Where the 2026 Genesis GV70 We Tested Still Shines (and Where It Doesn't)

The Genesis GV70 hasn’t lost much of its luster since its stunning debut just a few years ago—a vehicle so impressive at the time that we crowned it our 2022 SUV of the Year. We were blown away by how it blended sharp handling and punchy powertrains with a uniquely crafted interior. Today, the GV70 remains the brand’s top-ranked luxury compact SUV, delivering the same mix of driving fun, upscale design, and everyday usability that made it a revelation in a crowded segment.

But the competition has been busy. Rivals from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Cadillac have all seen major updates recently. To counter those moves, Genesis has rolled out a new round of tech and styling updates for the 2026 GV70 lineup, including a sweeping new digital dash and infotainment display, improved voice recognition, new ambient lighting, and more expansive over-the-air updates, among others.

To get a better sense of those enhancements, we sampled a top trim 2026 GV70 Sport Prestige equipped with the uplevel 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 generating the same 375 horsepower as before, which offers a healthy power advantage over the base turbo-four. Apart from the addition of the brand’s so-called Highway Body Motion Control suspension tuning, not much has changed from a performance perspective, though during our testing we found that the updated GV70 still makes a strong case for itself overall. How strong?

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Familiar Driving Experience

Bury the throttle from a stop, and the GV70 Sport Prestige still rewards with a lively kick, though not without a hint of turbo lag—unless you’ve dialed up Sport or Sport Plus, disabled the nannies, and engaged its launch control feature. Midway through the revs, the engine note sharpens into a snarl that only grows; it’s the kind of soundtrack enthusiasts will savor.

Output isn’t overwhelming, but it’s more than enough for everyday driving, with power delivered in a smooth, linear fashion. The eight-speed automatic holds gears aggressively when pushed, though it can take a beat to figure out when you want to go fast. Testing shows the 2026 model is slightly quicker than before, shaving two-tenths off the 0–60 sprint of the last 3.5-liter powered model we evaluated.

Straight-line performance remains solid, but rivals like the BMW X3 M50, with its brawnier six-cylinder mild hybrid, make far more torque than the GV70, and it accelerates to 60 in just 4.0 seconds—over a second quicker than the 5.2-second time of the Genesis. For sheer muscle, the BMW has the edge.

But the GV70 has a counterpunch: the curves. Out on a winding road, it feels planted and composed, thanks in part to its weighty, precise steering action and electronically controlled suspension with a road preview feature. New for 2026 is the aforementioned Highway Body Motion Control, a damping system manager that emphasizes ride comfort without resorting to the stiffness often associated with sportier SUVs. It works by using a front camera, sensors, and navigation data to anticipate road imperfections and adjust damping in real time to smooth bumps and control body motion. The suspension did seem on the softer side during typical on-road driving, possibly the hand of this new feature at work.

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As for the brakes, while a bit odd in modulation (they can get grabby midway through the pedal stroke), they deliver more than acceptable stopping power, at 124 feet from 60 mph to a stop. Although predictably its overall dynamic performance numbers don’t show any gains over the last GV70 we tested, and it’s bested by the sharper, more powerful, and summer-tire-equipped X3 M50, there’s still plenty of fun to be had behind the wheel of the GV70—especially when the road starts to bend.

Efficiency Isn’t Its Strong Suit

If fuel savings are top of mind for you, the GV70 probably isn’t your best bet. The twin-turbo V-6 and AWD powertrain combo manages just 18/25 mpg city/highway according to the EPA, while the four-cylinder does only marginally better (20/26-28 mpg).

Making matters worse, the BMW X3 M50 xDrive manages more than respectable efficiency for its class, returning a far better 25/30 mpg city/highway. A hybrid GV70 could help close the gap, but that option doesn’t exist—at least not yet. (There is an all-electric version of the GV70, however.) Until then, heavy-footed owners should get used to making frequent fuel stops.

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Value and Luxury Still on the Menu?

The GV70’s cabin continues to impress, thanks to its bold design, premium materials, and a deep roster of tech. The new 27.0-inch dash display acts as the interior’s new headline feature, though it falls short of the Cadillac XT4’s 33-inch screen and lacks the dramatic curve you’ll find in the BMW X3 and XT4. The touchscreen part of the wide display functions mostly like the outgoing 14.5-inch model, and we’re fans of the new center console, particularly how the climate control screen moves from the center stack down to the console.

Quality remains a strong suit. Our Sport Prestige test vehicle featured standard quilted Nappa leather, distinctive carbon-fiber trim, ventilated and massaging “Ergo Motion” front seats, and a highly adjustable driver’s chair. Other highlights included a head-up display, three-zone climate control, heated second-row seats, rear sunshades, 21-inch wheels, and remote smart parking assist.

That said, the GV70 no longer feels like the bargain it was at launch. Upper trims now command some of the highest prices in the segment—unexpected from a brand still carving out space in the luxury arena. Recent improvements across the lineup, including upgrades like wireless phone mirroring and the larger display with every trim, bolster the entry-level models, but they don’t do much to justify the cost of fully loaded versions.

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Practical Enough

The GV70 offers a smidge more passenger space than the BMW X3 M50, though the BMW boasts an extra inch of front headroom. Cargo capacity tilts in favor of the X3, as well, whether the rear seats are up or folded, but the Genesis still edges out rivals from Mercedes and Audi. A few more small-item storage bins—and wider cupholders—would be welcome future additions.

The Sport Prestige came well-equipped with four USB ports (two front, two rear) and a pair of 12-volt outlets, including one in the cargo area. A redesigned wireless phone charger is new this year, relocating from a cupholder-style setup to a neatly integrated pad tucked beneath the front lip of the center console lid.

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Is It Still Of The Year–Level Good?

Like other contenders in its segment, the GV70 Sport Prestige is a well-rounded luxury compact SUV that continues to shine in terms of style, comfort, and driving character. The most powerful GV70 is not the quickest in its class—some rivals easily outrun it—but it makes up ground on a winding road, where its composed handling and trick suspension keep things both engaging and comfortable. Inside, the 2026 model’s cabin impresses with upscale materials, standout tech, and thoughtful amenities. Passenger space is competitive, and while cargo capacity isn’t class leading, it edges out some European rivals.

Where the GV70 stumbles is efficiency and value. Its fuel economy ranks average at best and hasn’t improved since launch, and there’s no hybrid option to match the balance of power and better mileage that some of its competitors offer. Pricing has also crept up, with top trims now among the most expensive in the segment, making it less of a bargain than when the model first arrived.

Yes, the GV70 is still largely the same luxury compact crossover that won our SUV of the Year, and yes, in its top tier Sport Prestige guise at least, the 2026 GV70 remains a stylish, tech-rich, and fun-to-drive choice. But its thirst and rising price tag are starting to drag down an otherwise excellent all-around package.