Genesis is ripping up the rule book

GENESIS is really kicking into gear here in the UK.

It may have only made its European debut back in

May, but the Korean brand’s already forming quite the fleet for UK buyers.

Latest to this line-up is the GV70.

Sitting underneath the larger GV80 in the firm’s range of SUVs, it enters into a furiously competitive segment, which means that, from the off, this is a car fighting an uphill battle.

But Genesis hasn’t sent it into combat unequipped.

This is a car packed with safety features, latest technologies and a pair of refined engines.

What’s new?

You only need to mention a few names – Audi’s Q5 or the BMW X3, for example – in order to see how formidable the competition is for the GV70, but given the level of features included, we’d say it’s come well equipped to fend these off.

It’s got a huge 14.5-inch central infotainment screen, smart cruise control and a whole variety of safety assistance systems included in its starting price, which, at £50 under £39,500, significantly undercuts what you’d pay for an equivalent BMW.

And you get more kit in the Genesis, that’s for sure.

What’s under the bonnet?

There’s the option of a diesel and a petrol engine with the GV70 – there’s no hybrid or plug-in hybrid option here – and it’s the former we’re looking at.

It’s a turbocharged 2.2-litre bringing 207bhp to the table alongside a perfectly palatable 440Nm of torque. Regardless of which engine you opt for you’re getting allwheel-drive in the GV70, with power sent through an eightspeed automatic gearbox. Performance is largely what you’d expect, with 0-60mph dispatched in 7.7 seconds and 133mph flat-out.

How does it look?

There are a couple of design traits integrated into all Genesis models to tie them together.

Think of it like BMW’s kidney grilles or the roundel-style rear lights on a Jaguar. Up front, these include the split-design headlights which aim to recreate the ‘wings’ of the Genesis badge, while the ‘G-Matrix’ grille is another continuous feature in the line-up.

Combined on the GV70, we’d say they’re pretty successful in creating a car that looks interesting.

Of course, looks are down to the individual, but we’d say that the GV70 stands out well against the current crop of SUVs.

What’s it like to drive?

Genesis has, from the off, put an emphasis on comfort. That’s pretty apparent in the GV70 too, given its ability to shrug off larger potholes and road imperfections.

At lower speeds, it can feel a bit unsettled, but gather momentum and it settles down impressively well.

It’s good on the motorway too. The addition of all-wheeldrive means there’s an added

safety net of traction, though on our dry, tarmac route this wasn’t really put to the test. The diesel engine feels like a good fit for this car as well.

It’s punchy and quiet, providing more than enough acceleration when required. The suite of safety features isn’t too intrusive either – save for the lane departure – while the blind-spot detection housed within the screen ahead of you is genuinely useful and provides an extra layer of security when moving.

Genesis is forging a path in the UK, and the GV70 is one of its key cars. Jack Evans finds out what it’s like.

What’s it like inside?

You’ll find all manner of high-end materials inside the cabin, from soft, waxy leather to pin-sharp displays.

Sure, there are a few buttons taken from parent company Hyundai – but they’re integrated well into the overall design.

Rear-seat space is a touch tight – particularly if you’re sitting behind a tall driver – but boot space is decent, coming in at 542 litres with the rear seats in place, or 1,678 litres with them down.

The verdict

If Genesis wanted an easy win, it was never going to find it in the SUV segment. However, the GV70 is wellrounded and brings a fresh new take on an established layout.

Go easy with the optional packs and there’s no reason why it can’t bring good value for money, too.

Considering a BMW or Audi? It might just be worth taking a look at the GV70 instead.