Used 2023 Genesis GV70

The thing about the 2023 Genesis GV70 is that it can be a fantastic first purchase for newcomers to the luxury compact SUV world. All the usual attributes are present and correct.

Yet the GV70 can also appeal to those who have been down this road many times before in different and more expensive marques. Chances are they won’t be missing any particular attribute.

They might even find that Genesis gave the GV70 a certain trait the others don’t have. Maybe the standard safety features, the 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, the optional Lexicon audio system, or any number of highlights in between.

Kelley Blue Book has definitely been down these roads in many luxury compact SUVs, and we had no hesitation naming the Genesis GV70 our Compact Luxury SUV Best Buy for 2023.

Joining the family for 2023 is the battery-powered Electrified GV70, reviewed separately.

As its alphanumeric name hints, the 2023 GV70 is based on the same platform as the G70 luxury compact sedan. It’s a great move because the G70 is one of the most engaging cars to ever come out of the Genesis/Hyundai camp.

Although driver involvement may not be such a priority for buyers looking at luxury SUVs, most of us are still open to some fun when the occasion allows. The Standard version powered by the 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine certainly has enough punch to please many people for most of the time.

With a twin-turbo V6, the 3.5T Sport can go up against something like the BMW X3 M40i or Audi SQ5. Nothing in the Acura RDX or Lexus NX lineups comes close. This model also has an adaptive suspension that can read the road ahead and adjust settings to suit.

There’s one odd little thing with the optional 12.3-inch digital driver information display. The rev counter (to the right of the speedometer) moves counter-clockwise as the speedo moves clockwise as a kind of mirror image.

In the normal world, they would both go in the same direction. Of course, there would be many more clues to show that the engine was being over-revved, but that initial cognitive dissonance is a bit unsettling.

It’s really upscale inside the 2023 GV70. An exhilarating mix of tech and sumptuousness emphasizes this compact SUV’s luxury credentials. Things like the steering wheel and switchgear even feel high-quality.

One little change this year is that the 3.5T has dropped the availability of Nappa leather/suede seating surfaces, although the Nappa leather option remains, along with diamond-patterned stitching. Oh, and the SOS button in both models is now red.

A heated steering wheel and 3-zone automatic climate control are new items joining the 2.5T Standard’s optional packages. Simulated leather seating surfaces are standard in this introductory model, although the real stuff is part of the Advanced package.

Adults will have to be taller than average to find fault with the accommodations in either row. Cargo capacities with rear seats up and down are similarly plentiful.

Just an observation, which isn’t necessarily a gripe: The tempered-glass rotary gearshift and equally classy-looking circular infotainment system controller are right next to each other in the center console. Drivers might reach for the wrong one while still getting used to things.

Considering the Genesis GV70 was all-new last year, not many tweaks were necessary for this trip around the sun. But the company did decide to change the color of the 3.5T Sport’s rear brake calipers. They’re now black, just like the front calipers. Crazy, right?

Compared with the 2.5T Standard model, the 3.5T Sport has a darker grille, larger front air intakes, and dual circular exhaust tailpipes. Everyone has their own tastes, but the GV70’s looks work for us.

14.5-inch infotainment screen
A standard feature across the 2023 GV70 range, the graphics are super-crisp, and the size is appropriate for this luxury SUV class. The system also includes Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration, navigation, and wireless charging.

Ergo Motion Driver’s Seat
More than a massaging seat, this has a programmed set of stretch movements to relieve pressure on the lumbar region and pelvis — wonderful to have on long journeys and dull commutes alike. It’s a standard feature exclusive to the 3.5T Sport.

Digital Key
Accessing and starting the 2023 GV70 can be done with an Android smartphone. When verified with the fingerprint reader, driver profiles are loaded automatically, adjusting seat positions and audio preferences. Apple iPhone owners can use a key card. This feature is offered in both GV70 variants.

3D Digital Gauge Cluster
This optional 12.3-inch unit takes digital gauges to another level by showing slightly different images to each eye. But it’s not confusing.

Remote Smart Parking
Part of both models’ Advanced packages, this self-parking feature can handle parallel and perpendicular spaces. The driver can decide whether to stay in the vehicle or operate it from outside.

Lexicon Surround-Sound System
Audiophiles who love/need to hear details like the sound of a bow against a violin string, or the subtle nuances of a great singer’s timbre, will appreciate the 16-speaker/1,050-watt Lexicon system that’s now optional in both 2023 GV70 SUV models.

In what should be a surprise to no one, the 2.5T Standard version of the 2023 GV70 SUV has a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine. It’s a 4-cylinder unit making a thoroughly respectable 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque.

The twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 develops a muscular 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft in the 3.5T Sport variant. Premium fuel is required in each model’s tank.

Both engines connect to an 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive standard throughout.

2.5-liter turbocharged inline-4 (2.5T Standard)
300 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm
311 lb-ft of torque @ 1,650-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/28 mpg (w/18-inch & 19-inch wheels), 19//26 mpg (w/21-inch wheels)

3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 (3.5T Sport)
375 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm
391 lb-ft of torque @ 1,300-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/24 mpg