Summary
The Genesis GV70 is a mid-sized five-door SUV and estate that arrived in the UK in Autumn 2021, pitched as an alternative to the likes of the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC in the high-end SUV market.
Genesis is a spin-off upmarket brand owned by Hyundai. The GV70, alongside the G70 saloon, is part of its first foray into the European automotive market after successes in Asia and the USA. There is another SUV available in the range, the larger Genesis GV80.
You won’t be able to buy a Genesis at a traditional dealership; you can take a test drive from your front door on request, orders are delivered to the customer, and cars are collected from the owner for servicing over a standard five-year care plan, as the brand looks to provide an attractive premium ownership experience.
Genesis offers a rather limited range of engine options for the GV70 SUV; customers can choose between a 2.2-litre diesel and a 2.5-lite petrol, all models being fitted with an automatic gearbox.
The Telegraph remains unimpressed by the slender range on offer, judging that these engines are too thirsty compared to premium rivals, and the absence of any electric or plug-in hybrid models is disappointing. An electric GV70 joined the family in the UK in late 2022, and we have a separate Expert Rating for that model.
While reviewers are not too enthused by what the GV70 offers under the hood, the interior quality is noted by many. Publications like Auto Express and The Sun commend the GV70 for its spacious and comfortable cabin, and the impressive amount of on-board tech fitted to the SUV as standard.
As of February 2025, the Genesis GV70 holds a New Car Expert Rating of C, with a score of 63%. It earns top marks for its safety rating, but its CO2 emissions are average, as are its media reviews. In addition, it’s expensive to run and we don’t have enough data to generate a reliability rating at this time, so check back again soon.
- Genesis Electrified GV70 (2022 onwards) – Expert Rating
- More Genesis ratings, reviews, news and features
GV70 highlights
- Cheaper than its key rivals
- Good levels of standard equipment
- Comfortable cabin interior
- Five years of free servicing
GV70 lowlights
- Expensive to run
- No eletrification offered across range
- Some rivals are more spacious in the rear
- Loud diesel engines
Key specifications
Body style: Medium five-door SUV
Engines: petrol, diesel
Price: From £39,450 on-road
Launched: Autumn 2021
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Genesis GV70 is an SUV with plenty of appeal. It’s spacious, very generously equipped and its cabin beats many of the established German rivals for style, and almost matches them for quality. However, it’s not quite on the level of the class best for ride comfort and body control.”
Read review
Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“A premium SUV from new luxury brand Genesis Motor, the GV70 offers a break from the mainstream norm.”
Read review
Business Car
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Overall, while it can’t hope to compete with rivals’ PHEV options as an all-round company car choice, the GV70 has enough going for it for a driver with their heart set on a diesel SUV to find it worthy of consideration.”
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Car
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The GV70 isn’t just a car for people that want to be different for the sake of it. Yes, it’s not as sharp to drive as an X3 or Macan, but it’s far less dull than a Q5, manages to be better built and techier inside than a GLC and feels far less brittle than an XC60.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.8 / 10
“The Genesis GV70 is a smooth and comfortable SUV from Hyundai’s upmarket brand”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The GV70 is Genesis’ take on the mid-size luxury SUV. It’s practical, but the handling and ride could do with a little more finesse and it can get very thirsty.”
Read review
Company Car Today
Model reviewed: Range overview
“Interesting new arrival won’t make a big dent in the share of the major prestige brands, but it’s a classy and premium SUV with an extremely attractive ownership proposition for those that are willing to head down the haggle-free online-purchase route.”
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Motoring Research
Model reviewed: 2.2-litre diesel automatic
Score: 8 / 10
“The new Genesis GV70 family SUV is packed with technology and should be painless to own. Genesis faces an uphill struggle for recognition, but the GV70 is proficient – and simply different – enough to make a strong start.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.8 / 10
“Interesting new SUV is surprisingly engaging”
Read review
The Sun
Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol automatic
“The Genesis GV70 has pointless tech and odd controls but its cabin is a lovely place to be”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol automatic Sport Line
Score: 6 / 10
“The Genesis GV70 isn’t as good as the best premium SUVs. It lacks their polish and it’s too thirsty; what’s more, with no hybrid options in the range, it makes no sense as a company car. But for private buyers, it is extremely good value. Combined with the purchase and after-care experience it comes with, that might just be enough to make it worthy of a place at the school gates. “
Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“A decent attempt at a lifestyle SUV which should come with a premium ownership experience, but doesn’t drive as well as its German rivals.”
Read review
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: December 2021
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 89%
Child protection: 87%
Vulnerable road users: 64%
Safety assist: 87%
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
Model tested: GV70 2.5-litre Petrol all-wheel drive automatic
Overall score: 1 stars
Date tested: July 2022
Read the full Green NCAP review
Energy Efficiency Index: 0.7 / 10
Greenhouse Gas Index: 0.01 / 10
The Genesis GV70 was tested by Green NCAP in Summer 2022 – specifically the 2.5-litre petrol variant with an automatic gearbox. The car was awarded a low one star emissions rating – these scores only apply to this powertrain and gearbox combination.
Described as a “a full-bodied cruiser of the old breed”, Green NCAP commented that the car displayed poor fuel economy, and expressed concern over the SUV’s greenhouse gas emissions – giving the model a 0/10 greenhouse Gas Index score.
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of February 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Genesis GV70 to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.
As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the GV70, we’ll publish the results here.
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
Fuel consumption | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Petrol models | 29 mpg | E | 28 – 30 mpg | E – E |
Diesel models | 38 mpg | D | 37 – 39 mpg | D – D |
CO₂ output | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Petrol models | 217 g/km | D | 216 – 222 g/km | D – D |
Diesel models | 192 g/km | C | 186 – 200 g/km | C – D |
Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
All models | 42 | D | 40 – 44 | C – D |
The Genesis GV70 is an expensive car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
Fuel consumption is poor, from either the petrol or diesel models, while insurance costs are also high.
As yet, we don’t have servicing and repair costs for the GV70, so check back again soon.
Awards
Significant UK trophies and awards that the Genesis GV70 has received
2022
- Scottish Car of the Year Awards – Best Large SUV
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Genesis GV70, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Alfa Romeo Stelvio | Audi Q5 | BMW X3 | BMW X4 | DS 7 Crossback | Lexus NX | Mercedes-Benz GLC | Porsche Macan | Range Rover Velar | Volvo XC60
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Genesis GV70 at The Car Expert
Buy a Genesis GV70
If you’re looking to buy a new or used Genesis GV70, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car.
Find your next used car with Motors. Find out more
Find your next new or used car with Auto Trader. Find out more
Find your next new or used car with Carwow. Find out more
Lease a Genesis GV70
If you’re looking for a new Genesis GV70, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find a great deal
Personal contract hire deals from Leasing.com. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Carparison Leasing. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Select Car Leasing. Find out more
Subscribe to a Genesis GV70
If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help. (PS: What’s a car subscription?)
Car subscriptions from DriveFuze.
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