Starts at $47,985
Rank
Pros
Cons
What's New for 2026?
The big news this year is the addition of a 27-inch OLED infotainment screen, which gives the GV70 a revolutionary new look inside. Otherwise, changes are minor to nonexistent, aside from a significant weight gain (158 pounds for the 2.5T, 199 pounds for the 3.5T) that makes this already portly little SUV even denser.
FAST FACTS
"The GV70 was an instant hit thanks to its trifecta of style, performance and value, while a significant interior update for 2026 helps keep it fresh with a beautiful 27-inch OLED infotainment screen. The compact Genesis SUV remains broadly competitive in this hotly contested segment — we appreciate the availability of a powerful 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6, as well as the convincingly luxurious cabin materials. Fuel economy is disappointing, however, whether you go with the base four-cylinder engine or that otherwise satisfying V6."—Ranked #6 out of 16 Compact Luxury SUVs
MotorDonkey's proprietary vehicle data identifies every significant version of each model so that you can compare and decide. Ordered by price from low to high, here are the versions of the 2026 Genesis GV70 that you need to be aware of, along with our expert analysis and recommendations.
The EPA has downgraded the GV70 2.5T this year from 24 mpg combined (22 city/28 highway) to 23 mpg combined (20 city/28 highway). That's the best-case scenario, by the way; if you get a higher trim with the 21-inch wheels rather than the base 19s, those numbers drop to 22 mpg combined (20 city/26 highway). The four-cylinder GV70 was already one of the thirstiest entrants in its class, and this isn't helping. If you're drawn to the GV70's style, luxury and technology, we get it, but just know that its powertrain engineering falls short of world-class.
We generally prefer the optional engine upgrade in a case like this, but the GV70 3.5T V6 gives us pause. Its fuel economy is notably worse than that of the base 2.5T model, yet the acceleration numbers don't improve dramatically — and the V6 costs much more, verging on price parity with high-performance SUVs from Germany. The fuel tank is the same size either way, incidentally, so you'll have less driving range if you get the V6.
Publisher and Donkey-in-Chief
Josh has been reviewing cars professionally since joining Edmunds.com fresh out of grad school in 2008, personally driving most new cars on the market every year since. He also served as the project manager for Edmunds' expert vehicle rankings from their inception in 2018, building the product out from the back end to the front end. Josh is a card-carrying member of the Motor Press Guild and a lifelong car nut who has tested, compared and critiqued a ridiculous number of cars in his career.
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