Lexus has made the best mid-sized/compact luxury crossover for decades. However, now that I’ve tried the Genesis GV70, my longstanding opinions have started to adapt.
Our extended family clan has owned multiple Lexus RX luxury crossovers, and they are much loved by everyone who operates them. We’ve had four in total, three at one time, and the clan now has two driven by two different generations. It’s fair to say you’d expect a reviewer to have some bias given these realities. Honestly, I love the Lexus brand, and the RX has served us well for decades. If I were shopping for a vehicle in that segment, I’d consider the RX and if wanted a slightly smaller vehicle, I’d check out an NX. We bought a Venza at the very end of its production run, and we are madly in love with it. However…
Having just tested the new 2026 Genesis GV70 3.5T Sport Prestige AWD, I have come to realize the segment has added some very attractive alternatives. One very attractive alternative comes from Genesis. Based on my time in the GV70, I’ve come to realize that Genesis has raised the bar in many ways. Here are the areas in which the GV70 sets a new standard.
2026 Genesis GV70 3.5T Sport Prestige AWD - What Is It?
The GV70 is a compact/midsize crossover SUV. It is a luxury vehicle by any definition. It feels roomy and comfortable in all four outboard seats and can accommodate 5 in a pinch.
2026 Genesis GV70 3.5T Sport Prestige AWD - Powertrain
The GV70 we tested had a 3.5-liter twin-turbo engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. It’s silky smooth and offers abundant torque and power. Torque News contributor Hande Tuncer was a passenger in the vehicle multiple times and was surprised to learn it was a gas-powered vehicle. She had assumed it was battery-electric until I stopped for gas.
2026 Genesis GV70 3.5T Sport Prestige AWD - The Drive
The GV70 offers a very smooth ride, despite very low-profile sporty tires. It absorbs road imperfections quietly and without drama. Handling is great. It’s not a sports sedan (Genesis has a few great options if you want one), but it is sporty. Acceleration is brisk and satisfying. Overall, the GV70 would top our list of driving satisfaction in this segment. Only the GV60 BEV was more satisfying to drive.
2026 Genesis GV70 3.5T Sport Prestige AWD - Infotainment and Interior
The GV70 we tested had a superb interior. The seats were outstanding. With wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, the infotainment system was distraction-free and straightforward to use. The new Genesis screen design is really ideal. It wraps from the center of the vehicle and ends up left of the driver’s view. Not too big, definitely not too small, crisp and clear.
The Bang and Olufsen audio offers outstanding range, and the subwoofer is literally under your butt on the floor. This system rivaled the best we’ve heard, which is in Acura’s MDX, made by the same brand.
2026 Genesis GV70 3.5T Sport Prestige AWD - Ownership Experience
Our family has been migrating to Genesis over time. One of the owners of a past RX now owns a new Genesis, and we also had a G80 for many years that was just traded after zero problems. The concierge service, included maintenance, and “America’s best warranty,” are all reasons why both owners went towards Genesis. As a family that has long leaned Lexus, we appreciate the ownership experience as much as we do the actual vehicle. Genesis scored second only to Lexus in the 2023 J.D. Power Dependability Study. That really caught our attention. This is a brand that has its priorities in order.
2026 Genesis GV70 3.5T Sport Prestige AWD - Price and Value
The GV70 starts at around $50K, just a smidge lower than the base Lexus RX. Including Inland Freight and Handling, our 2025 2026 Genesis GV70 3.5T Sport Prestige AWD test vehicle had a price of $72,250. This price puts the GV70 about $10K higher than a 2025 top-trim Lexus RX 350 PREMIUM+ AWD. 2026 prices have yet to be announced.
With regard to value, we know from our recent 2018 G80 Ultimate trade that Genesis vehicles have outstanding trade-in value by comparison to the brand’s peers. Couple the solid value retention with the super-long warranty, and one can see why so many luxury choppers who prioritize value are now considering Genesis. If you are shopping for a top-tier five-passenger luxury crossover/SUV, the GV70 should be on your list.
John Goreham is a long-standing member of the New England Motor Press Association and an expert vehicle tester. John completed an engineering program with a focus on electric vehicles, followed by two decades of work in high-tech, biopharma, and the automotive supply chain before becoming a news contributor. He is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE int). In addition to his eleven years of work at Torque News, John has published thousands of articles and reviews at American news outlets. He is known for offering unfiltered opinions on vehicle topics. You can connect with John on LinkedIn and follow his work on his personal X channel or on our X channel. Please note that stories carrying John's by-line are never AI-generated, but he does employ grammar and punctuation software when proofreading and he also uses image generation tools.
