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The new 2022 Genesis GV70 is the latest evidence that Genesis’s star is rising in the luxury car universe. I was dazzled when I saw pictures of the GV70. In-person I need a word stronger than “dazzled”.

There are all the design elements you’d expect from a modern Genesis. A big diamond-pattern grille, the twin bar head, and taillights, plus a long nose, and rear-wheel-drive proportions. But applying all those traits to a more compact SUV canvas has yielded stellar results.

I especially like the profile. It’s muscular and distinct without looking too busy. I even like c-pillar treatment. It reminds me of the forward-swept wing of the Grumman X-29.

What about the interior? Well, there is a ton of character in here. I hope you like ovals because they figure prominently throughout. Genesis has also embraced color with their interiors of late, and the GV70 is no exception. Blue, red, beige, black.

Beyond how it looks there is a tactile sumptuousness to the cabin. Touch around and your fingers are greeted with a feeling of quality.

Flinging some slight criticism at the 2022 GV70, I don’t like the standard 2-spoke steering wheel. But, you know what? The Sport model has 3-spokes. That alone is motivation to go Sport, though the Sport’s dark chrome trim, carbon fiber accents, and 21-inch wheels don’t hurt.

Steering wheels aside, I like the uncluttered button arrangement, though I’m not a huge fan of the roller-style volume control. Like in the GV80, the GV70’s rotary gear selector is eye-catching, just be sure not to confuse it with the adjacent rotating, clicking controller used to manage the 14.5-inch infotainment screen. The low and widescreen is really clever. Because it puts more screen real estate higher on the dash, near the road where your eyes ought to be looking.

On a mechanical note, the Geneis GV70 is built atop the same rear-wheel-drive architecture as the G70 sedan though, for America, all-wheel drive comes standard.

Power comes from a base 2.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine or an optional 3.5L twin-turbocharged V6, each paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Heads up, Genesis was a little cagey on final power figures but it’s safe to assume these numbers, cribbed from the GV80 are basically spot on. (2.5L Turbo I4: 300 hp, 311 lb-ft) (3.5L Turbo V6: 375 hp, 391 lb-ft) GV80 power in the lighter GV70 chassis sounds like a fine idea to me.

For elevated agility on or, potentially, off-road, Genesis offers an electronic rear differential with torque vectoring abilities. Also, GV70s equipped with the 3.5-liter engine come with a camera-based adaptive suspension, which reads the road ahead, adjusting the suspension in real-time for improved ride and handling.

Of course, the GV70 will include an expected array of driver-assist tech like lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and remote parking assist you might recognize by its other name, Hyundai Smart Park.

Fancier renditions will offer indulgences like a Nappa leather interior, active front-seat bolsters, a panoramic roof, and a 360-degree camera system. One other cool feature is a new radar-based rear occupant alert system, whose ultrasonic sensors can detect when a sleeping infant is breathing in the back seats.

Of course, the big question you might have. How much does the GV70 cost? And I do not know the answer. Though, based on Genesis’ other vehicles, the GV70 should match or undercut competitors like the BMW X3, Audi Q5, and Mercedes Benz GLC. Around the $40k mark is a reasonable guess. It will also be interesting to see how the GV70 compares with premium choices like the Acura RDX or Volvo XC60.

00:00 2022 Genesis GV70
0:25 Exterior Review
1:21 Interior Style
1:58 GV70 Sport
2:20 Infotainment
2:45 Interior Space
3:40 Engines & All-wheel drive
4:34 Features
5:08 How much does the GV70 cost?
5:23 Competitors