First Look: 2022 Genesis GV70

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From the checking-in-with-Goldilocks department comes this burning question: Is the Genesis GV70 the premium compact SUV Canada has been waiting for?

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Only real-life sales will answer that, and we’re still a few months from seeing anything meaningful in that regard.

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Besides, there are still some other queries to address in the meantime, such as How much is this thing going to cost? And just how critical is this car to the success of the Genesis brand? (Spoiler alert: Very.)

For now, what we have to go on is what’s in front of us, that being a pre-production look at the first-ever compact SUV from Genesis, Hyundai Motor Group’s upstart luxury brand that launched here in Canada just five years ago. It’s deliberately different, choosing disruption over convention in response to having to stand out against its decades-old competition.

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In addition to being visually distinct from its competitors, it’s also different from its larger sibling, the GV80, which made its debut last year. That said, there are some commonalities: the two powertrains in the GV70 are identical. There’s a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine making 300 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque; and a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 producing 375 hp and 391 lb-ft. Both come matched with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel-drive, including an electronic limited-slip differential for rear-axle torque vectoring on the most expensive grade. At 2,875 mm, the GV70’s wheelbase is the longest in its segment.

The new Genesis light signature is also in use here, beginning at the quad lamp headlight design and wrapping with two lines around to the matching taillights, albeit without the turn signal repeater found on the GV80’s front quarter panel. For the most part, this is where any similarities between the two vehicles end. The GV70 is deliberately distinct from the GV80 and carves out its own path with an active and sportier look. In this writer’s view, there’s a lot going on in the rear quarter, with multiple layers of stamping and a chrome line tracing between the windows that brings this closer in look to the Hyundai Palisade than to other Genesis vehicles. But styling, as always, is entirely in the eye of the beholder.

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This pre-production unit shows elements from various grade levels, though the exterior is laid out entirely in the configuration used on the Sport grades. It features a blacked-out grille with a matrix pattern that continues into functional air intakes and an accent line that wraps around the base of the bumpers; the matrix pattern extends into the wheel design, too. The chrome finishes are done in a more in-character gunmetal grey, and the tailpipes are circular as opposed to the upright layout used on non-sport grades.

Unlike other Genesis interiors, the GV70 features numerous elliptical elements, which Genesis representatives say are inspired by the cross-sections of airplane wings. The seats in this pre-production model are the design sold in the 2.5 Prestige trim and can’t be combined with some of the other features shown; these are finished in a mix of leather and suede upholstery, while the highest grades replace this with quilted leather. Various interior colours are available, including this navy motif with red stitching and piping, as well as red, black, green, and burgundy interiors, with a similar array of variety available in exterior paint colours.

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The inserts shown here, which feature a gloss finish over real carbon-fibre, are included on the Sport grades. On some other grades, a graphical insert is used with backlighting from the GV70’s LED multicolour ambient lighting.

Technology features in the GV70 will be familiar to Genesis owners. A 14.5-inch infotainment screen can be adjusted with an intuitive set of buttons and dials. Most grades include a partly digital instrument cluster, while the available 3D fully digital instrument cluster is equipped on the top trim.

On the sport grades, this uniquely styled steering wheel is equipped, while other trims feature a steering wheel closer in design to the one found on the GV80.

This vehicle launches with a couple of unique features. A fingerprint reader allows the owner to start the car without a key fob by touching a finger to the scanner, and the car will automatically adjust itself to the setting in that driver’s individual profile. There’s also a new advanced rear occupant alert system, which drops the use of weight detection in place of interior sensors to detect movement in the second-row seats or cargo area. We’ll dig into these and other interior features in plenty more detail in our Ministry of Interior Affairs feature on the GV70 coming soon.

Pricing on the new Genesis GV70 will be announced closer to the on-sale date, but pre-orders are open now, and demo models will be touring at Genesis distribution centres across the country in the mid-spring. Deliveries expected to begin in Canada in the second half of 2021.