumps.
How safe is the 2025 Genesis GV70?
Much of the new inclusions for the GV70 relate to safety, with highway driving, parking collision-avoidance, lane-following and remote parking assists, and a navigation-based smart cruise control (that taps into listed speed limits for roads, not requiring speed sign recognition) added.
These join an existing safety suite comprising blind-spot monitoring and avoidance, adaptive cruise with stop-go capability, driver attention warning, speed limit, lane-keep and trailer stability assists, and rear cross-traffic alert.
In 2.5-litre guise, the 2025 GV70 scores a five-star ANCAP safety rating, however 3.5-litre variants remain unrated.
— Liam Murphy
What powers the 2025 Genesis GV70?
GV70 buyers have the option of two carryover petrol powertrains: a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder or twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6, producing 224kW/442Nm and 279kW/530Nm respectively.
Regardless of cylinder count, an eight-speed auto now turns all four wheels, with rear-wheel drive variants dropped from the range. Signature grade and up also gets an electrically controlled limited-slip differential for the rear.
2025 Genesis GV70 (Advanced trim shown)
What is the 2025 Genesis GV70 like to drive?
Genesis’ revisions to the GV70’s ride quality and cabin refinement have paid dividends on-road. While V6 variants pick up adaptive dampers and the e-LSD to good effect, the ride is still highly accomplished in both trims.
Road and wind noise are almost nil, while bumps are dialled out just enough to cocoon occupants without creating a sense of disconnect with the bitumen below. This combined with additional chassis tweaks gives the GV70 a surefootedness and unexpectedly rewarding sporty dynamic when pushed. However, as expected, its heft can only be disguised for so long.
Active and passive safety measures are a tad punitive, as can be experienced elsewhere in the Hyundai portfolio, but thankfully these are becoming easier to turn off. After some seat time in the GV70, its lane-keep becomes more tolerable.
Both engines are a dream when on-song, however the eight-speed auto can be caught off-guard when asked to work quickly. Extra displacement in the V6 makes for a more effortless drive at low revs, largely compensating for any delay in the transmission and making for the better all-rounder.
Steering weight is on the light side, but the GV70 rarely feels ‘floaty’ thanks to the amount of feedback coming back through the chassis. We did gripe about a small delay between pressing the brake pedal and actual clamp at the rotors – Genesis Australia telling us this is due to the model using electric vacuum assist. Fingers crossed this gets remedied in the future, as it detracts from what is otherwise a pleasantly surprising SUV.
The Open Road’s take on the 2025 Genesis GV70
‘Affordable luxury’ often feels oxymoronic, but the GV70 nails the brief convincingly. Despite price rises, its appeal in the mid-size luxury SUV segment has not been watered down, thanks to a collection of modest – but material – improvements and more standard kit.
While increased pricing will mean the updated GV70 is likely to be tested against much more established models and marques, Genesis still has a fighter on its hands. Get past the badge and you might just get into the best luxury SUV available at this price point.
Pros
- Still great value despite price increases
- Impressive ride and handling mix
- Beautifully appointed cabin
Cons
- Lethargic automatic transmission
- Less flexibility around options than before
- The GV70’s safety suite occasionally detracts from the drive experience
