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Genesis GV70 Luggage Test | How much cargo space?
Thu, Oct 21 2021The 2022 Genesis GV70 has 28.9 cubic-feet of cargo space behind its raised back seat. On paper at least, that makes it one of the most voluminous compact luxury SUVs, falling just short of the segment big boy, the Acura RDX (29.5 cubic-feet when you don't count its under-floor storage and 31.1 when you do). However, considering that the GV70's two primary competitors, the BMW X3 and Mercedes GLC, suffer from questionable cargo capacity measurements (BMW effectively exaggerates its space, while Mercedes understates it), showing how much stuff actually fits is all the more helpful. So let's get to it. Here is the cargo area. Though notably deep for a compact SUV, I could immediately tell that its raked roofline would likely make loading more difficult and the amount of useable space less than what the specs would suggest. This was certainly the case with the Audi Q5. Note that my test vehicle did not include a cargo cover, but judging by how low it's mounted, I doubt much would fit below it. This is in contrast with the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, which has such a tall cargo area that removing the cargo cover really isn't necessary. As with every luggage test, I use two midsize roller suitcases that would need to be checked in at the airport (26 inches long, 16 wide, 11 deep), two roll-aboard suitcases that just barely fit in the overhead (24L x 15W x 10D), and one smaller roll-aboard that fits easily (23L x 15W x 10D). I also include my wife's fancy overnight bag just to spruce things up a bit (21L x 12W x 12D). As it turns out, it's indeed a weird space that requires some creative packing. For instance, I had to slide two of the roller bags laterally into the recesses between the C and D pillars to make all the bags fit, while also putting the biggest bags on their bellies. Above you can see the two Tetris formations I came up with. Nevertheless, the fact those recesses exist at all is notable, since it indicates just how deep and useful this otherwise oddly shaped space is. Not only did all the bags fit, but there was an abundance of space left over as you can see above. Furthermore, this is what it looks like when you fully recline the back seat. The fancy bag no longer fits, but the rest of the biggest bags still do with a usable amount of space still remaining. Ultimately, I'd judge the GV70 as having a slightly above-average cargo space for a compact luxury SUV.
2021 Acura TLX A-Spec vs. Type S, Polestar 2 and Genesis G70 | Autoblog Podcast #700
Fri, Oct 15 2021In this episode of the Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Associate Editor Byron Hurd for the 700th installment. It's a premium-focused rundown as the two start off discussing Autoblog's long-term Acura TLX A-Spec and the Type S that is currently standing in for it, followed by some impressions of the Polestar 2 (and how it feels relative to its Volvo cousins) and a look at the 2022 Genesis G70 Launch Edition. Then, in "Spend My Money," they try to address a rather broad request for a pre-owned vehicle with only a handful of requirements.  Send us your questions for the Mailbag and Spend My Money at: Podcast@Autoblog.com. Autoblog Podcast #700 Get The Podcast Apple Podcasts – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes Spotify – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast on Spotify RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown What we're driving:2021 Acura TLX A-Spec/Type S 2021 Polestar 2 2022 Genesis G70 Launch Edition Spend My money Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on Apple Podcasts Autoblog is now live on your smart speakers and voice assistants with the audio Autoblog Daily Digest. Say “Hey Google, play the news from Autoblog” or "Alexa, open Autoblog" to get your favorite car website in audio form every day. A narrator will take you through the biggest stories or break down one of our comprehensive test drives. Related Video:
Cars with the most reckless drivers are full of surprises
Wed, Oct 13 2021Insurify is a site for comparing auto insurance quotes. Because insurance shoppers need to submit information like the vehicles they're driving and the infractions they've compiled while driving those vehicles, Insurify has quite the database of correlations tying certain models to a habit of breaking certain laws. When the site's data analysts decided to compile a list of the top ten models for reckless driving citations in the decade from 2010 to 2019, the ranking contained a few wild entries. The Dodge Challenger making the countdown will surprise precisely zero people. But the Saturn L200? First, a definition: USLegal.com defines reckless driving as "driving with a willful or wanton disregard for safety. It is the operation of an automobile under such circumstances and in such a manner as to show a willful or reckless disregard of consequences." So this list is a caution about particular drivers more than the cars. For a baseline, according to Insurify data, for any random model, 15 out of 10,000 people who drive that model have picked up one citation for reckless driving. Back to that Challenger, then. No shocker for being here, but it's actually number 10, with 44 out of 10,000 Challenger drivers nabbed for a willful disregard of consequences on the road. That's better than the first surprise entry, the Saturn L200, a sedan only on sale for six years, with the least horsepower on the list, and out of production since 2005. The data set put drivers of GM's extraterrestrial sedan at 45 reckless pilots per 10,000 drivers. There are two pickups on the list, the only modern one being the Ram 1500 at eighth, with a rate of 46 in 10,000. Somehow, drivers of the third-best-selling pickup in the U.S. outrun the overwhelming numerical superiority of the best-selling vehicle in the States, the Ford F-150. The other pickup is the Chevrolet K1500 at number five, with a rate of 56 in 10,000. This is not only the oldest vehicle on the list, it went out of production in 2002, before any other vehicle on the list. Between the trucks, the Volkswagen CC slotted in at seven with 47 in 10,000 reckless driving chits, the Cadillac ATS slipped into sixth with 48 in 10,000. The top four is a bag of unexpected. The Nissan 370Z is the first hardcore sports car on the list at number four, with 61 in 10,000 Z drivers flaunting their Fairladys in the face of Johnny Law.
