Genesis GV70 - long-term review

"Is that your Bentley out front, mate?" the plumber asked through the intercom.

"Err, you mean the Genesis?" I replied.

"Genesis? Can you just move it, please?" he responded.

Now, you could be excused for this mix-up, given the Genesis brand only arrived on British shores a couple of years ago and, I suppose, because the badge does somewhat resemble Bentley’s fancy winged 'B'. Alas, a Bentley it is not. It is, in fact, Genesis’ mid-sized SUV, the GV70, and in ‘Luxury’ guise, it costs substantially less than a Bentley, with a modest £46k starting price. Okay, this particular one isn’t £46k; it’s actually closer to £60k. Yes, someone’s clearly been a bit liberal with the options, but what does all that box-ticking actually give you?

For starters, I should point out this is not the electrified GV70. We’ve got the 2.5-litre, 4-cylinder turbo petrol engine putting out 300bhp and 311lb ft. In other words, enough to move its 2.5-tonne weight with ease, but it’s by no means bombastic. You can also opt for a 198bhp diesel for a £500 saving, but that’s your only other ICE option.

However, let's forget about the engine for now because where they've gone all out is the interior. I haven't had much exposure to the Genesis model range, but this thing feels mighty premium. Firstly, the £4,190 Innovation pack adds a multitude of gadgetry and safety equipment. Highlights include the high-resolution 12.3" 3D cluster display, highway driving assist, and the Intelligent Front Lighting System, which, like Audi's matrix lighting, automatically detects oncoming vehicles and switches off individual LEDs to avoid blinding them.

Next up is the comfort seat pack (£1,690), which adds electronically adjustable seats which will also ensure your buttocks are periodically massaged on long journeys. Yes, I’m not joking. They call it ‘smart posture assist,’ and it feels great paired with the supple £2,350 pine grove/ocean waves colour combination Nappa leather upholstery. Oh, and don't think your backseat passengers will feel left out. The second-row comfort seat pack (£600) gives them heated seats, window blinds, laminated glass, and a 220V inverter. Yep, basically better equipped than my home office.

To top it all off, we’ve got the panoramic sunroof (£1,480), Lexicon Premium Audio System (£790), detachable tow bar (£1,399), e-LSD (£450) and even finger-print authentication (£80). Yep, no key required.

So, initial impressions? Well, despite the somewhat thirsty engine, it’s got some pretty nice looks and a fancy interior going for it. Comparatively, a similarly equipped Audi Q5 would cost around £64k, making the GV70 a competitively priced alternative, especially when factoring in Genesis' 5-year care plan as standard. Nevertheless, the true measure of its performance will be revealed over the next six months in the TG Garage, so be sure to stay tuned for updates!