2025.05.29 GENESIS
Refined and Confident: Genesis GV70 Wins Over North American Media
The redesigned Genesis GV70 made its North American debut with a bang, capturing the attention of local media thanks to its elevated product appeal and refined ride quality. With sharper dynamics and smarter tech, the GV70 is positioning itself as a standout in the fiercely competitive luxury SUV space.
The GV70’s exceptional competitiveness is gaining serious traction beyond Korea and in the North American market. Genesis held a test drive event and a Tech Talk session, where media could directly experience the SUV’s upgraded value and explore the brand’s suite of convenience and performance-enhancing technologies. The event—designed to showcase the GV70’s updated features and appeal—received an enthusiastic response. Most notably, the GV70 intrigued journalists with its advanced driving technologies and subtle refinements that elevated the SUV’s overall polish.
The event, held in Houston, Texas, gave attendees a chance to learn everything about the redesigned GV70. While Houston isn’t a typical location for media drive events, its unique blend of urban and natural roadways made it an ideal testing ground for the GV70. Sixty leading media outlets attended—from MotorTrend, Car and Driver, and Edmunds to Automotive News, Kelley Blue Book, and jurors from the World Car of the Year (WCOTY) and North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year Awards (NACTOY).
The program began with the GMNA COO Ted Mengiste’s overview of the brand in the region, followed by the North American product planning team’s presentation on the model’s key features. The brand’s tech showcase video, “Technology by Genesis,” was presented to the audience to highlight core tech features across the Genesis product lineup. Interest was particularly high during the core technical presentation, where Genesis’ Korean R&D engineers gave direct explanations of upgraded technologies applied to the redesigned GV70. After the video and tech briefing, the event culminated in a 100-mile drive spanning local roads and highways—an ideal format for experiencing the GV70 in full.
Media feedback on the redesigned GV70 was overwhelmingly positive. Having undergone its first facelift in roughly three years, the GV70 drew particular attention—especially as it represents 35% of Genesis’s total U.S. sales in 2024. As such, expectations for new tech, user-focused convenience, and elevated luxury were especially high.
Many outlets singled out the GV70’s refined driving experience. Car and Driver noted, “This SUV still adroitly treads the line between luxury and sport. But its steering now feels a tad sharper, its wheel control (and thus ride quality) is better managed over pockmarked pavement, and its composure around corners is a smidge more refined.” MotorTrend echoed this, writing, “The ride is truly better than before, with no compromise in handling.”
Outlets like Edmunds and Cars.com also shared appreciation for the GV70’s driving performance. Edmunds highlighted, “The GV70’s best attribute is its smooth and confident nature. Driving the GV70 is neither numb nor dull; its quiet refinement and confident roadholding empower the driver and feel satisfying.” Cars.com commented, “The sharp and communicative steering certainly adds to the fun and makes the GV70 feel close to the sporty G70 sedan in terms of performance.”
Several media outlets also highlighted the vehicle’s impressive quietness. Canadian outlet Driving.ca reported, “The makeup of Texas roadways seems to be unusually loud at speed, and the Genesis was impressively quiet and smooth… I was impressed with how calm the cabin was.” U.S. automotive site Jalopnik attributed this refinement to sound insulation and active noise canceling (ANC-R), writing, “Genesis did a wonderful job of isolating the passengers from the noise outside with lots of sound deadening and active noise cancellation.”
The GV70’s interior, which blends luxury materials and advanced technology, also stood out. U.S. News & World Report raved, “It’s fantastic, from the fit and finish of each panel to the dashboard's modern-meets-traditional design and the sleek carbon-fiber trim… it puts many similarly priced rivals to shame.” Jalopnik ad-ded, “The inside of the GV70 continues to be a very nice place to spend your time. Genesis took a lot of time to make sure the design looked like nothing else on the market, and I'd say it succeeded.”
A key highlight of the GV70’s interior upgrade is the integrated widescreen display. The 27-inch display that combines the digital cluster and infotainment system provides a high-tech ambiance and user convenience. Media reactions were equally enthusiastic. AutoGuide described it as “a distinctive blending of the instrument and infotainment worlds,” and noted that “It’s easy to navigate thanks to big menu icons, those physical menu shortcut buttons, and simple controls.” MotorTrend ad-ded, “This widescreen digital billboard runs the same intuitive Genesis menu structure as other contemporary Genesis models.”
Other enhancements were also cited as standout advantages. The steering wheel’s Hands On Detection (HOD) system and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) drew attention for promoting both convenience and safety. Meanwhile, customer-focused updates—like a larger cupholder and reworked console layout—were lauded as proof of Genesis’s thoughtful development process.
These updates led North American media to call the redesigned GV70 a new benchmark for premium SUVs. Edmunds noted, “With exciting design, convenient technology and two powertrain options… the GV70 checks all the right boxes.” Jalopnik stated, “Instead, what Genesis did was make small alterations to an already good car, and by doing this, made sure it stays class-leading.” TopSpeed cited the Preview Electronically Controlled Suspension and hydro bushings, writing, “None of those [rivals] can match the level of luxury and high-class feeling and balanced performance you get in the Genesis. It offers way more amenities and is far more luxurious on the inside than any of its competition.”
Attendees appreciated that the event went beyond a simple test drive by including in-depth technical briefings. Korean R&D engineers gave detailed explanations of the GV70’s core tech and upgrades, which media described as a valuable experience that increased trust in the Genesis brand and the GV70 itself.
Many also felt the technical presentations elevated the overall test drive experience. AutoPacific said, “The tech briefing helped us fully understand the main upgrades in the redesigned GV70, and we could clearly feel the difference on the road.” Automotive News singled out NVH features like ANC-R and resonator wheels, noting, “This is the kind of information you wouldn’t know unless the brand explained it.”
The Genesis tech film played a key role in helping the media understand the company’s vision. One WCOTY juror noted, “The video felt like a Genesis' movie,” and emphasized how it delivered both technical and emotional messages. Overall, the GV70 event wasn’t just a new product launch—it was a comprehensive demonstration of Genesis’s engineering vision and execution.
The North American test drive event served as a deep dive into the GV70’s capabilities and product strength. With Korean R&D engineers presenting the details firsthand and a showcase video to support the message, the event helped shape a stronger understanding of Genesis’ technological philosophy. Despite being a mid-cycle refresh, the GV70’s upgrades in performance, quietness, and cabin experience marked a significant step forward—reinforcing its strong position in the North American premium SUV market. With this momentum, the GV70 is expected to solidify its role as a global core model for Genesis.
