2025 Genesis GV70 3.5T Sport POV Test Drive

[@CarDietrich]

To watch my full review on this 2025 Genesis GV70 3.5 T Sport Advanced, please click here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXfaZGBnqaudbas

[@taylorlapham8691]

In 2023 I narrowed my car search down to the Acura RDX and the GV70. Since the GV70 had just been released the prior year, the used market and lease deals were not great. Ended up with the RDX CPO for a good price. The GV70 is still my goal within a few years due to ( rear-drive architecture , better ride quality / control , adaptive cruise / steering assist on highway , a more luxurious overall feel ). When you compare both cars in sport mode, the RDX is definitely more fun to drive - the rear differential and adaptive suspension work seamlessly in the background to push you around corners. But for the general feel of daily driving, not carving backroads ( 95% of the time ), the GV70 feels like a more complete package - and the 2.5T engine well optioned for $54k is compelling ( when a newer GLC 300 with the same features is an eye-watering $64k ). I would even choose the GV70 over a similarly optioned X3 if they had the same features. I enjoyed driving it overall, but it felt like it was trying too hard to be sporty - heavy steering weight and a firm ride don't necessarily make something sporty ( the model I rented didn't have the adaptive suspension so I'd be curious to experience that ). The steering weight in the X3 seemed like overkill compared to Acura and Alfa Romeo, which I find to have good chassis communication while maintaining a relatively light every day steering weight. I rented a GV70 3.5T and a BMW 750i within a month of each other for different road trips. I recognize these cars are in completely different segments but they provided some perspective on how each company executes on the "luxury" mission. The 7 series is amazing in many ways, but I felt like the V8 was tuned so much toward smoothness and comfort that I was really digging into the pedal in normal mode to motivate it ( often using the sport transmission mode to get going ). It wasn't slow by any definition, but by contrast, the acceleration from the GV70 3.5T felt effortless from a stop and I never thought about the drive modes. Everyone has different preferences - BMW and Porsche tune their powertrains for a more linear feel ( which their customers appreciate certainly ). I think the average consumer is looking more for that "instant gratification" in their "luxury" daily driver. All of that being said, if the X3 M40i was offered with an air suspension, I'd sell a kidney to acquire one, lol. The B58 is just perfection. Would be curious to hear your thoughts!