The GV70 gives Hyundai’s fledgling upscale brand a vital entry into the compact SUV market. Its pampering blend of sport and luxury makes it a delight to drive. If it weren’t for the nightmarish infotainment controls, many on our staff would be thrilled to own one, especially in our test model’s gorgeous Cardiff Green paint.
The GV70’s standard 300-horsepower, 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine gives strong acceleration accompanied by an invigorating exhaust note when pushed, and the eight-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly. Beyond a minor amount of turbo lag when accelerating away from rolling stops, and a bit more of a shudder than we’d like from the engine stop/start system, this is a gem of a powertrain. It yielded a competitive 24 mpg overall on premium fuel in our testing.
On curvy roads the GV70 handles more like a sports sedan than an SUV. It feels agile and tied to the pavement, aided by precise steering. This is the kind of vehicle that makes any drive enjoyable, and you’ll consider seeking out twisty two-lanes on road trips. Even when pushed to its limits around our test track, the GV70 proved highly capable, secure, and fun to drive. Despite its handling prowess, the GV70’s taut suspension soaks up bumps nicely with gentle ride motions, rather than the stiff and choppy character some sporty SUVs possess.
Beyond a bit more wind noise at highway speeds than some rivals, the cabin is very quiet. It also has an elegance seldom seen in this class, with lots of padded surfaces, high-quality buttons, and textured knobs and stalks. The front seats are cushy yet supportive, and they have a wide array of adjustments. Despite swoopy styling that can often steal cabin space, the GV70’s rear-seat room is decent. But, the sloping roofline and thick pillars cause big rear blind spots, a potential problem for drivers looking over their shoulder when merging or changing lanes.
The infotainment system, with its finicky rotary controller dial, could ice the whole deal, though. The dial makes it extra aggravating to move through the multiple options and menus. As a remedy, the dashboard display can be used as a touch screen, but it’s a long reach for the driver. Plus, the rotary gear-selector knob is placed directly behind the infotainment dial, making it too easy to grab the wrong controller.
Forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic warning with rear automatic braking, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assistance all come standard.