GENESIS TARGETS THE GERMANS (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

With this GV70, luxury brand Genesis offers an alternative to the usual Teutonic mid-sized premium SUV formula. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 50

The GV70 is Korean maker Genesis showing us what it believes a mid-sized premium badged SUV should be. It'll be a rare sight on our roads but the right kind of customer might well like this car's beautifully finished spacious cabin, assured driving dynamics and class leading customer support package.

Backgroundword count: 176

Let's assume that you're thinking of choosing a mid-sized premium badged SUV. But you want something different from the BMW X3s, Audi Q5s and Mercedes GLCs that your friends and business acquaintances drive. There are other options in this class from Volvo, Alfa Romeo and Lexus of course, but none of them are quite as left-field as the car we're going to look at here, the Genesis GV70. You probably won't have heard of it - or of the Genesis brand either, which is the posh division of the Hyundai Motor Group that's rapidly making a name for itself in the UK. The GV70 is the SUV version of the brand's G70, a BMW 3 Series-sized model offered in saloon or 'Shooting Brake' estate forms. There's a larger GV80 SUV in the Genesis range if the GV70 isn't quite big enough, but we're guessing this car might suit a lot of people in this segment very well. And, as with all Genesis models, it comes with a level of customer service back-up that rivals can't approach.

Driving Experienceword count: 221

Interestingly, Genesis isn't bothering with any form of hybrid engine for this car, even though it has access to mild hybrid, full-Hybrid and PHEV Hybrid powerplants from Hyundai. Instead, most customers choose between two conventional four cylinder combustion units. As on the G70 saloon and 'Shooting Brake' estate models, there's a 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol and a 2.2-litre diesel. The petrol puts out 300bhp, makes 62mph in 6.1s and tops out at 149mph. For the diesel, it's 206bhp and the figures are 7.9s and 133mph. Like other models in this class, this one's all-wheel driven and auto-only - a smooth 8-speed 'box. You can specify an e-LSD limited slip differential for extra cornering traction. There's no air suspension option (which would have suited the feel of Genesis brand), but all models get road scanning adaptive damping that prepares the shocks for bumps before you reach them. Don't expect too much in terms of handling enjoyment, but outside of a Porsche Macan, no car in this class really offers that. What you do get is superb refinement. If you really prioritise frugality in your GV70, you'll want to look at the pricier electrified version. With that, twin motors, one on each axle, deliver 4WD and a potent 483bhp output, while the 77.4kWh battery manages a WLTP-rated range reading of 249 miles between charges.

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