Genesis is developing a habit of cramping BMW’s style. First, it usurped the 3 Series as our go-to luxury compact sedan with the G70. Now the Genesis GV70 compact SUV is trying to get in on the X3’s turf, and the stunning new offering is priced to go toe-to-toe with ze German and other heavy hitters in the small luxury SUV space.
It’s a Compact Luxury SUV-Eat-Compact Luxury SUV World
The entry-level GV70 will start at $42,045, making it much cheaper than the equivalent BMW X3, whose starting price is $43,995. While undercutting BMW, the GV70 comes with a 2.5-liter turbocharged I-4 that makes 300 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque—more horsepower than the four-cylinder X3 has—along with a massive 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display, Genesis’ suite of driver aids (which included lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert), and all-wheel drive.
Speaking of, the BMW comes standard with rear-wheel drive; to step up to the X3’s available xDrive all-wheel drive, you’ll have to fork over another $2,000, bringing the price to $45,995. For those who are curious, a base Audi Q5 (all-wheel drive) starts at $44,395; the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class runs $44,250—but, like the X3, is rear-drive; all-wheel drive will add another $2,000.
Next up on the proverbial trim ladder is the GV70 2.5T AWD Select. For an extra 4,000 of your hard-earned dollars (so, a total of $46,045) you get bigger 19-inch wheels, a panoramic glass roof, a 16-speaker audio system, ventilated front seats, and some other niceties. The GV70 Advanced starts at $50,195 and grants access to real leather seats, rear sunshades, rear parking collision avoidance, a heated steering wheel, and a surround-view monitor.
At the tippy-top of the 2.5-liter GV70 range sits the Sport Prestige model. For $53,795 buyers are treated to unique front and rear fascias, an electronically controlled limited-slip differential, Nappa leather seats, three-zone climate control, a head-up display, a heated second row, and 21-inch alloy wheels.
Coulda Had a V-6 …
GV70s powered by the available V-6 engine start at $53,645. Springing for the 3.5-liter turbocharged V-6 (which makes 375 hp and 383 lb-ft) nets everything from the standard 2.5-liter SUV, but adds larger wheels, stouter brakes, ventilated seats, electronically controlled suspension, navigation based automatic cruise control, and front cross-traffic alert.
The Sport Advanced option tacks another $5,000 onto the base 3.5T’s asking price and adds Nappa leather, a suede headliner, a heated steering wheel, parking distance warning, and 16-speaker audio system. If you want to go for the full monty, you’ll need the 3.5T Sport Prestige GV70. It’s priced from $63,545 and nets the aforementioned E-LSD, a 12.3-inch 3D digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, sunshades on the rear windows, Nappa leather seats with suede inserts, and heated second-row seats.
The top-dog GV70’s almost $64,000 asking price makes it several thousand more than a top-spec X3 M40i. In fact, it nicely splits the difference between the M40i and the X3M—which starts at just over $70,000—but its 500 horsepower well outshines the power provided by the V-6 on the GV70.
Overall, it seems like the Genesis has yet again provided a well-priced alternative to the German default. We’ve yet to drive the GV70, though, so we’ll be sure to see how well it stacks up against the Bimmer on the road as soon as we do.
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