Used Genesis GV70 (Mk1, 2021-date) buyer’s guide: a premium alternative to the Germans
A full used buyer’s guide on the Genesis GV70 covering the Mk1 that’s been on sale in the UK since 2021
Verdict
The Germans have had the premium-car market sewn up for ages, but you don’t have to look far to find lots of stories of apathetic dealers, spoiled by being the default choice for those with above-average money to spend. The result is buyers disappointed by the dealer experience, if not necessarily the cars, and that’s what Genesis has exploited. The company’s customer service is superb, while it offers better value for money than most of its competitors. True, the Genesis GV70’s cabin isn’t as spacious as some of those alternatives, but the quality, refinement and technology are all first-rate, which is why following the herd needn’t be the default choice.
Only one mainstream brand has been successful in launching a luxury division in the UK, and that’s Toyota with Lexus.
Yet in the premium space Lexus has always played second fiddle to the three big German brands (Audi, BMW and Mercedes), but at least it’s still here, which is more than you can say for Nissan’s attempt (Infiniti). Citroen’s premium DS brand has also been struggling to gain traction ever since it arrived in Britain almost a decade ago.
But that hasn’t stopped Hyundai from also trying to move upmarket, with its Genesis brand the newest arrival in terms of luxury spin-offs. It’s exactly 10 years since the South Korean firm announced that it was going to launch its Genesis division, which arrived in the UK in 2021. It has laboured to make an impact since then, despite offering something genuinely different in a demanding segment – so should you take the plunge?
History
The GV70 went on sale in autumn 2021 with a choice of 207bhp 2.2-litre diesel, or 300bhp 2.5-litre petrol engines, both turbocharged four-cylinder units. By July 2022 there was also an electric GV70, using the same bodyshell as the internal-combustion edition. The Electrified GV70 came with a 77.4kWh battery to give a claimed maximum range of 283 miles, and prices started at £64,405.
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An updated GV70 was shown back in April 2024 for international markets, but only the Electrified GV70 will be offered in the UK. Changes were relatively slight and restricted to lighting adjustments, fresh wheel designs and interior revisions, which included a new 27-inch display that incorporated the instrumentation as well as a touchscreen.
The trim level hierarchy also changed from Premium, Luxury and Sport to Pure, Dynamic and Luxury with the refreshed car.
Prices
There aren’t masses of GV70s for sale, and of those that are, about 60 per cent are electric editions. Petrol and diesel models each account for about 20 per cent. Sport is by far the most common trim, with Luxury in second place; the Premium is highly unusual.
You can get your hands on a used Genesis GV70 for less than £30,000 through our Buy a Car service.
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On the road
The GV70 is a big and heavy car, and it feels it. But although it isn’t agile as such, it is easy to drive and its refinement is outstanding, especially in Electrified form.
All ICE cars come with a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic gearbox which makes light work of any journey, and while the petrol engine is powerful, the diesel has more muscle and it’s much more frugal; expect 25mpg from the 2.5T, but closer to 40mpg from the 2.2D.
No GV70 has truly engaging handling, while the ride on 21-inch wheels can be too firm, but overall the Genesis is dynamically a very capable model.
Which one should I buy?
The chances are that you already know whether you want petrol, diesel or electric, and the chances are you’ll be buying a car with Sport trim, because it’s been by far the most popular model.
There are just 10 Genesis dealers in the UK (including two in Scotland but none in Wales), and many of the second-hand GV70s on sale are outside the official network.
The GV70 isn’t cheap, but it offers decent value because equipment levels are so high. Even the entry-level Premium comes with LED lights front and rear, 19-inch alloy wheels, leather trim, electric seat adjustment with memory function, a 14.5-inch touchscreen, satellite navigation, an electrically adjustable steering wheel and air-con for rear-seat passengers. Luxury and Sport trim both added heating for the front seats and steering wheel, along with rear climate control; Sport trim also brought privacy glass.
Alternatives to the Genesis GV70
The premium mid-sized SUV class is a busy one, and trying to steal sales from the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 is a big ask. Two other desirable rivals are the Mercedes GLC and Volvo XC60, while less obvious ones are the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Jaguar F-Pace. Also consider the Lexus NX, Mazda CX-60, Porsche Macan, Range Rover Velar and Land Rover Discovery Sport.
If you’re buying electric, there aren’t nearly as many alternatives, but that doesn’t stop the likes of the BMW iX3 and Audi Q6 e-tron from being a threat. You should also put the Mercedes EQC on your shortlist; the Tesla Model X and Jaguar I-Pace might suit, but they feel dated in comparison.
What to look for
All the gear
Both petrol and diesel engines were available, but only with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. With its two motors, the Electrified GV70 also featured power going to all four wheels.
On the range
Genesis claimed a range of up to 283 miles for the original Electrified GV70. We ran one for six months and found 220 miles to be more realistic. The 2025 facelift upped the official range to 298 miles between top-ups.
Common glitches
In the US, some owners have had to have their differentials replaced under warranty, while some 12-volt batteries have failed prematurely. But there’s no evidence that these are problems for UK owners.
Going spare
While the Electrified and diesel-engined GV70 both came with a tyre-repair kit in the boot, the petrol-engined edition was supplied with a space-saver spare wheel.
Interior
Everything looks and feels classy inside, and hi-tech, with facelifted cars even more modern, thanks to larger digital displays that are responsive and intuitive.
Front-seat space and comfort are great, but legroom in the back is tighter than in some rivals. Boot space is good, though, at 542 litres (1,610 litres with the seats down).
Running costs
All GV70s come with a five-year care plan that includes all servicing (up to 50,000 miles), roadside recovery, free software updates (including mapping) and a courtesy car during servicing.
The service interval for GV70s is two years or 20,000 miles, apart from petrol cars, which cut this to one year or 9,000 miles; only diesel versions have a cambelt, which needs to be inspected every 80,000 miles and replaced every 160,000 miles.
All GV70s are still within that five-year period; expect to pay around £400 for a service once outside it. With even the cheapest GV70 costing more than £40,000 new, you’ll have to pay the VED supplement until the car’s sixth birthday. You can expect steep insurance premiums, too; entry-level models are in group 40 but most are in groups 42-44. Buy an electric GV70 and it’ll sit in group 50.
Recalls
The GV70 has been recalled four times, with the first in July 2022 because a software glitch could lead to the parking brake releasing itself. Electrified GV70s made between January and April 2022 were affected.
All GV70s built between April 2020 and February 2023 were covered by the second campaign. A manufacturing fault affected the seatbelt pre-tensioners, which needed to be modified.
Sub-standard driveshafts led to the third recall, which came in April 2024 and affected cars made between June 2021 and July 2022. Faulty driveshafts were replaced.
Some Electrified GV70s made up to March 2024 had software glitches in the integrated charging control unit; the recall for these was issued in July 2024.
Driver Power owner satisfaction
Genesis claimed just 0.06 per cent of the UK market last year, similar to Abarth and DS; even Subaru claimed 0.13 per cent.
So it’s no surprise that Genesis has never appeared in our Driver Power surveys and not even our Brands survey. But a look at owner forums shows that the refinement, quality and technology all get a big thumbs up, along with the (limited) dealer network, which owners say looks after its customers like none of the established premium brands.
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