Editors' Picks September 2021 | Genesis GV70, Grand Cherokee L and more
Mon, Oct 11 2021This month of Editors' Picks saw us award the honor to a few top-notch crossovers and SUVs, plus one luxury sportback. Manufacturers keep rolling out excellent new crossovers, and the Genesis GV70 and Jeep Grand Cherokee L are great examples. Plus, living the good life with our long-term Hyundai Palisade has been evidence enough that it's worthy of an editors' pick. Read on below for the full breakdown and see what made the cut for September. In case you missed our previous Editors' Picks posts, here’s a quick refresher on whatÂ’s going on here. We rate all the new cars we drive with a 1-10 score. Cars that are exemplary in their respective segments get EditorsÂ’ Pick status. Those are the ones weÂ’d recommend to our friends, family and anybody whoÂ’s curious and asks the question. The list that youÂ’ll find below consists of every car we rated in August that earned an EditorsÂ’ Pick. 2022 Genesis GV70 2022 Genesis GV70 at Mt St Helens View 37 Photos Quick take: Genesis' first shot at a compact luxury crossover is a strong one that moves the segment forward and makes for an excellent alternative to one of the many other established options. Score: 8 What it competes with: BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, Audi Q5, Lexus NX, Acura RDX, Volvo XC60, Lincoln Corsair, Infiniti QX50, Porsche Macan Pros: Gorgeous looks inside and out, forward-looking tech, good ride and handling balance Cons: Nothing budget about it, no true performance option From the editors Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore — "Blending style and power, the GV70 shows Genesis is serious about delivering a strong execution in a critical segment. Props to Genesis for its risk-taking design, which has remade its lineup with confidence. The GV70 is just the latest in a series of wins for Genesis." In-depth analysis: 2022 Genesis GV70 First Drive Review | The real deal  2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L View 35 Photos Quick take: The 2022 Grand Cherokee L is inarguably immense, swank, and much better on-road than the previous SUV. It even keeps up the Jeep tradition of being great off-road while still carrying tons of passengers and gear.
Car buyers are paying big money for technology they don't use
Wed, Oct 6 2021J.D. Power released the results of its Tech Experience Index study that measures "how much owners like [in-car] technologies and how many problems they experience with them." Among the study's findings, automakers are loading vehicles with more software and digital experiences that owners claim they never learn how to use or decide they don't need. For example, owners report to J.D. Power that gesture controls, like those used by BMW (spinning a finger, for instance, can raise or lower the audio volume), don't improve the overall ownership experience. In fact, gesture controls received the lowest overall satisfaction score in the study for a second consecutive year. In another example, the study found that 61% of owners claim never having used "in-vehicle digital market technology," while 51% of respondents said they didn't need it. Driver/passenger communication technology was another sore point with users, with 52% saying they have never used the technology, and 40% of those saying they have no need for it. (10 Features owners say they want, and 7 they really don't). Conversely, some technologies are well received by owners. For American owners, rear-view cameras and so-called "ground view" cameras were among the top three desired technologies. We assume that "ground view" is a surround-view or 360-degree camera system. The one-pedal driving possible in a number of EV's with adjustable regen braking also scored very high marks and few claimed issues. While it could be argued that owners who don't want to use a specific piece of technology should just avoid using it, the reality is that all of these unused features add cost to the final price of any vehicle. Considering that the average transaction price of a new vehicle hit a record $45,031 in September of 2021, controlling spiraling costs is a big deal. J.D. Power's survey results found that dealerships can play a big role in explaining new technology to buyers. Scores for some technologies like trailer assistance received higher scores from owners who received training from their dealers. Unfortunately, 71% of owners say they were taught how to use tech from outside sources whereas only 30% learned from a dealer. The results of this study are the product of responses from 110,827 owners of current model-year vehicles that J.D. Power surveyed after 90 days of ownership from February through July 2021.
