Korean brand Genesis is taking the fight right up to the Europeans in the premium mid-size SUV class, but is its new GV70 good enough to win COTY in 2021?
- Why is the Genesis GV70 a carsales COTY finalist?
- Who will the Genesis GV70 appeal to?
- How much does the Genesis GV70 cost?
- What have we already said about the Genesis GV70?
Why is the Genesis GV70 a carsales COTY finalist?
The worst that can be said about Genesis products is that they’re neither as affordable as we expect of Korean cars, nor as ‘German’ as prestige cars we to aspire to own.
But judged on criteria other than badge cachet alone, Genesis does build some excellent vehicles, including the latest to join the range in Australia, the Genesis GV70, which is in the running for this year’s carsales Car of the Year, proudly presented by Bingle.
Available with rear-wheel drive and a turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, the GV70 is also offered with all-wheel drive and a choice of the same petrol four or either a 2.2-litre diesel four-cylinder or a 3.5-litre turbocharged petrol V6.
All three engines drive through an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The GV70’s powertrain, its passive dynamics and its advanced driver assist technology all advance the case for cross-shopping the Genesis against its closest rivals from Europe.
Yet the GV70 doesn’t end with the driving experience; it’s also very well equipped and its design, inside and out, will have even the Eurosnobs gasping for breath.
They may be further shocked by the fit and finish of the GV70, and how solid it feels on the road.
And while the GV70 certainly resembles the larger GV80 SUV and the two passenger car models in the local Genesis range (G70 and G80), the smaller SUV is its own distinctive package, which many consumers will rightly admire.
Who will the Genesis GV70 appeal to?
It’s hard to break into the prestige medium SUV market if you’re selling a vehicle without a German badge. Just ask Alfa Romeo.
But it’s not impossible, as Lexus and Volvo can attest with their NX and XC60 respectively, both of which are this year taking the fight right up to the popular Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC.
So perhaps the Teutonic stranglehold on this market segment is beginning to loosen.
That’s what Genesis will be hoping, and it will also be aiming its disrupter-beam marketing at prospective buyers who are a little tired of driving one of the better-known prestige brands.
By definition, GV70 buyers will typically be younger families with at least one parent employed in a professional occupation.
Chances are that the decision-maker in the family will be reasonably well informed concerning cost of ownership and will regard themselves as open-minded when it comes to choosing a family wagon.
They will probably have checked out independent vehicle quality surveys, and will also have considered the risk of resale value playing out against them when it comes time to sell the GV70.
For the present, resale value for the GV70 is very much an unknown quantity, but the importer is understood to be working on a guaranteed buy-back scheme for the Aussie market.
And that could take all the guesswork out of buying any Genesis, let alone one like the GV70, which promises to be the brand’s volume-selling model here.
How much does the Genesis GV70 cost?
Pricing for the Genesis GV70 starts at $66,400 plus on-road costs for the rear-wheel drive model, while the most affordable all-wheel drive version – powered by the same 2.5-litre turbo engine – will set you back $68,786 plus ORCs.
Also an AWD model, the diesel variant is priced at $71,676 plus ORCs, and the mighty AWD V6 model tops the range at $83,276 plus ORCs. It’s the flagship that’s being considered for carsales Car of the Year contention in 2021.
At entry level, the GV70 comes with 19-inch alloy wheels, power tailgate, LED headlights with auto high beam assist, keyless entry/starting, dual-zone climate control, 12-way power-adjustable front seats and leather upholstery.
The flagship model campaigning for Car of the Year, the Genesis GV70 3.5T AWD Sport, adds 21-inch alloy wheels, Nappa leather and suede combination for seat upholstery, and suede for headlining and roof pillars.
For infotainment, the GV70 3.5T comes with a 14.5-inch touch screen, navigation, handwriting recognition, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, nine speakers, digital radio and wireless smartphone charging system.
Standard safety equipment and driver assist technology is, in a word, extensive.
There’s eight airbags on board, one of which is located between driver and front passenger, plus blind spot monitoring/collision avoidance assist, traffic sign recognition, driver fatigue monitoring, leading vehicle departure alert, forward autonomous emergency braking (with car/pedestrian/cyclist detection), junction assist, adaptive cruise control, lane following/lane keep assist, multi-collision braking, rear cross traffic avoidance, safe exit assist and surround-view camera monitoring.
The GV70 is covered by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, complemented by five years of roadside assistance.
What have we already said about the Genesis GV70?
For the local launch of the Genesis GV70, reviewer Feann Torr was quick to praise the new prestige SUV for its “premium fit and finish, meticulous execution and high levels of refinement”.
But he also noted that “rusted-on luxury car buyers are perhaps unlikely to make the switch from the established German brands”.
Badge snobbery aside, however, the GV70 is undeniably competitive when pitted against those same German rivals.
“Genesis has crafted a hugely impressive and very compelling premium mid-size SUV on its first outing,” Torr added.
“There’s a high-quality feel throughout the 2021 Genesis GV70 3.5T Sport, and it’s clear a lot of thought has gone into every element of the vehicle, being handsomely equipped, driving well and ultimately creating a comfortable, relaxing place to spend time.
“At the end of the day, those who do decide to take a chance with this fresh-faced SUV won’t be disappointed.”
Consumers may be blinded by brand image, but the judges won’t be as easily swayed when it comes to tallying the points for the GV70 as a finalist in carsales’ 2021 Car of the Year, proudly presented by Bingle.
Genesis GV70 3.5T AWD Sport at a glance:Price: From $83,276Engine: 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo petrolOutput: 279kW/530NmTransmission: Eight-speed automaticFuel: 11.3L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 257g/km (ADR Combined)
Keyword: Genesis GV70: carsales Car of the Year 2021 finalist