The 2022 Genesis GV70 is an impressive luxury SUV — especially when powered by its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6. With 375 horsepower and 391 pounds-feet of torque, the 3.5T has gobs of power, and GV70s with the V-6 also get extras like adaptive shock absorbers, larger front brakes and a sportier exterior.
We liked the GV70 enough that it’s one of Cars.com’s Best of 2022 nominees. But do you really need that V-6? The other choice is a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, which has 300 hp and 311 pounds-feet of torque. You don’t get the suspension or braking upgrades with this option, and you’ll have to opt for the Sport Package to get the looks.
Enough Power?
There’s no denying that shedding 75 hp makes the 2.5T feel slower, but it also sheds almost 300 pounds compared to the 3.5T, and 300 hp is nothing to sneeze at. The GV70 2.5T is more than quick enough for darting around town, and passing maneuvers and highway merging are a breeze. The eight-speed automatic transmission shifts smartly and won’t hesitate to downshift, and the smaller powertrain also exhibits less turbo lag than what we observed with the V-6.
The most significant downside to the four-cylinder is its noise. The V-6 doesn’t make a notably pleasant — or unpleasant — sound, but the four banger can sound rough and unrefined, particularly under hard acceleration. As a tradeoff, the four-cylinder has improved fuel economy: an EPA-rated 24 mpg combined (22 mpg if you get 21-inch wheels) compared to the V-6’s 21 mpg.
Ride and Handling
Even without the adaptive shocks, the GV70 2.5T still feels just as nimble on city streets as its sportier counterpart, but it has more pronounced body roll. Overall ride quality feels similar, too, at least with our test vehicle’s 19-inch wheels (the 3.5T Sport Prestige we tested earlier this year had 21s, which are available on the four-cylinder). There’s less impact harshness thanks to the additional tire sidewall, but the suspension isn’t as good at isolating the cabin from bumps and imperfections.
Stopping Power
One of the issues we had with the GV70 3.5T was its brakes: They didn’t feel like they had adequate stopping power, and the pedal itself felt numb and difficult to modulate. The 2.5T’s brake pedal had some of that same numbness issue, but it curiously seemed to have too much reaction — and that’s despite the lesser hardware. With so much initial bite and a lack of feeling in the pedal, we experienced occasionally abrupt, unpleasant stops.
Do You Need the V-6?
The performance advantage of the V-6 would make more sense in a track environment, but for regular street driving, the 2.5T holds its own against its big brother. And if you want the looks of the V-6, there’s the 2.5T Sport Prestige. Braking issues accompany both drivetrains, but there’s enough good about both SUVs to quickly overshadow those issues. It’s hard to go wrong with either engine.
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Keyword: 2022 Genesis GV70: Do You Need the V-6?