Usually, automobile producers tack on a shiny new grille, tweak the lights, and name it a facelift, all whereas attempting to persuade us that it’s a revolution fairly than a reheated leftovers particular. Beneath, in fact, the automobile is normally as acquainted as yesterday’s information. The 2025 Genesis GV70, nevertheless, is a bit totally different.
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You see, the luxurious model of the Hyundai Motor Group has made a collection of serious enhancements to its best-selling SUV, which don’t simply make it higher than the pre-facelifted mannequin but additionally propel it to a degree that even the Germans can have a tough time competing with. So, what precisely is it that makes the up to date GV70 stand out, and does it have the chops to unsettle the previous guard?
To search out out, we packed our luggage, headed to Australia’s sun-drenched Gold Coast and the bohemian retreat of Byron Bay, and slid into the motive force’s seat to see if the GV70 can stroll the speak—or if it’s merely one other facelift that overpromises and underdelivers.
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Visually, you’d be hard-pressed to inform the distinction between the 2025 GV70 and the mannequin it replaces. It retains the identical general form because the GV70 that Genesis has been promoting for a number of years now. Look a bit nearer and a few of the variations turn into extra apparent.
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For instance, the slender headlights have been up to date with new LED modules, making them that rather more efficient. The model’s designers have additionally altered the entrance grille, giving it a barely extra refined look. Like most different facelifts of this type, modifications have additionally been made to the entrance and rear bumpers, however the modifications are a bit more durable to identify.
It’s the updates happening below the pores and skin that intrigue us essentially the most. Engineers from Genesis have strengthened the physique in white and likewise improved the damping of the transmission and steering wheel. The enhancements don’t cease there. All 2025 GV70 fashions come normal with revised springs and stabilizer bars, in addition to newly designed bushes within the management arms and rear cross member. In accordance with the Koreans, this reduces influence harshness and improves consolation for rear occupants.
Work has additionally been accomplished to make the GV70 extra serene than ever. For instance, there’s new sound-absorbing materials on the aspect sills, carpets, and even the rear wheel guards. Different items of insulation have been added to scale back noise. An Energetic Noise Management operate has additionally been designed and works in the identical manner as a set of ANC-equipped headphones, eliminating highway noise with out-of-phase sound waves. New double-laminated soundproof glass can also be normal throughout the vary.
Learn: Facelifted Genesis GV70 Electrified Inbound With Huge Dashboard Display And Smaller Styling Updates
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Genesis has additionally overhauled the trim ranges and GV70 variants that it provides in Australia.
For starters, the two.2-liter turbo-diesel that had beforehand been obtainable is gone, abandoning the acquainted 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and the three.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6. The bottom four-cylinder packs 224 kW (300 hp) at 5,800 rpm and 422 Nm (311 lb-ft) of torque between 1,650 and 4,000 rpm, whereas the three.5-liter turbo is rated at 279 kW (374 hp) at 5,800 rpm and 530 Nm (391 lb-ft) between 1,300 rpm and 4,500 rpm. Each fashions use an eight-speed automated transmission and the three.5-liter provides an digital limited-slip differential.
Three trims can be found. The entry-level mannequin is named the Superior and is obtainable solely with the two.5-liter, priced from AU$78,500 (~US$51,600). Sitting in the course of the vary is the Signature, which will be ordered for AU$87,500 (~US$57,500) with the two.5-liter or the three.5-liter from AU$98,000 (~US$64,400). It provides a slew of additional tools, together with a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, inside temper lighting, a UV-C sanitizing console, and an air-aroma diffuser. Maybe a very powerful added function is Excessive Physique-Movement Management and Premium ECS, which makes use of the SUV’s cameras and radar to pre-emptively regulate the suspension.
The flagship mannequin is named the Signature Sport, and it too is offered in 2.5-liter and three.5-liter guises with costs beginning at AU$89,500 (~US$58,800) for the two.5 and AU$100,000 (~US$65,700) for the three.5. It has a lot of the similar options because the Signature however has unique 21-inch wheels, distinctive exterior and inside styling, and alloy pedals.
5 inside shade configurations are supplied for the Superior and Signature, whereas the Signature Sport is obtainable in 4 inside colours, three of which function brilliant orange accents. Twelve exterior finishes can be found, together with 4 matte choices, throughout the vary.
