Careful Revision Makes the 2026 Genesis GV70 Even Better

Not everything is in need of reinvention. Sometimes, just a few well-chosen improvements here and there are all it takes to raise the bar.

That seems to have been the guiding principle behind the Genesis GV70’s mid-cycle refresh. Only the most eagle-eyed of Genesis obsessives will be able to immediately spot the differences between the 2026 model and its predecessors. That’s not a bad thing, though. As we learned during a recent week spent driving the Korean marque’s best-selling North American model in upstate New York, those changes, as subtle as they may be, combine to make the GV70 one of the best options in the crowded luxury compact SUV segment.

What’s New For 2025

If you ask Genesis, they’ll tell you that the GV70 has been redesigned for the 2026 model year. This feels like a stretch to us, as the SUV’s looks almost the same, both inside and out, as it did when it made its debut earlier this decade. But it does feature a revised front end for the upcoming model year, which includes a reworked grille and headlamps. The interior has been treated to the same light touch, with the big change being a new infotainment touchscreen. Meanwhile, under the hood, you’ll find the same engine choices that have powered the ICE version of the SUV since launch (it is also available as the battery-powered Electrified GV70), which, in the case of the more potent versions, is a twin-turbocharged V-6.

Design

Genesis refers to its current design language as “Athletic Elegance,” and there may be no member of its lineup more deserving of this description than the GV70. Just as it has since launching as part of the 2022 model year, the SUV combines a muscular stance with clean lines and just the right amount of flash. The look may not have changed much over the years, but the 2026 version does feature a carefully refined front end. The G-Matrix Crest grille features a more intricate design, while the two-line headlamps are more defined (and brighter) than in previous years. These changes, along with redesigned 19- or 21-inch wheels, ensure that the vehicle looks as sporty as anything else in its class, especially in the Mauna Red and Obsidian Black combo worn by my loaner.

The interior has a very different vibe, though. The GV70’s every surface, from the door panels to the dashboard to the headliner, is covered in plush materials, like Nappa leather, making it abundantly clear that it is a luxury vehicle. It also features an impressive 27-inch OLED display that’s new for 2026.  The low-profile screen stretches from the cockpit to the middle of the dashboard and includes both the digital gauge cluster and infotainment system. Despite this, the vehicle features plenty of physical controls. Include a jeweled shifter. The cabin in the example I drove was done up in red and back, just like the exterior, and featured quilted seat inserts in the front and back. The SUV is a five-seater, but we found the back seat to be on the cramped side, especially if anyone in the front seat has long legs. That’s not too surprising, since it is a compact SUV, though it does still have 28.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats (and 56.9 cubic feet when they’re folded down).

Power Train and Other Hardware

The gas-powered GV70 comes with one of two engines, a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-four or a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-6, both of which have been offered since launch. The example I tried out was the 3.5T Sport Prestige AWD variant and as such was powered by the latter. It’s not the most powerful mill in the class, but it still makes a more-than-respectable 375 hp and 390 ft lbs of torque, which is split between both axles via an eight-speed automatic transmission. The four-pot, meanwhile, makes up to 300 hp.

The GV70’s powertrain may not be all that fresh, but the same can’t be said for the rest of the vehicle’s hardware. The electronically controlled suspension has a feature called “Road Preview,” which uses the vehicle’s front camera to read the surface in front of you for bumps and dips and adjusts accordingly. There’s also an electronically controlled limited-slip differential that will help improve traction.

Performance

No, Genesis’s SUV may not be as potent as the Porsche Macan (the most powerful internal combustion engine version makes 434 hp), Mercedes-Benz GLC (416 hp), or BMW X3 (393), but that doesn’t make it any less fun to drive. The V-6, while comparatively underpowered, is quick and responsive. The automaker doesn’t list an official acceleration figure in its press materials, but it has been reported that the vehicle can hit 60 mph in just five seconds, and that seemed to be the case while I was driving. Passing bigger (and one would assume more powerful) vehicles was a breeze, whether I was on the highway or a long two-lane road.

But speed is only part of the driving experience, and where the GV70 really excelled was in its handling. It may be on the slight side by SUV standards, but it still offers the nimbleness of a much smaller vehicle. I was especially impressed with how the GV70 tackled the winding roads in the area of the Catskills where I was driving. The vehicle’s steering is very precise, allowing me to dive in and out of turns with the utmost confidence.

Is It Worth It?

It may not have evolved much in the four years it’s been on sale in the U.S., but the GV70 continues to be one of the best vehicles in its class. It looks sharp, is supremely comfortable, and, most importantly, is a blast to drive. Add in a starting price just shy of $50,000—though the fully loaded $70,000 3.5T Sport Prestige AWD is just as much of a value—and you have yourself an SUV worthy of anyone’s attention.

Specifications

Vehicle Type

In Production Since

Power Train

Performance

Price as Tested

Click here for more photos of the 2026 Genesis GV70.