Everyone now and then I review a car and give it back thinking, ‘you know what, I could buy one of these’. The 2025 Genesis GV70, especially in V6 form, gets very close to being one of those vehicles.
Yes, the brand doesn’t have a huge presence, including in Australia. But that is changing, with more showrooms opening up and the brand is opening up to an agency model so we’ll see more of Genesis further around the country.
We attended the official media launch event to see what the new model is like, and we took up the opportunity to drive one from Byron Bay down to Sydney – an 800km trip; perfect for testing the real-world economy in touring conditions.
2025 Genesis GV70 Signature Sport: Specifications
Engine: 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol
Output: 279kW@5800rpm / 530Nm@1600-4300rpm
Gearbox: Eight-speed auto
Drive type: All-wheel drive
Wheels: F & R: 21×9.0, 255/40
ANCAP: Not tested
Tare weight: 2088kg
Power-to-weight: 7.48:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 11.3L/100km
Our consumption: 8.6L/100km
Fuel tank/Fuel type: 66L/95 RONPower efficiency: 24.69kW:L/100km
0-60km/h: 2.87 seconds*
0-100km/h: 5.64 seconds*
60-110km/h: 3.67 seconds*
1/4 mile: 13.84 seconds at 167.9km/h*
Max acceleration: 0.797g*
100-0km/h braking: 37.67m in 3.05 seconds*
Max deceleration: -1.270g*
Decibel at idle: 37*
Peak decibel at 60-100km/h: 84*
Starting price: $100,000
*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different
2025 Genesis GV70 Signature Sport: How much does it cost?
Like everything, the new model is more expensive than the predecessor. Prices start from $78,500 for the entry AWD 2.5T, and top out at an even $100,000 for the flagship trim with the twin-turbo V6 engine (excluding on-roads). The previous range, which started with a RWD 2.5T, went from $70,500 and topped out at $84,014 (excluding the GV70 Electrified model – new version arriving mid-2025).
Genesis has introduced more luxury features, made improvements to noise and vibration levels, and revised the trim levels to make it an overall more compelling package for those in the market for a pampering mid-size SUV. The range now spans from the Advanced, Signature, and Signature Sport.
2025 Genesis GV70 Signature Sport: Interior & packaging
One look inside and you’ll be blown away but just how luxurious this is. You could easily fool someone into thinking this is a much more expensive vehicle from one of the exotic brands. From the diamond-style stitching, the extensive coverage of leather, and the fine attention to detail all spells high-end in our mind.
New for the 2025 model is a massive twin-screen arrangement across the dash. The slightly kinked panel incorporates a seamless 27-inch OLED display, merging both the infotainment and gauge cluster into one panel. It is very impressive to behold, even if, like me, you’re not a fan of big screens in cars.
The graphics are really nice, wth soft tones and colours making it easy on the eye, and the layout for the apps and menu flow is really quick to grasp. New for 2025 is an updated touch-screen for the climate control, separated out from the main screen, and the main system now supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
For the driver there’s a new head-up display system as standard, and owners can now update the on-board systems via over-the-air functionality. Other hardware changes include Micro-Lens Array (MLA) LED lighting as standard, smart touch key for the front and rear doors, an in-cabin camera, and new-look alloy wheels for all.
Speaking of the look, the top-spec Signature Sport adopts a suave enhancement package with discreetly more aggressive front and rear bumper bars and rear diffuser area. There’s also a set of bespoke 21-inch alloy wheels featuring twin stripes across the spokes. It all looks very alluring, from any angle, with a neat, fat stance from the back and a focused and distinctive face.
As for passenger space, the GV70 remains a mid-field player. It doesn’t offer the most room in the back, although the front is on par with most in this class. Rear seat legroom is decent but not at the top of the class, mainly due to the driveline hump in the middle and protruding console. But it’s probably just as much about the perception of space rather than the actual dimensions available.
Likewise, the boot measures in at 542L, which is just shy of the 550L segment standard, opening to 1678L with the rear seats folded down. Most of the Euro rivals offer around 1600L or more. So, as you can see, this is about average for the class.
The boot area offers tabs to flip down the rear seats from the side walls, and the seats are spring-loaded and fold fully flat when you pull the tab – you don’t have to go around and push/click them into place. There’s also a handy spot fo the security blind to be stored under the floor when you need to load in bulky items, for added convenience.
2025 Genesis GV70 Signature Sport: Powertrain & handling
At first you might think the 2.5T is more economical, and you’d be right. It is rated at 10.3L/100km on the official average while the V6 is rated at 11.3L/100km. That’s not a huge difference but it does tend to be magnified in city conditions or if you’re always giving it some.
However, if you’re planning on doing some touring, some interstate trips, the V6 could potentially be the better pick because it offers more torque which means effortless highway cruising. Including with a packed boot and some passengers.
Well, to put some science into the mix we drove from Byron Bay to Sydney in the V6 to see what sort of real-world consumption it could return. The plan wasn’t to ‘hypermile’ all the way down or run in Eco mode the whole way with the air-con off. No, this was normal driving, some spirited overtaking, and all systems on in terms of cabin comfort.
Over the circa-800km trip, the on-board computer (reset at departure) returned an average of 8.6L/100km. That, coincidentally, is exactly the same as the official highway consumption rate. Now it would be interesting to see what the 2.5T could do in the same conditions. My prediction is it would not be able to match its highway consumption figure of 7.5L/100km, with stuff in the boot and some passengers.
But the other element that needs to be factored in is the enjoyment the V6 brings. Is it worth a potential sacrifice of 1L/100km? Absolutely. This engine is smooth and produces a roaring note (when the fake sounds are turned off), and loads of torque and performance.
Genesis claims 0-100km/h is possible in 5.2 seconds. The best we saw during Vbox testing was 5.64 seconds. It’s a quick SUV offering heaps of low-down grunt. Peak torque, all 530Nm, is spread from 1300-4500rpm. So there’s always a window open if you need/want to put your foot down.
The engine sound is probably the weakest link. There are three different artificial sound enhancement modes and the ability to switch them off, but neither of these produce an inspiring noise. Genesis will soon be launching a performance-focused sub-brand called Magma, which could bring in some options and accessories, perhaps even proper sports exhaust options. We’ll have to see.
As for the handling, the top V6 does weigh 2088kg, which is quite heavy for this class. You can feel it in some situations more than others, particularly around long sweeping bends that have a few bumps in them. Genesis has made various revisions to improve stability and rigidity for 2025, including reinforcing the body frame, so it does feel tighter than the previous model.
Down a nice set of twisty turns the GV70 feels more agile than before, with good steering response and adequate precision, although not quite as precise as some of the Euro rivals. However, where this makes up for it is with a comfortable ride. This is a pleasure to drive when you’re not expecting supercar handling, which you shouldn’t be anyway as this is a luxury SUV.
The V6 models come with a technology called Road Preview Electronic Control Suspension which literally reads the road ahead, and prepares the dampers accordingly. V6 models also come with an e-LSD at the back and a Sport+ driving mode for the Signature Sport (activates a ‘sport’ ESC setting).
2025 Genesis GV70 Signature Sport: First impressions
While Genesis remains as a pretty small brand in Australia, and certainly in terms of sales, it is hard to argue against its products. The 2025 GV70 is yet another example of this. Good powertrains, excellent fit and finish and proper attention to detail, with very impressive technology, and all wrapped up in an appealing and distinctive design.
2025 Genesis GV70 Signature Sport: Video
