2026 Genesis GV70 First Drive Review: Perfect – For A Premium

When the Genesis brand first launched, it did so with two luxury sedans: not exactly the perfect product for a crossover-hungry American audience. A few years later, the brand launched what would quickly become its best-selling model, a compact crossover called the GV70. The 2026 Genesis GV70 receives its first major facelift since being introduced, hoping to keep up sales momentum and continue to offer a different experience than the other Asian and European luxury brands.

Genesis is currently in the process of updating its entire lineup, and the changes to the GV70 are similar to what was altered on the G80 and GV80. The designers didn’t change the styling drastically, the interior has improved technology, and the engine options remain the same. This is a facelift, not an all-new model, but the GV70 was already a compelling option in its segment. Are these small changes enough to keep the most popular Genesis relevant? DrivingOnRoad flew out to Houston, Texas, to drive it and find out.

First Drive events provide our initial impressions of a vehicle in a restricted environment under certain time constraints. Keep an eye on DrivingOnRoad for our comprehensive Test Drive review which will follow soon.

What’s Changed For 2026?

The 2026 GV70 is facelifted, so not all-new or redesigned. It’s a compact crossover which competes against well-known models like the BMW X3, Lexus NX, and Mercedes-Benz GLC to name a few. The exterior is lightly updated with a revised grille and headlights and there are some new wheels. The interior is improved with various changes, including a new OLED display. There will also be an updated Electrified GV70, which will be reviewed separately.

Exterior Design: Baby Bentley Vibes?

Genesis has never made an ugly car, and the GV70 doesn’t break that trend. The designers didn’t want to fix what wasn’t broken (their exact words), so they didn’t extensively redesign it for 2026. There’s a new Crest Grille with a G-Matrix pattern, which looks handsome and luxurious. We also love the twin headlights, which have a cool new Multi-Lens Array (MLA) configuration with cool square bulbs that look a bit like the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Lastly, there are some new 19-inch and 21-inch wheels available.

We drove the 3.5T Sport Prestige with the dark gray five-spoke 21-inch wheels, which look aggressive and cool. There are 10 colors available, including a new hue called Ceres Blue, but our favorite is the Manua Red ($650) worn by our tester. We do know the special blacked-out models are in the pipeline, too.

Interior: Bling Bling

Depending on the trim level, the GV70 can range from decidedly premium to outright extravagant. The lowest Standard and Select trims get leatherette seats, while the Advanced, Sport Prestige, and Sport Advanced get real cow hide. Up at the top of the range, the 3.5 Sport Prestige includes quilted Nappa leather that looks like it belongs in a Bentley. This top trim, which we tested in Houston, has a wealth of features such as heated/ventilated front seats, three-zone climate control, carbon fiber trim, Ergo motion (massage) driver’s seat, rear sunshades, alloy pedals, and a rear AC outlet.

Opting for the 3.5 Sport Prestige nets you arguably the most elegant cabin in the compact luxury crossover segment. There are some small changes to the center console, including a more conveniently-placed wireless phone charger and more usable cupholders.

Even the base model is nicely equipped with the following:

• 12-way driver and 8-way passenger power seats
• Heated seats
• Ambient lighting
• Smart Key w/ Smart liftgate
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Premium audio
• Fingerprint Authentication System

Cargo space is adequate at 28.9 cubic feet witht he rear seats in place. Fold those down and you get 56.9 cubes.

Infotainment: One Big Screen

The outgoing GV70 had a pretty large 14.5-inch touchscreen, which has been replaced by a new 27-inch OLED screen that still features touch on the right half. We had no issues with the previous system, but this new setup looks more high-tech and finally features wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

We love the menu layout on the screen, which makes it easy to operate via touch or using the rotating knob on the console. That screen is tied to a nine-speaker premium audio system as standard, while the higher trims get an even nicer 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen surround sound system that replaces last year’s Lexicon unit.

Powertrain & Driving: Thirsty Thrust

We only had the chance to sample one powertrain option, the optional 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine that produces 375 horsepower. The base engine is a 2.5-liter turbo-four with 300 hp, the most “standard” power in its class. Both engines send power out to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. There is also an Electrified GV70 with a twin-motor setup, which receives a larger battery for the 2026 model year.

Though it isn’t lacking in power, the GV70’s twin-turbo V6 is far from best-in-class. Launch control helped our tester reach 60 mph in a reasonable 5.22 seconds, ripping off quick and aggressive gear changes in Sport Plus mode. A comparable X3 M50 can rip off 0-60 in just 4.4 seconds thanks to its 393-hp turbocharged inline-six engine. We do prefer the GV70’s more natural engine sound, which is enhanced through the speakers, to the fake pops played in the X3. Genesis also found a lovely balance between a comfortable driving experience and an enthusiastic one. The steering has a nice weight that gets heavier in Sport Plus mode, and it delivers a natural feel to the driver.

This is also true of the adaptive supension, which is only available on the top V6 trim. It includes a feature called Highway Body Motion Control and Road Preview, which adapts the dampening forces based on the road and can use the camera to prep the suspension before it goes over a bump. The result is sublime ride comfort that firms up when the driver craves excitement on a back road. Genesis delivers much of the driving pleasure BMW was once famous for, albeit with one other notable drawback compared to rivals: efficiency.

Even in four-cylinder guise, the GV70 is a thirsty car compared to its rivals. The 2.5T only achieves 20/28/23 mpg city/highway/combined with the 19-inch wheels, and those numbers drop to 20/26/22 mpg with the 21s. The X3 M50 with the six-cylinder engine is more efficient, scoring a 25/30/27 mpg rating. Things only get worse for the GV70 with the 3.5T engine, which is rated at 18/25/21 mpg, which are numbers you might expect from a V8. Genesis has alluded to an upcoming hybrid model that can’t come soon enough.

Verdict & Pricing: Interesting Alternative

The GV70 launched nearly half a decade ago to critical acclaim; it was handsome, luxurious, nice to drive, and more affordable than its rivals. However, as the years have gone on and inflation took its toll, the Genesis no longer represents a value play in the segment, but rather stands closer against its European rivals with a similar price tag.

The 2.5T AWD starts at $47,985, not including $1,450 freight. The Select brings the price up to $50,885, while the Advanced (the one we believe is the best value) costs $55,435. You can opt for the 2.5T Sport Prestige for $58,796, mostly adding appearance items, the Ergo Motion driver’s seat, and a few other features. The V6 engine costs considerably more, priced at $63,415 for the Sport Advanced and $70,095 for the Sport Prestige. In our opinion, the four-cylinder is the better bang for your buck.

We don’t believe the V6 engine offers the rapid performance to justify its price tag, but the four-cylinder is strong compared to other similar engines in its class. Fuel economy is a major weak point for the GV70, so buyers may want to look elsewhere or wait for the rumored hybrid model. Alternatively, the Electrified GV70 is the quickest model in the lineup, and doesn’t burn any gasoline. A larger battery back and standard NACS port for 2026 make it a better purchase than last year’s model. The 2026 Genesis GV70 remains a compelling option if you want a small luxury crossover, but a more efficient powertrain might make it perfect.