2026 Genesis GV70

How Does the 2026 Genesis GV70 Drive?
We only got to sample the finest vintage of 2026 GV70 — the fully loaded 3.5T Sport Prestige. This gets you a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 engine that makes 375 horsepower and 391 pounds-feet of torque; that’s exactly what the previous GV70’s 3.5-liter V-6 made. The results are about the same, too. There’s some lag between stepping on the accelerator pedal and actual acceleration, but the lag time can be shortened by changing the drive mode. Sport Plus provides the sharpest response, while Eco has the most relaxed. A customizable My Mode lets drivers pick and choose from multiple powertrain, steering and suspension settings to dial in the driving experience to their liking.

Suspension updates and refinements both physical (like new hydro bushings) and technological (like revised body control software) combine to create a smoother and more comfortable ride, according to Genesis. The 2026 GV70 is comfortable enough for a sporty compact SUV. Similar enhancements to noise reduction should also make for a quieter ride — and, again, this GV70 does a good job of minimizing road, wind and tire noise, though how much better it is than before is nebulous.

Genesis also updated the steering for improved heft and feel, and to reduce “road-induced feedback.” It also gave the Sport variants a new flatter-bottomed steering wheel. This is another instance of incrementally improving what was already a strength, but the sharp and communicative steering certainly adds to the fun and makes the GV70 feel close to the sporty G70 sedan in terms of performance.

New selectable terrain-specific driving modes are one of the most obvious changes to the GV70. The Snow mode feels like the most useful to the broadest range of drivers, but Mud and Sand seem likely to go unused.

How Nice Is the 2026 Genesis GV70’s Interior?
Inside the GV70, the elliptical design elements are still present, but they contrast with the new 27-inch organic light-emitting diode display that’s used for both the digital instrument panel and the center touchscreen. It sits atop the dash and is glaringly rectangular, distracting from the rounded shapes throughout the cabin. The graphics themselves are crisp, the software is responsive, and the menus and controls are intuitive.

Interior materials quality is excellent in the front and rear seating areas, and almost as important, it can be fun. The showpiece interior for the 2026 GV70 is Ultramarine Blue upholstery with orange stitching and seat belts, but the Sevilla Red and Obsidian Black interior is just as gorgeous — and maybe about as understated as a bright-red Nappa leather interior can be.

The backseat is still cramped, with minimal legroom and headroom, and carrying four adults in the car will likely require some negotiation when it comes to the position of the front seats. The lack of rear legroom is made worse by the hard plastic backs of the front seats, which are not forgiving when your knees smack into them. The backseat does at least recline for improved comfort, but that’s a small mercy.

Is the 2026 Genesis GV70 Worth Its Price?
Unlike the G70, the GV70 was never as much of a bargain compared with its mostly German rivals. But this iteration feels even more refined and equal to what’s sold by more storied luxury brands, so a comparable price isn’t a deal breaker. That’s good because the 3.5T Sport Prestige crests the $70,000 mark, which is a lot to swallow for a fairly small SUV, even if it is fun to drive.