Genesis GV60 gets a Drift mode and up to 429 horsepower
Thu, Sep 30 2021We just got a chance to poke around the Genesis GV60 for the first time, and you can read about that experience here. But in addition to seeing all of its design secrets, there are official specs (with one big asterisk) available for us to share with you. The asterisk is that all of these specs are for the GV60 on the Korean market. Exact specs and feature options for the U.S. are still to be determined. That said, it’s safe to assume that our GV60 will be very close or nearly identical to the one weÂ’ll describe below. In total, Genesis will be offering three powertrain options. The base spec GV60 will be a rear-drive affair featuring a single electric motor. ItÂ’ll put out 225 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Step up to the dual-motor AWD model and combined output from the two motors increases to 314 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. Finally, thereÂ’s a performance AWD model that spits out a whopping 429 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. There will also be a “Boost Mode” that temporarily increases the electric motorsÂ’ maximum output for 10-second intervals. With the Boost Mode activated, Genesis claims the GV60 will do the 0-62 mph sprint in just 4.0 seconds. But if going sideways is more your thing, Genesis also has a Drift Mode that works by “optimizing distribution of driving power and braking system.” The feature is a bit buried, however. To engage it, the car must be stopped. You must then step on the brake, select Sport mode, then select "ESC 2," then pull the two paddle shifters for 3 seconds.  An electronic limited-slip differential will help deliver optimal amounts of torque to the wheels when cornering, and Genesis says it helps tremendously in inclement weather conditions, too. The GV60 will use GenesisÂ’ Preview Electronic Control Suspension. This system uses a camera and navigation system to recognize events or bumps in the road that might have an impact on the vehicle, then actively adjusts the damping force to improve the ride. As for the battery and range, Genesis says every GV60 will feature a 77.4 kWh battery pack. Range for the AWD models wasnÂ’t provided, but Genesis predicts the RWD version will have a maximum range of 286 miles. That figure is based on Korean certification testing and is also achieved with the 19-inch wheel option, suggesting that other wheel options and further testing (such as EPA testing) could provide different figures. Thankfully, the GV60 features super-fast charging.
12 cool features of the Genesis GV60
Thu, Sep 30 2021The Genesis brand is still trying to distinguish itself, in both the highly competitive luxury marketplace and from its own increasingly upscale cousins at Hyundai and Kia. Being a standout becomes doubly difficult when the car is an electric vehicle built atop a modular skateboard shared with the other Hyundai Group brands. However, in our first peek at the Genesis GV60, the top dog in Hyundai's trio of E-GMP cars, we found it imbued with an astounding level of differentiation. There will be no mistaking a GV60 for a Hyundai Ioniq 5 or Kia EV6. Even in areas where other brand-engineered cars may cut a parts bin corner or two — a power mirror adjuster here, a window switch there — the Genesis forges its own path. Not only that, but the Genesis possesses enough cleverness to set itself apart from other luxury makes, period. Much of this is accomplished with attention to design detail and novel use of technology. Here are some of the finer points that you can't really appreciate by simply looking at a typical three-quarter view photo. No Shared Panels Although all three E-GMP cars have a general five-door hatchback-ish form, there are no shared body panels between them. According to a Genesis spokesperson, teams from each division got the platform, but then the designs split off from there. The GV60 more closely resembles the Kia EV6 than the boxy-retro Hyundai Ioniq 5, but even the rooflines — an area where it's really hard to disguise a shared unibody — are different. Other design flourishes include a minimalist side that resists forced character lines, a clamshell hood (still rear-hinged, though) and a rear that puts everything functional (sensors, reverse lights, reflectors, license plate) below the bumper line to keep the upper half clean. Biometric Authentication In theory, you don't ever need a key fob to drive the GV60. A facial recognition camera hidden in the B-pillar can save up to two profiles. Like an iPhone, you simply need to walk up to it and a light illuminates to indicate it's reading your mug. Once you're verified, the door unlocks. As a precaution, it requires a second authentication to actually start the car. That comes in the form of a fingerprint sensor on the center console. Of course, a fob can be used if you want your friend to fetch something out of the car for you, but not needing to carry a fob can be useful if, say, you're headed for a day at the beach.
