Last year, Genesis launched the GV80, the first midsize luxury crossover SUV to be offered by Hyundai's luxury division, by using the bones, so to speak, of its G80 midsize luxury-sport sedan. This year, Hyundai's luxury division has done the same thing again, this time using the G70, its compact luxury-sport sedan, as the basis for the new GV70, its second luxury-sport crossover SUV.
Both aren't the same as so many other luxury crossovers because neither of them is based on the bones of a front-wheel-drive car. They are both based on rear-wheel-drive cars — and that makes them handle and feel more like the RWD luxury-sport sedans they're based upon.
What It Is
As per the above, the GV70 — emphasis on the V — is a new compact-size luxury-sport crossover based on the G70 (no V) luxury-sport sedan. It has about the same overall footprint as its sport sedan progenitor but offers much more cargo-carrying space and ground clearance - both aspects enhancing the practicality factor.
Interestingly, given the GV70 is only about an inch longer than the sedan it shares its bones with, it also has about 3 inches more rear-seat legroom. This addresses the impracticality factor that besets compact sport sedans like the G70, which typically aren't especially comfortable to ride in if you have to ride in the back.
The GV70 also comes standard with a larger and much stronger engine than the G70 sedan — and is available with an even larger and stronger optional engine than is available in the G70.
Prices start at $41,500 for the base 2.5T trim. A top-of-the-line GV70 3.5T stickers for $53,100.
What's New
The GV70 is a brand-new model.
What's Good
Standard engine is much more powerful (and no less fuel efficient) than the ones that come standard in several more expensive rivals.
RWD-based layout enhances balance and handling versus FWD-based rivals.
A more practical iteration of the G70 sedan.
What's Not So Good
Modest maximum tow rating (3,500 pounds) even with the optional V6.
Rotary knob gear selector lacks connected feel; sometimes takes a moment to register you've selected Drive or Reverse.
Under The Hood
The 2.5-liter four-cylinder that comes standard in the GV70 is as powerful as some of the V8s you used to get for this kind of money.
It makes 300 horsepower and 311 foot-pounds of torque at just 1,650 RPM.
Rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz GLC and BMW X3 also come with fours, but theirs only manage 255 and 248 horsepower, respectively. Interestingly, they don't manage to use less gas. The GLC touts 22 city, 29 highway; the X3, 23 city, 29 highway. The Genesis matches them both, with a 22 city, 28 highway rating.
It also gets to 60 in about 5.6 seconds.
And you get all-wheel drive — standard. It's optional in the GLC and X3, which cost substantially more when so equipped.
The GV's optional engine is a 3.5-liter V6, twin-turbocharged that makes 375 horsepower and 391 foot-pounds of torque at 1,300 RPM.
Equipped with this engine, the GV's 0-60 time goes down to 4.9 seconds.
On The Road
The GV70 drives like the G70 it's based on — only stronger.
If only it sounded stronger.
That is the chief failing — if it is one, as this is a subjective quality — of these very powerful but very small engines. The GV's 2.5-liter engine develops about the same power-per-liter of displacement of a V8 more than twice its displacement. But it doesn't produce the roar that only a V8 can make — and that's an emotional loss, even if the power has been maintained. Of course, a V8 would also not be capable of approaching 30 mpg on the highway as the GV's four does, so there's that as compensation.
There's no mixed bag about the GV's handling, which is very much like the handling of its lower-to-the-ground G70 sibling — and that's surprising, or, rather, testimony about the handling capabilities of crossovers that share much of their chassis and suspension underthings with high-performance sport sedans. This thing goes as straight in the curves as some go in the straights, and it can keep going on roads covered with snow — the bane of low-slung sport sedans, even the ones with AWD.
At The Curb
Why buy the GV70 over the less expensive G70, aside from a more standard engine and standard AWD?
Because you get more standard room and, therefore, practicality — the latter being a quality that most sport sedans, however fun, often lack. They have tight back seats and even tinier trunks. The G70, for instance, has only 10.5 cubic feet of space in its trunk versus 28.9 cubic feet in the back of the GV70, behind the second row. When folded, the total space for cargo expands to 56.9 cubic feet, about five times the trunk space in the G70.
As far as backseat legroom, there's a similar disparity in favor of the GV70. It offers a much more passenger-friendly 37.2 inches of legroom versus 34.8 inches in the G70. These differences are pretty remarkable, given that the GV70 and G70 are about the same overall length — 185.6 inches and 184.4 inches, respectively.
The Rest
Genesis offers a plethora of options and upgrades for the GV70, including a form of keyless ignition that eliminates the need to carry even a key fob. Instead, you download an app and use your phone to unlock the door (and ignition).
The Bottom Line
Crossovers are popular because they are practical — so are washing machines. Here's one that's something more than that.
Eric's latest book, "Doomed: Good Cars Gone Wrong!" will be available soon. To find out more about Eric and read his past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.
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