Genesis GV70
· · ·

2026 Genesis GV70 3.5T AWD: The Best Luxury Crossover?

The GV70 Sport Prestige doesn’t just challenge the European elite it embarrasses them. Here’s why this sleeper SUV might be the best-kept secret in luxury.

Genesis GV70
Genesis GV70

Why does this car matter right now?

Every so often, a car lands in your driveway that makes you question everything you thought you knew about badges, branding, and bank balances. The 2026 Genesis GV70 3.5T AWD Sport Prestige is precisely that sort of car. Priced like a mid-level German crossover, styled like it belongs on a Milan catwalk, and equipped like it’s just robbed the tech cabinet at CES, this Genesis does what few luxury crossovers dare it competes on substance, not just status.

Because the luxury market is finally being disrupted by someone who’s not trying to shout. Genesis isn’t new anymore, but it still carries that slightly smug “if you know, you know” energy and in the GV70 Sport Prestige, that confidence is earned.

Under the bonnet is a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 making 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque, which puts it right in the firing line of the Audi SQ5 and BMW X3 M40i. But while those Germans feel like they’re trying to prove something, the GV70 simply gets on with the job. The engine pulls hard, the 8-speed automatic shifts like it’s reading your mind, and the adaptive suspension morphs from limousine float to corner-carving firmness without so much as a drama queen whimper.

It’s quick 0 to 60 in around 4.9 seconds but never frantic. You feel like you’re in command, not just along for the ride. And for a three-row SUV alternative, this two-rower brings a level of driver engagement most midsize crossovers seem terrified to offer.

Genesis GV70
Genesis GV70

How does it compare to rivals?

Put bluntly: it punches up. In terms of interior tech, this thing is weaponised. The 14.5-inch infotainment display is crisp enough to double as a gallery screen, and the rotary dial is finally intuitive unlike the fight-you-for-control systems in rival German brands. Wireless Apple CarPlay? Still weirdly missing. But the Lexicon sound system and available 3D instrument cluster more than make up for it.

Materials? Peer closer. That’s real aluminium, real leather, and stitching that makes some rivals look like budget cosplay. The quilted Nappa leather seats in the Sport Prestige trim are positively lounge-worthy. No fake wood. No piano black plastic pretending to be posh. It’s properly done.

Compared to the Lexus RX, it feels more modern. Compared to the Mercedes GLC, it feels less needy. And compared to the Acura RDX, well… the Genesis just feels like money better spent.

Genesis GV70
Genesis GV70

Who is this for and who should skip it?

If you’re the sort who buys a badge because it gets you a nod at valet, this might not be your jam. The Genesis badge still has the “who makes that?” problem among certain social circles, especially the ones who pronounce Porsche with an unnecessary flourish.

But if you want the best family SUV under $70,000 that blends performance, plushness, and proper road manners without the rolling ego, this is it. Young professionals looking to escape German clichés, empty nesters tired of dealer service bills, and tech-forward families who want value with their velvet this GV70 delivers.

Need a third row? Look at the GV80 or keep walking. Want an EV? The Electrified GV70 is solid, but this twin-turbo V6 has the sort of throttle response you can’t get from electrons just yet.

Genesis GV70
Genesis GV70

What’s the long-term significance?

Genesis isn’t just catching up it’s setting traps. The GV70 3.5T Sport Prestige shows how far Hyundai’s luxury brand has come in under a decade. And if the Germans aren’t already rattled, they should be. Because this isn’t a value play. It’s a luxury product that’s simply better priced.

With EV range anxiety still haunting family buyers and tariffs inflating prices across the board, the Genesis lineup may well become the mainstream luxury choice. It’s already a regular on “best luxury crossovers” lists. And with this kind of horsepower and torque paired with usable interior tech and usable towing capacity (up to 3,500 pounds), the GV70 isn’t just a statement it’s a strategic threat.

The 2026 model adds a few detail tweaks, mostly minor updates to software, safety features, and interior trim options, but the core formula remains untouched. And that’s a good thing because it was already dangerously good.

Like what you’ve read? Stay in the driver’s seat with more insider automotive insights. Follow @NikJMiles and @TestMiles for stories that go beyond the press release.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *