2026 Genesis GV70: Subtle Design Changes and a Big Tech Upgrade Enhance This SUV’s Luxury
This sporty, toned midsize luxury SUV grew up a but its signature Genesis DNA still makes it stand out.
There’s something about the Genesis GV70 that stands apart from the rest of the luxury car maker’s lineup. Yes, it has the tell-tale Genesis signature front and rear lights, an elegant silhouette, and snazzy wheels. Inside, you’re swathed in expensive leather—Genesis is on point when it comes to luxury details—and you can pick from nine interior design palettes.
But the Genesis GV70, priced from $48K to about $70K, has its own personality apart from the rest of the family. It’s more toned, sportier, and spirited. And it has ovals.
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The Redesigned 2026 Genesis GV70 Keeps the Momentum Going
Before seeing the redesigned 2026 Genesis GV70, I expected to see the ovals abandoned; they are a distinct design detail that is unique to this model, and not only are they still there, they’re enhanced, other design details were adjusted to better complement them, and they’re smarter. It’s a small point, but one that, if you buy this car, you’ll look at every day.
Ovals, as it turns out, continue to be a key part of the design language; they add a bit of constraint to the interior’s design, and in the 2026 model, holding fewer functions, highlighting them rather than simply acting as a stage for buttons and dials.
Here’s what I mean: in the first generation, the chrome-surrounded oval dash panel held all the climate controls. Simple, but disruptive of the shape; there was a lot going on there. In the 2026 redesign, the oval panel holds fewer controls and linear air vents; the climate control panel has been moved to a lower, at-your-fingertips position just above the center console. This new panel offers a nice continuity between the console and the dashboard and allows the center oval panel to stand out as a design element.
You’ll see more ovals on the interior door handles and door panel arm rests, and you’ll notice how their linear shape flows with the Genesis logo and exterior head lights and tail lights.
In the 2026 model, these elements feel more cohesive than ever, creating a sense that the Genesis GV70 has matured and grown, rather than simply renovated and updated. Though it’s been that, too.
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Subtly Enhanced Design Defines the 2026 Genesis GV70
In luxury, design is often evolution rather than revolution, with finessed updates rather than wholesale changes. That’s the case with the 2026 Genesis GV70. It carries a new layered mesh grille that is both simplified from the prior grille and more detailed; our test model featured a dark chrome finish to the grille, though each trim has its own distant riff on the mesh grille. The headlights have the same look as prior models and even though there are subtle changes, the overall signature remains.
The rear end carries a new tail pipe design and a new spoiler, but again, you really have to look closely to notice the differences.
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The Stand-Out Detail I Liked Most: New Wheel Designs
The one thing that stands out immediately is the new wheels. There are three choices, and all are an elegant evolution from the prior models with angled blades that let the brake calipers peep through.
I couldn’t stop looking at the wheels on the Sport Prestige model we test drove, though. These carried a subtle sport stripe in a dark platinum against the lighter platinum wheel, creating an almost tartan look. It’s very subtle and possibly my favorite detail on the 2026 model. Which is saying a lot because wheels are rarely the first thing I focus on.
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New Technology Sets Up a Great Experience For Driver and Passengers
As with its other models, Genesis has added a linear 27” flat screen that spans the dash from the driver’s seat to mid-cabin. It holds a driver’s display on the left and a touchscreen on the right. The screen is fully customizable — using driver controls to set up the driver display and using the array of elegant tiles on the touchscreen.
For 2026, the screen is not only new, but uses a faster processor, making it more responsive and allowing wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. And it’s now easier to use.
Probably the best feature, if you ask me, is the voice assistance. But I’ll start this with a caveat: If you hop into a Genesis GV70 and say “Hey Genesis,” and nothing happens, it’s because the system has to be toggled on. It’s simple: Tap the settings tile, scroll down to voice assistance, and then toggle on the wake word.
Then, when you say “Hey Genesis,” the system instantly asks how it can help. Eventually it’ll be able to even do things like roll down the windows, though it wasn’t able to do that on our test drive, though it did tune the radio station, change the cabin temperature and set our navigation destination.
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Head Up Display with … Apple Maps Navigation? HECK YEAH
This one is pretty exciting. I love Apple CarPlay. It’s so intuitive and easy to use and it goes where you go. But still, most in-car systems only display Apple Maps (not Google Maps, unfortunately) on the main touch screen. So to get turn-by-turn directions in the heads-up display, which is only available in the top-of-the-line Sport Prestige model, you’d have to use the built-in navigation.
But now, with the updated system, Genesis buyers who go all in can use Apple Maps, ported from CarPlay. It’s a simple thing, but those are often the best.
Six Trims, Two Engines, and Lots of Options
The good news is that the Genesis GV70 still has a very approachable starting price, just a hair under $48K. It tops out at just over $70K, and that includes it all. While there are a lot of new features for 2026, the engines are not among them; Genesis went with the same 2.5L 4-cylinder turbo delivering 300 HP and the 3.5L V6 twin turbo generating 375 HP.
Both engines deliver more than enough power for the GV70’s mid-size frame, though those who want a sportier experience can opt for the larger engine. It’s worth noting that the V6 is only available on sport trims, not on the standard design models.
All models are equipped with all wheel drive standard; here’s how the 2.5T 4-cylinder models are priced:
- Genesis GV70 AWD, with 19” wheels, heated power front seats, ambient lighting, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, leatherette seating, and the 27” display starts at $47,895
- Select AWD with a panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charger, power-adjusting steering wheel, and power folding mirrors starts at $50,885
- Advanced AWD adds Bang & Olufsen premium sound, leather upholstery, vented front seats, surround view monitor, heated steering wheel, and advanced driver assist features including a blind spot video monitor and parking collision avoidance, and biometric authentication starting at $55,435
- Sport Prestige AWD, with sport design details, 3-zone climate control, digital key, rear seat household outlet, and shiny sport pedals starts at $58,795
For a Small Upgrade, a Lot More Power and More Features
The 3.5T V6 models come well equipped and with fun touches like contrast stitching and sport seat belts; here’s how they are priced:
- Sport Advanced AWD adds the larger engine to all the features on the 2.5 Sport Prestige and starts at $63,415
- The Sport Prestige AWD adds 21” wheels, Nappa leather seating, suede ceiling headliner, heated rear seats, rear door window shades, and additional all wheel drive capability and starts at $70,095
Driving the Genesis GV70 is a Pure Delight
This is a car that feels good in your hands. The new “D” shaped steering wheel, the capable engines, and the sporty proportions of this SUV lend to a great experience. A bit of engineering finesse adds to that; it’s been tweaked so you don’t feel as tossed around on curvy roads, so your coffee won’t spill in the cupholder.
There is a new Terrain drive mode that adds sand, mud, and snow to the drive mode lineup, and that’s something I can completely appreciate, having spent too many white-knuckle days driving snow-squalled roads just to get home, which was up and down a few hills. AWD was always a must, and now, it’s even better—and standard in all Genesis GV70 models. And Genesis has enhanced adaptive cruise control so it’s even smarter and allows you to relax a bit more.
I really like that the GV70 maintains its individual character in the Genesis family, showing just enough DNA so you know where it’s from and what to expect, but enough personality to stand apart, too.
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