Wraps pulled off new Genesis GV70 luxury SUV

Hyundai’s upmarket sister brand Genesis has revealed what could become its first model to go on sale in Europe: the new GV70. It’s a mid-size luxury SUV intended to rival the likes of the BMW X3, the Mercedes GLC and the Land Rover Discovery Sport.

Genesis says the GV70 will be based on the same rear-wheel drive platform as the new G70 saloon. As such, buyers will likely be offered the same range of engines, which includes a 251bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol and a 199bhp 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel.

The Korean brand has also confirmed that the range-topping versions of the GV70 will be available with all-wheel drive. We expect the drivetrain will be shared with the flagship G70 saloon – and it should be mated to the same 368bhp turbocharged 3.3-litre V6 petrol engine.

The Genesis GV70’s design follows the same styling language as the G70 saloon, sharing a near-identical triangular radiator grille and kindred quad LED headlamps – a design choice which is echoed at the rear with a set of similarly styled LED tail lights.

Genesis is certainly trying to appeal to a global audience with the GV70. A spokesperson for the brand explained how the SUV’s proportions are around six to seven per cent larger than the equivalent cars in its class – partly to appease the American audience and partly to allow space for a little extra technology, with the hope of getting an edge over its competitors. 

Inside, the SUV features a blend of leather upholstery and aluminium trim, which are shaped into a design language which Genesis says was inspired by aviation aerodynamics. For example, the trim pieces around the heater controls and the door handles are both designed to look like aircraft wings. 

Elsewhere, there’s a pair of large infotainment screens – one mounted atop the dashboard for navigation and media functions and one placed in front of the driver instead of a conventional analogue gauge cluster. The screens can be controlled using an iDrive-style rotary knob, which is mounted on a high centre console, similar in design to the unit found in the latest Hyundai Tucson.

To keep up with the current market trends, Genesis has also added a customisable interior ambient lighting system and an extra digital panel in the centre console to control the GV70’s heating and ventilation functions. Finally, buyers get a fly-by-wire rotary gear selector, which looks and functions much like the unit found in JLR’s current vehicles.

9

As part of the announcement, Genesis also revealed the GV70’s upcoming “Sport” package. The trim-level adds 21-inch alloy wheels, a more aggressive front bumper, dark chrome exterior trim and a larger diameter exhaust system. Inside, the upgrade package features a unique sports steering wheel and a range of carbon fibre trim.

Recently, the Korean brand teased a camouflaged GV70, wrapped in a patterned vinyl with a unique geometric design which the company calls “G-Matrix.” Genesis seems to be pushing  its premium branding hard, as the firm says the pattern was inspired by the “diffused reflection of light from precision-cut diamonds.”

At the time of the teaser image, Genesis said the production model would feature the pattern in several “creative” ways – and the company has kept its promise. The geometric design is used on the grilles of the SUV’s front bumper, the mesh covering the car’s door speakers and on spokes of the alloy wheels that’ll be fitted to the upcoming “Sport” model.

The GV70 might not be the only new model Genesis that could potentially arrive in the UK. Eventually, we could get the larger G80 saloon, along with a range of Genesis-badged electric vehicles, based on Hyundai’s latest E-GMP architecture – potentially offering new competition for upmarket EV brands such as Tesla and Polestar. 

What do you make of the new Genesis GV70? Let us know in the comments section below…