2022 Genesis GV70 Arrival: One Year With Our SUV of the Year

After driving over 40 SUVs of all shapes and sizes during our SUV of the Year program, the 2022 Genesis GV70 stood out for its performance, handling, looks, interior space, safety technologies, value, and fuel economy. The GV70 nailed our criteria, becoming MotorTrend's2022 SUV of the Year.

Like with all Of The Year winners, the Genesis is joining our long-term fleet of vehicles so we can evaluate it over the course of a year. We'll find out how it performs on a day-to-day basis—from taking it on long road trips to servicing it. Our long-term vehicle program strives to reflect a true customer experience with each vehicle.

Choosing our new GV70

The 2022 Genesis GV70 is available with two different powertrains—a turbocharged 2.5-liter I-4 and an optional 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6. The base engine is more than adequate and provides enough power to deliver a fun experience behind the wheel, but we opted for the 3.5T Sport Prestige trim, which delivers 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. Mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, the V-6 delivers power to all four wheels thanks to a standard all-wheel-drive system. As part of the Sport Prestige trim, an electronic limited-slip differential makes sure the GV70 handles twisty roads and slippery conditions with confidence.

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Genesis designers have done a fantastic job with their vehicles, and the GV70 is no exception. With a color palette featuring 12 exterior and four interior choices (the four cylinder offers 13 and seven!), this SUV can be customized plenty of ways. Some of the colors, like Barossa Burgundy matte and Brunswick Green, are out of the ordinary while still being modest. We, however, opted for the Uyuni White exterior paint, which adds metallic flakes that pop in bright or soft light. Don't get us wrong—we're fans of the flashier colors, but Uyuni White makes the crest grille and dynamic fascia stand out more, while the quad headlights and taillights get more attention. Inside, we chose the Ultramarine Blue interior, one of the chicest interiors in the industry. Combined with red stitching and red seat belts, the blue leather on the dash, seats, and door panels pops even more; it will impress anyone who currently drives a German luxury car.

Genesis' strategy of having well-equipped models from the start helps with their value. The list of standard features in our GV70 is quite long, and because the automaker is staying away from adding packages that bundle features to increase prices (like other luxury automakers do), our $64,670 GV70 Sport Prestige is a tremendous value. Next to a comparable BMW X3 M40i or Audi SQ5, the GV70's has a much lower price while offering more equipment.

Safety is a big part of Genesis models, too. With standard active safety technologies like smart cruise control with stop and go, highway driving assist, lane keeping assist, and forward collision avoidance assist, the GV70 is up to today's standards. The compact crossover has also been crash tested by the IIHS and received its highest honor—Top Safety Pick +. The NHTSA has not rated the GV70 as of this writing.

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The Maintenance Plan

Our 2022 Genesis GV70 comes with three years or 36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance and service valet, which means a Genesis representative will take the GV70 to its scheduled service and drop off a courtesy replacement at our home or office. Once the maintenance service is done, our GV70 will be brought back to us at no charge.

While other luxury cars recommend servicing every 10,000 miles, Genesis recommends going in for an oil change and tire rotation every 8,000 miles. We can't complain about that, though. given the complimentary maintenance and service valet.

Experiencing Genesis

Genesis needs as much brand awareness as it can get. Its products have proven to be class leading, and it's slowly gaining attention. But it needs more than that. As a young and ambitious brand, Genesis is doing everything it can to stand out by offering unique selling propositions beyond the products. Its dealer network is being set up with stand-alone spaces that create an experience, and with the Genesis House and Genesis Studio in New York, the brand is making a strong effort to be recognized on an experiential level.

As its determined strategy rolls out, we look forward to spending the next 12 months with the Genesis GV70. This isn't the first time we're getting a long-term Genesis. The Genesis G70, our 2019 Car of the Year, spent more than a year in our hands, but our experience with it wasn't flawless. During its first few months we had to replace its transmission and turbocharger. While the GV70 shares its chassis with the G70 sedan, they don't share their powertrains. Here's hoping our time with the sporty crossover goes much smoother.