Genesis GV70 wins Best Medium SUV under $80K

One of the most hotly-contested categories in the Drive Car of the Year 2025 awards saw predictably fierce competition, but despite this, there was a clear and worthy winner from our judges this year: the Genesis GV70 Advanced.

Despite the GV70 Advanced being the entry-level option in the range – just sliding in under the $80,000 cap thanks to a price rise following a recent update – the Genesis still thoroughly impressed, offering a driving atmosphere that feels like a luxury SUV from a much high price bracket, and a driving experience on par with something from Germany.

Though there was still a lot of love for the Lexus NX – the defending category winner – the interior of the Genesis feels a generation newer and comes across as more luxurious, while the exterior design provides echoes of Bentley and Rolls-Royce. If you squint.

Part of the update includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, connecting quickly to the double-wide high-definition OLED screen – serving as digital instrument display directly ahead of the driver, and infotainment control centre on the left. If that's not enough, there's also a head-up display projecting driving information onto the windscreen.

Drive's pick: Genesis GV70 Advanced from $78,500 plus on-road costs.

In fact, the whole interior impressed our judging panel, exuding luxury and quality while remaining practical and attractive – and silent. It's a relaxing place to spend time, whether on the daily commute or the weekly shop, the GV70 feels like a reward each time you drive it. 

Part of this comes down to the car's recent update, which came with improvements to what we in the industry call NVH – noise, vibration, and harshness. Engineers spent their time isolating the car's occupants from engine movements, suspension workings, and the constant din from tyres and wind. Like the styling, it delivers a nice slice of luxury you'd normally expect from Bentley or Rolls-Royce.

But that isn't to say the Genesis is lazy or disconnected from the driving experience. The 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine delivers 224kW and 422Nm to all four wheels via a smooth eight-speed automatic transmission, allowing for a 0-100km/h sprint time of 6.1 seconds. Steering is direct and provides a nice amount of feedback, and matches well to its handling capabilities – another area the GV70 surprises.

Genesis claims combined fuel consumption of 10.3 litres per 100 kilometres – a figure Rob Margeit beat by some margin during his review in November 2024.

While tested back in 2021 against less stringent protocols than today, the Genesis GV70 2.5T enjoys a full five-star safety rating from ANCAP, thanks to its long list of both passive and active safety features.

Another tick for the GV70 is its aftersales experience, thanks to a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, five years/50,000km of free scheduled servicing, and a concierge service from Genesis – in which your vehicle will be picked up from your home or office (within 70km of a Genesis service centre), and you'll be left with a courtesy car while yours is being worked on. For the time poor, it doesn't get much better.

It's fair to say the Genesis GV70 Advanced 2.5T AWD impressed the Drive judges, coming across as something far more expensive than its sub-$80,000 price tag would suggest, and making it the Drive Car of the Year 2025 winner as the Best Medium SUV Under $80K.

Ben Zachariah is an experienced writer and motoring journalist from Melbourne, having worked in the automotive industry for more than two decades. Ben began writing professionally more than 15 years ago and was previously an interstate truck driver. He completed his MBA in Finance in early 2021 and is considered an expert on classic car investment.

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