It’s wild to think Genesis was once just a name on a Hyundai. Feels like it was yesterday, but also, somehow, forever ago. Truth is, nearly a decade’s passed since Genesis became its own luxury brand. Long enough that even their newer models are getting mid-life updates. Up next? The GV70 crossover.
Not groundbreaking, the 2026 GV70 still comes across as sharper and more practical. Exactly what you’d want in a refresh. Genesis, apparently, sees this model as its North American golden child. Gas or electric—same options as now. Under the hood of the gas versions, the 2.5-liter turbo four-cylinder stays steady at 300 horsepower. Meanwhile, the beefier twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 sticks with 375 hp. Electric, though? That’s where things get a tweak. A new 84-kWh battery replaces last year’s 77.4-kWh pack. Genesis hasn’t spilled all the beans yet but promises better range—more than the 236 miles the current version offers.
Inside, things look snazzy. A massive 27-inch OLED screen stretches across the dash. It’s both the driver display and the infotainment system. Pretty slick. New wheels, too—19 or 21 inches, depending on your style.
For gas models, there’s a fresh grille design—bigger, sharper, and kind of dramatic. They’ve ditched the rounded mesh bits under the headlights in favor of these cool boomerang-shaped cutouts. Oh, and there’s a new paint color: Ceres Blue. It’s a soft, grayish blue. Understated, but nice.
The electric GV70 got its own facelift. Body-colored mesh replaces the black grill from before, giving it a clean, modern vibe. If you pick the optional white interior, it somewhat screams early-2000s iMac aesthetic. Not sure how I feel about it yet, to be honest.
One quirky change: the chrome grille on the electric version now hides the charging port, which opens with an electric motor. Handy, I guess? It’s also heated—good for cold-weather charging—and comes with extra lighting for nighttime use. That’s a win since many U.S. chargers still lack decent lighting.
Speaking of charging, the electric GV70 now uses the North American Charging Standard (NACS), Tesla’s plug system. It’s compatible with Tesla Superchargers, and Genesis throws in a CCS adapter so you can charge at other stations too. Nice touch for road trips or rural spots with limited options.
The suspension got an upgrade as well. A new Highway Body Motion Control feature is supposed to smooth things out while speeding up or slowing down. This pairs with the Road Preview system, which adjusts the suspension based on what’s ahead—potholes, bumps, you name it.
Another neat update is the digital key. Your phone can now unlock and control the car. There’s also a new Terrain Mode for tackling snow, mud, or sand. Super convenient for adventurous types.
Are these changes revolutionary? Not really. But they’re smart, thoughtful upgrades that make life easier. For a car hitting its fifth year, that’s honestly more than enough.
Source and Images: Motor1