MOTORING OCTOBER: Genesis GV70 AWD Luxury

George Loveridge Driving Around for Travel News Update


The ‘70’ family from Genesis comes in either saloon, estate or SUV guises. I have now had the pleasure of driving one of each. This time, we have got the GV70, a modern take on luxurious fast family transport.

We have had a few vehicles from Genesis here at TNU before.  This one, however, could be one of my favourites. If you are not familiar, Genesis is a premium automotive manufacturer from Korea and take the best bits from Hyundai and Kia.
 
Headline statistics are blistering from the off. This family vehicle, oozing in leather and class, has a 2.5-litre turbo-charged engine sending 304bhp to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic gearbox. This power is kept at bay thanks to a 2-tonne waistline and an electronic limited-slip differential.

For a vehicle of this size, the power is addictive and naughty. We have also got 420Nm of torque which is extremely impressive for a petrol-powered engine. You can utilise three drive modes, Eco, Comfort and Sport. All of which change the display on the 12-inch digital driver’s cluster. In Eco mode, the car will coast with the engine off when you are not on the throttle, whereas I think of comfort as your everyday driving mode. Sport mode, however, really does sharpen everything up, such as the kickdown and throttle response. Moreover, you retain full use of paddle shifters mounted behind the steering wheel.

Although impressive, the overall power delivery is somewhat abrupt, as there is no immediate kick until 4,000rpm despite the thundering torque. That limited slip differential (LSD) means that the GV70 goes around corners like a Lotus Elise. Wow. It is easy to get too close to the apex, as the car just grips and grips whilst pulling you tighter and tighter into the bends.

The 8-speed gearbox is perfectly adequate for this car, a dual-clutch system would be perfect, but somewhat overkill in a family SUV.  From the driver’s perspective then, you can have a lot of fun after you have dropped the kids off at school.

Inside the Havana leather interior, you feel comfortable and relaxed. It is astonishing that the same engine that is capable of such performance is also virtually silent in the cockpit. You don’t even feel the engine starting back up in stop-start traffic. You can however opt for some synthetic engine sounds via ‘Active Sound Design’. Childish and pointless to some, cool and exciting for others.

The Genesis has 21-inch wheels all around with huge tyres to match and I am pleased to report that there is very little road noise on the motorway at 70mph. The combination of leather, 304bhp and bling alloy wheels is reflected in the economy department. Sure, on a long stretch you can see upwards of 30mpg, but around town, going shopping, you will be lucky to see mid-20s. Which makes sense if you are blasting around. However, a 2.5-litre engine should be more efficient. Genesis does offer a fully electrified GV70, which has even more power!

The interior and exterior styling are highlight features. Often mistaken for a Bentley or an Aston Martin, this car offers tremendous value for money when it comes to kerb appeal. This car has a stunning Storr Green £750 option paint job, which is classy. An interior offering Nappa leather seats, and their innovation pack, will set you back a further £7,000 combined. You will find heated and ventilated seats all around, plus charging ports at every avenue throughout the cabin. Furthermore, my favourite interior feature is the customisable mood lighting that wraps around the cabin. I opted for an electric purple which really stands out in the dark.

The George Loveridge Verdict

If I have not said it before, I will say it now. This is what Jaguar should be doing! Forever a fan of the leaping cat, I am saddened to see where the marque is going. However, there is a salvation for people who like a large, quick and comfortable vehicle. Genesis offers saloons, SUVs, shooting-brakes and electric vehicles. They are yet to release a dedicated sports car, however none of the Genesis line up are what I would call slow.

If I had the cash, I would seriously consider one of these. Okay, the brakes are too grabby at lower speeds and the fuel economy is laughable. But when you are sat upon your massage leather seat with all of that power and comfort at your disposal, there is nothing else that comes close in this sector.

Price as tested: £57,375
Lead in price: £44,100
Average fuel consumption: 23mpg
Range (petrol): 300 miles  
Engine size: 2497cc
0-60: 6.1 seconds

Performance 8
Handling 9
Transmission 7
Noise 8
Economy 2
Ride and Comfort 8
Accommodation 7
Styling 10
Brakes 8
Finish 7
TOTAL= 74%

www.genesis.com/uk/en/models/gv70.html

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