2022 Genesis GV70, raging at VW ID.4 tech and thoughts on a new Lexus LFA | Autoblog Podcast #696
Fri, Sep 17 2021In this episode of the Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Senior Editor James Riswick. This week, they talk about driving the Genesis GV70, VW ID.4 and VW Taos. They talk about ways Chevy could "fix" the Camaro. James ranked all the James Bond films based solely on their starring cars. Next, they reach in the mailbag and discuss the question, "Do you think Lexus will make a successor to the LFA and, if so, what do you guys think it would be like?" After ruminating on that query, they dip into the mailbag a second time to recommend a sporty crossover to a listener in this week's Spend My Money segment. Send us your questions for the Mailbag and Spend My Money at: Podcast@Autoblog.com. Autoblog Podcast #696 Get The Podcast Apple Podcasts – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes Spotify – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast on Spotify RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown What we're driving: 2022 Genesis GV70 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 2022 Volkswagen Taos How we'd fix the Chevy Camaro All 24 James Bond movies ranked only by their cars Mailbag: What would a Lexus LFA successor look like? Spend My Money Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on Apple Podcasts Autoblog is now live on your smart speakers and voice assistants with the audio Autoblog Daily Digest. Say “Hey Google, play the news from Autoblog” or "Alexa, open Autoblog" to get your favorite car website in audio form every day. A narrator will take you through the biggest stories or break down one of our comprehensive test drives. Related Video: Lexus LFA | TRANSLOGIC
Genesis GV60 will recognize you to unlock and start, like your phone
Thu, Sep 16 2021Update: A Genesis representative confirmed the facial recognition and fingerprint scanner features will be available on the U.S.-market GV60. The text has been updated to reflect this. For a few years now, many smartphones will open simply with a scan of our thumb or even just by looking at our faces. Genesis plans to bring those same simple-to-use biometric systems to its GV60 electric car. Yes, your key could just be you. The completely new part of the Genesis GV60's biometric system is the facial recognition system. A near-infrared camera on the B-pillar will scan your face, and if it's in the system, it will unlock the car for you. No need for a key, PIN code (like on Ford products) or a separate wristband or fob (like on Jaguar Land Rover models). In particular, this could be handy for someone who wants to store things securely and not carry along a key, such as going swimming, running or some other outdoor activity. The system will store up to two faces, and the information is encrypted when stored and can be deleted by the user as needed or desired. The facial recognition system is also tied to other settings in the car. This way, when the car scans your face, it can automatically set your seat, mirrors, infotainment and head-up display to your preferred choices. It would definitely be handy for a car shared by a couple of people who have very different preferences. In this case, though, Genesis isn't the first to combine this technology. Subaru offers similar functionality, with in-car facial recognition rather than one on the outside for unlocking. Hypothetically, the GV60 could let you use your car completely free of any key, fob or even smartphone app. In addition to the facial recognition system, there's a fingerprint reader that will allow you to start and operate the car, provided that your fingerprint matches what's stored in the car. In some markets, Genesis already offers a fingerprint reader, and Hyundai has been playing with fingerprint scanner functionality since 2018 in the Chinese market. We got in touch with Genesis to find out if these features will be offered on the U.S.-market GV60, and a representative confirmed that they will. So welcome to the future, GV60 buyers. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.
2022 Genesis GV70 First Drive Review | The real deal
Mon, Sep 13 2021You get the sense from certain luxury brands that they're content to play second fiddle to the big names from Germany. The marketplace has spoken over the course of decades, and they don't see a path toward being equal in the minds of consumers, so why bother creating products that are truly equal? Genesis has not reached that cynical point. It's still young, plucky and swinging for the fences. Better still, the 2022 Genesis GV70 clears that fence, sailing over it to join the upper echelon of compact luxury SUVs. It's every bit a match for a Mercedes GLC and BMW X3, while greatly surpassing the disappointingly cost-cutting Audi Q5. And although cheaper than those, it's not a vast gap. The GV70's starting point of $42,045 is far closer to the Germans than it is to the Acura RDXs and Infiniti QX50s of the world, and quite frankly, it should be. There is a solidity and polish to the GV70 that you just don't get in those more value-oriented luxury models. To put it simply, the GV70 is the real deal. Under its skin, which for us was slathered in spectacular Barossa Burgundy matte paint, lies the same rear-wheel-drive platform as the G70 sport sedan. You can certainly see that DNA in its graceful long-hood proportions and short overhangs, which contrast sharply with its predominantly front-drive-based competition. Despite the sport sedan genes, however, the GV70 behaves more like its stately big brother, the GV80. It feels quite heavy, and, even when the available adaptive suspension is at its firmest in Sport+ mode, there's a fair bit of body roll. It sure likes to understeer, too, and it's hard to tell from the seat of your pants when you're getting overly ambitious with the throttle coming out of a corner. It won't seem like things are getting spunky, but then the stability control will jerk the seatbelts on you as if disaster is imminent. Excessively cautious nanny tech or excessive isolation? Shrug. The steering settings also need a rethink. The Sport mode is an unfortunate throwback to the earlier days of adjustable drive settings when extra effort would be added to satisfy the false assumption that stiff equals sporty, only worse. The G70 sedan’s isn't like this, but the GV70Â’s extra effort simply dulls the sensations transmitted from what is already a less-than-talkative chassis.