Crossovers and SUVs are massively popular, which means the market is extremely competitive and voting for one as the overall best is never an easy task. Fortunately, our talented jury of more than 20 expert automotive reviewers from all across the country are up to the challenge. After considering every single crossover and SUV that’s available for Canadians to buy, the Genesis GV70 received the most votes from our jury, cementing it as the winner of the Best Overall SUV in this year’s AutoTrader Awards.
The Genesis GV70 impressed our jury across a dozen different criteria ranging from value, innovation, technology, user-friendliness, performance, engineering, driver satisfaction, design, safety, quality, and efficiency. With this award, the GV70 has been singled out as the most impressive SUV available, one that raises the bar overall and goes above and beyond what’s expected. It represents an SUV our experts can confidently recommend to friends, family, and of course, our AutoTrader readers.
The compact luxury crossover makes a strong first impression with its unique styling. A bold double-line theme can be found in the headlights and taillights, and Genesis uses its trademark mesh texture to create a cohesive look throughout the inside and outside.
“It’s tough to get this many looks and questions from curious passersby with a sub-six-figure vehicle,” wrote AutoTrader Editor-in-Chief Jodi Lai in her review of the 2022 Genesis GV70. “And the GV70 stopped people in their tracks time and time again during testing.”
But the GV70’s beauty extends beyond the sheet metal, as the interior is also stunning. Not only is the layout and design ergonomic and user-friendly, but it also features clever details that make the Korean luxury crossover feel premium and luxurious, even when compared to the best in the industry. The controls and switchgear feel well built and are beautifully designed, showcasing how much thought Genesis has put into even the smallest details.
The cabin is also plenty spacious for passengers and cargo. You’ll find 819 L of storage in the trunk and 1,610 L with the rear seats folded flat.
Genesis makes the GV70 feel like a true luxury showcase, with plenty of options for material choice, colours, and trims. Additionally, the cabin features helpful and detailed displays that are easy to use. The 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system is vibrant and responsive, and there is also a digital gauge cluster with a 3D projection effect that is sure to wow drivers with how it presents important information. There’s also a fingerprint reader that can be used to unlock customized driver profiles.
Genesis also loads up each GV70 with innovative safety and driver assistance features. Every GV70 features standard forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, junction traffic warning, evasive steering assistance, radar- and navigation-based adaptive cruise control, driver attention warning, safe exit assist, and rear occupant alert. It’s enough for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) to provide the GV70 with a Top Safety Pick+ rating. Higher trim level models also get rear parking collision assist, remote parking assist, a surround-view monitor, blind-spot cameras, and a feature that tells you if the car in front of you has moved and you haven’t responded yet.
Of course, the automaker also delivers under the hood, as the GV70 is offered with two solid powertrains. It comes standard with a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. Also available is a 3.5-litre turbocharged six-cylinder with 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both motors are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and come standard with all-wheel-drive.
“The GV70 strikes the delicate balance of being just right,” noted Lai during her test drive of the SUV, saying that it delivers sporty performance without sacrificing comfort.
Where the GV70 surprised our jurors was with its value. The most affordable model costs just $49,000, while the fully loaded 3.5T model costs $75,000, undercutting its competition by thousands without cutting any corners in terms of quality.
Awarding a vehicle as the Best Overall SUV means it has to impress beyond a doubt. Lai called it an “overachieving SUV that is easily one of the best vehicles in its segment,” and it’s hard to disagree with that statement. With its superb styling, innovative technology, class-leading safety, strong performance, and excellent value, the Genesis GV70 has earned its new title as AutoTrader’s Best Overall SUV.
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