Genesis GV70 3.5T review: the V6 SUV that deserves Macan attention

The end of the petrol Porsche Macan leaves a conspicuous gap for buyers who still want a compact luxury SUV with a proper combustion engine, real pace and some enthusiasm for corners. After spending time in the Genesis GV70 3.5T, I think it deserves to be high on that shortlist, whether the Porsche is part of the comparison or not.

This is a 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6, all-wheel-drive SUV with 279kW and 530Nm, delivered through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Genesis quotes 0–100km/h in 5.2 seconds. Those are suitably serious figures for an SUV weighing more than two tonnes, but they do not quite explain why the GV70 has made such an impression on me.

It is one of the rare modern luxury SUVs that feels convincingly resolved. The cabin is properly luxurious, the chassis has real composure, the V6 suits its brief beautifully and the technology is mostly enjoyable rather than a series of distractions disguised as innovation.

A luxury SUV with unusually handsome proportions

I think the GV70 is among the best-looking crossovers on sale. Genesis has developed a recognisable design language without falling into the usual luxury-SUV traps of oversized aggression or anonymous smoothness. The long bonnet, short overhangs and gently sloping roof give it an athletic stance, while the twin horizontal light signatures and crest grille make it immediately identifiable.

It is wide and low-slung by SUV standards, with enough sculptural detail to remain interesting without looking gauche. The rear is especially successful, where the horizontal tail-lights emphasise the car’s width. I also prefer its compact, purposeful proportions to the larger GV80’s more substantial and deliberate manner.

My only real exterior reservation is the wheel design. The painted five-spoke wheels are not unattractive, but their flowing shape feels slightly at odds with the GV70’s sharper surfacing. A more geometric wheel would suit the car better. It is a small complaint on a vehicle I could happily spend an afternoon looking at.

Under the bonnet, the twin-turbo V6 delivers exactly the sort of relaxed, muscular performance a luxury SUV ought to have. It cruises with heavy refinement, then gathers speed effortlessly when a motorway overtake or entertaining stretch of road presents itself. There is a lovely reserve to it, rather than a sense that the car is constantly trying to show you how powerful it is.

There can be a brief hesitation if you suddenly demand acceleration at the wrong point in the rev range. The turbos and eight-speed automatic occasionally need a moment to decide what is required. It is not as immediately sharp as Porsche’s PDK transmission, but once the GV70 is moving with intent, the engine is magnificent.

Sport and Sport+ modes draw out noticeably different sides of the car. Sport gives it a more alert response, while Sport+ makes the experience considerably more enthusiastic. Neither undermines the GV70’s everyday civility, which is important. This is still a car that feels happy simply covering distance in comfort.

Fuel use is the obvious consequence. Genesis claims combined consumption of 11.3L/100km, and the 66-litre tank gives a theoretical range of around 584km. In reality, anyone regularly enjoying the V6’s sound and performance should not expect miracles. A larger tank would make the GV70 a better long-distance companion, because the ride comfort, refinement and performance are already well suited to touring.

The GV70’s cabin and chassis make the stronger case

The Genesis GV70 3.5T becomes particularly favourable once the road begins to bend. It feels planted at speed, with reassuring stability and controlled body movements. There is ample grip from the all-wheel-drive system, performance tyres and electronically controlled limited-slip differential, but it is the balance between that capability and the ride quality that stands out.

The electronically controlled suspension adjusts its damping to road conditions, and the result is a luxury SUV that remains composed without becoming needlessly firm. It handles far better than its size and equipment count suggest it should, yet it does not punish occupants over ordinary roads. The brakes also feel strong and confidence-inspiring, which matters in a car with this much available performance.

Inside, Genesis has made an equally persuasive argument. The 27-inch OLED display combines the instruments and infotainment into a single, well-integrated dashboard feature rather than a television bolted to the fascia. The graphics are crisp, the interface is easy to follow and the rotary controller on the centre console is pleasingly tactile.

I also like the separate climate-control touchscreen, which avoids burying routine functions in the main infotainment menus. The rotary gear selector feels expensive, the head-up display is detailed and useful, and the leather-wrapped dashboard gives the cabin an architectural quality. It is one of the nicest interiors in this part of the market.

The front seats deserve special praise. They are deeply comfortable, supportive and offer ample adjustment, while the Ergo Motion massage functions make long journeys feel rather less laborious. Higher-specification cars also offer rear climate controls and heated rear seats, so rear passengers are not treated as an afterthought.

They may, however, wish for more room. The rear cabin is the GV70’s clearest packaging compromise, with headroom and legroom tighter than its exterior dimensions might suggest. Taller adults will notice the sloping roofline, particularly with tall people in front. Buyers who regularly carry four adults should spend time in the back before making a decision.

Technology is generally polished. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are welcome, as are the connected services and fingerprint authentication. During my time with the car, however, wireless phone connectivity was not always flawless, occasionally dropping out or refusing to connect smoothly.

I also have mixed feelings about the driver-monitoring system. The safety intent is sensible, and I appreciate the adaptive cruise control, lane assistance, blind-spot monitoring and collision-avoidance systems. Yet the in-cabin camera can be overzealous. It has interpreted me squinting while laughing with my passenger as a lack of attention, which is a fairly absurd way to be reprimanded for enjoying a drive.

The speed-limit warning chime is easier to live with, because holding the steering-wheel mute button silences it. That simple shortcut is exactly the sort of thoughtful detail that makes a difference in daily use.

The GV70 3.5T is thirsty, its transmission is not quite as immediate as the best dual-clutch units, the rear seats are tight and some assistance systems could be less intrusive. Yet I would happily accept those flaws for the rest of the package. It is a beautiful, fast and genuinely luxurious petrol SUV that is unusually satisfying to drive. If you are lamenting the petrol Macan, this Genesis deserves a very serious test drive.