Arriving in the first half of 2025, the 2026 Genesis GV70 and GV70 Electrified receive a new look and technologies inside. But the powertrains remain unchanged.
Arriving at dealers by the end of June in 2025, Genesis updated its compact crossover SUV, the GV70 and GV70 Electrified. This refresh largely focused on styling for the exterior and technology inside. It also closely follows the footsteps of the updated, 2025 Genesis GV80, the Korean premium brand’s midsize crossover SUV entry.
Tweaked styling
To start, the 2026 model’s front fascia gets what Genesis calls the G-Matrix Crest Grille. It’s not a big departure from the current grille but adds a bit more visual texture to it. The openings in the polished-metal-look cross pattern is larger than before and a secondary, darker grid forms underneath it. The GV70 Electrified receives a new grille as well, though different, as it is mostly blanked out and houses the charge port, which also got a redesign.
Along each side, Genesis added multi-lens array headlights, which, again, look similar to current, but use updated lighting technology. Down low, Genesis widened the air-intakes, looks slightly more aggressive than before. I like it.
The rear fascia got an update as well to balance the work done up front, mainly focused on the taillight design. You’ll roll on 19-in wheels in the base compact crossover, but Genesis offers as large as 21s, if you want to go big. Finally, Genesis added a new color, it’s called Ceres Blue
New Tech inside
Inside, the GV70 receives a 27-in organic light emitting diode (OLED) display to serve dual purposes as the digital instrument cluster and center display. It’s exactly what the GV80 received in 2025. That new screen comes with updated voice recognition tech to make it easy to use voice commands to control several functions, including HVAC settings and window position.
It gets another drive mode as well. It’s called the Terrain, which will change vehicle settings to better suite driving in snow, mud, or sand. I presume that means encouraging the transmission to stay in a lower gear and allowing more wheel slip before traction control intervenes.
powering down the road
As before, you choose between two engines: a turbocharged, 2.5-liter inline-four-cylinder that manages a peak 300 horsepower and 311 lb.-ft of torque. And a turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 that delivers a healthy 375 horsepower and 391 lb.-ft of torque. Both engines attach to an eight-speed automatic transmission and send power to all four wheels. The GV70 is standard all-wheel-drive. Genesis mounted the V-6 in my 2024 test vehicle, and I found it quite potent.
The 2026 Genesis GV70 Electrified receives the North American Charging Standard (NACS) style charge port now. And Genesis increased battery capacity from 77.4 kWh to 84 kWh, a nice 8.5 percent jump. No numbers to look at yet but expect an increased range to go with it. The current range is 236 miles, were it to also rise 8.5 percent, the 2026 GV70 Electrified will travel 256 miles on a single charge.
No word on price yet, but I would expect an incremental increase from the 2025 Genesis GV70’s base price of $47,050, which includes the $1350 destination. I found the updated, 2025 GV80 fashionable, modern, and elegant. Comparatively, the GV70 looks similar, but the rear feels a bit awkward to me.
That said, I look forward to take a close look at it in person with these updates and see how the latest Genesis design tricks work on its compact SUV. I wouldn’t mind trying out Terrain mode either. Hopefully soon.