Korean fashion
The pièce de résistance of the up to date GV70 is the cabin. It’s fantastic.
After I first drove the GV70 again in 2021, I used to be impressed by the inside. It was bathed in premium materials and felt way more luxurious than the SUV’s price ticket instructed. This new mannequin is even higher.
The spotlight of the brand new inside is the display. Genesis has ditched the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 14.5-inch infotainment show of the previous mannequin and changed it with a single 27-inch display. Expansive shows like this have gotten more and more commonplace throughout the business, and whereas we don’t all the time like them, the Genesis display is gorgeous. It’s extremely crisp, and the slender bezels make it really feel premium.
Maybe my solely critique of the show is the truth that it’s utterly flat fairly than curved. That’s a disgrace as a result of screens from manufacturers akin to BMW, Hyundai, and Kia are curved. That is helpful because it helps tilt the infotainment show barely in the direction of the motive force. Within the GV70, the far fringe of the display feels prefer it curves away due to the angle.
A number of different updates have been made. There are two totally different steering wheels on provide, relying on the mannequin. Genesis has additionally moved the touch-sensitive HVAC controls from the elliptical piece on the dashboard to an space decrease down on the console. Sitting within the place of the previous controls are air vents. Alterations have additionally been made to the transmission tunnel, and the wi-fi telephone charger has been relocated behind the shifter.
Learn: 2023 Genesis Electrified GV70 Is Sensible However Is It Value The Premium?
Sitting behind the wheel of the GV70 is a joyous expertise. Not solely does it really feel luxurious, however each curve and materials is pleasant to the attention and – extra importantly – to the contact. I used to be significantly keen on the silver end throughout the transmission tunnel, versus the piano black plastic that so many different carmakers proceed to persist utilizing.
The seats are supremely comfy, and all fashions embrace heated and ventilated features. The Signature and Signature Sport add an superior therapeutic massage operate. Genesis hasn’t uncared for these sitting within the rear both, as they, too, are handled to the end supplies possible, in addition to loads of room. This is a perfect premium providing for households with one or two children. For greater households, it could be smart to go along with the bigger GV80.
Genesis at its finest
The Genesis GV70 has all the time been good to drive, and the 2025 mannequin is even higher than earlier than. Heading into my expertise with the brand new mannequin, I’d puzzled the way it may probably be improved, however Genesis has accomplished it.
The primary model I drove was the bottom GV70 Superior. It could sit on the base of the vary, however it doesn’t really feel in any respect like an entry-level mannequin. The two.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder packs a powerful punch and will get you in control good and shortly. It’s additionally exceptionally quiet and doesn’t intrude on the driving expertise. For the overwhelming majority of consumers, it ticks all of the containers.
It’s clear that Genesis has prioritized consolation with this mannequin, regardless that it does reply fairly properly when pushed alongside a winding mountain highway. There’s loads of grip, and the brakes are greater than as much as the duty of bringing it to a cease. Nevertheless, this isn’t a mannequin that encourages you to push it to its limits and excels when driving gently, making it really feel such as you’re wafting round on a cloud of Korean consolation.
I additionally had the chance to drive the GV70 Signature Sport with the three.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6. Because of the additional horsepower and torque, it feels considerably sprightlier than the smaller engine. The most important distinction is the low-end torque, giving it far more pulling energy. With that being mentioned, the GV70 doesn’t provide fairly the identical ferocious punch and instantaneous response because the smaller G70 sedan, regardless that it’s outfitted with the older 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6.
As I discussed, the three.5-liter fashions additionally include an digital limited-slip differential. Most homeowners won’t ever push their GV70 arduous sufficient to note the LSD, however I did, and you’ll undoubtedly really feel it working, making the SUV all of the extra pleasurable to drive and hustle by means of corners. What’s significantly spectacular is simply how ludicrously comfy the GV70 stays in any respect speeds and below all driving situations. Nothing can upset it, regardless of how unhealthy the highway floor could also be or how stupidly you might drive it. All 2025 GV70 variants come normal with all-wheel drive, including to their versatility.
Verdict
The Genesis GV70 has all the time been the model’s most reliable rival to the European manufacturers, and it’s now higher than ever. With aggressive pricing and a bucketload of spectacular options, it ought to be on the prime of the checklist for anybody available in the market for a premium SUV.
